Consultant- Scoping Study of “Enterprise Development Program”

Oxfam in Nepal

Oxfam has been working in Nepal since the early 1980s undertaking various development initiatives addressing the poverty and injustice faced by women and other socially and economically excluded groups. The level of Oxfam's engagement increased substantially after restoration of democracy in 1990 as it became easier for civil society to work in the new political environment. Over the years, Oxfam has worked in partnership with local civil society organisations and the government to promote rural livelihoods, and vulnerable communities' resilience to climatic shocks and disasters. It has also significantly contributed to empowering community people, especially women, to; negotiate with people in power, influence decision making processes, claim rights and essential services to which they are entitled, demand accountability on the part of duty bearers and engage larger masses in advocacy efforts. Oxfam also worked closely with UNHCR in providing assistance to Bhutanese refugees during the 1990s. Oxfam and its long term programme partners believe that the underlying structural causes and drivers of poverty must be addressed if improvements in peoples's lives are to be broad and lasting. Poverty is not one-dimensional; nor is it purely local in its causes and solutions. Therefore, Oxfam's work addresses not only material and technical change, but also the related economic, social, institutional and policy changes which are necessary to end poverty and achieve development and wellbeing. The Oxfam Nepal Vision is: The people of Nepal are empowered and work together to attain a life of dignity with justice and equal rights for all. The Overall Nepal Programme Goal is: to improve the well being of vulnerable people through strengthening their participation in development and governance processes and reducing poverty and suffering.

Details / requirements:

Terms of Reference

Scoping Study of “Enterprise Development Program”

 

1.Background

 OXFAM has been implementing an Enterprise Development Projects (EDP) in three different administrative regions i.e. western, Mid- western and Far western region in seed, rice and vegetable sub sector, starting 1st project since around last 3 years. The Enterprise Development Program (EDP) is one of the important components of the Sustainable and livelihood and Food security theme of Oxfam in Nepal.

Oxfam’s Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) is an initiative that uses a business approach to create wealth, and deliver economic growth, while increasing women’s power in markets and wider society.  EDP identifies supports and invests in small enterprises (mainly rural and agricultural) that offer great potential not only for sustainable growth but also for women’s economic leadership and poverty reduction. EDP’s objectives are to develop a model for providing finance and technical assistance to early-stage agricultural enterprises that enables them to become sustainable businesses and benefit smallholder farmers and women; and to contribute to wider changes in the market system that will support more favourable policies, increased investment and replication of these types of enterprises.

With a view to work with more enterprises, Oxfam in Nepal is going to commission a scoping study through which Oxfam in Nepal will get key information to define a strategy for Nepal EDP country programme.    

2. Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to find out influencing factors/ areas through/ on which EDP can create some evidence for national influencing strategy  and to prepare a future enterprise portfolio which will help to prioritise the sub sectors under agriculture sector and types of enterprises for EDP. In order to achieve the overall objective of the assessment,  The specific objectives of this research are as follows:

  • Identify the subsectors, crops and food-related activities and their potential in terms of: economic growth, benefiting poor farmers, women and adapting to climate risks
  • Find out the typical enterprises in these subsectors: by size (small versus medium), value chain function (e.g. research, inputs, production, processing, distribution, retail).
  • Identify the potential private sector partners and Business Development Service Providers for the small enterprises
  • Analyse country’s economic situation and trends, including a focus on food and agriculture
  • Analyse relevant public policies, government/Relevant donor and multilateral agency programmes and agencies on enterprise, private sector, rural development, the identified sub sectors and women’s enterprise.
  • Analyse specific policies on credit for enterprise; financial products offered to agriculture small enterprises, smallholders and women.
  • Analyse the inequalities between men  and women, small and large businesses/enterprises and small and large farmers
  • Analyse other relevant private sector actors (investors, lenders, Chambers); size, priorities.

3. The Expected Output  and Key Deliverables of the Scoping Study

3.a. A complete proposal including:

  • detail methodology,  Gann chart and tools of the assignment
  • Tools of the study 
  • Detailed Reporting outline

3.b Draft report  and final report adding in feedback from Oxfam (maximum 20 pages) as a main body of the report covering the portfolio and influencing components.

3.b.1 Portfolio component: under this component, the consultant will submit the draft and final report  that will cover  potential sub sectors (under Agriculture sector) and types of enterprises that Oxfam prioritise to maximise the chances of developing viable businesses, and having the maximum influencing and leverage opportunities.  The report will be based on the analysis , at minimum, of the followings:

  • Main subsectors, crops and food-related activities promoted by Oxfam so far; by the government; and by other agencies.
  • Overall assessment of their potential in terms of: economic growth, benefiting poor farmers (especially women), creating decent jobs, and adapting to climate risks.
  • Typical enterprises in these subsectors: by size (small versus medium), value chain function (e.g. research, inputs, production, processing, distribution, retail).
  • More detailed case-studies, with analysis of typical margins, volumes, challenges, and competitiveness factors of a sample of enterprise models in the key sectors.
  • Business development needs (e.g. finance, management capacity) per type of enterprise.
  • Organisations supporting similar enterprises which could identify or screen enterprises for EDP.
  • Examples of potential enterprises for EDP

