Consultancy to Support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) Full-Time

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is hiring a Consultancy to Support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) under the CD FSS Project in Nampula and Cabo Delgado.

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, by 2027, we aim to improve the access of 1.5 billion people to nutritionally enhanced staple foods, improve the access of 25 million people to healthier diets, and support positive food system change in 11 countries. This is a bold and complex objective and the only way to achieve it requires working together with partners at national and global level. In Mozambique GAIN has been implementing projects since 2011 and has its local representation (including offices) since 2013 in the provinces of Sofala, Nampula, Cabo Delgado and Maputo city.

Background

Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Due to the ongoing conflict, thousands of people have been displaced from the north and a few from the south districts of Cabo Delgado Province and have taken refuge mostly in the districts of Pemba, Montepuez, Chiúre, Namuno, and Metuge, as well as in the in some districts of Nampula, Niassa and Zambezia. Additionally, Cabo Delgado province has experienced Cyclone Kenneth. These situations severely impacted the food system in the region, and the COVID-19 impacts worsened the market system vulnerability. These shocks, combined with other factors, increased malnutrition in that Province. GAIN’s Strengthening Food Systems (SFS) Programme was designed to mitigate the current situation by reconstructing fresh food markets in the province of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and potentially in Zambezia and using these improved markets to spark entrepreneurship and gender-transformative behaviour change; helping Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and local entrepreneurs set up and grow businesses that specialize in nutritious food; link producers, processors and buyers across and beyond the province to ensure the distribution or movement of food to consumers who need it; and support the city government of Pemba, as well as the provincial government of Cabo Delgado, strengthening its planning, policy-making, and coordination capacities.

Scope of Work and Deliverables I. General Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide technical assistance, mentorship and capacity building to enterprises supported by the project. This is expected to ensure effective operationalization of the enterprises and institutionalise their business processes and systems.

Specific Objectives

• To review and update the business plans of the MSMEs and update the administrative processes;
• Develop templates for monthly reporting and accounting of stocks, sales and bank balances for the MSMEs;
• Lead meetings to review the effectiveness of the new administrative, financial, and reporting plans for production and sales;
• Strengthen collaboration between the MSMEs and stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and other interested groups;
• Capacity development of the entrepreneurs and staff on supply chain management, stock management, financial management and business development in relation to their particular value chain/product;
• Assess the current production capacity of the MSMEs and assess the suitability of existing management models to properly ensure sustainable operation of each enterprise;
• Provide expertise and advice about the opportunities for maximizing the effectiveness, efficiency and operation of envisioned business;
• Develop marketing strategy to be put in place to ensure the competitiveness of the company in the markets;
• Establish strategies to render the business profitable and sustainable (including opportunities for public/private partnerships, etc);
• Develop the monitoring plan/tool of implementation of the business plan;
• Monitor and track the financial feasibility and sustainability of the business and recommend any improvements;
• Work with farmers and farmers groups to link them with the products and to processors and the market;
• Identify new business opportunities and generate new sales leads and contacts for the business;
• Provide any other support to the MSMEs as requested.

Methodology

The consultants should be based in either Nampula (Nampula City, Meconta and Nacala-Porto) or Cabo Delgado (Pemba, Metuge, Chiúre, Montepuez and Mecufi) for close accompanying of all activities and supervision. The consultants will respond to GAIN and support the MSMEs. The starting point of the work should be to review all related documents, including business plans and other relevant documents. GAIN and the MSMEs will provide all necessary documents for this work.

Deliverables

• Streamline and have the MSMEs up and running with a clear and accountable lead for each group assigned and trained;
• Business development plans for the MSMEs and monthly progress reports;
• Updated business plans;
• Business processes developed – stock management, pricing, financial management and sales;
• Monthly production, sales, stock and bank balances reports;
• Business visits and support plan prepared and approved by all partners;
• New proposed management team with required skills and knowledge.

Consultants Qualifications

We intend to hire 4 consultants, two in Nampula and two in Cabo Delgado, to support these enterprises. Must have:

• A Minimum of a bachelors’ degree in business management or administration, finance management, economics, project management or a related field, along with any additional certifications;
• Qualification in Agriculture and/or Poultry production is an added advantage.

Consultants Experience

• Practical experience in business administration and management;
• Experience of working with MSMEs;
• Extensive economic analysis experience;
• Practical experience in agricultural extension;
• Strong understanding of Mozambique’s business environment and food system required;
• Experience in the production of either poultry, fish or horticulture;
• Leadership Experience of working with association leaders;
• In-depth understanding of the complex public health nutrition and food systems context in Mozambique, including the politics, economic and social issues;
• Proven experience working with food industry, government authorities, civil society organisations, and academic institutions;
• Sales, business development and marketing and supply chain management experience;
• Conflict management experience;
• Experience in financial management;
• Fluency in Portuguese, English and local languages.

Duration of the Consultancy: The contract for this consultancy will be 12 months with a possibility of renewal.

Instructions for Responding

Proposals should be sent with CD FSS MSMEs Individual Consultant as the subject line.

Note: Only selected candidates will be contacted.