1.0  About AECF

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses in innovating, creating jobs, and leveraging investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprises and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities.

The AECF provides patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments, which include grants, zero-interest loans, guarantees, and working capital facilities. AECF’s financing products are supplemented by three additional growth support services to improve the viability and sustainability of our investees, namely, (i) Advisory Services to improve investee internal capabilities (ii) Investment Support in raising commercial capital in significant volumes, and (iii) Knowledge and Insights for learning and evidence gathering for policy influencing and advocacy.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), supporting over 536 enterprises, raising US$ 480 million in funding for programmes, and leveraging $840 million in additional capital.

The AECF 2021-2025 new strategy objective is to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. Through catalytic funding, the AECF surfaces and supports the commercialization of new ideas, business models, companies, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, expand energy access, and alleviate poverty while also addressing the cross-cutting themes of women and youth.

2.0 Our Gender Lens Investing Strategy

AECF’s ambition for gender lens investing stems from its vision to create a prospering and enterprising rural Africa, which is pursued through our mission to unlock the power of the private sector to positively impact the lives of the rural and marginalized communities in Africa. It is also detailed in the institutional Gender Lens Investing Strategy that outlines the approach taken to invest with a gender lens in a way that drives sustainable change for the rural poor. In the strategy, AECF commits to achieving some headline figures – at least 50% of development impact accruing to women across the investment portfolio, 35% of portfolio companies being Women-led, and 40% of jobs created in these companies held by women – and to reorient the investment process to find, nurture and grow business that are providing innovative solutions to increase gender equality in rural communities at the household, business, and market levels.

AECF’s strategy seeks to integrate a gender analysis throughout the investment activities and design and host inclusive investment processes that allow female entrepreneurs and businesses working for and with women equal access to finance. AECF continuously seeks to gather and share insight on its experiences mainstreaming gender to funders, partners, investees, and various ecosystems within the sectors and value chains in which we invest. AECF mainstreams attention to gender dynamics into the culture, practices, policies, and processes of the entire organization and encourages and incentivizes its investees to do likewise. AECF seeks to increase its voice and leadership within the global Gender Lens Investing (GLI) field with a goal to become the premier institution for gender lens investing in Sub-Saharan Africa in line with one of our three core values, which calls us to Take the Lead. The gender strategy also supports and strengthens other core values as we Think Impact and Valuing Our People in an inclusive way.

3.0 About the Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso programme

The Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso (IIW-B&BF) is a six-year gender transformation and economic inclusion programme implemented by AECF with funding from Global Affairs Canada. The programme aims to economically empower women as entrepreneurs in sectors of activity with a high positive impact on the climate in the fields of technological innovation, digital technology, agriculture, production, processing, crafts, and trade to remove the obstacles preventing them from contributing to the development of their activities.

The programme aims to improve the participation and economic resilience of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy in Benin and Burkina Faso. These include access to finance for women-owned SMEs, women’s cooperatives, and emerging women entrepreneurs; improving the capacity of women owners and managers of SMEs and women’s cooperatives to sustainably develop the value chains in which they primarily value chains in which they mainly work, using climate-smart approaches; and overcome entrenched social and cultural resistance to women’s empowerment at national, sectoral and community levels.

4.0 Background of the assignment

AECF is seeking the services of gender experts from consultant groups, women’s rights organizations, etc. Consultants should have extensive experience working in gender-focused interventions in West Africa, with a preference for those with knowledge of both Benin and Burkina Faso’s gender equality landscapes to ensure regional contextual knowledge. They are expected to provide a range of services related to Gender issues and technical assistance for the IIW program in Benin and Burkina Faso. The gender experts will be under the supervision of the IIW Burkina Faso and Benin programme team, mainly the Gender experts.

The assignment  

The expected results of the programme are:

• Improved performance, climate resilience, and sustainability of women-owned micro, small, and/or medium enterprises in a greener economy
• Improved policy, legal, and regulatory environment for effective participation of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy.

Practically by the end of the Programme, we expect:

• At least a 50% increase in women-led SMEs accessing financial services
• 25% increase in the use of climate-smart practices by women entrepreneurs.”
• Two policies integrating Gender and women entrepreneurship and
• Articles in favor of women entrepreneurs

The IIW-Benin & Burkina program includes the following main elements:

•      Window 1 part 1: Investment in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

For SME concessional loans

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For grants to SMEs (non-refundable)

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided will have a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:0.5 (100% grant/50% participation).

•     Window 1 part 2: Investment in Financial institutions and Financial Services intermediaries (FIs)

For MFI concessional loans

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 150,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For MFI audited grants (non-refundable)

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 100,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 500,000 Canadian dollars

For financial institutions and financial services intermediaries (FIs), the financing range, which can be a mix of grants and loans or 100% loans, is contained between a minimum of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Canadian dollars.

• The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years.

The funding provided is accompanied by a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:1 (100% grant/100% participation).

•    Window 2: Investment in Cooperatives and Women’s Organizations
  • Allocation of a minimum fund of 75,000 Canadian dollars
  • Maximum funds amount worth 300,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided has a minimum grant/participation ratio of 1:0.25 (100% grant / 25% participation).
All matching contributions may be in kind and may also be made in cash.

The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years. 

Countries of experience:

• Benin, Burkina Faso in agnostic sectors with Agribusiness as a priority.

