Request for Proposals

Transcription

1 Republic of Botswana Request for Proposals TRAINING ON VALUE CHAIN MAPPING AND BUSINESS PLAN DEVELOPMENT & TECHNICAL SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALUE CHAIN MAPS AND BUSINESS PLANS IN FOUR (4) LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN BOTSWANA September

2 Qualified individuals, organisations and/or consortiums experienced in public sector policy development and local government are invited to submit proposals responding to this request for proposals (RFP). The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) is aware that whilst individuals and/or organisations may qualify or may be experienced in all components or aspects of this RFP, some may only be experienced in parts of the RFP. CLGF thus encourages the formation of consortiums in responding to the RFP. Country Botswana Description of the assignment Professional Services to Provide Training on Value Chain Mapping and Business Plan Development; and Professional Services to Provide Technical Coaching and Mentoring Support in the Development of Value Chain Maps as well as the Development of Business Plans in four (4) Local Authorities in Botswana Project Name: Enhancing Service Delivery and Local Economic Development in Botswana Period of assignment: October December 2016 Contracting Party: Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Client: Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), Botswana Proposals should be submitted as follows: Due date: 14 October 2016 Time: 16h30 Proposals to be addressed to: Ms Nyasha Simbanegavi, Proposals are to be submitted by to (all documents in PDF form). Enquiries on this RFP to be addressed to Ms Phumla Ndaba Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the 2

3 1. Background Under the joint project Enhancing Service Delivery and Local Economic Development in Botswana, the Government of Botswana [GoB] through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development [MLGRD], and in collaboration with the Botswana Association of Local Authorities [BALA], the United Nations Development Programme in Botswana [UNDP-Botswana] and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum in Southern Africa [CLGF - Southern Africa], requires the services of an experienced Service Provider/s to provide Training on the Development of Value Chains and Business Plans, as well as technical coaching and mentoring services in the development of value chain maps and business plans for four local authorities. The training will be targeted to 50 LED stakeholders from central government, BALA, local authorities, etc. The value chain maps and business plans will be for the following local authorities: Sowa Town, Francistown, Chobe and Kgalagadi Districts. The contracting authority for this assignment will be the CLGF, on behalf of the MLGRD. To date, the participating local authorities have developed their Local Economic Development (LED) strategies, following various training interventions. The strategies include the identification of different sectors and priority interventions/programmes in which they have a comparative advantage. This forms the basis for a further analysis of value chains arising from these priority LED interventions. The value chains need to be mapped and implemented as part of the projects to catalyse LED implementation. In addition to the development of value chains, through this assignment, the respective local authorities need to develop at least one bankable business plan linked to the priority LED interventions, in order to attract different sources and types of resources to finance the value chains - value chain finance [VCF]. VCF focuses on identifying the elements that reduce the risk and cost of attracting both internal and external resources to finance parts of and/or the entire value chain. 1.1 Assignment Objectives The specific objectives of this assignment are to: 3 Build the technical capacity of local government officials in value chain mapping and business plan development. Work with the MLGRD, BALA and the pilot local authorities to map and develop product value chains identified in LED strategies of the pilot local authorities; and further develop one bankable business plan for each of the four local authorities. Enhance the capacities of key stakeholders at both national and local levels to identify the business models relevant to the product value chains in the pilots. Share best practices in identifying the different sources and types of instruments to finance the activities of the key actors in the product value chains in the pilots.

