Request for Proposal for Business Development Consultancy

Project Name: TUINUKE PAMOJA

Project Location: Dodoma Region, Tanzania

1.Introduction

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private not-for profit, non-denominational international development agencies, institutions and programmes that work primarily in parts of Africa and Asia to improve the quality of life of communities in remote and resource poor areas. Reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of development, AKF programmes encompasses Education, Health and Nutrition, Early Childhood Development, Agriculture and Food Security, Climate Resilience, Work and Enterprise and Civil Society.

2.About TUINUKE PAMOJA Project

Aga Khan Foundation Tanzania with funding from the Embassy of Ireland Tanzania is implementing TUINUKE PAMOJA PROJECT in Dodoma Region of Tanzania. The project covers all seven Districts of Dodoma in Tanzania. The project will run for three years from July 2024 to June 2027. TUINUKE PAMOJA Project with the aim to enhanced collective action for gender equality in Dodoma, Tanzania through community groups, the project will create an enabling environment for grassroots groups to access resources that will facilitate them enact changes in their communities and support a strengthened and diversified women’s actions in Tanzania to promote gender equality. The project will work with the community groups identified to capacitate and resource them for collective action for gender equality. This will ensure that local stakeholders are able to mobilize and build up their ability to implement impactful and sustainable gender equality innovations, utilizing friendly resourcing strategies and technical and management capacity to address the gender equality challenges they grapple with on daily basis

3.Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of is to engage a consultant to provide Business Development Services and entrepreneurship trainings to community grassroot groups, enhancing their skills in business planning, financial management, marketing, and marketing linkages. The overall objective is to build their capacity to operate as a competitive, profit-oriented enterprises, sustainable growth, economic self-reliance and resilient local businesses.

4. Objectives

The specific objectives are to:

4.1 Provide tailored skills development in business planning, financial management, market and market linkages using participatory methods.

4.2 Enhance leadership and governance skills to improve decision-making, teamwork, and conflict resolution within groups.

4.3 Build entrepreneurship skills to identify, evaluate, and capitalize on market opportunities, enhance productivity, operational efficiency and profitability of grassroot businesses.

4.4 Promote innovation and value addition in group enterprises (e.g., product quality improvement, branding, packaging, and marketing) and practical knowledge and tools for sustainable business growth.

5. Scope of Work

The consultant will provide tailored training on the below but not limited to mentioned activities across six districts of project implementation (Kondoa DC, kondoa TC, Chemba DC, Bahi DC, Dodoma City and Chamwino DC; expected support to be provided to 42 grassroots groups scattered in these councils:

5.1 Conduct needs assessment to grassroots groups to tailor training content to the context and literacy levels of participants.

5.2 Design a participatory training curriculum covering:

5.2.1 Basic business management.( – Understanding income-generating activities vs. businesses, Common challenges faced by small community enterprises, Success stories from similar rural settings, training in Record keeping: sales, expenses, profits, Cost-benefit analysis, Leadership and  business governance for poultry, tailoring, animal keeping, beekeeping, farming, batik, soap making, Pricing strategies that ensure profit and Budgeting and simple financial planning.

5.2.2 Entrepreneurship and innovation. (- Identifying business opportunities in the local market, Diversifying products e.g., poultry by-products, batik in different designs, sunflower oil products, Innovation in production and service delivery, and Risk assessment and management in small businesses.

5.2.3 Marketing, branding, and customer relations (-Understanding customers’ needs, Branding and packaging for rural and urban markets, Sales strategies and customer service, Using low-cost promotion methods (word-of-mouth, local exhibitions, social media for those with access).

5.2.4 Value addition and product diversification. (Improving product quality for poultry, tailoring, beekeeping, sunflower farming, batik, and soap making, Packaging and labelling requirements especially for food products like honey and sunflower oil, meeting local market standards and markets values.).

5.2.5 Business Planning & Sustainability (Developing a simple business plan for each group’s activity, Strategies for scaling up and accessing new markets, Savings and reinvestment practices, Linkages to microfinance institutions, cooperatives, and local government support schemes,

Also the Consultant is required to.

5.2.6 Deliver interactive training sessions in Kiswahili, using real-life examples from participants’ existing enterprises and context.

5.2.7 Provide practical exercises and tools (e.g., business plan templates, record books).

5.2.8 Offer post-training mentorship/follow-up support (minimum of one round) to ensure application of skills (One-on-one or group mentorship sessions after training and facilitate Peer learning among different groups.)

5.2.9 Prepare a final training report including achievements, participant feedback, and recommendations.

6. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy is expected to take 60 working days, including preparation, training delivery, mentorship, and reporting.

7. Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

7.1 Proven expertise in business development, entrepreneurship, and leadership training, particularly for rural community groups.

7.2 At least 3 years of relevant experience in livelihoods, community enterprise development, or related fields.

7.3 Experience working with low-literacy groups and applying participatory adult learning methods.

7.4 Fluency in Kiswahili (spoken and written); knowledge of English is an asset.

7.5 Strong facilitation, mentoring, and communication skills.

7.6 Previous experience in gender-responsive programming is an advantage.

8. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the Tuinuke Pamoja Project Manager at AKF Tanzania and work closely with TGNP field staff and local government authorities to coordinate training delivery.

1. Ethical Standards and Safeguarding:

The consultancy for business, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills will strictly adhere to AKF’s Safeguarding Manual. All consultants must sign the Safeguarding Statement of Commitment before beginning work. Training design and delivery will follow ethical standards, ensuring participant protection, confidentiality, informed consent, and safeguarding against risks such as sexual exploitation, harassment, and bullying.

10. Reporting channel and submission

The consultants will be supervised by the Project Manager and will closely work with all designated TUINUKE PAMOJA team in Dodoma for all the project-related information and administrative procedures.  Any queries and clarity regarding this consultancy can be directed to: akftzprocurement@akfea.org  within the first 5 days after publication of this call for proposals.

11.Expected Deliverables and timelines

The consultants shall commence the work immediately upon signing contract and expected to spend 60 days for the task with a possibility of extension of the period without adding extra cost unless otherwise discussed and agreed.

• A detailed timeline, work plan and draft outline should be submitted within 5 days after signing the contract. (consultant should customize training curriculum and materials in both Swahili and English).
• Deliverables & payment distribution: Payments of total budget will be processed upon delivery of the following products along with invoice:
  • Detailed timeline, Training needs assessment report, training plan and materials (30%).
  • Upon completion of training delivery to community groups. (40%).
  • Upon submission and approval of the final report that include including outcomes, challenges, and recommendations. (30%).

12. Eligibility and Application Criteria

Applicants should submit brief (no more than 5-7 pages in total, excluding attachments) proposals in English, and should include the following:

• General understanding of the problem (30%)
• Capability Statement: a description of experience of the individual consultants/consulting organization with the subject matter, including a description of similar experiences by identifying references (organization/agency, contact person, telephone/email contact information, deliverables, etc.).(15%)
• Links to work samples demonstrating most relevant previous works (Experience in executing related/similar assignments). (15%).
• A description of how the objectives and deliverables outlined in this assignment will be met (including approach and methodology, timeframe, priorities, role of each consultant, etc.). (30%).
• Financial Proposal: in separate document, detailed breakdown of all estimated costs in Tanzania Shillings, including estimated days of days in the field, enumerators cost, study approval review costs, consultancy costs and all other consultancy related costs. Please note that all costs should be included in the total sum, no additional payments will be made outside of the total budget. (10%).
• Applicants who are firms should additionally submit evidence of registration, certificate of incorporation and current year tax certificate.

These should be submitted in a single zipped folder by email to akftzprocurement@akfea.org with the subject line: “TUINUKE PAMOJA Tanzania Baseline Survey Consultancy”. Proposals should be received not later than midnight of the 12^th Sept 2025. 

*Female owned firms are highly encouraged to apply

RFQ/Tender Information and Attachments

For comprehensive information regarding this RFQ/tender, we invite you to download the attachments provided below. These documents contain all the necessary details, including specifications, requirements, and submission guidelines. Please review them carefully to ensure you have all the pertinent information needed to participate.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL TENDER NOTICE HERE