Expert Business Development Services

Near East Foundation

Consultancy Announcement

Part I – Consultancy Information

Project:            Development Impact Bond (DIB)

Services:           Expert Business Development Services

Location:         Amman, Jordan (with travel expected up to 50% of the time within Jordan)

Estimated Period of Performance & LOE: NEF intends to sign agreements starting September 1, 2022 renewable annually based on NEF’s needs for up to 3 years. Please see the workplan below for an overview of the estimated Level of Effort (LOE) that may be required across the consultancy.

Part II – Project Introduction

For over 100 years, The Near East Foundation (NEF) has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently operates in nine countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Its programs are organized around three themes: Peacebuilding through Economic Cooperation, Climate-resilient Agriculture, and Microenterprise Development. More information on NEF’s and its affiliates’ work and geographic focus can be found on NEF’s website: www.neareast.org.

Building on our experience in Jordan, NEF has launched a four-year Development Impact Bond (DIB) to sustainably improve the livelihoods and build resilience of vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees in Jordan. It is the first DIB in Jordan and the first globally in refugee programming. Under this innovative mechanism, NEF will be funded on our achievement of outcomes relating to improved livelihoods.

To achieve this, NEF provides entrepreneurship and financial management training, as well as life skills, protection and technical skills training to Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. An estimated 5040 of participants who have completed training and developed a viable business plan (BP) will receive financial support (average of 850 USD) as a grant to establish their proposed business.

Part III – Overview and Objectives

NEF is seeking proposals from qualified consultants based in Amman, Jordan for ad hoc support to the program team as needed over the coming 3 years. The types of tasks for which we might require support include, but are not limited to:

1. Evaluating participant business plans according to NEF criteria. This includes completing the associated evaluation forms and updating the NEF database accordingly.
2. Participating in the selection process of the grantees including the participation in the meetings held by designated grant-review committees.
3. Supporting NEF in advancing the Business Development curriculums (e.g. tailoring and upgrading materials as needed).
4. Provide training services in topics related to business development for NEF master trainers.

The table linked here illustrates the expected activities and timelines to associated with this consultancy.

Part IV – Requirements

Requirements:

• University degree in a relevant field

• Extensive relevant experience in MSME Business Development, relevant experience could include: writing and/or evaluating business plans, participating in selection process for business plan development, developing or upgrading business development curriculums, providing training to refugee and/or vulnerable communities in livelihood sectors

• Ability to use known business analysis tools to identify problems and to propose solutions

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

• Experience consulting in a similar international environment or for a similar INGO

• Professional fluency in Arabic. English language skills are desirable.

Part V – Submission

Please submit the following documents on the BambooHR website.

1. CV
2. Supporting statement that: (1) outlines how your experience fits the assignment; (2) includes your daily rate (in JOD); and (3) expected availability through August 2022 to July 2024.

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation and its affiliates by visiting the NEF website (www.neareast.org).

Kindly note only finalists will be contacted.