Terms of Reference To design and develop an e-learning platform to provide Business Development Service for MSMEs and Startups

About First Consult

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs creation, business formation, business growth, and investment attraction and mobilization.

Mesmer Programme

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Recovery and Resilience Program (MESMER) is a 5-year program launched in October 2022 to support 72,200 MSMEs (including start-ups and informal enterprises) and 410,800 jobs by creating access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)’ to realize their growth prospects and resilience. MESMER will also work to provide support to MSMEs through business development support, psychosocial services, and technical assistance to financial institutions. MESMER is a countrywide program implemented by First Consult in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and will strive to create dignified and fulfilling work for the youth, the majority of them women.

The project will mainly be following a four-pronged approach to meet its objectives: a) Grants and soft loans to MSMEs through a risk-sharing liquidity fund arrangement, b) Technical assistance to financial institutions, c) Business development services and life skills, d) Psychosocial support. The FDRE Ministry of Labour and Skills will be the main government counterpart for the program. Other partners include financial institutions (microfinance institutions, banks, and digital financial service providers), BDS, and psychosocial support providers.

Background of BDS Provision

MSMEs encounter numerous challenges, which encompass, but are not restricted to, a knowledge gap in business operations and management, insufficient physical infrastructure, inadequate information resources, restricted financial access, lack of beneficial business networks, inadequate support systems, and limited market opportunities. Furthermore, MSMEs face heightened exposure to external factors such as conflict, inflation, and other macroeconomic difficulties. Various stakeholders have undertaken initiatives to foster the growth of MSMEs, aiming to establish a vibrant and robust economy. These efforts primarily focus on supporting and promoting MSMEs to achieve objectives such as job creation, reducing dependence on imports, and enhancing export activities. To achieve these goals, key components being implemented by both local and international partners include business development services and improved access to finance. These measures are crucial in providing the necessary support and resources for MSMEs to thrive and contribute to economic development.

MESMER is one of such initiatives where additional features were included such as working in collaboration with banks and micro finance institutes to enable MSMEs sustainably access credit besides building the capacity of financial institutes. Its components include psychosocial service (PSS) and business development service (BDS).

MESMER program recognizes the importance of supporting MSMEs and startups beyond financial assistance. To ensure the long-term success and growth of these enterprises, it is crucial to provide them with comprehensive business development services. An e-learning platform will be developed to offer a scalable and accessible solution for delivering BDS to a wider audience.

This TOR is designed to hire a service provider for the design and development of an e-learning platform aimed at providing Business Development Services (BDS) to MSMEs and startups. The BDS services will complement the credit facilities pro

Objective

The primary objective is to establish an innovative and versatile educational ecosystem for the MESMER program. This will be achieved by developing scalable Learning Management Systems (LMS) and a Telegram bot to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience for 30,000 MSMEs enrolled in the program. The purpose of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs, equip them with essential business skills, and promote the smooth operation and sustainability of their businesses. Furthermore, the project aims to extend its reach to geographically dispersed enterprises by utilizing digital means, thereby enabling a larger number of enterprises to benefit from the program's business development support.

Justification of the service

Mesmer has undergone an intensive process to develop a BDS module with a facilitator guide that suits and considers the real contexts of MSMEs in the region. The list of enterprises that are found eligible to credit will be shared with the service provider so that the BDS support can be provided to these target groups in a nearby area as much as possible. As an alternative strategy, the service provider could work with MESMER to select enterprises and startups.

The MESMER program has set specific targets to promote inclusivity and diversity within the MSME sector. These targets include achieving an 80% participation rate of women-owned or led MSMEs, a 70% involvement of youth, and a 10% target for inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with disabilities (PWDs), and returnees. Furthermore, the major target sectors are agriculture and manufacturing.

In addition to these targets, there are also specific goals for the enterprises that will be supported through the program. The objectives include:

• Facilitating the transformation of 15% of women-owned micro enterprises into small enterprises.

• Supporting the transition of 5-10% women-owned small enterprises into medium-sized enterprises.

The definition of the different types of enterprises is provided below.

