Background of Oxfam In Uganda
Oxfam in Uganda is part of the Oxfam confederation, aligning with Oxfam NOVIB as the Oxfam Affiliate. Oxfam in Uganda started work in the 1960s delivering development and humanitarian support as part of the global Oxfam confederation, a global movement of people fighting to end inequality and injustice. We tackle the inequalities that make and keep people poor. We save and protect people’s lives in times of crisis, work with people to build resilience and rebuild their livelihoods. We enable vulnerable people’s voices to be heard and campaign for genuine, durable change.
Oxfam’s vision is Uganda free of inequality and Injustice: A society where people, particularly women and young people, claim and exercise their rights and responsibilities and influence decisions that affect their lives. This is guided by the Country Strategic Framework 2021-2030 which is anchored on four thematic areas namely: Good Governance and Accountability, Resilient Livelihoods, Humanitarian Preparedness, and Response as well as Women Rights. The SME Development project Uganda is part of the intervention within the Resilient Livelihood thematic area.
Information about the project
Although Uganda has maintained a positive economic growth rate of 5.7% in the past decade, its pace of economic advancement doesn’t match the growth in new employment opportunities for its predominantly young population. Youth unemployment in Uganda is at 64% while most youth are engaged in informal jobs and subsistence agriculture. This has led to low-income levels, poverty, rural-urban migration, limited access to social services, and related vulnerabilities. To training and BDS support will equip youth with agribusiness, entrepreneurship, and business development skills to help them grow their businesses and create social impact. The training and BDS support align to ongoing government programs such as the National Action plan for youth employment 2016, Skilling Uganda strategy 2012-2022, YLP, and BTVET policy. This will lead to increased incomes for Youth.
Purpose and objectives
The purpose of the planned SME training and capacity development is to support the 8 selected SMEs with Business Development Services aimed at building their capacity to grow, create more employment opportunities for youth, and access finance from financial institutions and potential investors for expansion.
The objectives include:
- To conduct a detailed capacity assessment of the 8 targeted SMEs which shall inform training, coaching, and mentorship of the SMEs.
- To deliver training and coaching to 8 selected SMEs as per the capacity gaps identified above.
- To provide capacity development and mentorship aimed at making them commercially viable and able to access finance from financial institutions and potential investors.
- To advise on future support needs of the SMEs.
Scope of work and timeframe
The SME training and capacity development will target a total of 8 youth and women-led SMEs who already employ between 5-100 employees. They shall be identified from Arua (2), Nebbi (2), Gulu (2), and Oyam (2) districts. The 8 SMEs will be supported with Business Development Services and linked to potential investors. The SME capacity development exercise is estimated to take 15 working days from the date of signing the contract. The consultant should include details of the timelines and key milestones in the proposal.
Training: 6 days
Tailored support: 6 days
Preparation and reporting: 3 days
Supervision
Oxfam Uganda will supervise the process. The consultant will report to the Youth Engagement & Empowerment Project (YEEP) Coordinator based in the Kampala office. The consultant will be expected to work closely with and interact a lot with The Project Manager Business Development Services, and the Resilient Livelihood Manager.
Expected outputs/deliverables
The following are key deliverables from the study.
1. A needs assessment report detailing training and capacity development needs of the 8 identified SMEs.
2. Agreed training curriculum for the 3 day- SME development training plus a pre-training and post-training questionnaire.
3. A short training report prepared and shared after completing the 2 pieces of training highlighting key areas to focus on in the 2-day tailored support visit to the SMEs.
4. A final report including recommendations of ongoing support needs of the SMEs.
Alternative 2
1. Pre-training: The consultant will review and finalize the design of the material and method of the training, including the pre-training and post-training questionnaire.
2. During the training: The consultant will provide training to the participants, and offer hands-on guidance on the development of business growth plans to be finalized during the support visits.
3. Post-training: The consultant shall present a short training report prepared and shared after completing the 2 pieces of training highlighting results of pre-and post-questionnaires and key areas to focus on in the 2-day tailored support visit to the SMEs.
4. Post 2-day support visit to SMEs: The consultant shall prepare a final report indicating work accomplished in the two-day support visit to each SME, ongoing support needs identified, and actions committed to by the SME (attach growth plans of SMEs which should be max 5 pages).
Experience/ qualifications
The consultant should have a multidisciplinary team with key qualifications and competencies as follows:
- A master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, International Development, Project Management, Economics, Statistics or any other relevant field, etc. A higher-level degree or credential shall be an added advantage.
- Demonstrate understanding of Uganda context including entrepreneurial ecosystem, key private sector actors and SME development and related initiatives by the government of Uganda and other stakeholders, and the legal framework governing SMEs.
- Minimum of 5 years practical experience in delivering business development services, business ecosystem influencing work, or access to finance initiatives with documented proof of such activities.
- Should have knowledge and experience in finance and impact investing
- Should have knowledge and experience in gender and women rights issues that relate to the private sector and business development including knowledge and experience in gender lens investing.
- Strong writing skills and experience in producing written material for a range of audiences including communications and media.
- Previous experience with Oxfam work is an advantage. National consultants are preferred.
Proposal study Criteria
The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the Quality Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) Criteria:
The individual general reliability as well as experience and capacity in carrying out the assignment (30%).
The approach in responding to the TOR and detailed work Oxfam in Uganda (45%).
The qualifications and competencies of the proposed personnel for the assignment (25%).
Proposals obtaining more than 70% of the technical points will be considered technically suitable and qualify for a financial assessment.
Budget and Payment
Professional fee: Though the interested consultant/s is expected to provide a budget for the exercise, Oxfam will consider proposals that are within the approved rates as per its policy on professional fees.
Tax and insurance: The consultant/s shall be responsible for his/her income tax and/or insurance during the assignment
The consultant will be paid in two installments 30% of consultant fees at the initial state and 70% after submission of the final report.
A contract will be signed by the consultant before the commencement of SME training and capacity development which will detail additional terms and conditions of service, aspects of inputs and deliverables
Code of conduct
Oxfam's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Oxfam Code of Conduct sets out the standards to which all staff members must adhere. The consultant is bound by the principles and conditions of the Oxfam Code of Conduct.
Submission and deadline
All expressions of interest should include:
- Letter of interest (maximum one page) letter addressing the assessment criteria
- Technical Proposal (maximum 10 pages-excluding study instruments) highlighting: a brief explanation about the consultant/s with an emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work, the profile of the Consultant/s, understanding of the TOR, the evaluation methodology, key contacts of previous work done, and organizations worked for.
- Financial Proposal: The financial proposal should provide cost estimates for services rendered including daily consultancy fees including transport, accommodation and living costs, stationery, and supplies needed, etc.
- The Consultant should also use his/her computer.
Expressions of interest should be submitted no later than 24th November 2021 at 3:00 p.m.
All submissions should be emailed to ugandalogistics@oxfam.org referencing Expression of interest to provide SME training and capacity development to 8 selected SMEs under the Youth Engagement and Empowerment Project-(YEEP). Offers received by any other means will not be taken into consideration.
Only selected bidders/candidates will be contacted for further discussions.