TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) for Project Coordinator for SME Business Linkage Facilitation

BACKGROUND:

 BRIDGES is a job creation programme funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by First Consult PLC, and DAI Europe. The BRIDGES programme envisages supporting the creation of close to 600,000 jobs for youth (80% women) and 15,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with 300,000 unemployed youth trained through supporting the industrial park job creation initiative, and market linkages between industrial parks, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other large enterprises domestically.

BRIDGES is currently working with various large enterprises in facilitating linkages with small, and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as linking TVET institutions with partner large enterprises. This work requires major coordination efforts between the large enterprises, and an understanding of their requirements.

Similarly, on the supply side,  coordination between SMEs and TVET students is required in order to work with large enterprises. Partner large enterprises are expected to come from different sectors including furniture manufacturing, packaging plants, construction companies etc.

 OBJECTIVE:

Facilitating linkages between TVET institutions, SMEs, and large enterprises in different geographies:

• Identification of TVET institutions to be linked with large enterprise partners in different locations  
• Identification of TVET students/graduates eligible for internships with factories 
• Identification of SMEs to outsource businesses from large enterprises
• Provision of orientation on business opportunities for SMEs
• Tracking progress of apprenticeship with large enterprises as well as SMEs performance in outsourced business activities

 SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):

 SOW 1. Identify and select TVET institutions that will in total avail 5,000 students/graduates for internship programs in three furniture factories:

•  Onboarding of TVET institutions willing and available for availing students/graduates
• Facilitation of MoU between TVET, factory and BRIDGES
• Registering 3,000 students/graduates to undergo the apprenticeship program
• Facilitation of students/graduates apprenticeship within three factories

 SOW 2.  Identification and selection of SMEs to be linked with large enterprises in business transactions:

•  Selection of SMEs that can undertake jobs such as; fixtures, assembling, loading/unloading, installation etc.
• Orientation of business opportunities for SMEs, as well as coordinating business development services (BDS) training to selected SMEs
• Facilitation of business contracts between SMEs and large enterprises  
• Ensuring quality service provision by SMEs 

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in business development, management and other related fields.
• Experience in project coordination and management work.
• Understanding of the SMEs landscape.
• Understanding of TVET institutions training programs.
• Experience in working with youth development projects preferred.
• Excellent analytical, technical and conceptual knowledge about management, and grasp of business management principles and practices.
• Ability to provide the required services will be assessed through submission of:

a.  Personal CV, with relevance to required work

b.  References on previous similar assignments

 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY:

•  Identification and selection of qualified and eligible SMEs to perform outsourced activities by large enterprises
• Filed visits to SMEs to oversee operation of outsourced activities
• Coordination and facilitation with TVETs for registration of students/graduates
• Field visits to factories to oversee apprenticeship programs  

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME:

Deliverables

1. Inception report due at the end of the first week. The inception report should include:

Methodology

Work plan: detailed timeline of activities and meetings

Deliverables

2.Facilitation of 5,000 students into apprenticeship programs with various factories

3. Facilitation of SMEs and large enterprises linkage

Time frame

• The assignment is expected to be for one year and to be renewed based on performance.  

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS:

• The successful candidate will work closely with the Enterprise Competitiveness Bridge Team of the BRIDGES programme and will report directly to the Enterprise Competitiveness Bridge team.

The applicant should indicate a monthly salary during application.