InterChurch Organization for Development Cooperation Terms of Reference for Value Chain Finance Assessment Jobs in Ethiopia
InterChurch Organization for Development Cooperation Terms of Reference for Value Chain Finance Assessment Jobs in Ethiopia
Objective of the AssessmentThe assessment shall identify what are causes for a less successful implementation of value chain financing (VCF) efforts in Ethiopia, by the STARS program.
Additionally, the assessment shall show how MFIs, with and without the support of a development project, can engage itself further in value chain financing in the future in order to improve the livelihoods of rural households.
At the onset of the program, it was expected that VCF would happen in the malt barley and potato value chains but paid less attention for this to happen in loose value chains or any other agricultural value chain the MFIs are dealing with. The observed lack of VCF provided by MFIs could be value chain specific.
STARS, however, is more interested in understanding the challenges to VCF at an organizational and institutional level, rather than only at the value chain level.
The objective of the assessment stated above shall deliver a report describing the following:
Identification of causes inhibiting MFIs to engage in effective VCF at an institutional and organizational level; and at the agricultural sector level;
Examples of how these causes have blocked STARS and non-STARS efforts to avail VCF by MFIs;
Identification of key stakeholders for MFIs to enhance their VCF activities;
Identification of challenges and opportunities, particular to women;
Identification of opportunities and challenges in the existing enabling environment and MFI operational framework, for MFIs to engage in VCF;
Recommend MFIs how they can overcome the causes inhibiting them from engaging in VCF;
Recommend short-term and long-term strategies for the MFIs on how they can engage in VCF by using the opportunities identified;
Recommend how policy makers can create a more conducive environment for VCF;
Recommend how development partners can support MFIs on VCF, with special consideration of the MSD approach.
Scope of work
The assessment has to be completed in a limited timeframe and shall therefore take place in a pre-identified scope.
The details of this scope, which are subject to change, are listed here below:
Focus on three partner MFIs in the STARS program and focus on selected value chains (TBD);
Field visit to three different zones in Oromia region and visit to at least six woredas in those zones;
Primary and secondary qualitative data collection, supplemented with secondary quantitative data collection;
Write up of a report detailing the assessment findings and developing recommendations together with the STARS team.
Since the scope is pre-identified, ICCO restricts the number of billable days the consultant can use in order to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of the consultant.
The scope of days per activity is provided here below. The number of days per activity can be shuffled around but shall not exceed a total of 20 billable days.
Candidate Requirements
The consultant or consultancy firm shall have the following requirements
In case of an individual consultant; a minimum of a Master’s degree in economics, business management or any other related field; or a Bachelor's degree in the same fields, complemented with at least 5 years or relevant work experience;
In case of a firm; a strong track record in working on agribusiness and value chain development; or working with rural finance institutions. Consultants proposed for this assignment should have at least the same educational requirements / experience as listed for individual consultants;
Working knowledge of the MFI sector in Ethiopia; working knowledge of MFI sector internationally is a strong plus;
Prior experience with VCF activities is a plus;
Basic but demonstrable understanding of the MSD approach and the implication it has on project implementation done by ICCO Cooperation;
Excellent language skills in Amharic and English; Afaan Oromo language skill is a plus.
Selection criteria
The applications shall be assessed on the technical and financial proposal submitted. The technical proposal shall have a weight of 70%, whereas the financial proposal shall have a weight of 30%.
The technical proposal shall, amongst others, be assessed on the applicant’s
understanding of the assignment;
demonstrated understanding of the MSD approach;
demonstrated familiarity with the MFI sector and agricultural finance.
The financial proposal shall include daily consultancy fees, costs for operational activities, and it shall be tax included.
It will be assessed on
the ratio consultancy costs / other costs;
Costs for daily fees;
costs for operational activities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates can submit a technical and financial proposal by email. The deadline for submission of proposals is 4 December 2020 at 5 PM (GMT+3). The proposal can be submitted to the following contact persons:
Wouter van Bruggen - STARS PERL Coordinator: w.vanbruggen@icco.nl
Oscar Geerts - STARS Ethiopia Country Lead: o.geerts@icco.nl
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for further assessment of their capability to handle the assignment.
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