Terms of Reference

Consultancy for Providing Business Development Services for KIIWP Cooperatives 

1. Background

The Government of Rwanda is implementing a set of reforms to enable Rwanda to evolve from subsistence agriculture and food insecurity towards market-oriented agriculture. Evidence from other countries indicates that, by improving the ability of farmers and agribusinesses to develop credible business plans and to manage their debt and cash flows, BDS can significantly increase the accessibility of credit to recipients. The Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project, phase 2- (KIIWP-2) initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources in Rwanda through its subsidiary entity, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, targets the enhancement of livelihoods for 40,000 rural households in Kayonza district with a focus on food security, income increase, and climate resilience. The project also aims to uplift nine targeted administrative sectors in the district namely Gahini, Murundi, Mwiri, Ruramira, Murama, Kabare, Ndego, Kabarondo and Rwinkwavu with particular attention to women-led households and youth.

2. Cordaid's Role in the KIIWP 2

As for Cordaid- an implementing partner of the KIIWP-2 project, our approach to increasing food security and strengthening agricultural livelihoods follows three tracks. We increase the technical and business capacities of smallholder farmers to produce sufficient and nutritious food for household consumption, while also earning an income from farming. We support low-income farmers and their organizations in accessing finance and markets, and, thus, increasing their income. To achieve this through this Project, Cordaid will employ various approaches including Farming-as-a-Business training for 8,000 smallholder farmers, delivering Cooperatives and business development training and coaching to 500 farmers and 50 cooperatives, and facilitating the creation of bankable business plans. Additionally, Cordaid will also connect farmers and cooperatives to markets through agribusiness linkages and public-private partnerships. Moreover, Cordaid will aim to enhance financial services for the project community by employing risk management practices for local financial institutions through promotion of financial literacy, and facilitating the digitalization of financial services for smallholders and cooperatives. Consequently, Cordaid will support the adoption of farm mechanization, post-harvest technologies, and climate-smart practices, benefiting both individual smallholders and cooperatives alike.

3. Objectives of the Consultancy

Under the KIIWP-2 project, the consultant will be responsible for providing business development services to selected KIIWP cooperatives. The key objectives include:

• Developing successful business plan proposals for 50 KIIWP cooperatives' business ideas. A business plan is considered successful when it is bankable.
• Coaching 50 cooperatives in the implementation of their business plans after getting financed.
• Training Business Development Advisors and cooperatives on business plan development after the validation of the training resources by Cordaid.
• Monitoring the Business Development Advisors (BDA)s' activities with cooperatives regarding business plan development services within the contract period.

4. Scope of Work

1. Developing Successful Proposals:

• Work closely with fifty KIIWP cooperatives to understand their business ideas.
• Formulate comprehensive and bankable business plan proposals for securing funds.
• Ensure alignment with the project's objectives, focusing on food security, income increase, and climate resilience.

2. Coaching Qualifying Cooperatives:

• Identify cooperatives with potential business ideas.
• Provide hands-on coaching and guidance to selected cooperatives in implementing their business plans.
• Ensure effective utilization of credits and loans and adherence to project goals.

3. Training twelve BDAs on Business Plan Development:

• Design and conduct training sessions for twelve Kayonza Business Development Advisors.
• Equip BDAs with the necessary skills to support cooperatives in developing bankable business plans.
• Ensure BDAs are proficient in guiding cooperatives through the business planning process.

4. Monitoring BDAs' Activities:

• Establish a robust monitoring system to track BDAs' interactions with cooperatives.
• Regularly review and assess the progress of business plan development services.
• Provide feedback and support to BDAs to enhance their effectiveness.

5. Reporting:

• Submit regular reports detailing progress, challenges encountered, and solutions implemented.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting to project stakeholders and Cordaid. 

5. Deliverables

1. Initial Assessment Report:

• An assessment report outlining the current status of identified KIIWP cooperatives, including their business ideas and potential for development.

2. Business Plan Proposals:

• Comprehensive and professionally written business plan proposals for each identified cooperative, highlighting their goals, strategies, financial projections, and impact on the community.

3. Coaching Progress Reports:

• Regular progress reports on coaching activities, including updates on qualifying cooperatives, challenges faced, and solutions implemented.

4. Training Materials:

• Develop training materials for Business Development Advisors, including presentations, guides, and templates for business plan development.

5. Training Sessions Documentation:

• Documentation of conducted training sessions for BDAs, including attendance records, feedback, and any adjustments made to the training approach.

6. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework:

• Develop a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating the activities of BDAs in assisting cooperatives with business plan development.

7. Monitoring Reports:

• Regular monitoring reports detailing the activities of BDAs, progress made by cooperatives, and any adjustments made to enhance the effectiveness of the business plan development services.

8. Final Report:

• A comprehensive final report summarizing the entire consultancy, including achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for future initiatives. 

6. Expected Results

1. Viable and bankable business plans

• Completed and refined business plans for cooperatives, ready for submission to secure funds.

2. Enhanced BDAs

• Trained and skilled Business Development Advisors equipped to guide and support cooperatives and individuals in developing sustainable business plans.

3. Improved Cooperative Capacities

• Cooperatives with enhanced capacities to implement successful business plans, leading to improved livelihoods and community development.

4. Project Alignment

• Ensured alignment of business plans with the overarching goals and objectives of the KIIWP-2 project, focusing on food security, income increase, and climate resilience.

5. Stakeholder Engagement

• Active engagement with project stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, and other relevant partners.

6. Knowledge Transfer

• Successful transfer of knowledge and skills to BDAs and cooperatives, promoting sustainable practices and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.

7. Monitoring System in Place

• Establishment of a functional monitoring system to track and evaluate the ongoing efforts of BDAs in supporting cooperatives and individual farmers.

8. Informed Decision-Making

• Provision of timely and accurate information to support informed decision-making by project stakeholders.

7. Duration of Consultancy

The consultancy is expected to span three months (March-June 2024) with the possibility of extension based on project needs and availability of funds.

8. Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this assignment, an individual consultant or company should meet the following requirements:

• Holding an advanced degree in areas such as Business administration, Project management, Agribusiness, Agricultural economics, Environmental economics, Rural Development, Cooperatives management and related fields.
• Proven experience in developing successful business plans for agricultural projects targeting cooperatives, SMEs, and medium to large enterprises.
• Expertise in providing business development services and coaching to rural communities.
• Familiarity with Rwanda's agricultural landscape and climate resilience strategies.
• Proficiency in using tools such as Rural Invest, and other business proposals development tools.
• Demonstrated positive and constructive approaches to work, excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to meet deadlines, and capacity to work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda languages, strong computer skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders.

9. Application Process

Interested consultants or companies should submit their technical and financial proposals, and examples of previous relevant work to appollinaire.nshimiyimana@cordaid.org and copy: private.dukundimana@cordaid.org  and rutembezagwiza.espoir@cordaid.org by 08^th March 2024. The subject line should be “Interest in BDS for KIIWP project”.

10. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on experience, understanding of the project context, proposed methodology and budgetary forecast.

11. Implementation Arrangement

The consultant will be recruited under the Cordaid terms and conditions and undertake the assigned tasks and responsibilities under the direct supervision of Cordaid and its lead agency.

12. Confidentiality and Proprietary interest

The consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultant under the assignment shall become and remain properties of Cordaid and its lead partner.