Start-ups

• Individuals with business ideas and are in the process of licensing and formalization

• Already-licensed businesses with less than 12 months of business operation. Formal Enterprises

• Micro-enterprises: Legally registered enterprises, defined as businesses employing up to 10 individuals and with total assets of less than or equal to 400,000 Birr for agriculture and service sectors and 600,000 Birr for industry sectors.

• Small enterprises: Legally registered enterprises, defined as businesses employing 11 to 50 individuals and with total assets of between 600,001 to 10,000,000 Birr for industry sector and between 400,001 to 5,000,000 Birr for agriculture and service sector.

• Medium enterprise: Legally registered enterprises employing 51 to 100 individuals and with total assets of between 10,000,001 to 90,000,000 Birr for industry sector and between 5,000,001 to 50,000,000 Birr for agriculture and service sector.

The target group for this project is the MSMEs identified for support under the MESMER program. These MSMEs are located throughout the country and have been specifically selected to participate in the program. The platform will be exclusively used by these identified MSMEs to facilitate business knowledge and provide support to help them become more resilient and sustainable. The courses offered on the platform will cover a range of topics, including the fundamentals of financial literacy and entrepreneurial mindset. By enhancing their financial literacy and business skills, the MSMEs will be better equipped to manage their day-to-day operations. Additionally, the platform will offer other relevant courses aimed at enhancing their businesses. The goal is to empower these MSMEs with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the business knowledge they receive, leading to greater resilience and sustainability in their operations

Scope of Work

The scope of work for this project includes the following activities:

• Conduct a detailed assessment of the educational needs and preferences of the MSMEs enrolled in the MESMER program.

• Design and develop scalable Learning Management Systems (LMS) capable of hosting a wide range of educational content.

• Create and curate high-quality educational modules, videos and other instructional materials tailored to the needs of MSMEs.

• Implement interactive features within the LMS, such as quizzes, assessments, discussion forums, and progress tracking.

• Develop a Telegram bot integrated with the LMS to provide additional engagement and support to MSMEs.

• Ensure seamless integration between the LMS and the Telegram bot, allowing for synchronized learning experiences.

• Implement user management functionalities for registration, authentication, and progress tracking.

• Conduct thorough testing and quality assurance to ensure a user-friendly and efficient learning experience.

• Provide documentation, training materials, and support for administrators and MSMEs using the educational ecosystem.

PLATFORM FEATURES AND EXPECTATIONS

I. Enhanced Distribution and Accessibility

• Utilization of an online Telegram learning bot and Learning Management System (LMS) for wide distribution and accessibility of course materials.

• Accessible to a vast user base, minimizing barriers to entry for learners.

• Seamless progression from foundational to advanced courses within an engaging and interactive learning environment.

• Mobile-optimized learning for flexible and on-the-go access to educational content.

II. Wide Reach and Inclusivity

• Reach learners across diverse demographics, geographic locations, and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Promote inclusivity and democratize access to quality education through the Telegram learning bot.

III. Engaging and Interactive Learning

• Immersive and interactive learning experience through diverse learning materials, quizzes, interactive lessons, and assessments in the LMS.

• Foster engagement through interactive chats, quizzes, and multimedia content in the Telegram bot.

IV. Comprehensive Progress Tracking

• Streamline progress tracking for individual learners and groups.

• Meticulous monitoring of learner advancement, assessments, and participation in the courses through the LMS.

• Real-time tracking of learner engagement and progression within the Telegram bot.

V. Efficient Reporting Capabilities

• Robust reporting functionalities in both the LMS and Telegram bot.

• Comprehensive insights into individual learner performance, collective progress, and participation metrics.

• Utilize data to generate detailed reports for assessing learning outcomes and making informed decisions.

VI. State-of-the-Art Platform

• Feature-rich platform with automated functionalities such as user registration, interactive navigation, quizzes, course progress tracking, and certifications.

• User-friendly access on desktop and mobile devices, accommodating learners' schedules and preferences.

VII. Content Compatibility

• Flexible platform allowing easy customization and upload of various content formats such as documents, videos, animations, quizzes, surveys, and completion certificates.

