Business Development Consultant

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Business Development Consultant

Rehabilitation, Education, and Community Health (REACH) is a non-governmental, non-profit, impartial, and independent Iraqi organization, which was founded in 1995. REACH provides humanitarian aid to IDPs, refugees, returnees, and vulnerable host communities, by assisting and supporting efforts to make a difference in the lives of the community members we serve.

REACH aims to empower vulnerable people in Iraq by improving their livelihoods and resilience. The project targets refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities (HC) in the governorates of Ninewa, and Halabja. The project will focus on youth and women’s participation and the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD).

Project Background:

Project title: “Build a Better Future for Youth and Women through Decent Work

Project/assignment description

The organization is currently seeking to hire a team of Business Development Consultants, consisting of two individuals for each of the following locations: the governorate of Ninawa, Iraq, and the governorate of Halabja in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). In this role, the Business Development Consultants will play a vital role in bolstering the businesses of beneficiaries. Responsibilities will include providing training, strategic guidance, and support to both startup ventures and established businesses, with the aim of enhancing their capabilities and competitive edge in the market. The consultants will be expected to dedicate approximately 10 days per month for a three-month period to deliver training sessions and offer assistance to beneficiaries in overcoming initial challenges, fostering business growth, and facilitating market entry.

Assignment Objective:

• To train and coach beneficiaries in developing sustainable business models.
• To facilitate the scaling up of promising startup and small businesses.

Key Deliverable:

• A comprehensive training curriculum for startup, small and scaling up businesses
• Monthly progress reports detailing the development and challenges of each business.
• A final report summarizing the overall impact of the consultancy support on beneficiary businesses including success stories, lesson learned, challenges and solutions.

Scope of work:

• Deliver tailored training sessions to beneficiaries on business development and management such as tangible and practical straightforward steps derived from business strategy, market analysis, and financial planning, using tools like SWOT Analysis.
• Provide one-on-one coaching to business owners to address specific needs and challenges and to achieve bi-weekly milestones for each business owner and sustainable growth to enhance business viability and growth.
• Develop strategies for business expansion and market assessment.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of businesses, providing regular feedback and actionable insight.
• Facilitate access to available, feasible and viable resources.

Main tasks:

• Work Plan Submission: Provide a detailed work plan that outlines the schedule for training sessions, site visitations, reporting timelines, and other essential elements**.**
• Site Visits: Undertake regular visits to all MSME projects within the designated areas at least twice per month to monitor provide guidance, and perform evaluations.
• Assess and Address Project Needs: Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and challenges inherent in each project, devising viable solutions based on these assessments.
• Facilitate Business Networking: Work in collaboration with organizational staff to form business clusters through communication platforms (such as WhatsApp, Viber, etc.) to foster business linkages, knowledge sharing, and the promotion of successful practices among the projects.
• Compile Comprehensive Monthly Reports: Generate detailed monthly reports in English, encompassing data, graphical representations, encountered challenges, success narratives, recommendations, and all other related information.
• Communication: Distribute personal contact information, including phone number and email address, to all MSME beneficiaries for ease of communication.
• Coordination: Engages in regular and effective coordination with the focal point of REACH.
• Flexibility with First Party Directives: Remain receptive to the integration of supplementary duties as required by the first party’s conditions, to be executed within the agreed duration of the contract.
• Uphold Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding work outcomes, knowledge, and information acquired during the assignment. Both the consultant and REACH are to treat all data as confidential, with this obligation persisting beyond the contract’s conclusion. This includes prohibiting the use of any insights obtained from this assignment for third-party benefits.
• Commit to Non-Discrimination: Remain free from any form of fanaticism, including religious, political, national, or sexual biases.
• Preserve Neutrality and Humanitarian Ethics: Consistently maintain neutrality and adhere to humanitarian principles, with a particular focus on addressing issues related to gender-based violence, child protection, and safeguarding.
• Establishing Professional Rapport: From the beginning, the consultant’s interactions with others should be founded on a basis of mutual respect and trust.

Contract Period

The contract will span a period of three months. The specific start date for the assigned responsibilities will be determined by REACH following the conclusion of the recruitment process. However,

Qualifications:

• Applicant must possess at least a Master’s degree or have three years of experience in managing MSME and livelihood projects.
• Applicants should exhibit outstanding communication and facilitation abilities.
• Applicants should have the ability and modesty to connect with and inspire MSME owners from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Applicant should have a thorough understanding of and practical knowledge in the local job market and relevant employment regulations and laws.
• A minimum level of relevant prior experience, accompanied by corresponding reports, is necessary.
• Prior involvement with non-governmental organizations is a prerequisite.
• Reporting Skills: Proficiency in composing reports in English is mandatory.
• Fluency in Arabic is required for Ninawa, while fluency in Kurdish Sorani is necessary for Halabja.
• Applicant should demonstrate empathy and cultural sensitivity to effectively connect with and inspire MSME owners from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Strong analytical and research competencies are required, including proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative analysis methodologies.

Travel and accommodation:

The organization is not responsible for any transportation fee and permission letter ‘Checkpoint permission letters and accommodation

Eligible Service Providers

• Applications are accepted only from experts (Persons) or institutions registered with the government (KRI or Federal Iraq based on the location).
• The organization will select the appropriate proposals based on both cost and technical considerations. Additionally, chosen candidates will be subjected to an interview process.
• Only candidates who have been shortlisted will be notified. Offering the lowest bid does not guarantee selection if the interviewee does not perform well during the interview process
• The selected candidate will be required to establish an account with RT-Bank to facilitate the transfer of funds from the organization.
• Terms of Reference subject to adjustment based on the project’s needs.