Consultant for Proposal Development At Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust

1. Introduction

The Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) has since the year 2002 developed a niche in supporting the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises by providing integrated business solutions for sustainable development. The Trust is a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Government of Kenya and the European Union who later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya.

Currently, MESPT is implementing the DANIDA Country Programme dubbed the Green Employment in Agriculture 2021-2025 whose thematic objective is “Accelerated decent employment creation in MSMEs and improved competitiveness of targeted value chains in agriculture which contribute to transforming the economy towards greener and more inclusive growth”. MESPT is also implementing Danida Market Development Partnership Program (2020 to 2026) whose objective is to spur job creation by enhancing the competitiveness of the banana subsector in Taita Taveta county.

Further, MESPT is implementing the AGRIFI program in Kenya whose objective is to strengthen the capacities of actors along selected value chains through the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training -ATVET system approach. Activities under this will inter alia include supporting the upgrading, development and upscaling of agriculture and agri-business value chain-based training curriculums under ATVET. Under the second result area, the project will increase the capacity of private sector to implement and enforce standards on SPS. Furthermore, the project supports Counties in testing and surveillance and enforcement of Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary regulations.

2. Background and Rationale of the assignment **

Resource mobilisation is a key MESPT function with the objective of facilitating the delivery of MESPT’S strategic agenda and her sustainability. In line with this MESPT is responding to a call by Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DMFA) that seeks to explore approaches to further green its international development engagements including the DMDP programme.

The focus of the call is on tangible ideas on how existing DMDP projects where MESPT is participating among other institutions could become even greener, more sustainable, and more impactful in support of the Danish Government’s green ambitions.

The point of departure for the additional funding is the current/ ongoing DMDP projects. The additional activities should have a focus on further greening the business case of the commercial partner(s) and/or the target group to further expand and sustain the development effects of the project.

Additional green approaches and activities could include:

• New innovative and green project elements (introduction of green technologies/approaches, circular economy in production, green skills, etc.)
• Addition of new complementary partner(s)/new product(s) that can further green the value chain/market system in which the project is operating
• Scaling and replication of the green DMDP solutions in adjacent/connected markets/countries, if well argued in terms of commercial viability and cost used efficiency

The additional support should clearly contribute with new green elements to the DMDP project beyond continuation of existing activities. The application should include indicators and targets that are specifically linked to the green agenda at output and/or outcome level. Additional funding will be available for additional ‘green’ elements or components of the DMDP projects including activities that help address environmental challenges, contribute to improved climate conditions, have a focus on efficient use of natural resources or promote nature-based solutions. Whereas in the current DMDP projects, there is a strong focus on SDG 8 employment and income opportunities which will remain as ‘principal’ to the objective of each project all DMDP applicants will beside the existing focus on SDG 8, need to demonstrate how their additional activities contribute to one or more of SDGs 2,6,7,12,13, 14 and 15.

The deadline for submission of the proposal is 20^th September 2021.

3. Objective of the consultancy

The Consultant will take the lead, in conjunction with the MESPT consortium, in putting together a compelling, evidence-based proposal for submission in accordance with the donor guidelines.

4. Scope of the assignment

The consultant is expected to undertake the following:

1. Exhaustively review the call and in the context of the call guidelines and offer technical input.
2. Participate in meetings/workshops (online and physical) with MESPT team + partners for brainstorming and proposal development.
3. Take lead in the actual writing of the proposal in close consultations with the MESPT consortium members.
4. Submit a compelling, evidence-based proposal to MESPT and consortium members (incorporating their input) within the agreed timelines but at least 6 days to the deadline of the call i.e., 14^th September 2021.

5. Expected Deliverables

· Upon signing of contract, the consultant is expected to produce a detailed workplan of the activities to be undertaken with clear timelines and outputs in line with the TOR and the call.

· Write and submit to MESPT a comprehensive draft proposal plus other required documents, as per the call’s guidelines and requirements.

· Work with relevant MESPT team to edit and finalize.

· Submit a complete proposal plus other required documents to MESPT.

6. Outcome of the Consultancy

A completed, comprehensive proposal with all related documents/details as per the donor/ call requirements.

7. Duration/Indicative Schedule/Level of Effort

The level of effort for this assignment is estimated to be up to a maximum of 5 days.

8. Budget

The maximum available budget for this assignment is KES150 ,000 and the suitable candidate will be selected based on their technical proposal.

9. Reporting

The consultant will work closely with the relevant team(s) and report to the Head of Programs, MESPT.

10. Resources

The Consultant will be paid the amount mentioned in clause 8 above. MESPT will also prepare a contract for the exercise and will retain 5% Withholding Tax as required by Kenya Revenue Authority.

11. Payment

The payment plan to the Consultant will be as follows: –

a) 30% upon submission of an acceptable inception report and detailed activity workplan

b) 30% upon submission and presentation of an acceptable draft proposal with all the required details as per the call.

c) 40% upon incorporation of comments, completion, and submission of the final acceptable concept note with all the required details as per the call.

12. Ownership and Beneficiaries of the proposals

All documents produced under this assignment shall be the sole property of MESPT and may be used for any purpose whatsoever without the need to consult with the author.

13. Qualification and Competencies

The consultant will bring to the concept development process previous experience from developing and writing successful integrated, multi-sectoral, proposals and concept notes. In addition, the consultant must possess the following: –

· An advanced university degree (preferably master’s degree) in natural resources management, development studies and other related social sciences/ disciplines.

· Minimum of 5-10 years’ experience in proposal + concept note development and/or project management in Sub-Saharan Africa.

· Strong program design skills, including capacity to prepare logical, coherent, and consistent documents such as log frames and budgets.

· Ability to work efficiently and effectively with project members in various locations and from multiple organizations.

· Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches from a diverse range of stakeholders, organizations, and technical experts from multiple sectors.

· Excellent English speaking/writing skills required; prior experience of facilitating multi-stakeholder proposal writing sessions.

The applicant whose technical proposal has highest technical evaluation score will be considered for award of a contract at the set budget for this assignment.