Terms of Reference
CONSULTANCY FOR BUSINESS ACCELERATION FOR YOUTH PROJECT 360 APPRAISAL
Project Background
Business Acceleration for Youth project is a four-year, innovative initiative implemented by the Alliance of Bioversity International and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Framed around a resilience-led sustainability strategy, the project aims to strengthen the resilience of youth and women-led businesses through the delivery of business development services, creating growth-oriented, sustainable firms able to secure and effectively utilize investment.
As part of its acceleration program, 60 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have received bespoke technical assistance from six selected Business Development Services (BDS) providers. The contracted BDS providers were tasked to build the capacity of the 60 MSMEs) through one-on-one coaching, targeted consulting interventions, facilitating business linkages and access to services, including finance.
We are calling for proposals from experienced consultants to assess the capacity and impact that Business Development Service providers delivering the acceleration services have had with the SMEs.
Description of the assignment
The goal of the assignment is to conduct a 360-degree appraisal of six BDS providers engaged by the Business Acceleration for Youth project to assess the quality and impact of the technical assistance delivered to MSMEs participating in the acceleration program. The methodologies while broadly the same (needs assessment, intervention, mentoring/coaching), the combination of interventions for each SME was dependent on the results of their needs assessment. It is important to assess which ones worked best (and why) in achieving the Business Acceleration for Youth theory of change.
Therefore, the appraisal will need to tap into stakeholder perspectives with regard to the quality of the acceleration services offered, looking into, but not limited to, the methodologies for conducting needs assessment, work plan development, training, coaching and mentoring, monitoring, and growth of the businesses. In addition, the appraisal should evaluate the capacity of Business Development Service (BDS) providers throughout the acceleration process, and their role in strengthening the local capacity of MSMEs for investor matchmaking and capital mobilization. Ultimately, the consultant should provide recommendations drawn from the conclusions of the appraisal, which will help inform future design thinking of the project.
Purpose and expected results
Purpose
Conduct a 360-degree appraisal for six business development service providers to establish their quality of service and capacity to deliver services that align with the business acceleration for youth project’s objectives and deliverables drawing from the experiences and feedback of key stakeholders involved in the acceleration program.
Expected results
A comprehensive report documenting and highlighting the various perspectives of the key stakeholders of the project on the following areas:
- The successes experienced in the delivery of the acceleration services
- The quality, relevance and customization of the technical assistance provided including how well services were tailored to SME needs and aligned to project objectives.
- The key lessons learned during the delivery of the acceleration services
- The challenges encountered in the delivery of the acceleration services
- The recommendations for future implementation of acceleration services
- The overall level of satisfaction of the services for participants
- Degree of change or improvement in SME performance (business planning, financial management, investor readiness, etc.) as attributed to BDS provider support.
Scope of work
Detailed tasks
The consultant will
- Conduct desk research of the program and benchmarking against other programs in Malawi and across the region
- Interview the MSMEs in three districts
- Survey/interview all six BDS providers on delivery to each of the MSME
- Survey Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT staff
Location of the assignment:
The consultant(s) will be expected to conduct an appraisal of the business development service providers delivery in the following districts: Blantyre, Lilongwe, and Mzimba (Mzuzu)
Anticipated start date: 13th July 2025
Duration of contract: 6 weeks
Deliverables
| Milestone and Percentage Contract Value | Means of Verification |
| Milestone 1. Contract signature (15%) |
|
| Milestone 2. Development of survey and interview tools (30%) |
|
| Milestone 3. Conduct surveys and interviews (30%) |
|
| Milestone 4. Completion of appraisal report (25%)
|
|
Technical Proposal and Supporting Documents
Offerers are requested to submit a technical proposal that outlines the process flow for the 360-degree appraisal. As part of the submission process, offerers are required to submit the following supporting documents as part of their technical proposal:
- The CV of the proposed ‘Project Manager,’ who will be responsible for supervising the execution of activities under this contract and will be the main point of contact between ABC and the contractor.
- If conducted by a consultancy firm, the CVs of any other staff that may be involved in the intervention.
- Proposed assignment workplan including description of how services will be delivered both physically and remotely in the target locations.
- Data analysis techniques to be utilized
- Proof of execution of similar assignments previously (please note formal references will be requested before final contracting).
- If applying as a firm include business registration and Tax clearance certificates.
Financial Proposal
Based upon the above information, Offerers are requested to provide a detailed cost proposal for the delivery of services in local currency. Please note that ABC is legally obliged to apply withholding tax where appropriate.
Submission
Applications should be submitted electronically by midday Monday 4th July 2025 to the following email address: businessacceleration4youth@outlook.com. Please indicate in the subject ‘Response to BA4Y Request for Acceleration Appraisal.’
Post expires at 11:59pm on Wednesday June 25th, 2025