Technical Advisor, Swaziland Youth Enterprise Fund (SYEF)

Reference: PG/CWG/0413
Location: Swaziland
Duration: 12 person weeks over a period of 6 months
Closing Date: 26 Jul 2013

Project Background

The Government of the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland has requested technical support in institutionalizing and supporting implementation of youth employment and enterprise development. The Youth Enterprise Fund was set up through a Legal Notice No: 179 of 2009 and funded by His Majesty King Mswati III, through the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs with technical support from the Commonwealth Secretariat. The aim of the fund is to provide support to enterprises established by the youth in order to enhance their employment generation and income earning potential.

The Fund was designed using best practices from the Commonwealth Youth Credit Initiative (CYCI) methodology and other youth employment development models. Work with the Swaziland National Youth Council and other youth organizations in Swaziland were instrumental in the design and initial technical support provided by the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Youth Credit Initiative is a facility developed by the Secretariat’s Youth Affairs Division in conjunction with host governments to address issues of youth unemployment and poverty. It is a tripartite arrangement between the Government, an implementing institution and the Commonwealth Secretariat to provide micro credit (small amounts of loan advances, based on identified business ideas and training to youth with the aim of creating and/or expanding income generating activities and creating jobs).

The overall objective of CYCI is to promote youth employment and alleviate poverty among the young people of the Commonwealth. While the total implementation of the whole CYCI model may not be necessary for all countries requesting for technical support, adaptations of best practices in the field is a requirement.

Under the CYCI programme, youth will be organized into groups for the provision of training and credit. Members of the groups will act as collateral for the loans advanced. The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has approached the Governance and Institutional Development Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat (GIDD) to appoint a Consultant/Technical Advisor to be seconded to the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland to facilitate the implementation of this project.

Project Purpose

Strengthen delivery and performance of the Swaziland Youth Enterprise Fund.

Enhancing the capacity of relevant ministries and stakeholders to build the capacity of young people to start small scale enterprises through micro credit

Project Outcome

Enhanced sustainable livelihoods and reduction in poverty amongst the youth in Swaziland.

Scope of Work

The duration of this consultancy is 12 person weeks over a period of 6 months. The consultant or legal entity will work with the Ministry of Youths, Culture and Youth Affairs in Mbabane, Swaziland, the Board and Management of the Swaziland Youth Enterprise Fund (SYEF) and key stakeholders. The consultant will be expected to develop a plan of action to be agreed with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs and the Board of the SYEF and submit it to the Programme Manager, Technical Co-operation & Strategic Response Group (TC&SRG), GIDD not later than one month after commencement of assignment.

The consultant or team will undertake:

• Conducting an assessment on the extent of implementation of the recommendations of the technical assistance programme towards the establishment of the Fund
• Assessing and recommending capacity needs to be addressed for effective delivery of the development fund by:
  o Undertaking an internal policy review of SYEF and recommend ways of addressing any identified gaps;
  o Reviewing of the loan disbursement and repayment processes and advise on a revised methodology;
  o Reviewing youth entrepreneurship and skills training processes and advise on possible improvements
• Facilitating the review and implementation of strategic plan for SYEF
• Facilitating the development of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework and train key actors in Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) tools for the effective implementation of SYEF
• Providing inputs into the design and operationalisation of an appropriate management information system for the youth fund;
• Providing advice and support on resource mobilization mechanisms

Project Deliverables

• Effective and efficient youth credit schemes in operation
• Institutional linkages and knowledge sharing systems established and in use
• The review and implementation of strategic plan for SYEF facilitated
• The development of an appropriate monitoring and evaluation framework completed and rolled out
• Key stakeholders trained to use M&E Tools for the effective implementation of SYEF
• Technical support on design and operationalisation of an appropriate management information system for the youth fund provided
• Institutional linkages and knowledge sharing systems established and in use
• Technical advice on resource mobilization mechanisms provided

Transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. Staff of the SYEF and Ministry of Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs are expected to be trained and gain from skills transfer during the project implementation period. A designated lead counterpart will be appointed by the SYEF to understudy the work of the consultant. Trained officials will continue the work of the consultant upon completion of project through the ‘training of trainers’. Partnerships with other relevant stakeholders and donor partners will be encouraged.

Proposals and Budget

The budget for this consultancy is at an all-inclusive fee of £50,000 (includes professional fees, up to a maximum of three (3) economy class return air tickets, subsistence allowance and incidentals). The Government and Commonwealth Secretariat will cover local costs of training workshops and seminars which may be organized as part of this consultancy and should be provided in the proposal.

Interested Consultants/consultancy firms are required to submit a proposal which should include:

• Company profile, if applicable;
• CV of consultant(s);
• Proposed methodology, detailed work plan of action;
• A financial statement showing a breakdown of the budget (includes rate of fees per consultant and time lines)

Qualifications and Experience

This assignment can be undertaken either by an individual consultant or a team of individual consultants or any entities legally registered in a Commonwealth member country with the relevant expertise. It would be an added advantage to include a local consultant/researcher to assist the Lead Consultant.

The consultant/team selected should possess:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Finance/Business Administration, Economics, Enterprise/Business Development or equivalent from a recognized institution of higher learning
• A master’s degree in Economics, Social sciences or Business administration is desirable. * A minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in Small & Micro Enterprise programmes
• A minimum of five (5) years’ working within the youth enterprise development field in a national youth fund or related fund will be an advantage.
• Experience in the micro-finance sector or a financial institution will be an advantage
  Competent in IT applications for business.

Reporting Arrangement

The consultant(s) will work with a designated counterpart staff or key staff in the SYEF and report to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youths, Culture and Youth Affairs. The consultant will prepare mission reports, periodic reports and final report and submit to the project manager, TC&SRG, GIDD.

Further Information

How to apply

Terms of Reference - Technical Advisor, Swaziland Youth Enterprise Fund (SYEF)