Short Term Consultant, Swaziland Youth Enterprise Development Fund
Reference: G/CWG/0413
Location: Mbabane, Swaziland
Duration: Six months spread over one year
Closing Date: 2 Sep 2011
Background
The Government of the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland has requested technical support in institutionalizing and supporting implementation of the youth employment and enterprise development fund. The Youth Enterprise Fund was set up through a Legal Notice No: 179 of 2009 and funded by His Majesty King Mswati III, through the Ministry of Sport Culture & Youth Affairs with technical support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The aim of the fund is to provide support to enterprises established by the youth in order to enhance their employment generation and income earning potential.
The fund was designed using best practices from the Commonwealth Youth Credit Initiative (CYCI) methodology and other youth employment development models. Work with the Swaziland National Youth Council and other youth organizations in Swaziland were instrumental in the design and initial technical support provided by the Commonwealth. The CYCI is a facility developed by the Secretariat’s Youth Affairs Division in conjunction with host governments to address issues of youth unemployment and poverty. It is a tripartite arrangement between the Government, an implementing institution and the Commonwealth Secretariat to provide micro credit (small amounts of loan advances, based on identified business ideas and training to youth with the aim of creating and/or expanding income generating activities and creating jobs).
The overall objective of CYCI is to promote youth employment and alleviate poverty among the young people of the Commonwealth. While the total implementation of the whole CYCI model may not be necessary for all countries requesting for technical support, adaptations of best practices in the field is a requirement.
Under the CYCI programme, youth will be organized into groups for the provision of training and credit. Members of the groups will act as collateral for the loans advanced. The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has approached the GIDD/TC &SRG to appoint a consultant to facilitate the implementation of this project.
Tasks to be performed by the Consultant
- Conduct an assessment on the extent of implementation of the recommendations of the technical assistance programme towards the establishment of the fund
- Assess and recommend capacity needs to be addressed for effective delivery of the Youth enterprise development Fund:
- Undertake an Internal Policy Review of SYEF and recommend ways of addressing any identified gaps
- Review of the Loan Disbursement process and advise a revised methodology
- Review of Youth Entrepreneurship training process and advise possible improvements
- Facilitate the development of strategic plan for SYEF
- Facilitate the development of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework and train key actors in M&E Tools for the effective implementation of SYEF
- Provide inputs for the design and operationalisation of an appropriate management information system for the youth fund
- Liaise and collaborate with the Commonwealth Youth Programme and Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Regional Centre in all aspects of development and delivery of the project
Duration and timelines
The Consultant is required for a period of 6 months spread over one year.
The Consultant will be expected to develop a plan of action to be agreed with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport Culture & Youth Affairs and the Director of Youth Development and submit it to GIDD/TC&SRG Programme Manger within one month of commencement of the consultancy.
Supervision and reporting
The Consultant will work with a designated counterpart staff in the Ministry of Sport Culture & Youth Affairs and Youth Affairs. The Consultant will prepare an inception report and periodic progress reports and a final report and submit them to the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), Africa Centre and a Project Manager in GIDD/TC/SRG. YAD/CYP Africa Regional Centre Programme Manager will provide continuous monitoring of the progress of the consultancy.
Transfer of expertise
The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. Staff of the Ministry is expected to be trained and benefit from skills transfer during the project implementation period. Trained officials will continue the work of the consultant upon completion of the consultancy through the ‘train the trainers’ approach. Partnerships with other relevant stakeholders and donor partners will be encouraged.
Professional skills/qualifications
- All the applicants should have minimum of Bachelors Degree in Social Sciences
- A Masters Degree in Economics, Social sciences or Business administration will be a definite advantage
- At least seven (7) years experience in Small & Micro Enterprise programmes
- At least five (5) years experience working within the youth enterprise development field, especially a national youth fund or related fund will be an advantage
- Good liaison and communication skills in a multi-cultural setting
- Strong background in IT applications for business
- Good analytical, report-writing and editing skills with ability to produce high quality work independently
Proposals and budget
Interested Consultants/consultancy firms are required to submit a proposal which should include the following:
- Company profile, if applicable
- CV of consultant(s)
- Proposed methodology and plan of action
- Budget and time lines
The Secretariat will pay for economy class tickets as applicable and UNDSA to cover food and accommodation, while directly covering any costs for dissemination of workshops which may be organized as part of this consultancy.
Submission of proposal
For information regarding this consultancy or to submit the proposal and the Company Consultancy Form/Personal History Form* (as applicable), please contact:
Mrs Puja D Sharma
HR (CFTC)
Commonwealth Secretariat
Pall Mall
London UK
SW1Y 5HX
Email: p.sharma@commonwealth.int
Tel: + 44 207 747 6531
Fax: + 44 20 7747 6520
* The Company Consultancy Registration Form may be downloaded from the Secretariat Website on the Employment / Vacancy / Consultancy Company Assignments page. The Personal History Form may be downloaded from the Secretariat Website on the Employment / Vacancies / Short term Assignments (overseas) page. The forms are available only in PDF format.
The proposal and the form should be forwarded to the contact officer as an attachment to an email or by post / fax.
Please Note: This invitation is open to consulting companies registered in Commonwealth member countries and independent consultants who are nationals of Commonwealth member countries.
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