Resource Mobilization Expert Volunteer – The Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise Program (ENGINE)

Location of Assignment: Mbeya, Iringa, Morogoro, Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Proposed Level of Effort: 6 weeks
Anticipated Start Date: 1st of April 2019
Background
The Tanzania Enabling Growth through Investment and Enterprise Program (ENGINE) is a four-year, USAID-funded Feed the Future activity that aims to streamline and enhance many of the regulatory, informational and financial channels that encourage domestic and foreign investment in the southern mainland agricultural regions of Mbeya, Morogoro, and Iringa, and in Zanzibar.
ENGINE works at the district level, using a broad-based approach to engage with district Local Government Authorities (LGAs), private sector associations, business development service providers, financial institutions and small and medium enterprises. The program’s activities are divided into three main components:
Implement policies for growth. Build the capacity of the private sector to effectively dialogue with the government to set the policy agenda and improve the capacity of the public sector to implement policies.
Equip businesses for growth. Strengthen SME capacity and foster the growth and capacity of a sustainable market for business development services (BDS) in Tanzania.
Access to finance for growth. Broaden access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially women and youth entrepreneurs and those working within agricultural value chains, to facilitate increased investment and growth.
Problem Statement
The ENGINE Program BDS component is currently working with 112 BDSPs in Mbeya, Iringa, Morogoro and in Zanzibar. In the course of implementing the program year two activities, a call was made to 96 BDSPs, inviting them to submit concept notes to obtain matching grants from the program to expand BDS sales to new markets and clients. Of the 96 BDSPs, only 42 BDSPs submitted concept notes that met the submission criteria. Of the 42 submissions, only 30 concept notes qualified for evaluation by the Grants Evaluation Committee. Of the 30 concept notes, only 12 managed to qualify to the next step of submitting full proposals. Of the 12 full proposals submitted, only 6 qualified for the award of matching grants.
The situation outlined above underlines the limited capacity of BDSPs to develop and submit winning proposals for grant solicitations despite numerous opportunities for BDSPs to enhance their financial sustainability and expand their activities with grants. In addition, MSMEs clients of BDSPs have indicated a growing demand for assistance in grants proposal writing.
Objectives of the Assignment
The main objective of this assignment is to assist BDSPs in Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya and Zanzibar to diversify their sources of income through acquiring skills and techniques to write winning grants proposals. By acquiring appropriate skills for proposal writing, BDSPs will diversify their sources of funding through grants and will also meet the needs of their client base as there are many MSMEs who need proposal writing services from BDSPs as they seek investment opportunities for their businesses.
Tasks
The Expert Volunteer will complete the following tasks:
A. Attend an orientation meeting with ENGINE Program Component 2 staff in Dar es Salaam;
B. Through focus group discussions, and one-on-one meetings, assess the technical assistance needs of at least 10 BDS providers in each of the four regions concerning proposal writing and resource mobilization skills.
C. Accompanied by relevant ENGINE staff, facilitate group training for BDSPs in Morogoro, Iringa, Mbeya and Zanzibar, covering the following topics:
a. Resource mobilization strategies
b. Writing Winning Proposals for grants
D. Assisted by the BDS Coordinator in each region, work with at least 2 BDSPs to submit concept notes to the Program for Matching Grants
E. Write a Final Report summarizing findings, conclusions and recommendations related to the assignment, as well as challenges and recommended solutions;
F. Provide an exit debriefing to ENGINE program staff, including an overview of the assignment challenges and proposed solutions.
Deliverables
The Expert Volunteer will submit the following deliverables:
Training materials
Two concept notes from each region submitted by BDSPs for matching grants
The Expert V olunteer will submit a Final Trip Report to the ENGINE Program that includes the following sections:
A. Introduction;
B. Methodology;
C. Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations related to BDS Providers group trainings in the four regions.
D.Discussion of assignment objectives and how they were met or why they were not met.
Additionally, the Expert Volunteer will provide an exit debriefing (Task F above).
Expert Volunteer Qualifications
The ideal resource mobilization Expert Volunteer will have the following skills and qualifications:
• 5+ years of experience working with Business Development Service Providers, particularly those who provide services to micro, small and medium enterprises. Knowledge and experience of Business Development Service needs for SMEs in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa is crucial.
• A proven track record in training, coaching or mentoring Business Development Service providers, especially in resource mobilization and grant writing
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, consultation, and facilitation;
• Well-developed writing skills in English and the ability to express one’s self clearly and concisely;
• University degree in entrepreneurship, business administration, economics, or another relevant field;
• Training skills, including participatory training in group settings. Training and consultation experience utilizing a translator or interpreter is an added plus;
• Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player, who is a strong people person and communicator, with good inter-personal skills;
• Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner;
• Works well in a multi-cultural setting;
• Good computer skills in MS Office.
Illustrative Assignment Schedule
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