4.1 Roles and responsibilities

Technical Assistance

• IIW-Benin & Burkina will provide technical support on gender equality and women empowerment, business management and climate-smart agriculture.
• Delivery of TA will leverage the strength and support of multiple stakeholders. These include professional organizations, business associations, community organizations, women’s rights organizations (WROs), financial institutions (FIs), and government ministries and agencies, including agriculture, gender, environment, commerce, and industry, among others.
• The gender experts will collaborate closely with the national ministries of gender, agriculture, Economy, trade, etc… to ensure alignment with national policies and to advocate for gender-inclusive economic policies.”

5.0 Deliverables and timing

The consultants/Firms will deliver the following:

• Contribute expertise to the nexus between gender inclusion and climate resilience.
• Contribute expertise to women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship in fragile and conflict-affected markets.
• Design and implement gender transformation impact analytical frameworks.

Specific deliverables include:

Phase 1: Start-up and context analysis (week 1)

• Deliverable 1: Work plan and timeline of the consultancy.
• Deliverable 2: Presentation schematizing via the review of the literature; the issues, opportunities, and recommendations; study questions to be deepened; and a refined methodological proposal of the consultancy (maximum 10 slides).

Phase 2: Preparation of data collection and gender analysis at indicated areas level (week 2)

• Deliverable 3: Methodology and data collection tools, with context analysis based on the synthetic review (max 15 pages + appendices).

Phase 3: Data collection at the regional level (week3- week6)

• Deliverable 4: Initial presentation of data collection

Phase 4 – Data analysis, drafting of the strategy, report including recommendations (week 7-week 8)

• Deliverable 5: Field report with detailed notes of interviews with partners and target groups, highlighting challenges, good practices and possible synergies.
• Deliverable 6: Written report (30 p max – excluding annexes), including a 1-to-2-page executive summary summarizing the main gender issues identified and the main recommendations/strategic orientations.

5.1 Reporting and timelines

Timeline: 2 months

6.0 Payment structure

The payment breakdown below will be milestone-based against the Assignment deliverables and will be paid upon satisfactory signoff by AECF.

7.0 Proposal submission

The consultant(s)/Firms must demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (at least master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, or in an area relevant to AECF’s sectoral work.
• Advanced university degree (at least master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, or in an area relevant to AECF’s sectoral work.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience at international levels and demonstrated track record in gender and development/humanitarian set up.
• Strong technical, programmatic, and research skills related to gender, along with sectoral expertise in any of the following sectors: agribusiness, women empowerment, youth engagement, disability, and women intersectionalities.
• Ability to contextualize and integrate gender into programme and intervention approaches in complex and fragile ecosystems.
• Fluency in French; knowledge of the English language is an asset.
• Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted as separate documents.
• Daily cost of an expert depending on the topic in USD.
• As per requirements in the evaluation criteria

8.0 Pricing

The Kenyan tax authorities oblige AECF to withhold taxes on service contract fees and ensure VAT, at 16%, is charged where applicable. Applicants should ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions of Kenyan tax legislation when developing their proposals.

CONSULTANTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TAX-FREE.

9.0 Evaluation Criteria

The AECF will form an evaluation committee that includes employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all the consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final selection of qualified bidders, the evaluation criteria will give the technical quality of the proposal a weighting of 70%. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30%, and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

Key Areas for Evaluation/ Assessment	Weighted Award
(A)  TECHNICAL PROPOSAL	70
i) An understanding of the consultancy requirements;
·       Demonstrate an understanding of the Assignment (Has understanding – 5 points, No understanding – 0)	5
·       An in-depth understanding of Gender Lens Investing Standards and trends. (Has understanding – 5 points, No understanding – 0)   · Understanding Agriculture, Renewable Energy, women’s economic empowerment, youth engagement, Fragile context, and climate change in sub-sectors in sub-Saharan Africa will be an added advantage.                           (Has understanding – 5 points, No understanding – 0)	10
ii) Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the Assignment:
Demonstrate the strategy and capacity to deliver the task(s) within a realistic timeline, underpinned by value for money.                                      (Demonstrates – 25points, Does Not Demonstrate – 0)	25
A strategy that demonstrates the capability to deliver a part of this Assignment virtually. (Has strategy – 6 points, No strategy – 0)	6
iv) Relevant services undertaken by the bidder in past engagements:
Demonstrate relevant experience and recent engagements with private sector companies in Investment Readiness or development projects. Experience in supporting companies in the Agriculture and Climate-smart technologies sub-sectors in sub-Saharan Africa is an added advantage.          (Yes – 15 points, No – 0)	15
v) Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments:
At least 3 signed Letters of reference from past customers or associates to the Specialist, clearly indicating the previous support provided and the value and impact on the business or project supported.                                       (3 points for each signed Letter)	9
(A)  FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Clarity, relevance, reality to market value/ value for money cost for the Assignment (tax-free). Phase 2 financial proposal can be an indicative estimate guided by the proposed methodology Investment Readiness interventions or per day rate.	30
Total score	100

10. Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• AECF invites qualified consultants/firms to send a proposal presented in English or French to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, clearly marked “Terms of reference for gender experts for the Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso STUDIES” to be received no later than 25 March 2025 at 5 pm EAT, addressed to the AECF, Procurement Department.
• All clarifications and or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 17 March 2025, 5 pm EAT

11. Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

 À propos de l’AECF

L’AECF est une organisation de financement du développement de premier plan qui aide les entreprises à innover, à créer des emplois et à mobiliser des investissements pour renforcer la résilience et les revenus durables des communautés rurales et marginalisées en Afrique. L’objectif de l’AECF est de combler le fossé d’investissement entre les entreprises en phase de démarrage et la maturité commerciale des entrepreneurs au service des communautés les plus pauvres.

