TOR for Consultancy services to facilitate SMEs in innovative Organic value chain creation

Project Overview

The project “Boosting cross border Organic Ecosystem through enhancing agro-food alliances”, funded by the EU under ENI CBC MED program, aims at improving the Mediterranean Organic sector competitiveness by strengthening innovative organic value chain. This is reached through the creation of a Consultancy service for business development and tools to be provided to MSMEs to facilitate their entry in innovative organic value chain and to increase their competitiveness and market access at national and cross border level. The Organic Ecosystem project aims at creating an ecosystem of organic producers, manufacturers, sellers, exporters and consumers in which stakeholders are supported by public authorities to boost the organic sector in the Mediterranean region. Project’s partners are from Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Italy, Greece and Spain, but the scope of the project covers the whole region.

Many Micro and Small businesses are run by individuals with a high level of expertise in a specific industry, but often lack basic knowledge in business management, administration, human resources, etc.

In order to tackle these obstacles and support MSMEs in their growth, Organic Ecosystem is hiring Business Consultant who will provide mentorship and counseling to business owners so that they can bridge skill, managerial, legal and financial gaps. The business consultant will work together with the project staff to:

• Assess MSMEs skill gaps and specific needs for training and support (training, legal, financial, networking).
• Assist 5 to 6 selected MSMEs in the development of a tailored business model/plan.
• Network with other business development service providers (incubators, accelerators, financial institutions) in order to ensure MSMEs sustainability over time.
• Monitor MSMEs progress over time and adjust the business models if needed.

In order to achieve the expected results, the consultancy will entail, among others, reviewing financial statements, evaluating competitors, analyzing business practices, preparing recommendations and presenting them to the project team and business owners.

General coordination

• Attend all meetings as requested by Organic Ecosystem project team.
• Meet with business owners when needed.
• Contribute to the selected businesses (5-6 MSMEs) growth by tracking businesses progress over time and providing recommendations for adjustments.
• Suggest improvements in different business processes and aspects.
• Coordinate with other business development service providers with the aim of building positive relationships between businesses and relevant stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of change within selected businesses that leads to the creation of jobs.
• Establish measures that lead to reduction of risks and ensure sustainability over time.
• Provide ongoing mentorship to selected MSMEs.

Assessments and field visits to business sites

• Perform initial assessment of pre-selected businesses to detect skills, financial and legal bottlenecks as well as business opportunities.
• Conduct questionnaires, FGDs, individual interviews and other activities when needed to assess gaps and potential of MSMEs.
• Meet with selected business owners regularly to report on gaps, strategies and project progress.

Draft reports and recommendations 

• Suggest relevant business training based on needs assessment and follow-up.
• Analyze and interpret data collected to detect bottlenecks and problems, and understand the underlying causes.
• Devise recommendations and solutions taking into account the business owners’ needs, capabilities and limitations.
• Present findings and suggestions to selected business owners with justification and practical advice.
• Develop detailed business plans (for 5-6 MSME’) to foster business growth and job creation (by 20 February 2022)
• Compile relevant data for client’s business by conducting research and interviews.
• Develop and deliver presentations with justification and analysis.
• Map and network service business providers to create a linkage between them and business owners (at least two linkages for each developed business plan supported by evidence, signed contract, meeting reports…)
• Submit requested reports to the Project team and make requested changes in a timely manner.
• Assist in organization and participation in the cross-border meeting that will be held in March 2022.
• Assist in the final jury that will take in charge the scoring of the 5-6 developed business plans, including ppt presentations and training MSME’s how to present their projects by end February 2022