Program: “Boosting innovative business initiatives led by women and youth in Qena and Al Minya, Upper Egypt” 2024/PRYC/000693
Design of awareness sessions and communication materials for a business incubation program in Qena and Al Minya (handicrafts & agriculture value chains)
Introduction
Within the framework of the project “Boosting innovative business initiatives led by women and youth in Qena and Al Minya, Upper Egypt”, implemented by CIDEAL Foundation with the financial support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), specialized technical assistance is required to design awareness sessions and communication materials to support the launch of the incubation and acceleration program. The assignment aims to ensure that the target population is effectively informed about the program and encouraged to participate prior to the start of each incubation cycle, through a combination of online and in-person awareness actions.
About CIDEAL Foundation
CIDEAL Foundation for Cooperation and Research is an independent organization with 40 years of experience in implementing international cooperation projects in developing countries. Its areas of work include food security and productive development, employment, entrepreneurship and income generation, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, human rights, and governance.
CIDEAL also operates as a research centre, developing innovative studies and training activities on key issues such as development cooperation, project management, the human rights-based approach, gender mainstreaming, and public-private collaboration. The Foundation’s headquarters are in Madrid, with offices and permanent staff in various parts of Spain, Africa, and Latin America.
Context and justification
Upper Egypt, particularly the governorates of Qena and Al Minya, offers significantc opportunities for the development of entrepreneurship initiatives linked to agriculture and handicraft value chains, especially among women and youth. The project aims to unlock these opportunities by promoting innovative business initiatives and supporting the development, certification, and commercialisation of key products with high market potential.
To ensure the effective implementation of the incubation and acceleration program, it is essential to design a targeted awareness approach that reaches potential participants, raises awareness about the program and clearly communicates its value. Awareness efforts must be adapted to the local context, combining digital channels with in-person engagement to reach diverse target groups, including those with limited access to online information.
Objectives of the Technical Assistance
To design a comprehensive awareness approach for the incubation and acceleration program, including communication materials and structured sessions to inform and engage potential participants. Specifically:
1.To design awareness sessions adapted to the local context and target groups.
2. To develop communication materials for online and offline awareness.
3. To define key messages and communication strategies aligned with the program objectives.
4. To ensure accessibility and inclusiveness in communication, particularly for women and youth
Methodology
The expert shall propose a clear, feasible, and context-adapted methodology, combining:
• Desk review of project documentation, available data, reports and sectoral analyses.
• Analysis of target groups and communication channels in Qena and Al Minya.
• Benchmarking of similar awareness campaigns and communication strategies.
• Consultations with local partners and stakeholders.
• Adaptation of communication tools to local socio-cultural dynamics.
The awareness design should be aligned with the structure and timing of the incubation program cycles.
Tasks to be performed
The Technical Assistance will include:
1. Preliminary design
o Definition of the overall awareness approach
o Detailed methodology and work plan
2. Design of awareness sessions
o Definition of format and structure of in-person sessions
o Identification of key content to be presented (program overview, participation criteria, benefits, application process)
o Definition of session flow, duration and facilitation approach
3. Development of communication materials
o Design of key messages adapted to the target audience
o Development of materials for online awareness
o Development of materials for offline awareness
4. Communication strategy and channels
o Identification of appropriate communication channels (online and offline)
o Mapping of relevant local stakeholders and outreach actors (CSOs, universities, youth centres, women’s associations, community initiatives, etc.) that can support dissemination and participant mobilisation in Qena and Al Minya.
o Recommendations for awareness timing aligned with each incubation cycle
o Suggestions for combining digital outreach with in-person engagement
Deliverables
1. Inception report
• Methodology
• Work plan
• Proposed awareness approach
2. Draft awareness package
3. Final validated awareness package, including:
• Awareness sessions design (structure, content, facilitation guideline)
• Communication materials (online and offline)
• Key messages and communication guidelines
• Stakeholder mapping and outreach recommendations for local dissemination support
• Recommendations for implementation and timing
Duration of the consultancy
The consultancy will last for 1 month.
How to apply
Consultant requirements
To submit a proposal, CIDEAL Foundation seeks one expert with qualifications clearly aligned with the following profile:
Academic background
o Degree in Communication, Marketing, Social Sciences, Rural Development, or related fields.
o Postgraduate studies in Development Cooperation or sector-specific studies will be an asset.
Professional experience
o At least 5 years of experience in communication strategies, awareness campaigns, or outreach activities.
o Experience in designing communication materials and campaigns.
o Experience in development projects or social programs.
o Experience in Egypt (preferably Upper Egypt).
o Experience in projects focused on women and youth economic empowerment will be considered an asset.
Languages
o Fluent Arabic and English (essential)
o Knowledge of Spanish will be an asset.
Skills and competences
o Strong communication and content design skills.
o Experience in adapting messages to different audiences.
o Creativity combined with strategic thinking.
o Capacity to work both independently and in a team, with a results-oriented approach.
Application Dossier
The applicant’s dossier must include a technical offer and a financial offer. The technical offer must contain the following elements:
a) A duly signed cover letter.
b) A summary of the understanding of the Terms of Reference, including a detailed proposed methodology.
c) The timeline for the mission execution.
d) The consultant’s updated CV, duly signed.
e) Reference certificates for similar missions carried out by the consultancy firm.
The financial offer for the service must be submitted in Egyptian pounds (EGP), excluding taxes. It is important to note that the financial offer must cover any potential expenses related to this mission (travel expenses, accommodation, and any other costs associated with the execution of the mission).
Evaluation Methodology for offers
The evaluation of the offers will be based on the weighting of technical and financial evaluation criteria.
Evaluation of the Technical Offer (80% of the total score)
A technical score (St) with a maximum of 100 points will be assigned to the technical proposal according to the following table:
Organisation and Methodology – 25
• Overall understanding of the mandate and intervention context – 10
• Clarity, structure, and coherence of the proposed methodology -15
Expertise / Experience – 50
• Relevance of the profile and experience in similar projects and in line with the required qualifications – 15
• Training – 5
• Functional skills – 5
• Professional experience – 15
• References (similar missions) – 10
Proposed Methodology and approach – 25
• Quality of the proposed approach/methodology – 15
• Quality of the proposed work plan – 10
Total global score – 100
Offers that do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Terms of Reference or do not reach the minimum technical qualification threshold of 70 points out of 100 will be eliminated at this stage.
Evaluation of the Financial Offer (20% of the total score)
The financial proposal of the lowest-priced offer (Om) will be assessed based on the total price and the coherence of its breakdown. This offer will receive a financial score (Sf) of 100 points.
The financial scores of the other offers (F) will be calculated using the following formula:
Sf = 100 x Om/F
Om = the lowest-priced financial offer
F = the price of the evaluated offer
Final Evaluation of the Overall Offer
The final evaluation of the offer will be conducted by weighting the technical and financial evaluation criteria.
Coordination and supervision
The work will be supervised by the coordination team designated by CIDEAL
Application procedure
Interested candidates must submit their application before 14th June 2026 to the following email addresses: arena.martinez@cideal.org and hakim.jamain@cideal.org
Any incomplete application will not be considered.