L’AECF fournit des capitaux patients aux nouveaux modèles commerciaux innovants dans les secteurs de l’agroalimentaire et des énergies renouvelables en Afrique subsaharienne par le biais de divers instruments de financement, notamment des subventions, des prêts à taux zéro, des garanties et des facilités de fonds de roulement. Les produits de financement de l’AECF sont complétés par l’assistance technique pour améliorer la viabilité et la durabilité de nos entreprises bénéficiaires, à savoir (i) des services de conseil pour améliorer les capacités internes des entreprises bénéficiaires (ii) un soutien à l’investissement pour lever des capitaux commerciaux en volumes importants et (iii) du plaidoyer pour améliorer les politiques locales ou régionales de gouvernance.

L’AECF a mis en œuvre avec succès des programmes dans 26 pays d’Afrique subsaharienne (ASS), soutenant plus de 536 entreprises, collectant 480 millions de dollars de financement pour les programmes, mobilisant 850 millions de dollars de capitaux supplémentaires et impactant 33 millions de vies.

L’objectif de la nouvelle stratégie 2021-2025 de l’AECF est de renforcer la résilience et les revenus durables des communautés rurales et marginalisées en Afrique. Grâce à un financement catalytique, l’AECF fait émerger et soutient la commercialisation de nouvelles idées, de nouveaux modèles commerciaux, de nouvelles entreprises et de nouvelles technologies conçues pour accroître la productivité agricole, élargir l’accès à l’énergie et réduire la pauvreté tout en abordant les thèmes transversaux des femmes et des jeunes.

Notre stratégie d’investissement axée sur le Genre

L’ambition de l’AECF en matière d’investissements prenant en compte la dimension de Genre découle de sa vision de créer une Afrique rurale prospère et entreprenante, qui se poursuit à travers notre mission visant à libérer le pouvoir du secteur privé pour avoir un impact positif sur la vie des communautés rurales et marginalisées en Afrique. Elle est également détaillée dans la stratégie institutionnelle d’investissement prenant en compte la dimension de Genre, qui décrit l’approche adoptée pour investir dans une optique de Genre de manière à favoriser un changement durable pour les populations rurales pauvres. Dans cette stratégie, l’AECF s’engage à atteindre certains objectifs importants – au moins 50 % de l’impact sur le développement revenant aux femmes dans l’ensemble du portefeuille d’investissement, 35 % des entreprises du portefeuille étant dirigées par des femmes et 40 % des emplois créés dans ces entreprises étant occupés par des femmes – et à réorienter le processus d’investissement pour trouver, entretenir et développer des entreprises qui fournissent des solutions innovantes pour accroître l’égalité des sexes dans les communautés rurales au niveau des ménages, des entreprises et du marché.

La stratégie de l’AECF vise à intégrer une analyse de Genre dans toutes les activités d’investissement et à concevoir et héberger des processus d’investissement inclusifs qui permettent aux femmes entrepreneures et aux entreprises travaillant pour et avec des femmes un accès égal au financement. L’AECF cherche en permanence à recueillir et à partager des informations sur ses expériences en matière d’intégration du Genre avec les bailleurs de fonds, les partenaires, les bénéficiaires d’investissement et les divers écosystèmes des secteurs et des chaînes de valeur dans lesquels nous investissons.

L’AECF intègre l’attention portée à la dynamique de Genre dans la culture, les pratiques, les politiques et les processus de l’ensemble de l’organisation et encourage et incite ses bénéficiaires à faire de même. L’AECF cherche à accroître sa voix et son leadership dans la sphère mondiale de l’investissement à optique de Genre (GLI) dans le but de devenir la première institution d’investissement à optique de Genre en Afrique subsaharienne, conformément à l’une de nos trois valeurs fondamentales qui nous appelle à donner l’exemple. La stratégie de Genre soutient et renforce également d’autres valeurs fondamentales, car nous pensons à l’impact et valorisons nos employés de manière inclusive.

À propos du programme Investir dans l’entrepreneuriat féminin pour une Economie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso

Le programme Investir dans l’entrepreneuriat féminin pour une Economie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso (IIW-B&BF) est un programme de transformation du Genre et d’inclusion économique d’une durée de six ans mis en œuvre par l’AECF avec un financement d’Affaires mondiales Canada. Le programme vise à autonomiser économiquement les femmes en tant qu’entrepreneures dans des secteurs d’activité à fort impact positif sur le climat dans les domaines de l’innovation technologique, du numérique, de l’agriculture, de la production, de la transformation, de l’artisanat et du commerce pour lever les obstacles qui les empêchent de contribuer au développement de leurs activités.