3.b.2 Influencing component: under this component, the consultant  will submit draft and final report that details out the influencing domains ( for e.g. policy, finance, inequality etc.)  in sub sectors which will enable identify EDP influencing strategy ,and leverage innovation and changes at scale. The report will be based, at minimum,  on the followings:

  • Brief analysis of country’s economic situation and trends, including a focus on food and agriculture
  • Analysis of key barriers to rural enterprise development in Nepal, and effects on cost of doing business.
  • Analysis of relationship between enterprise development and poverty reduction through job creation and income generation in the country (based on information available).
  • Relevant public policies, government programmes and agencies on enterprise, private sector, rural development, women’s enterprise.
  • Brief analysis of their relevance and effectiveness (e.g. funds available/disbursed); as well as ongoing or planned relevant activities.
  • Specific policies on credit for enterprise; financial products offered to agriculture small enterprises, smallholders and women.
  • Relevant donor and multilateral agency programmes and priorities;
  • Other relevant private sector actors (investors, lenders, Chambers).
  • Issues identified in media, discussions, forums and key informant interviews as policy opportunities and/or challenges in the support of rural enterprises.
  • Examples of changes in regulation or recent introduction of new practices and policies that was successful in promoting enterprise development in the country.

4. Study geographical area focus

The Scoping study will focus more on the potentialities of the enterprises in Nepal.

5. Methodology of the Assignment 

  • The Consultant will develop detailed methodology focusing the objectives to deliver the expected output which will be finalized in consultation with Oxfam. 
  • It is expected that the consultant will work very closely with Oxfam teams. In particular Oxfam should be invited to all meetings with external parties.

6. Timeline of the Assignment

Total assignment will be completed within 30 Working days from the date of contract signing.  

7. Financial Guideline

  • Detail financial projection for the study should be reflected in the proposal
  • VAT and Tax will be mentioned in proposal and deducted from the payment as per current govt policy
  • Currency of the proposal and payment of the assignment will be considered in NRs.

8. Additional Documents to be submitted with the Technical Proposal

For Individual Consultant

  • Maximum 2 page CV highlighting related assignment completed with client  name, contract person and mobile number  ( this person must have fulltime engagement during assignment time)
  • Other Team members’ one page short CV highlighting related assignment completed
  • TIN Certificate ( PDF soft version) 

For Consulting Firm

  • Maximum 2 page Firm profile highlighting related assignment completed with client  name, contract person and mobile number
  • Lead Consultant’s ( who will lead the assignment) Maximum 2 page CV highlighting related assignment completed, role in of the completed assignment 
  • Other Team members’ ( who will involve in the assignment )  one paragraph short CV highlighting related assignment completed and role
  • Firm’s Certificate, TIN and VAT registration 

9. Relevant Experience and Competency

It is recommended that consultant(s) with diverse background in the field of Trade Policies, SME Development, SME Financing, Market Development, Gender, DRR and Agriculture should be employed for carrying out this consultancy task. The consultant and/or consulting firm must have practical experience to conduct such type of study. 

10. Selection of the Consultant

Consultants will be evaluated in following criteria:

  • Technical proposal and understanding of assignment
  • Related experiences and assignments performed by the Firm/ Consultant
  • Related experiences and assignments performed by the Lead Consultant and team members
  • Financial Proposal 

11. Responsibility of the Consultant

  • Developing a very clear methodology and execution plan of the assignment
  • Organizing a study team
  • Reviewing different relevant documents
  • Developing study questionnaires and validate it
  • Collecting Data/information from field and different stakeholders including government officials, private sectors, financial institutions, donor agencies, civil society organizations etc
  • Analyzing and interpretation the data
  • Preparing a draft report  and submission  to Oxfam for feedback
  • Report finalization

12. Oxfam’s Role and Reporting line

It is the responsibility of the Firm/ Consultant to plan and carry out the assignment. Oxfam will connect the consultant with its different partners of the respective area and consultants will be responsible for maintaining correspondence and outputs in a timely and efficient manner keeping Oxfam informed via written email correspondence. Oxfam will deliver relevant documents to consultant for conducting the study smoothly.

The consultant will be reportable including all types of communication related to the assignment to EDP Advisor. 

Interested firm are requested to send their proposal for above assignment along with Company registration, VAT registration, Tax clearance of latest fiscal year by 28 January 2015  via mail to recruitment_nepal@oxfam.org.uk or G.P.O. Box 2500, Kathmandu. 

Overview

Category Consulting & Professional Services
Openings 1
Experience Please check details below.
Education Please check details below.
Posted Date 22 Jan, 2015
Apply Before 28 Jan, 2015
City Lalitpur