Background

DRC has been operational in Kenya since 2005 and has been working with refugee and host communities. DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. It provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. DRC is present in Garissa (Dadaab & Garissa), Turkana (Kakuma, Kalobeyei & Lodwar), Nairobi and Mandera counties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and Grundfos Foundation have granted funding to a consortium led by DRC, comprising Dan Church Aid (DCA) and Turkana Pastoralists Development Organization (TUPADO) to implement the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) project. The project intends to promote self-reliance and resilience interventions in Turkana West Sub-County targeting both refugees and the host community population.

The project seeks to strengthen the systems of Business Development and Financial Service (BDS/FSP) providers within Turkana West. The BDS/FSP providers play a crucial role in the growth and sustainability of Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), startups and entrepreneurs. Their importance extends across various aspects of business development and economic growth.

Purpose

The project under P2P aims to support existing Business Development Service (BDS) and Financial Service providers in Turkana West, as well as those assisting businesses within the Refugee and Host communities across Kakuma, Letea, Lopur, and Kalobeyei wards.

The consultant will focus on strengthening the systems of these providers by identifying the gaps that hinder their ability to effectively deliver services to the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in refugees and host communities in Turkana West.

The initiative seeks to further empower the providers, enabling them to scale their operations, invest more in supporting the refugees and host communities owned businesses and ultimately improve their financial resilience. This not only benefits the BDS/FSP providers but also the entrepreneurs, as it will enable them to effectively access the support and services offered by BDS/FSP.

Objectives

1. Mapping out the existing BDS/FSP Service Providers within Turkana West that provide services to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and assess their service delivery models, geographic coverage, existing partnerships, and readiness for digital transformation.
2. Identifying gaps that exist and hinder the BDS/FSP in providing services to to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those owned by women and other vulnerable individuals within refugee and host communities.
3. Identify BDS providers capable of delivering training, coaching, and mentorship to selected MSMEs through a voucher system.
4. To enhance the technical and operational capacity of BDS/FSP providers by designing, updating, and delivering training on relevant online toolkits, digital integration, marketing, and linkages to credit facilities to better serve MSMEs and financial actors.
5. Strengthen strategic partnerships between BDS/FSP, government agencies and the private sector.

Scope of Work

The scope of work for the System strengthening for the BDS/FSP shall include the below:

• Identify and map BDS/FSP providers, evaluate service gaps, challenges, delivery models, and their capacity for training and digital adoption.
• Provide training on entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and digital tools, and support ongoing skills development for improved service delivery.
• Develop and implement online toolkits and platforms to facilitate provider-MSME engagement *Design and operationalize a voucher-based training system for MSMEs, and help BDS/FSP tailor services to local needs and demand.
• Facilitate and strengthen strategic partnerships between BDS/FSP, government agencies, private sector actors, and credit facilities to expand service reach, enhance impact, and improve access to essential financial services.
• Strengthen and implement monitoring and evaluation systems for BDS/FSP to track access, satisfaction, and socioeconomic outcomes, enabling data-driven improvements in service delivery and performance against established benchmarks.

Expected Outputs

The expected deliverables are summarized as below:

Component 1: Inception

• Detailed Inception Report outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and overall approach.
• Work Plan and Schedule including key activities, timelines, and expected deliverables throughout the assignment.
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan identifying potential risks and outlining strategies to address them.

Component 2 (a): Mapping and Capacity Building

• Complete mapping and identification of at least 30 operational BDS/FSP providers in the target area.
• A comprehensive report outlining key gaps and challenges faced by BDS/FSP.
• Delivery of training programs on utilizing and sustaining online BDS/FSP toolkits and facilities for 30 BDS/FSP providers.
• Formation of at least 10 strategic partnerships between BDS/FSP providers, government agencies, and private sector actors.
• Develop or upgrade monitoring systems to measure access, satisfaction, and socioeconomic outcomes of BDS/FSP services.
• Support in selection and engagement of at least 10 BDS/FSP capable of delivering training to MSMEs, with the allocation of training vouchers

Component 2 (b): Monitoring and Evaluation

• Regular assess the performance of BDS/FSP against established parameters.
• Submission monitoring reports and activity reports

Component 3: Reporting

Submission assignment reports and related documents

Duration, Timeline and Payment

The consultancy is expected to be conducted starting the month of June 2025, and is expected to last for 5 months, with final report to be provided within 30 days of finalization of the consultancy work.

The Proposed payment plan is as below:

1st Instalment 20% – Upon signing of the contract, delivery of an agreed Implementation Plan and Inception Report. Within the 1st month of the engagement.

2nd Instalment 60% – Upon strengthening capacity of BDS/FSP as per the outlined deliverables. Expected to take place within a period of 3 months of implementation.

Final payment 20% – Upon DRC approval of the final report. To be submitted 1 month after completion of the consultancy work

Proposed Composition of Team

• Team Leader/ Project Manager
• BDS Expert
• Financial Inclusions Expert
• Training & Capacity Building Specialists

Eligibility Criteria

For this assignment, the Consultant should have extensive experience and knowledge in strengthening systems for BDS/FSP in Kenya that supports refugees and vulnerable host communities’ initiatives.

