Deadline of this Job: 19 October 2022
Financing Agreement reference:

Project ID No.: G-Z1-1D0-ZZZ-012

The services included in this project are;

1. Build a supportive ecosystem for women’s entrepreneurship aimed at improving access to finance,
2. Develop an innovative platform that dispenses advisory services addressing capacity constraints, skills enhancement and digital presence for WSMEs,
3. Enhance visibility and access to mentorship and role models for WSMEs. The project specifically seeks to unlock the entrepreneurial capacity of 400 WSMEs and improve AECF’s ecosystem for supporting women entrepreneurs in nine countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe).

This project is implemented by AECF between April 2022 and December 2023

• AECF is seeking to recruit a vibrant and highly motivated consultant to support the implementation of the Nkwanzi Scaling WSMEs in the nine countries. The Project Consultant will be the lead provider of advisory services to the Women SMEs supported in this project and will also be responsible for overall quality assurance of all the services provided under this project. These will largely comprise of technical assistance, investor readiness services and communication.
• The AECF, LLC now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.)
• Eligibility criteria, the establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Rules and Procedures for the use of Consultants”, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
• An evaluation committee will be formed by the AECF and may include employees of the businesses to be supported. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.
• The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all the consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.
• In deciding the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 80% based on the evaluation criteria.
• The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

Key Areas for Evaluation/ Assessment    Weighted Award 

• Expression of Interest     80
• An understanding of the consultancy requirements;    20
• Relevant services are undertaken by the bidder in past engagements with evidence of LPO/LSO, letter of engagement, completion certificate    20
• Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments and at least 3 signed letters of reference from past customers or associates to the consultant    10
• Qualification and experience of the consultant/team and evidence of relevant certification    20
• All the required registration and certification documents    10

Deadline of this Job: 16 October 2022
The key responsibilities are:

• Support the implementation and monitoring of annual work plans and budgets for the project.
• Lead strategic analysis and conceptualization of the project to ensure results are achieved and surpassed.
• Manage and coordinate all the activities of the Women Economic Empowerment Project and the project platforms.
• Coordinate and lead engagement of strategic partners, coaches, mentors, advisors and consultants to implement the multi-country project.
• Lead tracking and review of quarterly progress and prepare narratives and financial reports/insights for project reporting.
• Organize check-in calls with the donor and ensure compliance.
• Quality assure the selection and delivery of advisory services to the WSMEs enrolled in the project.
• Identify and document other opportunities to scale the project.
• Lead the documentation and reporting for the end of the project.

The Candidate:

Suitable candidates should:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Strategic Management, or a related field.
• Have at least 5 years of experience in end-to-end project management, business advisory, enterprise development, and private sector development, including scoping and design, resourcing, risk management, and quality assurance.
• Have experience working in various African countries in project design, implementation, and management, working with WSMEs.
• Have extensive experience in markets and private sector engagement with systems targeting women.
• Possess excellent business judgment, and analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues.
• Be able to present creative and practical solutions, make and commit to sound decisions, and anticipate short-term and long-term implications.
• Have the ability to identify, analyze and address a wide variety of issues and problems affecting WSMEs that hinder access to finance
• Demonstrate strong written, presentation, and communications skills in English and have the ability to synthesize and present information effectively and tailored for different audiences.