Call for BDS Providers

Job Description

Who we are

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for children’s and young people. 

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community-based organizations across eight program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Want to know more about life at SOS?

Explore our Employee Value Proposition Here

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Our Commitment to Safeguarding  

At SOS Children’s Villages, safeguarding isn’t just a policy, it’s a foundational value embedded in everything we do. We are unwavering in our commitment to protecting the children, young people, adults, and communities we serve, as well as our workforce and resources.

We cultivate an environment of trust and accountability where every voice is heard and respected. All successful candidates will be expected to champion our holistic safeguarding principles, actively upholding our Child & Youth Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and regulations against sexual misconduct, fraud, and corruption.

By joining our team, you commit to integrating these vital standards into your work, ensuring the highest levels of safety, ethics, and integrity in every action and partnership.

Together, we create a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and protected

About the STEP–Addis Ababa (STEP-AA) Project

The STEP–Addis Ababa Project is a youth economic empowerment initiative designed to enhance employability, self-employment, and income-generating opportunities for young people in Addis Ababa. The project supports youth through a comprehensive package that includes market-oriented skills training, start-up and scale-up toolkits, business coaching, mentorship, and market linkage facilitation.

As part of its 2026 annual plan, STEP-AA will implement a Business Scale-Up and Coaching Program targeting an youth-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) operating at survival stages in Gulele and Yeka Sub-Cities. To ensure quality delivery, SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia invites qualified Business Development Service (BDS) Providers to submit proposals for technical and service delivery partnership.

Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this call is:

To transform youth-led enterprises from survival stage into viable, sustainable, and growth-oriented businesses through structured training, professional coaching, and business development services.

Specific objectives include:

• Improving business management, financial literacy, and growth planning skills.
• Strengthening product development, marketing, and customer engagement.
• Supporting enterprises to improve profitability, stability, and market positioning.
• Enabling businesses to move towards a “business take-off” stage.

Key Responsibilities (Expected Service):

Business Scale-Up Training (3 Days)

• Design and deliver structured training covering
• Business growth mindset and strategy
• Financial management and costing
• Pricing and profit planning
• Customer development and marketing
• Business formalization and compliance
• Product and service improvement

 Door-to-Door Business Coaching

Provide individualized, on-site coaching to each enterprise, including:

• Business diagnostics
• Identification of growth constraints.
• Customized action plans
• Monitoring of business progress
• Practical mentoring on marketing, record-keeping, and operations

The coaching approach should ensure that training translates into measurable business improvements.

Expected Results:

By November 2026, the partnership is expected to achieve:

• At least 70% of supported businesses demonstrate improved income, customer base, or profitability.
• Improved business records, planning, and management practices.
• Youth businesses transition from survival to take-off stage.
• Stronger youth-led enterprises contributing to job creation and local economic development.

Adheres to SOS CVE’s Safeguarding Policies and Regulations

• SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia (SOSCVE) places safeguarding (children, youth, and adult safeguarding and asset protection) at the center of its concerns. The Organization is committed to ensuring that all children, young people and adults are safe, they are treated with dignity and respect, and all resources are used solely for the purpose for which they are given.
• SOSCVE has Zero tolerance for any safeguarding concerns and provides proper response to any reported safeguarding concerns. Hence, the consultant/firms shall ensure that its employees/collaborators as well as any other person involved in the implementation of the present contract, comply with the safeguarding policies and regulations. Therefore, potential winners (firms/individuals)
• Completes with the rules and principles set out in the policies and regulations annexed to agreement made.
• Confirms that none of its employees, collaborators or associates are involved and/or have been involved in any way in violence, abuse, fraud, and corruption.
• Accepts proven material breach of any provision of the Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct, Sexual Misconduct Regulation, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption regulation shall automatically render agreement entered null and void and shall expose the perpetrator to legal

Ethical standard and Intelectual property

• Ownership and copyright of all coaching service reports will be the sole and exclusive property of SOS Children Village in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa Program, STEP- Project and restricted for public use. The coacher will submit all coaching documents, materials and data to SOS Children Village in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa program. SOS CVE is a child focused Organization and will always uphold the safety and wellbeing of children and youths as it strives towards creating a better environment for children, youths, and their surrounding community. In ensuring this, SOS CVE will only consider those who are suitable to work with youths. The selected coacher will sign the code of conduct or child and youth safeguarding policy of SOS CVs before the commencement of the work.

Our Ideal Candidate?

Let’s find out if we’re a match. The next step in our process depends on how your background closely align with the below criteria’s.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERTISE REQUIRED:

Interested BDS Providers must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Legally registered institution or firm with at least 6 years of experience in business development services.
• Proven experience in youth entrepreneurship, MSME support, or enterprise coaching.
• Qualified trainers and business coaches with relevant academic and professional background.
• Demonstrated experience in financial literacy, market development, and business diagnostics.
• Capacity to operate in Addis Ababa, particularly Gulele and Yeka Sub-Cities.

Proposal Requirements:

Interested BDS Providers should submit a technical and financial proposal including:

Technical Proposal

• Organizational profile and relevant experience.
• Proposed training methodology and coaching approach.
• Tools and frameworks for business diagnostics.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms.
• Team composition and CVs of key experts.

Financial Proposal

• Detailed budget breakdown for training and coaching services.
• Cost per participant and overall service package.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment will be implemented from February to November 2026, aligned with STEP-AA’s annual implementation plan.

Reporting and Coordination

The selected BDS Provider will report to the STEP-AA Project Team and submit:

• Inception report
• Monthly progress reports
• Final completion report including outcomes and lessons learned.

Evaluation and Next Steps

• Applications will be reviewed based on relevance, technical capacity, experience in BDS facilitation, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with the objectives and values of SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia. Shortlisted platforms may be contacted for further discussion or clarification.
• SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia reserves the right to accept or reject any application and is not obliged to award a partnership because of this call.

How to Apply

• Then send us your application (application letter, detailed CV containing contact details of their references) in person @ SOS children’s village A.A Program Location Keraniyo STEP project Office, through ICIMS, Ethipjobs, Linkedn or by email to: beaman.teomelessan@sos-ethiopia.org from February 6,2026 to Feburary 14,2026. Note : All applications, Should include the service fee.
• For further information, please contact us at: 0970135106/0913078568.

Does This Sound Like You?

To apply, please submit your updated resume via: >> SOS Children’s Villages Application portal (ICIMS).

We actively champion diversity and inclusion and strongly encourage women to step forward and apply. As part of our unwavering commitment to holistic safeguarding protecting children, youth, adults, and assets our selection process emphasizes value alignment and includes thorough background checks for all potential hires.

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer, providing fair consideration to all applicant regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or class.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.