Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) seeks to partner with an experienced Strategic Learning Agenda (SLA) Service Provider to join our dedicated and talented team in Davao City, Philippines on our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org

Background

MEDA is an international economic development organization whose mission is to create business solutions to poverty. Founded in 1953 by a group of business professionals, MEDA partners with the poor to start or grow small and medium-sized businesses in developing regions around the world.

In the Philippines, MEDA is now on its second year of project implementation of its five-year Resilience and Inclusion through Investment for Sustainable Agrikultura (RIISA) initiative. It strives for more resilience and inclusive economic growth for women and men cacao smallholder farmers (SHFs) in Mindanao, Philippines, from strengthened cacao market systems supported by investment. With a focus on Davao region and exposure to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), RIISA responds to multiple challenges in the Philippines cacao sector and draws on MEDA’s experience in market systems development, gender lens investing (GLI), gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), and environment and climate change (ECC).

RIISA is addressing cacao SHFs socio-economic challenges while contributing to market systems resilience (MSR) by i) mobilizing Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG)-focused investment for cacao sector small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and financial intermediaries (FIs); ii) strengthening the capacity, including GESI, human rights (HR), and ECC, of local FIs and business service providers (BSPs) to deliver better services and products to cacao SMEs and cooperatives; iii) strengthening the capacity of cacao cooperatives and smallholder farmers (SHFs) in environmentally sustainable and inclusive farming and business practices; and iv) improve key enabling environment actors’ awareness of ESG practices in the cacao market system.

On improving market system actors’ awareness of and promotion of Environment Social and Governance (ESG) practices in the cacao sector, RIISA will co-develop with the identified market system actors and stakeholders a strategic learning agenda with focused learning products that will be disseminated through various learning platforms. This is expected to contribute to addressing the identified market systems barriers, achieve a market behavior change desired, attract investment capital, and create or strengthen inclusive business support services to better serve cacao SMEs and cooperatives to integrate ESG. The main objective is to improve the practices of relevant actors to promote best gendered ESG practices in the cacao market system in the Philippines. In meeting this objective, MEDA sees working with a strategic partner as key in delivering the needed activities.

SCOPE OF WORK

MEDA seeks to partner with an experienced Strategic Learning Agenda (SLA) Service Provider to facilitate the co-development of strategic learning agenda and the dissemination of learning products on gendered-ESG and other project results through various learning activities and platforms to influence system level change as outlined in RIISA’s Performance Measurement Framework (PMF). The Service Provider shall have the expertise and experience to respond to the knowledge or learning gaps in the agrifood system. It shall have expertise in working with actors and stakeholders in promoting and adopting gendered-ESG best practices to increase the cacao industry awareness of market system investment, ESG and gender lens investing approaches.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Working closely with RIISA Market System Technical Lead and SLA Consultant/Coordinator, the main responsibility of the Service Provider is to organize and facilitate the co-development of the strategic learning agenda with strategic actors and stakeholders in the cacao market system for all learning activities utilizing Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach that maximizes learning and action in the co-development of learning products. By working closely with the SLA Consultant/Coordinator, the Service Provider will also be responsible for the industry wide distribution of co-developed learning products to target strategic and relevant cacao market actors to improve their practices in promoting best gendered ESG (G-ESG) approaches that benefit businesses and smallholder farmers. Specific tasks include:

In consultation with RIISA Market System Technical Lead and SLA Consultant/Coordinator, identify and convene the SLA stakeholders both at the regional and national level to co-develop the strategic learning agenda (SLA) with responsive strategy and implementation plan for developing the required learning questions; identifying key decision points, and resources; identifying, and conducting the learning activities, and producing the learning products on G-ESG best practices that will be disseminated through learning sessions to address knowledge gaps and practices in the cacao market system.

In RIISA’s Project Implementation Plan there are initial questions below that have been identified but will be updated during the co-development of SLA.