4 Profile available local and foreign development funding sources that are accessible to Botswana local authorities. Support the development of bankable business plans for the product values chains identified in the pilots. Equip participants with capacities to use taught concepts in value chain mapping and development to support value chain business plans for the pilots. Facilitate the establishment of appropriate institutional arrangements to drive key stakeholder commitment to the implementation of product values chains in the pilots, and Employ/Adopt a learning by doing methodology to capacity development that includes plenary sessions, effective hand-holding and mentoring of participants, backstopping and guiding value chain mapping, financing and implementation of the business plans of the value chains in the pilots, and ensuring overall quality assurance of outputs. In summary, this assignment consists of two (2) main components, namely: a) Training of about 50 individuals in value chain mapping and business plan development. b) Coaching and mentoring, which includes the development and technical refinement of the value chain maps and business plans developed by local authorities under hands-on guidance and support of the service provider 2. General Description of Assignment The joint project is seeking a Service Provider to train stakeholders in the 4 pilot local authorities to map and implement the product value chains identified in their LED strategies. The Service Provider will also train officials on the development of bankable business plans linked to the product value chain maps identified in each local authority. As part of the training, the Service Provider will produce training material, and also produce a guide for development funding sources accessible to Botswana local authorities (local and foreign). The guide must be practical and brief, indicating the various criteria and timelines linked to each identified source. The service provider will then coach and mentor individual local authorities in the application of the training, as they a) map the value chains and b) develop at least one bankable business plan and package it for submission to identified sources. Coaching and mentoring as envisaged in this assignment implies that the service provider will spend a reasonable amount of time with each local authority, providing hands-on technical guidance and handholding. The local authority is expected to apply the lessons from the training to develop the first drafts of the documents. The service provider will work with the local authority and relevant stakeholders to build on existing analyses of local economic potentials, the LED strategies and guide them on undertaking participatory and in depth value chain mapping and development involving all relevant public, private and community stakeholders. Following the first drafts, the Service Provider will use own expertise to take the drafts to the next level, ensuring that they meet the minimum quality standards. It must be emphasized therefore that the development of the final value chain maps and the final business plans are the direct responsibility of the service provider. 4

5 3. Specific Interventions of Assignment The specific activities to be undertaken by the Service Provider will include: Developing a common and coordinated participatory approach to value chain mapping, financing and implementation as well as business plan development to promote economic growth and diversification in the local authorities, Designing and facilitating a participatory process for value chain mapping, financing and implementation in the prioritized products, and ensuring the inclusion of relevant public, private and community stakeholders at national and local levels Facilitating the development of bankable business plans for the products identified by the local authorities to support production, value addition and market linkages and build the capacity of the key value chain actors Identifying and facilitating linkages with existing local and national initiatives to develop relevant value chains and their related components, including the identification of relevant experiences to benchmark value chain mapping, development and implementation, and Managing the development, structure and delivery of all training activities related to value chain mapping, financing and implementation as critical levers in promoting local economic development in the 4 local authorities. 4. Content of Training Pursuant to the overall description and specific objectives of the assignment, the Service Provider shall ensure that the content of the training: - a) Develops quality training material b) Provides participants with a common understanding of the context, purpose, tools and processes involved in, and the outputs from product value chain mapping, financing and implementation c) Enables participants to facilitate the integration of value chain business plans into the local development planning structures and processes of their local authorities d) Builds the capacities of participants to undertake value chain mapping, financing and implementation focusing on their business plans. e) Adopts various methods of training, to ensure effective knowledge transfer (e.g. theoretical presentations, group exercises, etc). 5. Requirements for Coaching and Mentoring Services a) Allocates a reasonable amount of time to spend with each of the four local authorities b) Guides the local authorities in the identification and effective engagement with key stakeholders during the process of developing value chain maps as well as business plans 5

6 c) Provides effective hand-holding and mentoring services to participants; backstops and guides the entire value chain mapping, financing and implementation process; and business plan development d) Enables participants to promote sustainability principle in the value chain mapping, financing and implementation of their district specific product. e) Assists the officials in submitting applications for funding. 6. Requirements for the final delivery of Value Chain Maps and Business Plans a) Ensures overall quality assurance of value chain maps and bankable business plans b) Refines the first drafts developed during coaching and mentoring, and ensures they meet quality specifications c) Takes responsibility for the final production of the documents 7. Methodology 7.1 Training [and mentoring] will be provided to participants that include combination of economic planners, physical planners, staff from the MLGRD; staff from the Local Enterprise Authority [LEA], the Citizen Empowerment Development Agency [CEDA] and the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre [BITC]; the Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA); staff from BALA and members of the District Economic Development Committees (DEDC) and the LED Forums. 7.2 Training materials and delivery should be designed to ensure successful implementation of the practical tasks that need to be undertaken after the training is completed. 7.3 In implementing this assignment, the Service Provider is expected to consult the Guidelines on Setting-up the LED Function in Local Authorities; the draft Local Economy and Business Environment Assessment Manual; draft Local Economic Assessments Reports; the draft LED Strategies of the pilot districts and, the draft National LED Framework for Botswana. Copies of these documents may be obtained from the Department of Local Governance and Development Planning in the MLGRD. 8. Expected Deliverables 8.1 The Service Provider is expected to provide a detailed module outline or training outline of the planned training and mentoring programme, in consultation with CLGF and MLGRD. 8.2 Training material for each module, including the content, templates, exercises etc., as well as a brief pragmatic guide for development funding sources in Botswana. 8.3 The training programme is expected to deliver the following training outcomes: - 6