Le programme vise à améliorer la participation et la résilience économique des femmes entrepreneures dans une économie plus verte au Bénin et au Burkina Faso. Il s’agit notamment d’améliorer l’accès au financement des PME détenues par des femmes, des coopératives de femmes et des femmes entrepreneures émergentes ; d’améliorer la capacité des femmes propriétaires et gestionnaires de PME et de coopératives de femmes à développer durablement les chaînes de valeur dans lesquelles elles travaillent principalement, en utilisant des approches intelligentes face au climat ; et de surmonter les résistances sociales et culturelles enracinées à l’autonomisation des femmes aux niveaux national, sectoriel et communautaire.

Contexte de la mission

L’AECF recherche des services d’experts en genre provenant de groupes de consultants, de bureaux de conseil, d’organisations de défense des droits des femmes, etc. Les consultants doivent avoir une vaste expérience de travail dans les interventions axées sur le genre en Afrique de l’Ouest, avec une préférence pour ceux qui connaissent à la fois les paysages de l’égalité des sexes au Bénin et au Burkina Faso afin d’assurer une connaissance contextuelle régionale. Il est attendu des consultants une gamme de services liés à la problématique du Genre et à l’assistance technique pour le programme IFEV au Bénin et au Burkina Faso. Les experts en Genre seront sous la supervision de l’équipe du Programme IFEV Bénin et Burkina Faso, principalement l’experte Genre.

La mission 

Les résultats attendus du programme sont :

• Amélioration des performances, de la résilience climatique et de la durabilité des micro, petites et/ou moyennes entreprises détenues par des femmes dans une économie plus verte
• Amélioration de l’environnement politique, juridique et réglementaire pour une participation efficace des femmes entrepreneures à une économie plus verte.

De façon pratique, nous prévoyons d’ici la fin du programme :

• Une augmentation d’au moins 50 % du nombre de PME dirigées par des femmes accédant aux services financiers
• Une augmentation de 25 % de l’utilisation de pratiques intelligentes face au climat par les femmes entrepreneures.
• Deux politiques intégrant le genre et l’entreprenariat féminin
• Des lois en faveur des femmes entrepreneures

Le programme IFEV Bénin & Burkina comprend les principaux éléments suivants :

• Volet 1 partie 1 : Investissement dans les PME (Petites et Moyennes Entreprises)

Pour les prêts concessionnels aux PME

• Affectation d’un fonds minimum de 50 000 dollars canadiens
• Et un montant maximum de 750 000 dollars canadiens

Pour les subventions aux PME (non remboursables)

• Affectation d’un fonds minimum de 50 000 dollars canadiens
• Et un montant maximum de 750 000 dollars canadiens

Le financement accordé aura un ratio subvention/participation d’au moins 1:0,5 (100 % subvention/50 % participation).

• Volet 1 partie 2 : Investissement dans les IF (institutions financières et intermédiaires de services financiers)

Pour les prêts concessionnels des IMF

• Affectation d’un fonds minimum de 150 000 dollars canadiens
• Et un montant maximal de 750 000 dollars canadiens pour les subventions vérifiées par les IMF (non remboursables)
• Affectation d’un fonds minimum de 100 000 dollars canadiens
• Et un montant maximum de 500 000 dollars canadiens

Pour les institutions financières et les intermédiaires de services financiers (IF), la gamme de financement, qui peut être une combinaison de subventions et de prêts, ou un prêt à 100 %, est comprise entre un minimum de 100 000 et 1 000 000 de dollars canadiens.

Durée du contrat de financement : 4 ans

• Le financement accordé est assorti d’un ratio subvention/participation d’au moins 1 :1 (100 % subvention/100 % participation).
• Volet 2 : Investissement dans les coopératives et les organisations de femmes
• Affectation d’un fonds minimum de 75 000 dollars canadiens
• Montant maximal du fonds 300 000 dollars canadiens

Le financement accordé a un ratio subvention/participation minimum de 1 :0,25 (100 % subvention / 25 % participation).
Toutes les contributions de contrepartie peuvent être en nature et peuvent également être versées en espèces.

• Durée de l’accord de financement : 4 ans

Pays d’experience:

• Bénin, Burkina Faso dans des secteurs agnostiques avec l’Agrobusiness comme priorité.

Rôles et responsabilités

Assistance technique

• L’IIW-Bénin et Burkina Faso fournira une assistance technique sur l’égalité des sexes et l’autonomisation des femmes, la gestion des entreprises et l’agriculture intelligente face au climat.
• La fourniture de l’assistance technique s’appuiera sur la force et le soutien de multiples parties prenantes. Il s’agit notamment d’organisations professionnelles, d’associations d’entreprises, d’organisations communautaires, d’organisations de défense des droits des femmes (ODF), d’institutions financières (IF) et de ministères et agences gouvernementales, notamment celles chargées de l’agriculture, du Genre, de l’environnement, du commerce et de l’industrie, entre autres.
• Les experts en matière de Genre collaboreront étroitement avec les ministères nationaux du Genre, de l’agriculture, de l’économie, du commerce, etc. pour assurer l’alignement sur les politiques nationales et plaider en faveur de politiques économiques inclusives ».

 Livrables et calendrier

Il est attendu des consultants/cabinets de :

• Contribuer à une expertise approfondie sur le lien entre l’inclusion des Genres et la résilience climatique.
• Contribuer à une expertise approfondie sur l’autonomisation économique des femmes par l’entrepreneuriat dans les marchés fragiles et touchés par les conflits.
• Concevoir et mettre en œuvre des cadres d’analyse d’impact de transformation de Genre.

