Call for Consultants: Business Development Services (BDS) for Youth-Led Enterprises in the Sunflower Value Chain

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY TO PROVIDE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (BDS) TO YOUTH LED ENTERPRISES IN SUNFLOWER VALUE CHAIN FOR YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (YEFFA) PROJECT

1. Background

Rikolto is an international NGO with over 40 years of experience partnering with farmer organizations and food chain stakeholders across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Operating in 17 countries through seven regional offices, Rikolto addresses critical food system challenges globally. In Tanzania, Rikolto implements food systems projects in eight regions, focusing on urban food systems, sustainable rice production, and livelihoods through cocoa and coffee programs.

Rikolto in Tanzania has recently secured funding from AGRA to implement a Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) project by Empowering Youth and Women Through Integrated and Resilient Market-Led Sunflower Value Chain Development. The project is being executed through various partners across Tanzania and is funded by the Mastercard Foundation.  The project has a goal of 100,000 smallholder sunflower farmers reached including youth and women, empower over 12,068 youth to secure dignified and fulfilling work from the agriculture along sunflower value chain in Mbeya, Songwe, Njombe, Rukwa and Katavi.

2.0. The assignment:  

Rikolto is looking to engage a consultant(s) to manage an agri-food incubator program that inspires and supports 1000 new and emerging horti-preneur. The assignment will be completed within six (04) months, with phases spanning 60 days starting Feb 13, 2025, and ending by May 31, 2025. This incubation program strives for innovative and sustainable solutions that enable youth and in particular women to significantly access the   Sunflower sector and contribute to local, inclusive, resilient and healthy food systems in the regions of  Njombe, Mbeya, Songwe, Rukwa and Katavi.The program targets Tanzanian young entrepreneurs (ages 18-35) in rural and urban areas of  mentioned regions with a focus on female-owned businesses. Beneficiaries will engage in various aspects of agribusiness, including production, Agro-processing, input supply, advisory services, and market aggregation.

3. 0. Objectives of the Assignment

The consultant (s) will plan and implement the incubation program according to the description provided above. The consultants will run the program fitting to achieve the larger objectives of Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program which aimed at contributing to the Tanzania Government initiative on creating employment opportunities for youth and young women in the agriculture sector and to improve financial literacy and business development for youth and women and to stimulate the establishment and professionalisation of (female) youth-led businesses that contribute to more inclusive and sustainable food systems in the five regions. There is a need to come up with actions to link promising agribusinesses to financial markets and stimulate businesses to achieve a level of professionalism that makes them ready for such investments. Simple but bankable business plans should be developed and linked to access LGAs funds or loan from financial institution for matching grants. Some high-potential agribusiness plans should come out of the coaching sessions for youth agripreneurs. If some young Agri-entrepreneurs cannot realize their ambitions via traditional finance channels, there is the need for the consultants to come up with actions that will develop their potential by providing co-investment opportunities.  

4.0 Scope of work

The consultant(s), with the support of Rikolto and their partners will lead in the whole course of undertaking the assignment.  The scope of work includes and is not limited to the following:

1. With Guidance from Rikolto support in establishment of an Incubation model targeting sunflower and sorghum value chain  

2. Support in development set of easy tools, Youth selection criteria and transparent process of assessment applicants.  

3. To support youth in target regions to develop business plans, business canvas, visioning, financial and administrative management, accounting, sustainable resource management, quality control, strategic planning and linkages with other actors in the sector.

4. To mentor and coach youth in starting and growing their own business.

5. To implement all aspects of coaching, mentoring and feedback model on the youth’s business plans and ideas whereby it is key to provide equal opportunities for both young women and  

6. To facilitate youth to access critical resources for their businesses, including all necessary business compliances (Business registration, Business Licence) other resources such as capital, technical, legal and business knowledge, market and a professional network.    

7. To support and build a stimulating environment to develop soft skills (resilience, leadership, collaboration) and ensure youth acquire exposure to successful agribusinesses and entrepreneurs and enable the promising young entrepreneurs to learn from more experienced peers within the country. To identify, inform and coordinate any necessary deemed external experts for this pursuit as part of the consultancy assignment.  

8. To tailor and implement the incubation program to provide financial literacy, business development and matching grants for women and youth to become successful entrepreneurs. The support will focus on getting selected businesses from the final phase ready for investment from public and private sector and for matching grants.

9. To maximize impact of matching grants by ensuring investment-readiness of businesses by taking the lead in proper due diligence and assessment process of business plan and budgeting of selected promising youth-led businesses. This process is successfully completed when the full matching grants are disbursed and accounted for.  

4.1. Specific Activities for the assignment

The consultant will collaborate with the Rikolto Program Coordinator and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in taregt regions, proceeding through the following phases:

Phase One: Project Inception (Milestone: 15%; Duration: 15 Days): The project inception phase focuses on laying a solid foundation for the initiative by outlining a detailed execution plan and establishing key deliverables. This includes creating a comprehensive project inception report, which will map out the project's objectives, timeline, and key milestones. Also, district-level information sessions will be facilitated to sensitize and inform potential applicants—specifically youth and women—about opportunities in agribusiness. Selection criteria and assessment tools will be developed to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process, focusing on value chains such as horticulture, poultry, beekeeping, and livestock. Lastly, external experts and stakeholders will be identified and engaged to support the project’s goals, ensuring its alignment with local needs and industry best practices. entrepreneurship, business formalization, financial access, and market linkage 2. Support youth in developing business plans and financial management strategies 3. Conduct entrepreneurship training, utilizing hackathons and bootcamps 4. Facilitate access to legal business compliance and critical resources5. Promote soft skills development and exposure to successful agribusinesses.

Phase Three: Mentorship and Coaching (Milestone: 30%; Duration: 75 Days). The project will facilitate mentorship and coaching for selected youth with promising agribusiness ventures, providing them with the guidance needed to scale their operations. An inclusive coaching model will be implemented to ensure equitable access to business opportunities, empowering a diverse group of participants. Youth-led enterprises will be prepared for investor readiness through tailored support, helping them refine their business strategies and presentation skills. And the project will support a comprehensive incubation program focused on financial literacy, ensuring participants are equipped to manage resources effectively, while offering access to matching grants to boost their business growth.

Phase Four: Strategic Linkage and Funding (Milestone: 20%; Duration: 45 Days) The project will establish strategic connections between start-ups and key buyers and financiers to help young entrepreneurs access new markets and secure financial backing. By facilitating access to finance through diverse funding sources, including grants, loans, and investors, the project aims to provide critical financial support to growing enterprises. Partnerships will be developed with anchor firms in key market areas to create stable, long-term business opportunities. Also, businesses will be made investment-ready by conducting thorough due diligence and offering budgeting support, ensuring they meet investor requirements and can scale sustainably.  

5. Qualifications and Professional Experience:

• Nationality: Tanzanian national.

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in relevant fields (e.g., Business Administration, Agribusiness, Development Studies, or related disciplines).

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in business consultancy and facilitation, with a proven track record in managing donor-funded programs and collaborating with government bodies and at least 7 years of experience in the private sector is required.

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in both Swahili and English.

• Sector-Specific Experience: Demonstrated experience working with youth in agribusiness programs or initiatives.

6.  Application  

Interested candidates should send an application letter, 3-page proposal max and Budget for the proposed assignment.  They should attach a detailed CV, and copies of relevant certificates before 16th Feb 2025 to eastafrica@rikolto.org

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