Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 15 Feb 2018
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL, CERTIFICATION OF TECHNICAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS
Intervention Code: FIN 25
Sector: SME Finance
Fund used: WEDP Extension
Responsible Person: SMEF Intervention Manager
Date of RFP: December, 2017
Application Deadline: 15 February 2018
1. BACKGROUND
Background to the assignment
There are 35 MFIs operating in Ethiopia, serving over 15 million clients. Due to their focus on clients at the Base of the Pyramid and the financially excluded, the MFIs have the potential to make significant contributions towards the national economic growth and financial inclusion. However, various assessments indicate the MFIs face major capacity gaps, in areas of governance, deposit mobilization, product innovation, IT/MIS, amongst others. There are several NGO/Donor funded projects, supporting MFIs to meet their capacity building needs, but, it is not enough nor sustainable.It is rare for the MFIs to seek and procure Technical Service Providers (TSPs) to address their capacity needs, mainly due to limited availability and access to quality and affordable technical assistance services. There are few TSPs, but they do not have standardized training materials and lack the skills required to deliver effective technical assistance.
The Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions (AEMFI) is the national network in charge of the development of the microfinance sector, but lacks capacity to address such gaps. In addition, there is also a lack of quality standard for technical service and related TSPs certification programme in the country.
Therefore, this intervention is led by AEMFI with support from Enterprise Partners (EP) to create pool of certified local TSPs to offer quality and affordable technical assistances to MFIs. AEMFI in partnership with an internationally recognized certifying organization will operate the programme to create the pool of technical service providers and maintain the training curriculum. Certification program targeted individual consultants & those aspiring to be a consultant/trainer of MFIs, and MFI practitioners who have interest & potential to engage in technical services provision business for the microfinance industry.
Association of Ethiopian Microfinance Institutions
AEMFI is a non-profit membership organization registered by the Ministry of Justice of the Federal Government of Ethiopia (1999). Its objectives are to serve as a platform for knowledge and information sharing, represent the Ethiopian microfinance institutions in national and international platforms and build the capacity of its members. Regionally, AEMFI is the one of the strongest of the country level networks in Africa. AEMFI has established training and research centre, Ethiopian Inclusive Finance Training and Research Institute (EIFTRI) to fill the capacity gaps of MFIs focusing on trainings and research works that would help microfinance industry to grow and spread inclusive finance. For more information visit: http://www.aemfi-ethiopia.org/
Enterprise Partners
EP is a 7-year (2013-2020) wealth creation programme funded by DFID with the aim to support the private sector and Ethiopia’s economic growth which is inclusive of women and the environment. By applying the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) approach for sustainable results, it aims to facilitate market development in order to spur innovation and investment that creates jobs and increases incomes for the poor. It does so with a combination of technical assistance and market facilitation in resolving market failures. EP is being implemented in a consortium led by DAI Europe, and includes First Consult, Enclude and ITAD. For more information visit http:// www.enterprisepartners.org /.
2. PURPOSE
The purpose of this assignment is to create a pool of qualified TSPs capable of providing high quality and affordable technical assistance to MFIs in Ethiopia.This is to be achieved through partnership with AEMFI and, through the development of a certification programme for TSPs in specific thematic areas such as risk management, deposit mobilization, product development, etc. The programme should be designed to ensure it can be sustained by AEMFI or a local reputable institution(s).
To ensure sustainability, the programme must consider and develop a strong business case and value proposition for AEMFI, the certifying organization and the TSPs.
3. DELIVERABLES
The main deliverables of the assignment are listed below, but may not be limited to:
3.1 Produce standardized high quality training materials/packages for five top training areas below:
- Product development
- Customer service and relationship management
- Business planning and strategy formulation
- Risk management
- Deposit mobilization
3.2 Develop TSP certification scheme in-line with international best practice to be co-branded in partnership with AEMFI.
- Detailed course contents and supporting tools /materials such as guiding manual, handouts, overheads, schedule, delivery modality and others, on the selected five priority areas.
- Pre & post course tests, course evaluation tool, and monitoring mechanisms.
3.3 Screen, select, train, mentor and certify TSPs
- Screen, grade and select TSPs who best fit for the certification scheme in particular areas of expertise
- Train and mentor TSPs on packaged products (five priority areas) and packaging of new products (standard procedures, techniques, tools & others), and general TOT skills.
- Equip TSPs with value proposition development and selling skills in order to build their own market.
- Certify TSPs up on successful completion of capacity building program in-line with the pre-defined accredited certification criteria.
3.4 Develop AEMFI’s capacity to carry out future TSPs certification programs by building on going partnership with the international certifying organization.
- Co-branding of certification
- Packaging of training materials
- Updating training modules
- Branding and marketing of TSPs certification scheme
- Screening, grading and selection of potential TSPs
- Validating capacity of certified TSPs and refreshing the skill sets of certified TSPs
- TSPs certification scheme implementation and management framework
3.5 Develop a model for ongoing quality assurance for the co-branded TSPs certification scheme
4. INVITATION TO SUBMIT PROPOSAL
AEMFI and EP invite qualified international certifying organizations to submit a proposal for a co-branded programme to certify TSPs that are capable of providing technical services to MFIs. Interested certifying organizations who have standard, internationally recognized certification scheme shall provide financial and technical proposals demonstrating their capacity and approach to perform the assignment, accompanied with clear supporting documents, including:
- Organizational structure and ownership
- Experience in similar tasks: In-depth knowledge of MFIs capacity development & management of related tasks, and accredited certification scheme for MFI technical service providers
- Description of similar assignments undertaken, preferably in developing countries
- Good knowledge of the financial sector in Ethiopia or experience in other African countries will be an asset
- Number, qualification and experiences of key consultants available for the assignment
- Methodology to be deployed to accomplish the assignment
- Knowledge and content of certification courses per identified training areas
- Strategy to improve the capacity of AEMFI to ensure continuity of co-branded TSPs certification program
- Timeline required to certify 20 potential TSPs (as 1st batch)
- Financial proposal with detailed breakdown
- Renewed and appropriate license, etc.
Interested organization should submit their proposal to the address stated below. The proposal should be clearly marked “**Proposal for The Certification of Technical Service Providers for Microfinance Institutions – FIN 25**”, and be submitted no later than February 15, 2018 (before 5:00PM EAT). International TSPs certifying organizations have options to collaborate with the locals to better understand local contexts or to bid alone. Any proposal emailed after 5pm EAT, February 15, 2018 will not be considered.
Any questions concerning this Request for Proposal (RFP) should be submitted in writing not later than 10 days prior to the closing date shown above to the address stated here below (#6).
5. WORKING ARRANGEMENT
The selected organisation will work closely with and report to AEMFI. All the deliverables of the assignment shall be reviewed and approved jointly by AEMFI and EP.
EP will support AEMFI in recruiting qualified organization to deliver the assignment and undertake activities to ensure the programme meets its objectives.
How to apply:
E-MAIL ADDRESS
Please submit your proposal or any any queries you may have at: