Request for Proposal: Enablement of an Innovation Challenge at International Labor Organization (ILO)

Scope of the Assignment

• Co-design the concept for an Innovation challenge (IC) with the ILO: The implementing partner will work closely with the ILO and a steering committee to consolidate a concept and work plan for the IC and ensure that it is context-specific. The ILO has initial drafts of a concept and work plan, and the implementing partner will review this draft, propose changes if needed, and use the work plan as a joint working document throughout the implementation of the IC. In the design of the IC, the implementing partner should ensure that the focus remains on both refugees and host communities.
• Establish partnerships with key actors: The implementing partner will work with the ILO to establish partnerships with key actors, including development partners, financial and business development service providers, key sectoral associations, and government representatives. The role of partners will be to support with logistics for the IC, provide trainings to Innovators, promote the IC, contribute prizes, and act as judges across the different categories. While the ILO has a list of potential partners, it is expected that the implementing partner is also able to mobilize partner networks effectively.
• Co-develop selection criteria and judging criteria: The implementing partner will support in establishing selection and judging criteria, together with the ILO and the steering committee. The selection criteria should prioritize job creation and job quality improvements, productivity gains, and innovative solutions. At this stage, award sizes and prizes should also be confirmed.
• Promote the IC, establish application process and shortlist participants: The implementing partner will launch communications and sensitization around the IC to allow ample time for participants to apply. The Implementing partner will coordinate application processes from innovators, and then short-list participants based on the agreed-upon criteria. The application process should be simple and accessible to refugees and members of host communities. Applicants should be able to enter their submissions through a variety of channels that may include applying in-person, by phone, through an email account set up by the project, or through a partner organization providing digital services, financial and non-financial services.
• Collaborate with ILO to support Innovators: The implementing partner will coordinate the provision of support to Innovators as they get ready to pitch their business ideas. This will include facilitating access to financial education and entrepreneurship and cooperative management trainings using the ILO’s trainer networks and tools, either through the Implementing Partner directly, or by establishing collaborations and contracts with service providers and trainers.
• Organize IC: The Implementing Partner will lead the logistics for organising the IC, including in terms of venue bookings, agenda, coordination of the day(s) and award-giving, in close collaboration with the ILO.
• Conduct due diligence: The Implementing Partner will conduct due diligence to ensure viability of businesses that are short-listed and winners of the IC, in collaboration with the steering committee.
• Disburse funds: The Implementing Partner will coordinate and oversee the disbursement of funds to winners of the IC, as agreed upon with the steering committee and the ILO.
• Provide ongoing technical support and conduct M&E: The Implementing Partner will continue to facilitate access to needed business development and financial services, including through the provision of coaching, mentorships and other forms of post-training support. The Implementing Partner will also conduct monitoring and evaluation, collecting information on business growth and impact in terms of jobs created and/or improved as a result of the interventions and collect lessons learned and success stories, in close collaboration with the ILO

Outputs, Deliverables, duration and fees

Expected outputs

• A validated innovation challenge concept-note to be actualized in identifying innovative digital solutions within Dadaab and Kakuma.
• Plan and execute the innovation challenge as per the agreed methodology.
• Identifying digital solutions that can be scaled to sustainability and greater impact through funding, incubation and skills development.

 Key Deliverables

The main deliverables of this engagement are as below:

• A reviewed and validated innovation challenge concept and a call to application with selection guidelines.
• Innovation challenge approved budget and activity plan.
• Mapped out innovation challenge guest/judges list and executional cadence. Call for application and communications done for both the guest/judges and participants.
• A comprehensive shortlisting of innovators who have showed interest to be part of the innovation challenge
• Hosted innovation challenge event based on the approved concept note and winners identified.
• Post innovation challenge support – Awarding, Incubation and skills development.
• Deviations from these deliverables can occur according to the evolution of the assignment; however, any changes observed or anticipated should be consulted with the focal person at the ILO.

A comprehensive report will be documented showcasing the key activities done and areas of improvement for future events.

Payment Terms

The ILO will only pay for services that have been performed and for deliverables that are successfully completed to the satisfaction of the ILO. The payments will be made according to the following schedule:

• The first payment of 30 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon signing of the contract and receipt of deliverables 1 and 2 to the satisfaction of the ILO and presentation of the invoice.
• The second payment of 50 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of deliverables 3 and 4 to the satisfaction of the ILO and presentation of the invoice.
• The third and final payment of 20 per cent of the contract volume will be made upon receipt of deliverables 5 and 6 to the satisfaction of the ILO and presentation of the invoice.

Required experience and qualifications

• The Implementing Partner should have at least 6 years of experience running innovation challenges with a strong record of accomplishment in creating and executing digital and innovative solutions that have proved to be sustainable in youth employment and decent earning within and without the displaced ecosystems such as Garissa and Turkana.
• Should be legally registered to operate in Kenya (for businesses) with a good standing with all statutory laws and regulations.
• Sound knowledge of the current trends in the digital innovation space with a key interest in initiation, skills development management and scaling.
• Previous experience in planning and facilitating innovation challenges and skills development with young innovators with a special focus on girls and the underprivileged population.
• Should have a robust technical execution team/s who can comfortably engage in a rapid assessment and offer solutions based on dynamics in a short time within the digital economy space.
• Should have a wide network of digital entrepreneurs, companies, individuals and NGOs within the digital innovation space.
• Experience working in Garissa and Turkana ecosystems will be an added advantage
• Knowledge of the local context, culture and language is an added advantage however official language within the area is English & Swahili - Knowledge in any other local dialect is a plus
• Experience handling insecure environments with sound negotiation skills