7 a) Enable participants to be aware of the context, scope, purpose and tools used in value chain mapping, financing and the development and the development of related business plans b) Clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities of local authorities and other key stakeholders in product value chain mapping, financing, implementation and the development of related business plans c) Capacity to organise the effort for value chain mapping, financing and implementation of related business plans, and d) Capacity to integrate value chain investment plans and business plans into implementable local development plans. 8.4 The mentoring programme is expected to deliver the following outcomes: a) Hands-on mentoring to officials as they compile/ map respective value chains linked to the priorities identified in LED strategies b) Hands-on mentoring and technical guidance and support to officials as they compile bankable business plans c) Hand-on mentoring and technical guidance and support during the application for funding process 8.5 The final deliverables to be submitted by the service provider will be quality value chain maps as well as business plans for each local authority. 9. Competencies Required 9.1 Academic Qualifications At least a Master s Degree or higher in a relevant discipline e.g. Economics, Physical Planning, Development Studies, Business Administration or Policy Analysis. 9.2 Experience A minimum of five years of substantive relevant experience as an implementer, consultant, or researcher. 9.3 Competencies The following core competencies are required Solid understanding of value chains, in particular, the conceptual framework, tools and methods, and regulatory and institutional requirements 7

8 Demonstrable knowledge and experience on LED, local government and participatory methodologies Extensive experience in value chain mapping, development and implementation, training and facilitation Familiarity with business development planning, population and development, and poverty and environment issues Good written and oral communication in English Good facilitation skills Strong analytical skills Excellent teamwork or people skills 10. Payment Schedule All payment in relation to this assignment shall be in United States Dollars(US$). Payment for the expected deliverables will be made upon the endorsement of work by a reference group comprising CLGF and MLGRD. The Service Provider shall be paid in accordance with the following indicative schedule, depending on the proposed methodology: a) 20% of fees upon approval of the Inception Report on the content and methodology of the training programme and production and approval of training material by the reference group b) 20% of fees upon delivery of training course c) 30% of fees upon completion of coaching and mentoring in respect of value chain maps and business plans training to the satisfaction of the reference group d) 30% of fees upon submission of final documents to the satisfaction of the reference group, and submission of funding applications to identified institutions. 11. Documents to be included when submitting Proposal Service Providers interested in the assignment should submit the following documents to CLGF: 11.1 A short Technical Proposal, no more than 15 pages (excluding annexes), demonstrating the candidate s suitability for the assignment. The proposal should, amongst others, include the following: Profile of the Service Provider, including a summary of recent experience on assignments of a similar nature. The Service Provider s interpretation/understanding of the assignment as specified in the TOR A clear and succinct description of the methodology and work plan the consultants will use to execute the assignment 8

9 11.2 A Financial Proposal listing all costs associated with the assignment. In particular, the financial proposal shall itemise the following; The consulting rate per full person day and the number of person days anticipated to complete the assignment Travel costs Imprest/Per Diems, including food and accommodation Financial proposal must be in United States Dollars (US$) and inclusive of taxes 11.3 Detailed personal CV/s and at least three (3) client references. 12. Evaluation Offers shall be evaluated based on the Lowest price and technically compliant offer approach as follows: a) An offer is responsive/compliant/acceptable if it scores a minimum of 70% on the criteria outlined below and fully meets the qualifications and language requirements. b) Proposals scoring below 70% on the technical criteria will not qualify to be evaluated for the next stage of the assessment. Relevant qualifications Yes English language competency Yes 1. Understanding of the Assignment (Methodology) 30% 2. Experience with value chain mapping and business plan development 40% 3. Training and facilitation experience 20% 4. Experience in local governance and LED 10% Total 100% 13. Proposed Timing and Duration Activity Number of days 1. Planning and scheduling and Development of Training Material Training Delivery 5 3. Customised coaching and mentoring to four local authorities Refinement of value chain maps and business plans 5 Total 50 It is proposed that the fifty (50) days work will commence on the 24 th of October

10 Note This RFP is only an invitation for proposals and no contractual obligation on behalf of CLGF whatsoever shall arise from the RFP process unless and until a formal contract is signed. CLGF reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals received, to revise the RFP, to request clarifications or to cancel the process in part or whole. In considering all proposals, CLGF reserves the right to appoint a group of individuals, organisations and/or consortiums to implement this assignment as one collective group. 10