Les livrables spécifiques comprennent :

Phase 1 : Démarrage et analyse du contexte (semaine 1)

• Livrable 1 : Plan de travail et calendrier de la consultation.
• Livrable 2 : Présentation schématisée via la revue de la littérature, les enjeux, les opportunités et les recommandations ; et les questions d’étude à approfondir et une proposition méthodologique affinée du conseil (maximum 10 slides).

Phase 2 : Préparation de la collecte de données et de l’analyse de Genre au niveau des zones indiquées (semaine 2)

• Livrable 3 : Méthodologie et outils de collecte de données, avec analyse du contexte basée sur la revue synthétique (max 15 pages + annexes).

Phase 3 : Collecte de données au niveau régional (Semaines 3 et 4)

• Livrable 5 : Présentation initiale de la collecte de données

Phase 4 : Analyse des données, rapport incluant des recommandations. (Semaine 5 à 8)

• Livrable 6 : Rapport de terrain avec des notes détaillées d’entretiens avec des partenaires et des groupes cibles, soulignant les défis, les bonnes pratiques et les synergies possibles.
• Livrable 7 : Rapport écrit (30 p max – sans annexes), comprenant un résumé exécutif de 1 à 2 pages résumant les principaux enjeux de Genre identifiés et les principales recommandations/orientations stratégiques.

 Rapports et échéanciers

 Durée de la mission : 2 mois

Structure de paiement

La répartition des paiements sera basée sur des étapes clés, en fonction des livrables de la mission, et sera versée après approbation satisfaisante par l’AECF. Tous les paiements seront basés sur des étapes clés.

Soumission de la proposition

Le(s) consultant(s)/cabinet doivent démontrer les qualifications suivantes :

• Diplôme universitaire supérieur (au moins une maîtrise ou équivalent) en sciences sociales, en études de Genre, en développement international ou dans un domaine pertinent au travail sectoriel de l’AECF.
• Au moins 10 années d’expérience professionnelle à des niveaux de responsabilité de plus en plus élevés au niveau international et expérience avérée dans le domaine du Genre et du développement/de l’action humanitaire.
• Solides compétences techniques, programmatiques et de recherche liée au Genre ; ainsi qu’une expertise sectorielle dans l’un des secteurs suivants : agro-industrie, autonomisation des femmes, engagement des jeunes, handicap et intersectionnalité des femmes.
• Capacité à contextualiser et à intégrer le Genre dans les approches de programmes et d’intervention dans des écosystèmes complexes et fragiles.
• Maîtrise du français ; la connaissance de la langue anglaise est un atout.
• Les propositions techniques et financières doivent être soumises sous forme de documents séparés, conformément aux exigences des critères d’évaluation.
• Coût journalier d’un expert en USD.
• Conformément aux exigences des critères d’évaluation

Tarifs

L’AECF est tenue par les autorités fiscales kenyanes de retenir les impôts sur les frais de contrats de services et de veiller à ce que la TVA, à 16 %, soit facturée le cas échéant. Il est conseillé aux candidats de s’assurer qu’ils ont une compréhension claire de leur situation fiscale au regard des dispositions de la législation fiscale kenyane lors de l’élaboration de leurs propositions.

LES CONSULTANTS DOIVENT FOURNIR LEUR PROPOSITION FINANCIERE HORS TVA.

Critères d’évaluation

Un comité d’évaluation sera formé par l’AECF et sera composé de salariés. Tous les membres seront liés par les mêmes normes de confidentialité. Le consultant devra s’assurer qu’il répond pleinement à tous les critères pour être évalué de manière exhaustive.

L’AECF peut demander et recevoir des éclaircissements de la part de tout consultant lors de l’évaluation d’une proposition. Le comité d’évaluation peut inviter certains ou tous les consultants à comparaître devant le comité pour clarifier leurs propositions. Dans un tel cas, le comité d’évaluation peut tenir compte de ces éclaircissements lors de l’évaluation des propositions.

Lors de la sélection finale des soumissionnaires qualifiés, la qualité technique de la proposition sera pondérée à 70 % sur la base des critères d’évaluation. Seules les propositions financières des soumissionnaires techniquement qualifiés seront ouvertes. La proposition financière se verra attribuer une pondération de 30 % et les propositions seront classées en fonction du nombre total de points obtenus.

Les critères obligatoires et souhaitables selon lesquels les propositions seront évaluées sont identifiés dans le tableau ci-dessous.

