Strategic Initiatives Consultant - South Africa (Re-advertised) Job Category: Consultant
Requisition Number: STRAT003467
Apply now Posted : May 10, 2023 Part-Time Locations Showing 1 location
DescriptionTechnoServe is seeking proposals from qualified consultants for the following scope of work. For information on timeline, application requirements, and evaluation criteria, please review the detailed statement of Work here . Please submit your proposal for this consultancy to ****** by May 17, 2023.
Statement of Work
TechnoServe South Africa Circular Economy Project Description
Role: Strategic Initiatives Consultant
Location: South Africa
Timing: ~April 1 – June 30, 2023
Language: Fluency in English and local South African language
Project Grant/Funding: Secured
I. Background and Project Purpose
Before the end of apartheid in South Africa in 1990, townships were, by design, located a distance from centers of commercial activity. The formal disbandment of the previous system did not eliminate these underdeveloped areas and they continue to function outside of the mainstream economy. While there is no shortage of economic activity in townships, most activity is informal in nature. In recent years the Government of South Africa, at various levels, has development strategies to revitalize township economies, based on the recognition of their importance and the need for creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship in townships.
In Gauteng, an economic hub for the region, the provincial government passed regulations in 2022 that aim to facilitate and promote inclusive economic growth. The law introduces an enabling framework that will open up new markets and procurement opportunities for local township-based enterprises. As opportunities open up, township-based enterprises will continue to require support that builds business skills, linkages to markets and access to finance to catalyze additional job creation.
As an example, a female-owned Material Recycling Facility (MRF) focused on waste management and recycling has operations in Pretoria and is exploring expanding its operations. Beyond its own business, the company creates broader economic opportunity through its supply chain: sourcing is done principally through ~500 waste pickers who collect waste from local landfills. It is a prototypical business that can drive employment in the circular economy.
However, the MRF's future growth faces numerous challenges such as a customer environment characterized by dominant buyers, which places downward pressure on pricing. The MRF needs help both from a marketing and customer value proposition to improve margins, as well as needing support on the supply side to support continued growth.
There are dozens of similar waste management businesses that collectively employ thousands of individuals, and indirectly support tens of thousands of waste pickers. These businesses likely have a common set of commercial, financial, and technical needs that will allow them to be more competitive and to drive job creation. There is a critical mass of these businesses specifically in township economies where waste-picking can provide an economic lifeline and where there is huge value in finding ways to further increase the incomes of this group of individuals.
II. TechnoServe Consultant's Role
TechnoServe, through a Fellow and a Consultant will create an Inclusive Business Plan (IBP) for three MRFs. The IBP is a 3-month advisory service to a larger MSME that functions as tailored strategic advisory; a robust business diagnostic; and opportunity identification for ways to drive value particularly via sourcing. The outcome of the IBP is a recommendation for additional technical or financial support that a business should receive to unlock the opportunities that have been identified.
The Consultant's role in partnership with a Technoserve Fellow will be:
• Reviewing existing business plan materials to ensure robustness, challenging and working with the business to refine assumptions where appropriate
• Supporting the client in further development of the business plan, including specification of critical components of the proposed solution (e.g. technology, services) and plan for implementation
• Identifying any requirements for further investment or technical assistance (e.g., financial, commercial, technical, operational) from TechnoServe or third parties to achieve commercial and impact objectives
• Summarizing the overall business plan as a comprehensive document for use in generating internal alignment around strategy, and gathering in further funding from external funders
Deliverable Description Indicative Timing
Existing business plan review Review of existing business plan assumptions 15 days
Regenerative Business Plans to MRFs (3) Identify what type of support (financial, commercial, technical, and operational) these businesses most need to facilitate job creation, assess the potential impact, and qualify any requirements from the enabling environment 28 days
Share information with Township Economy Study Consultants Share findings from circular economy businesses in townships with consultant leads to inform study findings and recommendations 2 days
Service Providers must demonstrate experience and skills (including report writing) to undertake research of this nature. They should also demonstrate experience in developing strategic plans for private sector. Preference will be given to service providers with experience in renewable energy and circular economy in emerging market economies. Evidence of previous work may be requested by the adjudication committee
TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
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