Terms of Reference Business Assessment Consultant for Youth Entrepreneurship Development

Who We Are

Girl Effect is an international non-profit dedicated to addressing challenges faced by adolescent girls and youth in Ethiopia. Operating in the country since 2013, the organization leverages Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies, combining media and on-the-ground interventions to tackle various societal issues and empower young people. Girl Effect Ethiopia created the youth brand Yegna in 2014, since then has reached over 10 million people through multiple products, outreach programs, girl networks, and research pieces done all for the betterment of adolescent lives.

We create safe spaces for girls, sharing facts and answering questions about health, nutrition, education, relationships, etc. And we use innovative technology so we can reach girls at scale. We arm girls with the skills to negotiate and redefine what they are told is possible, so every girl can choose to be in control of her body, her health, her learning and livelihood.

When a girl unlocks her power to make different choices that change her life, it inspires others to do so too. She starts a ripple effect that impacts her family, community, and country. 

That’s the Girl Effect.

Background

The Support, Enable, and Engage (SEE) Young People in Ethiopia aims to address the challenges faced by young people in accessing sustainable livelihoods and entrepreneurial opportunities across Ethiopia. In many regions, youth face high unemployment rates, limited access to resources, and a lack of knowledge about viable business opportunities. The SEE Project seeks to empower young people by building their skills, fostering entrepreneurship, and supporting the establishment of profitable businesses.

This consultancy is a crucial part of the SEE Project’s efforts to identify viable business opportunities tailored to regional contexts, assess the skills and interests of young people, and provide actionable resources and recommendations for starting businesses. The findings from this business assessment will guide both youth and key stakeholders, including government bodies and organizations, in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and economic growth.

By aligning local market opportunities with the aspirations and capacities of youth, the SEE Project envisions fostering sustainable livelihoods, reducing unemployment, and driving regional economic development.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to support the SEE Project in fostering youth entrepreneurship and economic growth by:

Identifying Viable Business Opportunities: Conduct in-depth market research to uncover profitable, sustainable, and context-appropriate business opportunities tailored to the unique resources and landscapes of six regions (Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia).

Aligning Skills and Interests: assessing the skills, interests, and aspirations of young people aged 15 to 35, ensuring alignment with identified business opportunities and promoting inclusivity for both young women and men.

Empowering Youth with Resources: mapping and documenting essential resources, such as training opportunities, financial support mechanisms, and other tools needed to help youth establish and sustain businesses.

Engaging Stakeholders: collaborating with government stakeholders, youth organizations, and other relevant entities to validate findings, align on action plans, and distribute accessible and actionable insights.

Promoting Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods: equipping young people and stakeholders with knowledge and step-by-step guidance to encourage entrepreneurship, reduce unemployment, and contribute to regional economic development.

The overarching goal is to empower young individuals with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to create and sustain their own businesses, ultimately fostering self-reliance and driving local economic growth.

Scope of Work

The Consultant/Consulting Firm will undertake the following key activities:

1. Market Research:
• Conduct regional market research across all project intervention regions (Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and Southern Ethiopia) to identify profitable and feasible business opportunities at the Woreda level.
• Analyze local landscapes, resources, and economic trends to identify businesses compatible with each area.
2. Skills and Interests Assessment:
• Assess the skills, interests, and entrepreneurial potential of young people (ages 15-35) in the target regions.
• Map skill gaps and suggest training or capacity-building programs to align youth with identified business opportunities.
3. Resource Mapping:
• Identify and map available resources (e.g., training programs, youth-focused programs, financial support, grants, loans, and business development services).
• Provide step-by-step guidance for youth to access these resources to establish viable businesses.
4. Validation Workshop:
• Present the findings of the market research and skills assessment in a validation workshop to stakeholders 
• Incorporate feedback and refine recommendations for effective implementation.
5. Report Distribution:
• Disseminate the finalized market study report to stakeholders, Woreda representatives, and relevant organizations to ensure broad accessibility and utilization in collaboration with Girl Effect.

Responsibilities

The Business Assessment Consultant will undertake the following key responsibilities:

1. Conduct Comprehensive Market Research

• Identify and analyze viable and profitable business opportunities within the targeted six regions (Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia) and their specific Woredas.
• Assess the regional landscape, available resources, market demands, and gaps in existing industries to recommend context-appropriate businesses.
• Ensure the market research covers both urban and rural settings to provide tailored opportunities based on regional conditions.