Principaux domaines d’évaluation	Notation
(A) PROPOSITION TECHNIQUE	70
i) Une compréhension des besoins en matière de conseil ;
·       Démontrer une compréhension de la tâche (A compris – 5 points, Aucune compréhension – 0 point)	5
·       Une compréhension approfondie des normes et des tendances en matière d’investissement selon une perspective de Genre. (A une compréhension – 5 points, Aucune compréhension – 0 point) ·       La compréhension de l’agriculture, des énergies renouvelables, de l’autonomisation économique des femmes, de l’engagement des jeunes, du contexte fragile et du changement climatique dans les sous-secteurs de l’Afrique subsaharienne sera un atout supplémentaire. (A des connaissances – 5 points, Aucune connaissance – 0 point)	10
ii) Méthodologie et plan de travail qui offriront la meilleure valeur ajoutée à la mission :
·       Démontrer la stratégie et la capacité à réaliser la ou les tâches dans un délai réaliste, en s’appuyant sur un bon rapport qualité-prix. (Démontre – 25 points, Ne démontre pas – 0 point)	25
·       Stratégie démontrant la capacité à réaliser une partie de cette tâche de manière virtuelle. (A une stratégie – 6 points, Aucune stratégie – 0 point)	6
iv) Services pertinents fournis par le soumissionnaire dans le cadre de missions passées :
·       Justifier d’une expérience pertinente et d’engagements récents auprès d’entreprises du secteur privé dans le cadre de projets de préparation à l’investissement ou de développement. Une expérience dans l’accompagnement d’entreprises dans les sous-secteurs de l’agriculture et des technologies intelligentes face au climat en Afrique subsaharienne est un avantage supplémentaire. (Oui – 15 points, Non – 0 point)	15
v) Liste de référence détaillée indiquant la portée et l’ampleur de missions similaires :
·       Au moins 3 lettres de référence signées d’anciens clients ou associés au spécialiste, indiquant clairement le soutien antérieur fourni ainsi que la valeur et l’impact sur l’entreprise ou le projet soutenu. (3 points pour chaque lettre signée)	9
(A) PROPOSITION FINANCIÈRE
·       Clarté, pertinence, réalisme par rapport à la valeur marchande/rapport qualité/prix de la mission (hors taxes). ·       La proposition financière peut également être une estimation indicative guidée par la méthodologie proposée, les interventions de préparation à l’investissement ou le tarif journalier.	30
Score total	100

Application

L’AECF est un employeur garantissant l’égalité des chances. L’AECF examine tous les candidats intéressés en fonction de leur mérite, sans égard à la race, au sexe, à la couleur, à l’origine nationale, à la religion, à l’orientation sexuelle, à l’âge, à l’état matrimonial, au statut d’ancien combattant, au handicap ou à toute autre caractéristique protégée par la loi applicable.

• L’AECF invite les consultants/sociétés qualifiés à envoyer une proposition présentée en anglais ou en français à aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, clairement marqué « Termes de référence pour les experts en genre pour le programme d’investissement dans les femmes au Bénin et au Burkina Faso ‘’ETUDES” à recevoir au plus tard le 25 Mars 2025 à 17.00 Heure de l’Afrique de l’Est (GMT +3) adressée à : AECF, Département des achats.
• Toutes les précisions et/ou questions doivent être envoyées à aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org au plus tard le 17 mars 2025 à 17h EAT

Clause de non-responsabilité

L’AECF se réserve le droit de déterminer le déroulement du processus, le nombre de participants présélectionnés, le droit de se retirer du processus de proposition, le droit de modifier ce calendrier à tout moment sans préavis et se réserve le droit de retirer cet appel d’offres à tout moment, sans préavis et sans obligation d’indemniser et/ou de rembourser une partie.

 

 

 

 

1.0        About AECF

The AECF is a leading development finance organization that supports businesses in innovating, creating jobs, and leveraging investments to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. AECF’s goal is to bridge the investment gap between early-stage enterprises and business maturity for entrepreneurs serving the poorest communities.

The AECF provides patient capital to new and innovative business models in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors across Sub-Saharan Africa through various financing instruments, which include grants, zero-interest loans, guarantees, and working capital facilities. AECF’s financing products are supplemented by three additional growth support services to improve the viability and sustainability of our investees, namely, (i) Advisory Services to improve investee internal capabilities (ii) Investment Support in raising commercial capital in significant volumes, and (iii) Knowledge and Insights for learning and evidence gathering for policy influencing and advocacy.

AECF has successfully implemented programmes across 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), supporting over 536 enterprises, raising US$ 480 million in funding for programmes, and leveraging $840 million in additional capital.

The AECF 2021-2025 new strategy objective is to build resilience and sustainable incomes for rural and marginalized communities in Africa. Through catalytic funding, the AECF surfaces and supports the commercialization of new ideas, business models, companies, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, expand energy access, and alleviate poverty while also addressing the cross-cutting themes of women and youth.

2.0 Our Gender Lens Investing Strategy

AECF’s ambition for gender lens investing stems from its vision to create a prospering and enterprising rural Africa, which is pursued through our mission to unlock the power of the private sector to positively impact the lives of the rural and marginalized communities in Africa. It is also detailed in the institutional Gender Lens Investing Strategy that outlines the approach taken to invest with a gender lens in a way that drives sustainable change for the rural poor. In the strategy, AECF commits to achieving some headline figures – at least 50% of development impact accruing to women across the investment portfolio, 35% of portfolio companies being Women-led, and 40% of jobs created in these companies held by women – and to reorient the investment process to find, nurture and grow business that are providing innovative solutions to increase gender equality in rural communities at the household, business, and market levels.

AECF’s strategy seeks to integrate a gender analysis throughout the investment activities and design and host inclusive investment processes that allow female entrepreneurs and businesses working for and with women equal access to finance. AECF continuously seeks to gather and share insight on its experiences mainstreaming gender to funders, partners, investees, and various ecosystems with the sectors and value chains in which we invest. AECF mainstreams attention to gender dynamics into the culture, practices, policies, and processes of the entire organization and encourages and incentivizes its investees to do likewise. AECF seeks to increase its voice and leadership within the global Gender Lens Investing (GLI) field with a goal to become the premier institution for gender lens investing in Sub-Saharan Africa in line with one of our three core values, which calls us to Take the Lead. The gender strategy also supports and strengthens other core values as we Think Impact and Valuing Our People in an inclusive way.

