Request for Proposals

Government Liaison Consultant - Advisory Support on Government Compliance, Regulatory Updates and Administrative Procedures for TechnoServe Rwanda.

Reference No.: RQ7738

Date Published: 05/14/2025

Due Date for Responses: 05/28/2025

Background

TechnoServe is a US-based non-profit organization with a mission to work with enterprising people in the developing world to build vibrant businesses that create income, opportunity, and economic growth for their families and communities. To effectively achieve its objectives and ensure a favorable operating environment, TechnoServe seeks to strengthen its relationships with relevant government ministries, agencies, and officials at the country level. This requires dedicated expertise to navigate government processes, foster collaboration, and advocate for policies that support TechnoServe Rwanda's programs and beneficiaries.

Scope of Work Objectives:

The primary objectives of this engagement are to:

Establish and maintain strong, productive relationships with key government stakeholders relevant to TechnoServe's sectors of operation (e.g., agriculture, entrepreneurship, youth employment, climate change).

Facilitate effective communication and information sharing between TechnoServe and government entities. Support TechnoServe in navigating relevant government policies, regulations, and administrative procedures. Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration and partnership with government initiatives and programs. Advocate for policies and initiatives that align with TechnoServe's mission and benefit its target beneficiaries. Enhance TechnoServe Rwanda's visibility and credibility as a trusted partner with the government.

Scope of Services:

The Government Liaison Consultant will be responsible for the following key activities:

Stakeholder Mapping and Analysis:

1. Identify and map key government ministries, agencies, departments, and officials at the country level relevant to TechnoServe Rwanda's work.
2. Analyze the mandates, priorities, and decision-making processes of these
3. Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of relevant government

Relationship Building and Management:

1. Proactively build and nurture strong relationships with identified government stakeholders through regular communication, meetings, and networking.
2. Serve as a primary point of contact between TechnoServe and government

Policy Monitoring and Analysis:

1. Monitor relevant government policies, legislation, regulations, and development plans that may impact TechnoServe's operations and beneficiaries.
2. Analyze the implications of these policies and provide timely updates and recommendations to TechnoServe

Facilitating Collaboration and Partnerships:

1. Identify and explore opportunities for collaboration and partnership with government programs and
2. Support the development of joint proposals, agreements, and memoranda of understanding (MOUs).
3. Facilitate meetings and discussions between TechnoServe staff and government counterparts to advance collaborative

Advocacy and Representation:

1. Articulate TechnoServe's mission, objectives, and impact to government
2. Advocate for policies and initiatives that create a favorable environment for TechnoServe's work and the communities it
3. Prepare briefing materials, policy briefs, and presentations for government

Navigating Government Processes:

1. Assist TechnoServe in understanding and navigating relevant government administrative procedures, such as registration, permits, and approvals.
2. Facilitate the timely submission of required documentation and follow-up with relevant government

Reporting and Documentation:

1. Provide regular reports on government engagement activities, progress on objectives, and key developments in the policy
2. Maintain accurate records of meetings, communications, and agreements with government

Deliverables

The Government Liaison Consultant is expected to deliver the following: A comprehensive stakeholder map and analysis report.

A regularly updated database of key government contacts.

Monthly/quarterly reports on government engagement activities and progress with Human Resources, Finance and Country Manager

Policy briefs and analysis documents as required.

Meeting notes and agreements with government stakeholders. Support in the development of partnership agreements and MOUs. Presentations and briefing materials for government engagement.

Recommendations for strengthening TechnoServe's government relations strategy and providing ad hoc support to TechnoServe’s team on government engagements.

Anticipated Start Date

06/02/2025

Performance Location

TechnoServe Rwanda Office in Kigali, with potential travel within Rwanda.

Additional Information

The services of the Government Liaison Consultant will be utilized on an as-needed basis, as determined by TechnoServe. Specific scopes of work and timelines will be defined for each engagement.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Bachelor's degree but preferably Master's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Development Studies, or a related field

Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in government relations, public affairs, or policy advocacy, with the Rwandan government context.

Proven track record of building and maintaining strong relationships with government officials. Excellent understanding of Rwanda's political and policy landscape.

Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work independently and proactively. Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda.

Familiarity with the non-profit sector and international development is an advantage.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Interested individuals/firms should submit a proposal that includes:

A cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience relevant to this assignment. A detailed methodology and approach to achieving the objectives outlined.

Professional fees(daily and/or hourly rate) and any anticipated reimbursable expenses. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the proposed personnel.

References from previous clients.

RDB Certificate for companies and individuals

Bank Letter with the bank details signed and stamped by the bank Tax declaration certificate

Response Instructions

To ensure consideration, all responses must be submitted no later than 05/28/2025, written in English with prices stated in RWF. All responses must:

Contain a detailed cost with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified. Provide requested payment terms and conditions.

Include a contact name, email address, and telephone number.

For quotes from a firm, provide a brief outline of the company and services offered, including the company's full legal name and address, the jurisdiction of incorporation, the full legal name and country of citizenship of the company's owners/principal officers, and the year the business was established.

If a consortium of firms or a team of consultants submits a quote jointly, the above information should be provided for each member of the team.

Only include attached files that are 10 MB or smaller in size. Do not include compressed (ZIP, RAR), executable, or other unusual file formats as these will be rejected.

Submit responses to: buy+RQ7738@tns.org

Note: DO NOT email your response to any employee of TechnoServe or deliver your response in hard copy to a TechnoServe office. Failing to adhere to these instructions may make your response ineligible for consideration.

Terms and Conditions

This solicitation shall not be construed as an offer by TechnoServe. Responses must be submitted on or before the date indicated.

Any quotes that are unresponsive will be summarily rejected.

Responses to this solicitation shall be deemed binding offers and must remain valid for acceptance for no less than 90 days from the closing date of this solicitation.

Any purchases resulting from this solicitation will be governed by TechnoServe's contractual terms and conditions, and may be subject to additional terms as required by donors funding the purchase.

TechnoServe expressly reserves the right to accept or reject any quote or to cancel the solicitation process at any time without explanation, with no liability to any respondent.

TechnoServe may, at its discretion, accept all or part of a respondent's offer.

All information provided by TechnoServe in this solicitation is given in good faith; however, details are subject to change. TechnoServe may require respondents to enter into a non-disclosure agreement as a prerequisite for consideration.

Respondents bear sole responsibility for all costs incurred in connection with the preparation of their response, including any third- party expenses.

All responses shall become the property of TechnoServe.

Respondents must fully disclose any conflicts of interest pertaining to this solicitation. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Request Files

The following attached files, if any, represent an important part of this solicitation. No Request Files Found

Selection Criteria

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria and rating methodology.

Selection Criteria Max Points