- What are the key considerations impeding equitable growth within the Philippine cacao sector, i.e., environment & climate change, gender equality and social inclusion, financing, etc.?
- How does integration of ESG within business or cooperative operations boost performance – in profits, in productivity, in employee/supplier retention, etc.?
- Gender Lens Investing is still nascent in the Philippines and focused on the use of sex-disaggregated data and targeting of women-led businesses. How can RIISA further the discourse and promotion of GLI with organizations such as AVPN and Investing in Women.
Lead in conducting learning activities through participatory action research with the identified strategic market system actors and stakeholders.
Lead in producing learning products on G-ESG best practices from the participatory action research learning activities
Lead in organizing and disseminating the learning products on G-ESG best practices in organized meetings/workshops or learning sessions using several platforms (e.g., National Cacao Working Group; National Cacao Congress) as identified by the SLA actors and stakeholders including the impact investment community to answer the learning questions in the SLA.
In consultation with RIISA Project Team, provide technical support in establishing a system that will ensure that the co-developed learning products are readily accessible to cacao market system actors and stakeholders at any time.
Work with RIISA SLA Consultant/Coordinator to prepare for MEDA’s participation in Canada Day in 2024 as part of RIISA market linkages support for cooperatives and SMEs and dissemination of G-ESG learning products.
Provide a bi-weekly update to RIISA Market System Technical Lead on the progress of SLA works and the concerns or issues that need immediate attention.

DELIVERABLES

Co-developing the Strategic Learning Agenda (June-July 2023)

Reviewed the compiled studies to determine if these are responding to the identified knowledge gaps or not.
Strategic Learning Agenda (SLA) co-developed with identified strategic actors and stakeholders. The SLA has responsive strategy and implementation plan for developing and responding to the learning questions, identifying, and conducting the learning activities through PAR, and producing the learning products on G-ESG best practices that will be disseminated to address knowledge gaps and practices in the cacao market system.
Submitted the SLA Strategy and Plan report.

Addressing Learning Questions (August 2023 - July 2024)

Conducted five learning activities (i.e., learning events & process, evaluations, monitoring activities, reflection sessions, before and after-action reviews, facilitated dialogues) through participatory action research with the identified strategic market system actors and stakeholders that will respond to the co-developed learning questions.

SLA learning products (October 2023 - March 2025)

Produced five learning products on G-ESG best practices from the participatory action research learning activities.

Dissemination of SLA learning products (October 2023 - November 2025)

Disseminated five learning products on G-ESG best practices in organized meetings/workshops or learning sessions using several platforms (e.g., National Cacao Congress, Convergence Forum, Cacao Working Group, etc.).

MEDA’s participation in Canada Day (May 2024)

Provide support in organizing the participation of MEDA staff and cooperatives and SMEs representatives and in disseminating G-ESG learning products in the event.

Access to learning products (Oct. 2023 – Nov. 2025)

Established online system that provide access to target cacao market system actors and stakeholders for learning products co-developed.

QUALIFICATIONS OF SERVICE PROVIDER

Generic and Mandatory:

Registered with regulatory agency in the Philippines. With Tax Identification Number and been providing related services on strategic learning agenda and development or behavioral communications for at least 3 years.
Fulfill MEDA’s due diligence requirements:
- Not involved in terrorist, illegal or criminal activities, including but not limited to drug, arms or sex trafficking, money laundering, violation of women’s rights and human rights
- Does not appear on the US, UK, UN, or EU lists of terrorist organizations or individuals.
Sample work is required to be submitted.

Specific Expertise and Experience:

Demonstrated expertise and experience in the following. The proponent needs to submit a work sample.
- Designing or developing a strategic learning agenda or mindset change and behavioral development communication plan to address specific practices in the agrifood system with focus on the cacao market system.
- Been providing services or conducting learning activities including learning events & process, evaluations, monitoring activities, reflection sessions, before and after-action reviews, facilitated dialogues, involving officers and employees of private sector, government agencies, civil society organizations, and smallholder farmers.
- Event organizing and able to communicate effectively to various actors and stakeholders including the cooperatives and small holders, MSMEs and other businesses, government officials and key employees, NGOs, and other relevant sectors.
- Facilitating online or in-person capacity building training involving various participants with different learning styles.
- Disseminating learning products through various platforms.
With dedicated personnel who have background on development communication or behavioral communication is an advantage.
Experience working with cooperatives and women and men small holder farmers, youth, and Indigenous Peoples is an advantage.
Familiarity with the cacao industry is an advantage.
Preferably with working knowledge on gendered environmental social and governance (ESG) factors or considerations.
Focus on agrifood system with vision and mission related to making a difference in the lives of cacao small holder farmers.
Staff who will be engaged are proficient in Microsoft Software use i.e., Word, Excel, and Power Point; additional experience with MS Access and design applications (Canva, lnDesign, etc.) a plus.
Staff who will be engaged are proficient in both spoken and written English.

