Expression of Interest - Supporting Innovators, Startups and MSMEs on Intellectual Property at African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)

 Objectives of the Consultancy

The goal of this consultancy is to seek a qualified consultant to develop and deliver comprehensive Intellectual Property Services that will create awareness on the importance of IP and empower MSMEs and Innovators in Kenya to protect their innovations and creative works.

Specifically, the consultancy aims to:

To develop five (5) training modules on Intellectual Property

• Create high-quality, engaging training modules covering the fundamentals of intellectual property, types of IP protection, laws governing IP rights, importance of IP protection, requirements for IP protection, the IP application process, IP management and strategy, international IP considerations, practical Case Studies, emerging Trends in IP and IP resources and support for MSMEs and innovators.

To pilot the modules and train 100 MSMEs on IP

• Conduct a pilot training program with a select group of MSMEs and Innovators to gather feedback and refine the training modules.
• Deliver comprehensive IP training to 100 MSMEs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to identify, protect, and utilize their intellectual property.

To support five (5) MSMEs to protect their innovations

• Assist 5 selected MSMEs and Innovators to register their Intellectual Property with the relevant IP offices

Experience and qualifications

• Certification as a Patent & Trademark Agent from KIPI
• Knowledge of the local and international IP landscape
• Experience working with MSMEs and innovators specifically, understanding their unique challenges and needs.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions to create awareness on IP, protect and leverage IP assets
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Evidence of having carried out consultancies of a similar scale

Proposal Contents

Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to provide the above services by submitting an EoI with a Maximum of 15 pages.

The proposal should contain an outline of the Consultant’s organization and experience relevant to the assignment, comments or suggestions on the Terms of Reference, a clear description of the approach, methodology and work plan for the assignment, a budget and additional documentation described by the Annex section below.

Annexes should contain the following:

• Team composition, including roles and responsibilities of team members, task assignments and level of effort
• CVs (maximum 3 pages of A4 paper each) of key individuals, tailored to the assignment
• Work schedule for the assignment
• Referee information

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Report
• 5 Comprehensive IP Training modules
• Training Completion Report of 100 MSMEs
• IP Registration Certificates/Relevant Documentation for 5 MSMEs
• Final Report

Duration

The assignment is set at 8 consultancy days and work is expected to be concluded by March 31, 2025

Interested parties are to submit their Expression of Interest in the form of a PDF document with the subject line Supporting Innovators on Intellectual Property by October 11, 2024