Terms of Reference

Consultancy Assignment: Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Investments in TREPA Communities through Business Development Advisors Involvement 

1. Background

About Cordaid

Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organization. We stand with those who are hit hardest by poverty and conflict by supporting them in their struggle to move beyond survival and to fully participate in equitable and resilient societies. CORDAID Rwanda works in the fields of food and income, private sector development, and climate resilience. We pioneer in establishing pro-poor growth through the market system and value chain development, agri-business development services for SMEs and cooperatives, and improving access to financial services.

About TREPA project

TREPA, a GCF-funded project, is a six years project being implemented by a consortium of six partners: RFA, Enabel, World Vision, ICRAF, Cordaid, and coordinated by IUCN. The project will run from 2022 to 2027 and is being implemented in all districts of the Eastern Province. The project intends to restore 60,000 ha of drought-degraded landscapes into climate-resilient ecosystems through re-forestation, agroforestry, restoration of pasturelands, and soil erosion control measures in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. In addition, the TREPA Project will promote improved clean and efficient cooking energy technologies to more than 100,000 households in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. The Project will also develop value chains of climate-resilient agricultural and agroforestry products to incentivize public and private investments in forests, rangelands, and agroforestry. Targeted value chains include those of tree crops, bee products and fodder. Value chain actors will be supported in overcoming identified bottlenecks and constraints along the nodes of the value chains. The project will finally support the national and local institutions to effectively plan, manage and monitor climate adaptation outcomes from improved land use at national and decentralized levels.  

Through TREPA project, Cordaid actively supports local financial institutions in expanding their agricultural lending products to encompass both short-term and long-term options, tailored with improved terms and conditions that align with farmers' requirements. Additionally, Cordaid focuses on strengthening climate-sensitive financial education within the project community, while also fostering group savings mobilization and facilitating connections between farmers/agribusinesses and financial institutions to enhance access to financial services. 

2. Objective

Cordaid, under the Transforming Eastern Province for Climate Adaptation (TREPA) project, is seeking a qualified and experienced local organization to support its mandate in the project to enhance financial inclusion and stimulate investments within TREPA communities. The primary goal is to leverage the involvement of Business Development Advisors (BDAs) at the sector level to support Cordaid's interventions in achieving financial resilience among project communities.

3. Scope of Work 

Collaboration with BDAs for Implementation Support:

• Work closely with Business Development Advisors (BDAs) to provide comprehensive support in the execution of Cordaid's field interventions within TREPA communities.
• Facilitate seamless collaboration between the organization, BDAs, and community stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of financial inclusion initiatives.
• Management and Oversight of BDAs:
• Take charge of the overall management and supervision of Business Development Advisors, overseeing their activities and ensuring alignment with the objectives of the financial inclusion and investment enhancement initiatives.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback to BDAs to enhance their effectiveness in the field.

BDAs Reports Compilation and District-Level Reporting:

• Coordinate the compilation of detailed reports generated by BDAs, consolidating data and insights into comprehensive documentation.
• Produce district-level reports, synthesizing information from individual BDAs within the district, offering a comprehensive overview of financial inclusion progress and investment activities.
• Strategic Contribution and Implementation:
• Contribute actively to the formulation and implementation of strategies that are in harmony with Cordaid's overarching goals of advancing financial inclusion and catalyzing increased investments within the targeted TREPA communities.
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on field experiences, contributing to the continuous refinement of project strategies for maximum impact.

Community Engagement and Relationship Building:

• Engage with local communities, cooperatives, and other stakeholders to foster positive relationships and garner community buy-in for financial inclusion and investment initiatives.
• Act as a liaison between Cordaid, BDAs, community representatives and TREPA communities to address concerns, gather feedback, and ensure that interventions are community-driven and sustainable.
• Capacity Building Initiatives:
• Collaborate with Cordaid to facilitate training sessions and capacity-building initiatives for BDAs, equipping them with enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to financial inclusion, Climate resilient investment promotion, and community engagement.
• Explore opportunities for continuous professional development for BDAs to ensure they remain effective in their roles.

Monitoring and Evaluation Support:

• Collaborate with Cordaid in the implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the impact of financial inclusion and investment initiatives.
• Collaborate with Cordaid in the regular monitoring of project activities, providing insights for adaptive management and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing and Documentation:
• Promote a culture of knowledge sharing and best practices among BDAs, TREPA cooperatives and savings groups encouraging the dissemination of lessons learned and success stories.
• Collaborate with Cordaid on the development of case studies and other documentation showcasing the positive impact of financial inclusion and investment initiatives in TREPA communities. 

4. Deliverables

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following key outputs:

• Inception Report: Provide a detailed plan outlining the proposed approach, methodologies, and timelines for the consultancy.
• Capacity Building Sessions: Conduct tailored coaching sessions for BDAs, cooperatives, and savings groups on financial management, business goal setting, and prudent investment practices.
• Strategic Framework: Develop a comprehensive strategic framework that outlines actionable steps for achieving financial inclusion and increased investments in TREPA communities by leveraging the presence of Business Development Advisors.
• Progress Reports: Regularly update Cordaid on the progress of the consultancy, highlighting achievements, challenges, and proposed solutions.
• Final Report: Deliver a comprehensive final report encompassing the outcomes of the consultancy, including success stories, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustained financial resilience. 

5. Timeline

The consultancy is anticipated to span one year, with the possibility of extension. The initiation of the consultancy is set for the year 2024.

6. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Established Presence in the Eastern Province with Comprehensive District Coverage.
• Proven Track Record in Collaboration with Savings Groups, Farmer Groups, and Cooperatives.
• Expertise in International Collaboration.
• Demonstrated Specialization in Relevant Fields.
• Methodology Focused on Clarity and Feasibility.
• Budget Alignment and Reasonableness. 

7. Proposal Submission

To be considered, please submit a comprehensive technical and financial proposal to apollinaire.nshimiyimana@cordaid.org with a copy to private.dukundimana@cordaid.org, not later than December 20, 2023. The subject of the email should be “Interest in TREPA consultancy to engage BDAs.”

The application package should include:

• Organizational profile highlighting relevant experience.
• Methodology outlining the proposed approach, including a detailed work plan and timeline.
• Budget proposal specifying the financial requirements for undertaking the consultancy.