3.0 About the Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso programme

The Investing in Women in Benin and Burkina Faso (IIW-B&BF) is a six-year gender transformation and economic inclusion programme implemented by AECF with funding from Global Affairs Canada. The programme aims to economically empower women as entrepreneurs in sectors of activity with a high positive impact on the climate in the fields of technological innovation, digital technology, agriculture, production, processing, crafts, and trade to remove the obstacles preventing them from contributing to the development of their activities.

The programme aims to improve the participation and economic resilience of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy in Benin and Burkina Faso. These include access to finance for women-owned SMEs, women’s cooperatives, and emerging women entrepreneurs; improving the capacity of women owners and managers of SMEs and women’s cooperatives to sustainably develop the value chains in which they primarily value chains in which they mainly work, using climate-smart approaches; and overcome entrenched social and cultural resistance to women’s empowerment at national, sectoral and community levels.

4.0 Background of the assignment

AECF is seeking the services of gender experts from consultant groups, women’s rights organizations, etc. Consultants should have extensive experience working in gender-focused interventions in West Africa, with a preference for those with knowledge of both Benin and Burkina Faso’s gender equality landscapes to ensure regional contextual knowledge. They are expected to provide a range of services related to Gender issues and technical assistance for the IIW program in Benin and Burkina Faso. The gender experts will be under the supervision of the IIW Burkina Faso and Benin programme team, mainly the Gender experts.

The assignment  

The expected results of the programme are:

• Improved performance, climate resilience, and sustainability of women-owned micro, small, and/or medium enterprises in a greener economy
• Improved policy, legal, and regulatory environment for effective participation of women entrepreneurs in a greener economy.

Practically by the end of the Programme, we expect:

• At least a 50% increase in women-led SMEs accessing financial services
• 25% increase in the use of climate-smart practices by women entrepreneurs.”
• Two policies integrating Gender and women entrepreneurship and
• Articles in favor of women entrepreneurs

The IIW-Benin & Burkina program includes the following main elements:

•      Window 1 part 1: Investment in SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises)

For SME concessional loans

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For grants to SMEs (non-refundable)

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 50,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided will have a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:0.5 (100% grant/50% participation).

•     Window 1 part 2: Investment in Financial institutions and Financial Services intermediaries (FIs)

For MFI concessional loans

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 150,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 750,000 Canadian dollars

For MFI audited grants (non-refundable)

• Allocation of a minimum fund of 100,000 Canadian dollars
• And a maximum amount of 500,000 Canadian dollars

For financial institutions and financial services intermediaries (FIs), the financing range, which can be a mix of grants and loans or 100% loans, is contained between a minimum of 100,000 to 1,000,000 Canadian dollars.

• The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years.

The funding provided is accompanied by a grant/participation ratio of at least 1:1 (100% grant/100% participation).

•    Window 2: Investment in Cooperatives and Women’s Organizations
  • Allocation of a minimum fund of 75,000 Canadian dollars
  • Maximum funds amount worth 300,000 Canadian dollars

The funding provided has a minimum grant/participation ratio of 1:0.25 (100% grant / 25% participation).
All matching contributions may be in kind and may also be made in cash.

The duration of the financing agreement is 4 years. 

Countries of experience:

• Benin, Burkina Faso in agnostic sectors with Agribusiness as a priority.

4.1 Roles and responsibilities

Technical Assistance

IIW-Benin & Burkina will provide technical support on gender equality and women empowerment, business management and climate-smart agriculture. Delivery of TA will leverage the strength and support of multiple stakeholders. These include professional organizations, business associations, community organizations, women’s rights organizations (WROs), financial institutions (FIs), and government ministries and agencies, including agriculture, gender, environment, commerce, and industry, among others.

The gender experts will collaborate closely with the national ministries of gender, agriculture, Economy, trade, etc… to ensure alignment with national policies and to advocate for gender-inclusive economic policies.”

5.0 Deliverables and timing

The consultants/Firms will deliver the below objectives across three areas (Training, Advocacy, Impact/Capitalization):

• Contribute expertise to the nexus between gender inclusion and climate resilience.
• Contribute expertise to women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship in fragile and conflict-affected markets.
• Deliver advisory services to banks, MFIs, and SMEs on gender inclusion, mainstreaming, and transformation.
• Deliver advisory services to integrate gender inclusion in business models and product design to maximize impact and business profitability.
• Deliver SME advisory in investment readiness and investment facilitation to gender-lens investors, including promoting SMEs to a pre-existing network of investors pursuing investments with gender-lens across the continent.
• Deliver design thinking, sensemaking, and collaborative knowledge workshops or activities to generate knowledge products from AECF’s GLI funds and programs.
• Develop a storytelling and communication product to promote women leaders’ voices, etc.

Specific areas of consultant deliverables include:

5.1: Training

Phase 1: Start-up and scoping workshop (week 1)

• Deliverable 1: Work plan and timeline of the training.
• Deliverable 2: Presentation of the modules.

