Consultancy: Business Development Service (BDS) Provider for the DREEM Innovation Fund at World University Service of Canada

Main Tasks and Responsibilities of BDS Providers

• Conduct verification and due-diligence on all MSEs selected by WUSC to participate in the innovation fund
• Identify BDS priority needs of assigned project MSEs across target locations including support for pitch-deck preparation
• Develop an agreed upon detailed business delivery plan for each MSE with short and medium- term goals
• Design and implement tailor made BDS delivery modules as per the MSEs needs
• Facilitate identification and training of a local refugee led BDS provider. The technical BDS provider will collaborate with WUSC in the identification of a promising local BDS provider, mentor and build their capacity within the grant period.
• Advise WUSC on how to Conduct BDS promotional activities and the best channels to use in order to generate awareness among potential MSEs. Lead all necessary logistics arrangements regarding service delivery with MSEs.
• Complying with all financial reporting obligations. Reporting and submitting monthly financial reports to WUSC as well as monthly advances requested. Advance request templates will be provided by WUSC
• Monthly reporting: collect and report BDS evaluation data provided by MSEs
• Participate in learning forums where best practices will be discussed and shared
• Submit quarterly, half-yearly and annual progress reports to DREEM and engage in regular check in and planning meetings with the project team

Roles and responsibilities

DREEM

• Develop clear selection criteria, terms and conditions of the grant and conduct selection of applicants
• Through the selection committee, determine grant participants and eligibility amounts
• Develop SMART indicators and targets for the grant and entrepreneurs

BDS provider

• Conduct verification and due diligence for all businesses that apply for the grant and advice on the cohorts
• Assist in preparation of pitch decks with entrepreneurs before meeting selection committee
• Conduct assessment of all cohorts and develop BDS modules
• With support from the MERL team conduct follow up and monitoring of entrepreneurs based on agreed deliverables and timeframes

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years of experience as a business service development provider, experience providing BDS to refugee entrepreneurs preferred
• Ability/experience developing successful BDS programming for young women (18-35 years old) entrepreneurs
• Track record of BDS service provision to MSEs (demonstrated capacity in Nairobi and socio-economic context is preferred)
• Demonstrated understanding of current global best practices in BDS provision for MSEs
• Demonstrated experience of staff in business, business mentorship or other BDS field
• Having trainers and/or mentors with lived experience as successful entrepreneurs is an asset
• Successful partnership experience on grant funding mechanism in other international funded programmes/ projects