Expression of Interest for the provision of Consulting Services in Marketing, Communication and Outreach of the NADEP Business Development Market Place at The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI)
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI)
Growth & Employment (GEM) Project – Credit No. NG- 4882
Marketing, Communications and Outreach of the NEDEP Business Development Market Place
Request for Expressions of Interest
The National Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship Program (NEDEP) is the Nigerian Government’s flagship program to develop Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. NEDEP directly addresses challenges that are faced by Nigeria MSMEs through interventions across: i) access to finance, ii) access to markets, hi) business development skills, iv) infrastructure and the costs of doing business, v) innovation & technology, vi) women and youth inclusion.
The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is proposing to establish a business development market place that enhances the standards of MSMEs across the country and expand the geographical and socioeconomic coverage of the existing BDS market. BDS can be a powerful tool for SMEs to grow, increase their productivity and facilitate their access to finance. In addition, the BDS support would also assist MSMEs to plan or increase income for reinvestment. The project team is planning to develop an Integrated Transaction Enabled Web-portal as primary means of interaction between the project and the project beneficiaries firms and institutions. The provisional name for the portal is ‘BIG’S’, Business Innovation and Growth Support. It will take time to develop a flexible and relevant platform. Meanwhile, the GEM project will support the government in developing this Business Development Market Place for MSMEs register to the program. Eventually this website will be linked to the BIG’S Portal.
It is expected that over the next 3 years, about 10,000 MSMEs (called “Awardees”) will be supported by about 30 business development services firms (called “BD partners”) – between three to seven BD partners in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. This program will largely subsidize the costs of the services provided by the BDS providers. It is light of the above that the GEM Project wish to engage Business Development Services (BDS) providers to work in conjunction with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to support and develop MSMEs across the country.
Objective:
The objective of the assignment is to support the GEM team to maximize awareness and understanding of the business development market place and the benefits of using BDS among the MSME community in each geographical zone and/or State.
Scope:
The scope of the work for this assignment will primarily include, but not limited to, the following tasks – Marketing, communication and outreach of the Business Development Market Place by identifying and publishing success stories from MSMEs participating in the scheme among others. The Firm will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the business development market place through marketing, communications and outreach activities. Specifically, the firm will be expected to:
- Develop and implement a marketing and branding strategy for the business development market place. This strategy will define, strengthen and promote the business development market place brand and effectively market its work to all appropriate stakeholders;
- Help drive the communication and dissemination of the market place activities within the MSMEs world and to other stakeholders;
- Coordinate and manage the preparation, publication and dissemination of the market place services, in coordination with the GEM PIU including helping to determine the best media to achieve its dissemination goals;
- Develop relationships with journalists, publications, and key players in ICT4D circles, development circles and the mass media; with a view to raising the market place website visibility internationally;
- Conduct any other assignments related to knowledge management, marketing, communications, branding and outreach, as may be required;
- Publicize successes to stimulate uptake of BDS services by MEMEs both, within and even more importantly, outside the scheme.
Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs):
Prospective Business Development Services (BDS) providers should submit Expression of Interest detailing the following information as basis for pre-qualification:
- Profile of firm/consortium including ownership structure and role of each corporate entity with full contact details of each firm;
- Proof of excellent program management skills and demonstrated experience in managing projects;
- Established track record in communications, outreach, branding and knowledge management, including web management, video and graphic development and editing, proofreading and copy editing; knowledge and experience in social media management (Facebook, Twitter, blogs)
- Demonstrated experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including senior government officials, donors, journalists, editors, policymakers and regulators, consultants and academics;
- Basic knowledge of the ICT4D sector and its role in sustainable development;
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently with limited supervision;
- Experience of working in a multicultural team and proven ability to build relationships with project partners;
- Knowledge of the World Bank communications, outreach, knowledge dissemination and knowledge management processes are a plus;
- Graduate degree in a relevant discipline.
- Excellent abilities in the use of ICTs, including developing and using web-based resources, especially for project management and remote communication;
- A minimum of five years relevant professional work experience
The attention of interested Consultants 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. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. A firm will be selected in accordance with the Consultants Qualification Selection (CQS) Method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 9.00 am to 4.00pm, Monday through Friday (except public holidays) from the Project Coordinator, Tel: +2348039265356 or +2348057763523
Expressions 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 the provision of Consulting Services in Marketing, Communication and Outreach of the NADEP Business Development Market Place” to the address below in person or by courier mail not later than Thursday. 23rd April, 2015
The 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
Interested Applicants should note that:
- Submission shall be in English language only
- Submission through electronic media shall be rejected; and
- Submission received after the deadline shall be rejected
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
