Consultancy: Assisting with Restructuring Plan for the National Development Foundation of Jamaica
Reference: X/JAM/063
Location: Jamaica
Duration: 50 person days over the period June to November 2011
Closing Date: 10 May 2011
1. Background
These terms of reference briefly outline the tasks to be performed by the project consultant(s) as part of a Commonwealth Secretariat (ComSec) technical assistance project to enhance the competitiveness of Jamaica’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
This component of the project has been developed following a formal request for technical assistance made to the ComSec by the National Development Foundation of Jamaica (NDFJ), an implementing agency of the Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ), which is supported by the Government of Jamaica (GoJ).
The Enterprise and Agriculture Section (EAS) of ComSec’s Special Advisory Services Division (SASD) will manage this project.
2. Objectives of the Consultancy
The focus of this project request, inter alia, primarily comprises (a) the development of a strategic plan (including a suitable implementation strategy) to revive NDFJ’s operational capability; and (b) capacity building support, through training and development, of NDFJ personnel to implement the developed strategic plan.
- Specific Objectives of this project are to increase and improve the operational capability of NDFJ by:
• reviewing the existing operations of NDFJ; and
• recommending, where required, improvements/revamp of NDFJ’s operations.
- Expected Results are:
• NDFJ is able to provide a better range of services to MSMEs in Jamaica; and
• NDFJ is able to self-sustain its operations through the new strategic plan.
3. The Client
NDFJ, established in the 1980s, is mandated to support MSMEs in Jamaica through various interventions, including financing. NDFJ’s headquarters is located in Kingston and more information is accessible via their website.
In delivering the outputs for this project, the consultant(s) will work with the Chief Executive Officer/NDFJ, and/or their nominated personnel.
4. Scope of Work
The scope of work under this consultancy assignment is envisaged to be the following:
4.1 Developing a strategic plan, including implementation strategy, to revive the operational capability of NDFJ;
4.2 Training and development of NDFJ personnel to implement the developed strategic plan.
In undertaking the above, the project consultants are required to conduct relevant consultations, and liaise with appropriate entities in Jamaica.
5. Deliverables of the Assignment
The deliverables under this consultancy assignment, which is expected to commence on or around 13 June 2011, are as follows:
| SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES | Schedule/LoE/Primary Location |
First phase of Project Delivery:
Submission of a detailed report of the first phase | June 2011; report to be submitted within two weeks of completion of outputs under the first phase (mid-July 2011); |
Second phase of Project Delivery:
Submission of a draft strategic and staff training plans | July-September 2011; |
Final phase of Project Delivery:
Submission of a detailed project delivery report, along with outputs | October-November 2011 (final project report to be submitted by 16 December 2011); 4 weeks; in Jamaica |
6. Qualifications and Experience
The consultant(s) should possess proven expertise working on MSME development projects of a similar nature, besides a good knowledge of development issues. The consultant(s) skills set should include:
- Educational qualifications (graduate or post-graduate), in Business, Commerce, Economics, Development, or other related subjects.
- Proven consultancy experience providing similar advisory services, particularly in economies of similar size to Jamaica and developing countries.
- Excellent knowledge of issues in the context of MSME advisory services and facilitation to be provided by business support institutions.
- Knowledge and experience in diagnosis, research, presentation, report writing and training skills in English, including the ability to (a) analyze and interpret information (both quantitative and qualitative) and (b) prepare concise training materials and reports, is mandatory.
- Excellent communication and project delivery skills.
7. Location and Duration
- The location of the client is in Kingston (Jamaica). Travel may be required to places outside Kingston. Consultations will be held in Kingston and other places in Jamaica, while the training and development programmes will be held in Kingston.
- The total Level of Effort is estimated at 50 person days, running between June – November 2011 and this has been divided phase-wise (refer Section 5).
- Approximately 70% of this time will be required to be spent on location in Jamaica.
8. Budget of Assignment and Other Information
- The maximum budget of this consultancy is set at £25,000.
- An all inclusive contract will be provided by ComSec. This will cover consultancy fees, air travel (two missions), travel related expenses, subsistence (up to 35 nights), reproduction of training materials and reports, and other assignment related expenditure.
- The consultant(s) will be contracted by, and be responsible to, ComSec but will work closely with NDFJ and/or their nominated representatives.
- Detailed project assessment, progress and final reports will be provided to ComSec at various stages – as indicated in Section 5 of this document.
9. Proposal
Proposals for this consultancy must include the following (not in any stated order of precedence or preference):
- Programme delivery plan, including roles, responsibilities and duration of work for consultant(s) – (30% of evaluation criteria).
- Summary of previous work undertaken relevant to this project, for development organisations and in developing countries (40% of evaluation criteria).
- Information on consultants, including experience, nationality and gender (20% of evaluation criteria).
- Schedule for implementation – (5% of evaluation criteria).
- Budget information (5% of evaluation criteria).
Testimonials on previous assignments would be desirable but not essential.
Submission of proposals via electronic means is encouraged. However if submission is made through hard copies, five such copies must be enclosed.
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