FUNDING: Funding allocated for this engagement is provided below. Exact figures will be discussed once the applicant is successful in the first stage of evaluation.

Deliverables

20% Indicative Budget Allocation

Reviewed the compiled studies to determine if these are responding to the identified knowledge gaps or not.
Strategic Learning Agenda (SLA) co-developed with identified strategic actors and stakeholders. The SLA has responsive strategy and implementation plan for developing and responding to the learning questions, identifying, and conducting the learning activities through PAR, and producing the learning products on G-ESG best practices that will be disseminated to address knowledge gaps and practices in the cacao market system.
Submitted the SLA Strategy and Plan report.

20% Indicative Budget Allocation

Conducted at least five learning activities (i.e., learning events & process, evaluations, monitoring activities, reflection sessions, before and after-action reviews, facilitated dialogues) through participatory action research with the identified strategic market system actors and stakeholders that will respond to the co-developed learning questions.

30% Indicative Budget Allocation

Produced five learning products on G-ESG best practices from the participatory action research learning activities.

20% Indicative Budget Allocation

Disseminated five learning products on G-ESG best practices in organized meetings/workshops or learning sessions using several platforms (e.g., National Cacao Congress, Convergence Forum, Cacao Working Group, etc.).

25% Indicative Budget Allocation

Provided support in organizing the participation of MEDA staff and cooperatives and SMEs representatives and in disseminating G-ESG learning products in the Canada Day.

5% Indicative Budget Allocation

Established online system that provide access to target cacao market system actors and stakeholders for learning products co-developed.
Administrative functions fulfilled as per Contract

REPORTING

The Service Provider will report to the MEDA-RIISA Market Systems Technical Lead / ECC Focal Person for supervision and administration support and will receive feedback on all deliverables from RIISA Program Team and MEDA Philippines Country Director.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please apply online through this posting by 4:00pm ET on June 9, 2023

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of MEDA staff. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed for the final evaluation. Only one Service Provider will be selected and announced by June 16, 2023. Upon selection of Service Provider, MEDA will enter a contract for the engagement.

A. Proponent shall follow the prescribed proposal format below and submit in electronic copy with the following information.

Contact Information
Organization’s Legal Name:
Mailing Address:
Main Contact Person and Title:
Telephone:
Email address:
Website, if available (Facebook, twitter):
SEC/CDA/DTI Registration Number:

B. Proposal Outline

Introduction (maximum half page): provide understanding of the ToR and how your organization or company can respond to the ToR’s requirements. Proponent to add a brief explanation on their motivation to partner with MEDA.
Capability Statement (maximum of one page):
Briefly describe your organization’s business services provided, in relation to the expertise required by this ToR, in the last three years with specific information on the clients, contracting company/organization, and results of your engagements.
Briefly describe the financial position of the organization/company.
Briefly discuss the organization/company’s contingency plan and mechanism in place to adapt to the pandemic situation.
Please include the contact details (contact person, phone, and email) of at least three (3) organizations/companies/cooperatives who can speak for the capability and credibility of your organization.
Describe the qualifications of the personnel who will possibly be involved in the engagement.
Proposed Methodology (maximum of one page).
Adapting to MEDA’s schedule and deliverables, describe how the proponent will conduct the required activities that directly respond to the target deliverables within the two years and five months’ timeframe given any restrictions.
Discuss the strategy to ensure participation of women, youth and Indigenous peoples in key activities including the co-development of SLA strategy and plan, co-development of learning questions, and the conduct of learning activities to develop the learning products.
Describe the strategy to effectively communicate or disseminate the co-developed learning products to increase cacao industry awareness of market system investment, ESG and gender lens investing approaches that leads to adoption to improve target actors and stakeholders’ practices in promoting best gendered ESG (G-ESG) approaches that benefit businesses and smallholder farmers.
Proposed Work Plan (maximum of one page). Outline the activities, timeline, expected outputs, resources and the expertise needed.
Estimated Cost of the Engagement (in matrix format): Itemized cost and unit, and total cost.
Annex:
SEC Certificate of Incorporation or DTI Certificate of Registration or CDA Registration, Business Permit, and BIR Certificate of Registration
Audited Financial Statement for the past two to three years.
Resume or CV of BSP staff who will work on this engagement.
Work sample/s of BSP and the assigned staff