Implementing Partner: Sasalawa Africa Association (SAA)
Assignment Duration: 42 Working Days (Approximately Two Months)
Location: Koidio, Karenga, Kaabong and Abim Districts, Karamoja Sub-region, Uganda

1. Introduction

Sasalawa Africa Association (SAA), in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), is implementing the Agricultural Market Support (AMS) Programme aimed at strengthening resilience, market-oriented and inclusive agricultural enterprises that contribute to improved household incomes, food security and employment creation in the Karamoja Sub-region.

Under the AMS Programme, SAA has supported Business Combo Enterprises, Commercialized Community-Based Facilities (CCBFs), Block Farm Enterprises, youth-agricultural enterprises, women-led enterprises and farmer organizations operating across agricultural value chains including mechanization, aggregation, agro-input supply, processing, trading, post-harvest management and digital financial services.

To further strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of these enterprises, SAA intends to engage a qualified consultancy firm to provide comprehensive Business Development Services (BDS).

SAA therefore invites eligible and competent consultancy firms to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) together with a financial quotation for the assignment.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to undertake enterprise diagnostics, identify business growth constraints and provide customized Business Development Services that strengthen enterprise performance, governance, financial management, investment readiness, market competitiveness and youth employment outcomes among AMS-supported enterprises.

3. Scope of the Assignment

The successful consultancy firm will be expected to undertake, but not be limited to, the following activities:

• Conduct enterprise diagnostics and business health assessments.
• Profile and classify supported enterprises according to business maturity and growth potential.
• Identify enterprise performance gaps and develop improvement plans.
• Strengthen enterprise governance, leadership and management systems.
• Improve financial management and record-keeping systems.
• Strengthen enterprise investment and access-to-finance readiness.
• Facilitate business-to-business market linkages and networking.
• Provide enterprise coaching and mentorship.
• Promote youth and women-inclusive employment practices.
• Develop enterprise growth and sustainability plans.
• Establish a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework.
• Prepare all consultancy reports and deliverables.

The assignment will last for six months, with the following activities:

• The successful consultancy firm will be expected to undertake, but not be limited to, the following activities:
  • Conduct enterprise diagnostics and business health assessments.
  • Profile and classify supported enterprises according to business maturity and growth potential.
  • Identify enterprise performance gaps and develop improvement plans.
  • Strengthen enterprise governance, leadership and management systems.
  • Improve financial management and record-keeping systems.
  • Strengthen enterprise investment and access-to-finance readiness.
  • Facilitate business-to-business market linkages and networking.
  • Provide youth and women-inclusive employment practices.
  • Develop enterprise growth and sustainability plans.
  • Establish a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework.
  • Prepare all consultancy reports and deliverables.

The assignment will cover enterprises located in Koidio, Karenga, Kaabong and Abim Districts.

4. Target Enterprises

The consultancy will support enterprises currently participating under the WFP Agricultural Market Support (AMS) Programme, including:

• 72 Business Combo Enterprises;
• 28 Commercialized Community-Based Facilities (CCBFs);
• 7 Youth-agricultural enterprises;
• Women-led enterprises;
• Farmer organizations and producer groups.

5. Expected Deliverables

The successful consultancy firm shall deliver the following outputs:

• Inception Report;
• Enterprise Diagnostic Report;
• Enterprise Business Plan;
• Individual Enterprise Improvement Framework;
• Market Linkage Strategy;
• Financial Resilience and Investment Support Report;
• Coaching and Mentorship Completion Report;
• Final BDS Impact Report.

Comprehensive Enterprise Database.

6. Assignment Duration

The consultancy shall be implemented over 84 working days in accordance with the approved implementation schedule.

7. Minimum Qualifications Requirements

Interested consultants must have the following:

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in Business Development Services, enterprise development, agribusiness development, and/or agribusiness management;
• Demonstrated experience implementing similar assignments funded by development partners;
• Proven experience working in Karamoja, Northern Uganda or similar operating environments;
• Experience in enterprise diagnostics, coaching, market development, financial inclusion and youth employment.

8. Submission Requirements

Interested consultants must be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment;
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently;
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a team environment;
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently;
  • Financial Sustainability;
  • Financial Management;
  • Financial Reporting;
  • Financial Analysis;
  • Financial Risk Management;
  • Financial Compliance;
  • Financial Governance;
  • Financial Reporting;
  • Financial Analysis;
  • Financial Risk Management;
  • Internal Control;
  • Internal Audit;
  • Internal Reporting;
  • Internal Control;
  • Internal Audit;
  • Internal Reporting;
  • Internal Analysis;
  • Internal Risk Management;
  • Internal Reporting;
  • Internal Analysis;
  • Internal Risk Management;
  • Financial Reporting;
  • Financial Analysis;
  • Financial Risk Management;
  • Financial Reporting;
  • Financial Analysis;
  • Financial Risk Management;
• Only shortlisted firms will be contacted for further engagement.

9. Submission of Expressions of Interest

Interested consultants must submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) documents clearly marked:

• “Expression of Interest – Consultancy for Business Development Services (BDS) Assessment, Enterprise Strengthening and Youth Employment Support.”

The submission should be addressed to:
The Country Director Sasalawa Africa Association (SAA)

Submissions should be made electronically to:
Catherine Kayamazia catherine@saa-sate.org
email address: TEL: 0756622802 or 10 days from the date of notice.

10. Additional Information

SAA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submissions without assigning any reason thereof and shall not be bound to award the consultancy to the lowest-priced quotation.

Only shortlisted consultants may be contacted.

Issued by:

Sasalawa Africa Association (SAA) Office Address: Plot 12, Princess Anne Drive Bugolobi, Kampala, Uganda

Postal Address:
P.O. Box 6397, Kampala, Uganda
Telephone: +256 414 345 487, +256 393 261 180
Website: www.saa-sate.org

For any complaints reach out on our tall free line 0800111485

With support from the World Food Programme (WFP) Agricultural Market Support (AMS) Programme