Among the desirable qualifications for a lead consultant are:

• Master’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree with over five years of substantial experience in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Commerce, or Economics.
• Training or certification in business advisory services, value chain development, or market linkages is considered essential.
• The consultant should have a Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience working in Strengthening systems of the BDS/FSP, especially in refugees and Vulnerable host communities.
• Completion Certificates for similar works from recognized and reputable institutions are an added advantage and/or provide at least 3 references of similar assignments s/he has successfully undertaken in the last 3 years.
• Having a good presence or previous partnerships with BDS/FSP providers and Financial Institutions in Kenya.
• Demonstrated practical business knowledge with emphasis on marketing and financial management skills.
• Demonstrated experience in Market Research, monitoring, evaluation and product development.
• Demonstrated experience in small business development and management, experience with small business financing, market analysis and market research.
• Demonstrated experience in community economic development, community empowerment and working with community-based organizations.
• Strong networking capabilities, with the ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proven experience in professional report writing, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and insightful documentation.

Conditions

The engagement calls for adherence to the context security guidelines. On the same breadth, DRC does not guarantee security in relation to this engagement, and it will therefore not be liable for any eventuality. Nevertheless, any relevant security updates will be shared when necessary.

• The tasks must be completed within the stipulated time frame.
• This engagement is set to begin in June 2025 with assignment spreading within a period of 5 months. The operations must be within the agreed terms of engagement.
• The engagement calls for adherence to and signing of DRC’s Code of Conduct
• The offer for this engagement should be inclusive of all associated and agreed costs.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit www.drc.dk.

Reporting lines

Reporting will be to the Project Manager with provision of regular updates to Economic Recovery Team Leader on the progress of the project as per the agreed-upon schedule.

For the duration of the engagement, progress update is expected on a weekly and monthly basis to the Project Manager.

Travel

The engagement necessitates the consultant to be based or travel to Turkana County during the exercise in understanding the context, markets and establishing possible linkages. As such, the consultant is responsible for making their own arrangements for transportation, accommodation, insurance, and meals, and should include these provisions in the Financial Proposal.

Application Submission process

Qualified and interested consultancy firms are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the following:

• A technical proposal detailing the Background, objectives of the assignment, activities, and deliverables, proposed methodology, timeframe, reporting requirements, work plan, team composition and responsibilities and demonstrating a good understanding of market systems analysis methodology,
• A detailed budget or a Financial Proposal for the activities should be included in the application process (To Include professional and administrative costs and all statutory taxes by the Government of Kenya).
• Organizational/Company profile

The Service provider should also submit the documents as mentioned below along with the proposal.

1. Firm Certificate of Registration
2. PIN/VAT Certificate and Tax Clearance Certificate
3. Company /Organization Profile
4. Company CR12 form (if applicable)
5. CV’s of the Team members involved

Consultant Experience: The consultancy firm should have at least 3 experiences in the Strengthening BDS/FSP with evidence of recognition certificates from system users (at least 3 references having used the system)

Detailed implementation Schedule: Realistic Timelines with clear milestones on how steps will be sequenced, corresponding targets for each step, and when each step will be achieved. Flexibility to start with projects that have urgent needs for digitization.

Evaluation

All bidders’ applicants will be reviewed following a set criterion and will be assessed for profile and qualifications, technical approach, and similar experience accordingly for the initial screening. Based on the screening, DRC will invite selected bidders for an interview and further conduct reference checks from at least 2 previous works as an additional mandatory requirement prior to contracting.

Profile & Qualifications – 20 Marks

• A minimum of five (5) years of proven experience in strengthening systems and capacity of Business Development Service (BDS/FSP), particularly in low-resource or humanitarian settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with refugee and vulnerable host communities, preferably in Kenya or similar contexts.

Company Registration & Legal Documents

• Avail relevant registration and legal documents
• Submission of at least three (3) references or recommendation letters for similar assignments completed in the past three years.
• Availability of completion certificates or other documentation proving successful delivery of comparable work.

Technical Approach – 40 marks

Understanding of Scope of Work

• The service provider demonstrates a clear and thorough understanding of the consultancy goals, objectives, and deliverables.
• Solid understanding of entrepreneurship development, small business support, and market systems.

Methodology & Work Plan

• The proposed detailed workplan for the consultancy
• The work plan is comprehensive, detailing clear timelines, milestones, and deliverables.

Proposed Team & Key Personnel

• The proposed team consists of qualified and experienced individuals with the necessary technical in Business Development Services (BDS/FSP).
• Strong background in market research, needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation, and product/service development for SMEs or community enterprises.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement capacity-building programs tailored to BDS/FSP.
• Proven expertise in areas such as financial management, marketing, digital tools for business, and business advisory services.

Similar Experience – 20 marks

• Experience with Similar activity within Turkana County or other marginalized areas
• Previous Clients & References in relation to the activity with the prove of completion letter
• Evidence of previous collaboration with BDS/FSP, financial institutions, or development partners in Kenya.
• Familiarity with the local economic and regulatory environment in Turkana County or similar regions.

Oral interview – 20 Marks

Application Submission process

Refer to the Bid Invitation letter for detailed submission instructions.

Please find complete bidding documents in the following link: PR 00346298 System Strengthening FSP & BDS

How to Apply:

Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address:

tender.ken@drc.ngo

When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:

• The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email
• Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email contains
  • The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A.2
  • The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender, but excluding all pricing information
• Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
• Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.
• Documents should NOT be submitted via links, WeTransfer, or any other external file-sharing platforms

Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.

DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.

DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process.