2. Perform Skills and Interests Assessment

• Develop and implement a methodology to assess the skills, interests, and entrepreneurial potential of young people aged 15 to 35 in the targeted regions.
• Use participatory approaches, such as focus group discussions, surveys, and interviews, to gather insights directly from youth.
• Identify gaps in skills and areas where capacity-building programs or training might be necessary to align youth potential with market opportunities.

3. Resource Mapping

• Identify and document resources available for supporting youth entrepreneurship, including:
• Training institutions or programs offering skills development.
• Financial support mechanisms, including microfinance institutions, grants, and loans for startups.
• Mentorship programs, business incubators, and other support systems.
• Provide detailed recommendations on how youth can access these resources and leverage them for their entrepreneurial success.

4. Develop a Roadmap for Youth Business Development

• Create a step-by-step guide for youth to establish businesses, including:
• Necessary steps for starting a business.
• Training and resources required for each business type.
• Budget requirements for startups and potential funding options.
• Strategies to ensure sustainability and scalability of businesses.
• Ensure the roadmap is practical, easy to understand, and tailored to the specific contexts of the regions.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Validation Workshop

• Organize and facilitate a validation workshop with government representatives, youth organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Present the market research findings, skills assessment results, and proposed recommendations for feedback and validation.
• Foster collaboration and alignment among stakeholders to ensure the findings are actionable and impactful.

6. Documentation and Dissemination

• Prepare a comprehensive business assessment report that includes:
• Identified business opportunities.
• Skills and interests alignment.
• Resource mapping and accessibility.
• Practical recommendations for youth and stakeholders.
• Distribute the report to government stakeholders, youth organizations, and other relevant parties.
• Ensure the report is accessible and user-friendly for its intended audience.

7. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

• Maintain regular communication with the project team to provide updates on progress, challenges, and milestones.
• Submit periodic progress reports detailing activities undertaken, findings, and preliminary recommendations.
• Ensure all deliverables are submitted on time and meet the required quality standards.

8. Ensure Inclusivity and Context-Specific Approaches

• Develop methodologies and recommendations that are inclusive of young women and men, ensuring that gender equity is prioritized.
• Tailor recommendations and resources to reflect the unique needs of each region and community, including those in rural and underserved areas.

9. Provide Post-Assessment Support

• Offer follow-up support or guidance to the project team and stakeholders, as needed, to ensure the effective implementation of recommendations.
• Be available to address queries or provide clarifications on the assessment findings and roadmap.

Expected Deliverables

The Business Assessment Consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report

• A detailed work plan, including the methodology, tools, and timelines for conducting market research, skills assessments, and resource mapping.
• Outline of the data collection process, stakeholder engagement strategy, and validation workshop plan.
• Submission timeline: Within two weeks of the start date.

2. Comprehensive Market Research Report

• Identification of viable and profitable business opportunities in the six targeted regions (Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia) and specific Woredas.
• Analysis of market trends, regional resources, and potential business gaps.
• Recommendations for businesses aligned with regional landscapes and available resources.

3. Skills and Interests Assessment Report

• A detailed report on the skills, interests, and entrepreneurial potential of young people aged 15 to 35.
• Identification of skill gaps and recommendations for capacity-building programs to align youth capabilities with market demands.

4. Resource Mapping Report

• A comprehensive mapping of resources available for youth entrepreneurship, including:
• Training providers and skill development programs.
• Financial support mechanisms such as grants, loans, and microfinance options.
• Mentorship opportunities and other support systems.
• Practical guidance on how youth can access these resources.

5. Roadmap for Business Development

• A step-by-step guide for youth on starting and managing businesses, including:
• Business setup processes and requirements.
• Training and resources needed for specific business opportunities.
• Budget requirements and funding options for startups.
• Strategies for sustainability and scalability.

6. Validation Workshop

• Organize and facilitate a validation workshop in collaboration with Girl Effect.
• Presentation materials summarizing the findings and recommendations from the market research, skills assessment, and resource mapping.
• Documented feedback and inputs from stakeholders to refine the final report.

7. Final Business Assessment Report

• A comprehensive report consolidating all findings, including:
• Market research insights.
• Skills and interests assessment results.
• Resource mapping and step-by-step business development guidance.
• Feedback from the validation workshop.
• The final report must be well-organized, user-friendly, and accessible to youth, government stakeholders, and organizations.