Phase 2: Training and report (week 2 to week 4)

• Deliverable 1: Engendered list of presence, photo documentation, and pictures
• Deliverable 2: Written report (20 p max – excluding annexes

5.2: Advocacy

Phase 1: Start-up and scoping workshop (2 months)

• Deliverable 1: Work plan and timeline of the mission.
• Deliverable 2: Presentation schematizing advocacy strategy, including arguments (maximum 10 slides).

Phase 2 – Reports (1 month)

• Deliverable 1: Meetings minutes with detailed notes of interviews with partners and target groups, highlighting challenges and achievements.
• Deliverable 2: Written report (20 p max – excluding annexes), including one-page executive summary summarizing the main recommendations/strategic orientations

5.3: Impact/Capitalization

Phase 1: Start-up and scoping meeting (2 weeks)

• Deliverable 1: Work plan and timeline of the mission.
• Deliverable 2: Presentation schematizing the methodological approach of capitalization (maximum 10 slides).

Phase 2 Commencement of the Impact/ Capitalization (week 3 to week 12)

• Deliverable 1: Data collection tools and pre-report (max 10 pages + appendices).
• Deliverable 2: Process report with detailed notes of interviews with partners and target groups, Deliverable 3: Written report including capitalization sheets
• Deliverable 4: Capitalization products proposal

5.4 Reporting and timelines

• Training delivery Timelines: 1 month
• Advocacy delivery Timelines: 3 Months.
• Impact/ Capitalization Timelines: 3 Months.

6.0 Payment structure

The payment breakdown below will be milestone-based against the Assignment deliverables and will be paid upon satisfactory signoff by AECF.

7.0 Proposal submission

The consultant(s)/Firms must demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (at least master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Development, or in an area relevant to AECF’s sectoral work.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience at international levels in gender and development/humanitarian setup.
• Sectoral expertise in any of the following sectors: Agri-business, women empowerment, youth engagement, disability, and women intersectionality.
• Ability to contextualize and integrate gender into programme and intervention approaches in complex and fragile ecosystems.
• Adults training capabilities in many thematic relatives to Gender, leadership, SGBV,
• Fluency in French; knowledge of the English language is an asset.
• Gender experts and women’s rights organizations consortia are encouraged to participate.
• Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted as separate documents.

8.0 Pricing

The Kenyan tax authorities oblige AECF to withhold taxes on service contract fees and ensure VAT, at 16%, is charged where applicable. Applicants should ensure that they have a clear understanding of their tax position regarding provisions of Kenyan tax legislation when developing their proposals.

CONSULTANTS MUST PROVIDE THEIR FINANCIAL PROPOSAL TAX-FREE.

9.0 Evaluation Criteria

The AECF will form an evaluation committee that will include employees. All members will be bound by the same standards of confidentiality. The consultant should ensure that they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all the consultants to appear before the committee to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In deciding the final choice of qualified bidders, the technical quality of the proposal will be given a weighting of 70% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 30% and the proposals will be ranked in terms of total points scored.

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

Key Areas for Evaluation/ Assessment	Weighted Award
(A)  Technical proposal	70
i) An understanding of the consultancy requirements;
·       Demonstrate an understanding of the Assignment                                   (Gender training-2 points, Advocacy- 1 point, Impact/capitalization – 2 points, does not understand – 0)	5
·       An in-depth understanding of Gender Lens Investing Standards and trends.     Understanding Agriculture, Renewable Energy, women’s economic empowerment, youth engagement, Fragile context, and climate change in sub-sectors in sub-Saharan Africa will be an added advantage, particularly for (Gender training – 4 points, Advocacy –3 points, and M&E- 3 points, does not understand – 0)	10
ii) Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the Assignment:
Demonstrate the strategy and capacity to deliver each task(s) as a consultancy group within a realistic timeline, underpinned by value for money. Specifically (Gender training – 10 points, Advocacy –8 points and M&E-8 points)	26
A strategy that shows the capability to deliver a part of this Assignment virtually. Specifically, on (Gender training –2 points, Advocacy –1 point and M&E- 2 points)	5
iv) Relevant services undertaken by the bidder in past engagements:
Demonstrate relevant experience and recent engagements with private sector companies in Investment Readiness. Experience supporting companies and development projects in the Agriculture and climate-smart technologies subsectors in sub-Saharan Africa is an added advantage. Specifically, for (Gender training – 5 points, Advocacy –5 points, M&E- 5 points)	15
v) Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments:
At least 3 signed letters of reference from past customers or associates of the firm are required for each expert, clearly indicating the previous support provided and the value and impact on the business or project supported. (3 letters for Gender training expert – 3 points, 3 letters for Advocacy –3 points, 3 letters for M&E- 3 points)	9
(A)  Financial proposal
Clarity, relevance, reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the Assignment (tax-free). Phase 2 financial proposal can be an indicative estimate guided by the proposed methodology for interventions.	30
Total score	100

10. Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• AECF invites qualified consultants/firms to send a proposal presented in English or French to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org, clearly marked “Terms of reference for gender experts for training-advocacy, M&E capitalization in Benin and Burkina Faso,” to be received no later than 25 March 2025 at 5 pm EAT, addressed to the AECF, Procurement Department.
• All clarifications and or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 17 March 2025, 5 pm EAT

11. Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.