• Visual content capabilities for enhanced learning experiences.

VIII. Reports and Analysis

• Auto-generation and auto-emailing of reports with a dashboard for management review.

• Comprehensive analysis of learner performance, learning trends, compliance, and specific reporting requirements.

IX. Security and Reliability

• Top-notch security measures ensuring content confidentiality and protection of personal data.

• Adherence to ISO security standards and integration with existing firewalls.

• High-level reliability with minimal downtime and disaster management planning.

X. Future Scope

• Synchronous and asynchronous learning options, compatibility with Microsoft Office 365, and integration with collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

• Ability to accommodate further process changes and host virtual training sessions

Deliverables

• E-learning platform with a user-friendly interface and robust LMS

• Interactive features such as quizzes, assessments, and discussion forums.

• User management system with registration, authentication, and progress tracking functionality.

• Secure payment gateway for accessing premium content or additional services.

• Comprehensive documentation and training materials.

BDS Provider Qualifications

To qualify for the design and development of an e-learning platform for business development services (BDS) for MSMEs and startups, the consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Experience In E-Learning Platform Development: The consultant should have a proven track record in designing and developing e-learning platforms. preferably with experience in delivering business development services or similar educational content.

• Technical Expertise: The consultant should have a team of skilled professionals with expertise in web development, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, learning management system (LMS) development, content creation, and integration with payment gateways.

• Understanding Of MSMEs And Startups: The consultant should demonstrate a clear understanding of the challenges and needs specific to MSMEs and startups.

• Quality Content Creation: The consultant should have expertise in developing high-quality elearning modules, instructional videos, and other learning materials.

• Scalability And Adaptability: The consultant should have experience in developing scalable solutions that can handle increased user traffic and content expansion.

• User Management And Progress Tracking: The consultant should have the capability to design and implement a user management system that allows for user registration, authentication, and progress tracking.

Application Process

Proposals should include:

1. Technical Proposal (maximum of 20 pages), excluding company profile, CVs of key team members, legal documents (renewed business license, TIN and VAT registration certificates) and testimonials, and recommendation letters from previous work which can be attached as annexes. The technical proposal is expected to include the following sections:

a. Understanding of the ToR and assignment

b. Proposed methodology

c. Proposed team

d. Quality assurance mechanisms

e. Project work plan detailing the anticipated delivery dates of the deliverables defined in the scope of work.

f. Company profile with relevance to the required work, detailed CVs of consultant/s, and references on previous similar works

g. Other supporting documents in relation to similar work done.

2. Financial Proposal (submitted as a separate PDF)

a. Disclose all charges, including all taxes, that will be transferred to MESMER because of the services provided by the consultant.

b. Quote an estimated total fee for completing all requirements outlined in this ToR.

c. The currency for this contract will be Ethiopian Birr (ETB).

d. The financial proposal should include a project management fee, module revision and translation costs for Afan Oromo, Amharic, Tigrigna, and Somali language, production fees, module development for the Learning Management System (LMS) encompassing course design and layout development and management. Detailed cost estimates for each component should be provided.

Proposal Evaluation

• First Consult will review submitted proposals in accordance with the qualification and experience requirements, as well as specific tasks stated above. The best technical and financial bids will be those that demonstrate value for money and budget efficiency, which are closely tied to the rationally determined methodological approach and reasonable remuneration rates.

Submission of Proposals

• The deadline for proposal submission is 26 January 2024. Technical and financial proposals must be submitted separately in PDF format on or before the deadline to the following email address: bids2@firstconsultet.com The subject of the email should be stated as “Terms of Reference to design and develop an e-learning platform’’

Information:

Information session on Zoom will be organized on January 23, 2024, at 10:00 AM. Please use the following ID and Password to join the session. Join Zoom Meeting CLICK HERE

Meeting ID: 916 0519 5517

Passcode: 511866

For clarification or for any queries relating to this assignment please contact the focal person below on or before January 26, 2024, until 5:00PM (GMT+3:00):

Name: Habtamu Ertiro

Title: Business Development Service (BDS) Manager

Email address: hertiro@firstconsultet.com