8. Dissemination of the Final Report

• Ensure the final report is shared with government stakeholders, youth organizations, and other relevant parties as listed by Girl Effect.
• Provide a distribution plan to ensure accessibility and wide utilization of the findings.

9. Regular Progress Reports

• Submit biweekly progress reports to the project team, detailing activities undertaken, challenges faced, and preliminary findings.
• Highlight any adjustments required in the work plan to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.

Expected Commitment

• Duration: February 20, 2025 – April 20, 2025. 
• Consultant/Firm will commit to full delivery of all deliverables within the specified timeframe.

Location

The consultant must be based in Ethiopia and have extensive experience in the country. The Assignment will be carried out in Ethiopia within the six targeted regions (Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Central Ethiopia, Sidama, and South Ethiopia).

Management

The consultant will have a primary point of contact within our Ethiopia Programs team. The language of the materials and reports shall be English. The contract supervisor shall approve all deliverables submitted before any payment is made.

Procurement Timeline

• Terms of Reference Published: February 4, 2025
• Deadline for Questions/Clarifications:  February 10, 2025
• Deadline for responses from GE: February 13, 2025
• Deadline for Proposal Submission: February 18, 2025
• Project Commencement: February 25, 2025

Proposal Submission

Interested consultants/firms should include the following in their proposal (Max 10 pages):

• A detailed technical proposal outlining the methodology, tools, and approach for the assessment.
• Credentials/Profile/CV - Please showcase any previous work (including examples of market research and youth-focused projects), that you consider relevant to what we are trying to achieve, how we approach our work, and the audience we cater to. Describe the qualifications, experience, and capabilities of the firm or consultant in providing the requested services.
• Reference- Provide at least three references for similar contracts with a description of the service provided, the value of the contract, and the contract periods of performance.
• A timeline/work plan for the completion of activities and deliverables.
• Breakdown of Costs with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified in ETB.
• All applicable taxes should be quoted separately;

In their proposal, the bidder must demonstrate an understanding of the requirements described in the TOR and demonstrate how the bidder will meet the requirements of the evaluation criteria.

GE is not liable for any cost incurred during the award/contract preparation, submission, or negotiation of the award/contract. All submitted documentation and/or materials shall become and remain the property of GE.

VALIDITY of the proposal shall be for 90 days from the date of bid closure.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Approach (40%):
• Feasibility and clarity of the methodology.
• Demonstrated understanding of the assignment objectives.
2. Relevant Experience (30%):
• Previous work on similar assignments.
• Experience in youth-focused initiatives and entrepreneurship projects.
3. Team Composition (10%):
• Qualifications and experience of team members.
4. Financial Proposal (20%):
• Cost-effectiveness and alignment with the proposed work plan.

Questions/Clarifications

If you have any questions about this TOR, please email suppliers@girleffect.org by February 10, 2025. All questions will be answered and shared through an FAQ.

How To Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a proposal by email with the subject line “ Business Assessment Consultant-Ethiopia ” to suppliers@girleffect.org  by February 18, 2025.

Copyright

All materials/documents arising from this consultancy work shall remain the property of Girl Effect.

Equal Opportunities

Girl Effect is committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity, or expression. We are proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace.

We are committed to building an organization that is truly representative of the communities that we serve. To this end, due regard will be paid to procuring consultancy services of organizations and individuals with a deep understanding and experience of our programming markets and diverse professional, academic and cultural backgrounds.

Safeguarding

You may be required to undertake safeguarding checks. Shortlisted consultants will be assessed on our organizational values at the interview stage. The successful consultant will be expected to adhere to our safeguarding policy. We encourage you to read and understand our safeguarding policy, the executive summary of which can be found here. We have zero tolerance for all forms of violence against children, beneficiaries and staff. 

Tax

Girl Effect Ethiopia is obliged by the Ethiopian tax authorities to ensure all taxes are charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions to Ethiopian tax legislation when developing their proposals.

Disclaimer

GE reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party. GE shall inform the ONLY successful applicant(s). The process of negotiation and signing of the contract with the successful applicant(s) will follow.

Please note: We will evaluate only proposals submitted following the application process outlined in the TOR  and using our specified email address (suppliers@girleffect.org).