Expression of Interest for Back office Training in Industrial Development Centres at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI)
Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI)
Growth & Employment (GEM) Project – Credit No. NG- 4882
Business and Back Office Support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Industrial Development Centers
Request for Expressions of Interest
The Federal Government of Nigeria has received financing from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Growth and Employment (GEM) Project, and intends to apply part of the credit to build back office support structures which aid the creation of MSMEs in Nigeria. This is a Technical Advisory project which will setup a back office shared center in 3 IDCs, and an open technology platform that can be connected to remotely to aid back office operations. The Back office provider will also train at least 500 individuals per IDC on using the shared service center and the back office toolsets. Outputs from this engagement will create a pool of talent for employment for back office operations in Nigeria.
Objectives:
The project objective is to generate employment by providing training and back-office support to selected individuals in three of the 23 IDCs. The project aims to provide a shared service centre to support back office operations of MSME’s in identified IDCs.
These centres will also be made available to other small businesses, who may choose to use the shared service centers to manage specific parts of the non-core operations. The project will also involve developing a set of tools that will be provided remotely and locally for MSMEs who choose to handle back office operations themselves. The National Enterprise Development Programmes (NEDEP) is the Federal Government’s flagship programme to facilitate inclusive growth within the Nigerian economy and is a key initiative of GEM. Some of the objectives of NEDEP include: (i) fostering growth through the technology and innovation, (ii) improving cooperative governance, (iii) facilitating the formalisation of businesses.
The overall goal of this assignment is to develop and train individuals in the use of a back-office technology application that will improve business processes and back office functionalities for individuals and MSMEs. The assignment will also equip individuals and MSMEs, within and outside the IDCs, with the necessary skills to apply the technology tool to their day-to-day business practice. The assignment will ensure that MSMEs within the IDCs can benefit from shared service back office solutions which will help reduce their costs and increase profitability. This platform will also be made available to all GEM and You Win awardees that do not have existing back-office support technology for their businesses.
(i) Develop a basic back-office technology tool (including a mobile application) that is applicable to various business types. The application will cover the following areas:
(a) Accounting Records Management including financial statement generation
(b) Customer Relationship Management specifically market penetration and optimisation
(c) Human Resource Management
(ii) Source applicants within the IDC areas that will benefit from the development programme.
(iii) Develop acceptable criteria to shortlist individuals and MSMEs who qualify for the development programme
(iv) Shortlisting Individuals and MSMEs for the development programmes (this will be based on the current level of proficiency and the business needs)
(v) Perform a Needs Assessment for shortlisted applicants to tailor fit the programme to their needs
(vi) Execute training on the back-office technology solution across the pre-determined business improvement areas- minimum of 6 weeks, in order to achieve basic proficiency level in the use of the application
(vii) Target at least 500 individuals in initial phase of training
(viii) Assist to register with the National MSME repository or the National Jobs Exchange portals to gain employment, provide access to markets and to other service providers
(ix) Assist in the installation of the technology tool on portable devices to facilitate ongoing use post training
(x) Assist in the application for the GEM grant facility, or other financing sources in existence
Three initial IDCs have been selected for the initial phase of this programme: Interested Providers should respond to provide the services for all the IDCs below:
| S/n | IDC | Land Size (Hectares) |
| 1 | Owerri | 30 |
| 2 | Kano | 35 |
| 3 | Oshogbo | 78 |
The Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) now invites eligible Providers to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Skills providers should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
Submission of EOIs:
The prospective consultants should submit Expression of Interest detailing the following information as basis for pre-qualification:
- Profile of firm including ownership structure with full contact details.
- Details of direct work experience with small businesses, or development programmes
- Evidence of excellent administrative skills relating to large complex cluster development projects
- Strong ability to raise awareness and mobilize applications for the programme
- Proof of competence in establishing strong partnerships with the public and private sector
- Knowledge of strategy development tools with analytical and management skills.
- Evidence of training in identified trades above
- Knowledge of software development tools
- Strong ability to train in use of software tools
- Details of direct work experience with small businesses and development programmes
The attention of interested Skills Providers is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrower, Revised January 2011. A firm will be selected under Consultants Qualifications (CQ) method in accordance with the procedures set out in the guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultant under IBRD Loans and IDA credits by World Bank Borrower, January 2011. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 9:00am to 4.00pm Monday through Friday except public holidays.
Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.
Expressions of Interest shall be in and must be submitted in five (5) hard copies (one original and four copies plus one CD Rom), in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Expression of Interest for Back office Training in Industrial Development Centres” must be delivered to the address below in person or by courier mail or E-mail not later than Monday, May 11th 2015.
Project Coordinator
Growth and Employment (GEM) Project
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
Block G, Room 225
Old Federal Secretariat
Area 1, Garki
Abuja
Tel: +2348039265356 or +2348057763523
Email: sanyunus2002@yahoo.com
Only short-listed Consultants will be contacted.
