.png)
Job Description
Expression of Interest: Agricultural Finance Specialists
1. Introduction: FSD Africa (“FSDA”) is looking to build a panel of agricultural finance specialist advisers on whom it can call for short term consultancy assignments or for draw-down (i.e. retained consultant) arrangements.
This call for Expressions of Interest is aimed at pre-qualifying consultants so as to facilitate procurement for assignments that are anticipated in the future. Terms of Reference for the specific assignments will be sent out at the appropriate time.
FSDA is in the process of being established as an independent legal entity in Kenya. However, until this happens, it operates as a division of FSD Kenya (“FSDK”) and is subject to FSDK’s procurement rules.
The Consultant will therefore initially be contracted by FSDK, with the contract transferring to FSDA following its incorporation.
2. Background
2.1. FSDA – a pan-African financial market development programme
FSDA is a financial sector deepening trust (FSD). There are currently eight FSDs operating in Africa (in Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique and Uganda) and another is under consideration (Malawi).
FSDA aims to support financial sector development across Sub-Saharan Africa, including in non-FSD countries, by encouraging skills development and the transfer of knowledge (e.g. research, business models, policy approaches etc.) across borders, and by building the capacity of financial systems in other ways.
Providing capacity to the FSD network, e.g. by conducting research and analysis that has value for the network as a whole, is core to FSDA’s mission.
FSDA’s initial funding is from the UK’s Department for International Development (“DFID”).
2.2. The role of agriculture finance in FSDA’s Strategic Plan
Following consultation with other FSDs, FSDA agreed to explore options to develop a “thematic programme” in the area of agricultural finance.
Constrained access to finance in the agricultural sector is a common concern for many of the FSDs whose host countries depend on agriculture for livelihood security but also for jobs and economic growth.
Thus, if FSDA is successful in building an effective programme in agricultural finance, there should be spin-off benefits for the FSD network too.
The idea behind FSDA’s thematic programmes is to create regional “centres of expertise” in developmentally significant thematic sectors that are
(i) responsive
(ii) locally informed and connected and
(iii) specialised.
They would play a role akin to a specialised FSD, intervening at macro, micro and meso levels, facilitating market development in the chosen sectors, drawing support from (but also providing support to) FSDs, attracting top quality global expertise and deploying this effectively into chosen markets.
2.3. FSDA’s requirements for technical support
In 2014, FSDA contracted a consultant to research the challenges and solutions related to access to finance for the agricultural sector and prepare a strategic options paper.
From that research and a round table discussion with FSDA and FSDK team members, it was concluded that in developing a thematic programme around agricultural finance, FSDA should narrow in on three specific solutions:
a) leasing,
b) agricultural credit risk assessment tools, and
c) commodity exchanges.
This call for EOIs is aimed at identifying individual consultants to help FSDs develop programmes focused on the three named areas above.
3. Objectives: The main purpose of the EOI is to enable FSDA to create a panel of pre-qualified consultants whom it can approach as and when it initiates procurement processes.
FSDA is committed to the principle of competitive tendering for value for money reasons and because it welcomes innovative insights and is committed to building local sustainability. Only in exceptional circumstances will it sole source.
For contracts of a certain size, however, FSDA’s procurement rules allow it to conduct a limited form of competition, whereby it will approach a shortlist of candidates who it believes are suitable to carry out the assignment.
Pre-qualification through this EOI will ensure that consultants are considered for shortlisting in these circumstances (although this is not a guarantee that they will be short-listed).
4. Expressions of Interest
For this exercise, FSDA is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from suitably qualified individual consultants Whether working through a corporate entity or directly as an individual in the areas specified in 2.3 above.
Please note – fully costed proposals and/or detailed work plans are not required at this stage. Cost estimates of travel, accommodation etc. are also not required.
Your EOI should contain:
Your name and a full CV
Your place of business
Your area of expertise (as per 2.3 above)
A short statement (maximum 1 side of A4) of why you believe you have the right qualifications to help FSDA in the stated area
A statement describing your availability, e.g.:
Preferred length of assignment
Willingness to travel
Availability in the next 12-18 months
Your current fee rate (applicable for at least 12 months)
Any other information that you believe should be taken into account in the pre-qualification process
How to Apply
Your EOI, which should not exceed 3 sides of A4 (font size 11) in total (excluding CV) should be sent to FSD Africa at info@fsdafrica.org under a subject line reading “Expression of interest: Agricultural Finance Specialists’’ by 1200 (EAT) on Friday 20th March 2015.
5. Contact: Questions or comments in respect of this request for Expressions of Interest should be directed to: Juliet Munro at juliet@fsdafrica.org
No comments:
Post a Comment