Feasibility Study: Medium & Large Enterprise Recruitment Practice with Digital Job Matching Platforms

Terms of Reference

Feasibility Study: Medium & Large Enterprise Recruitment Practice with Digital Job Matching Platforms  (Bid Number: 007/26/SNV)

Project Name	LIWAY II	SAP No. (budget line)		SP2336-4.02
Organizer (SNV staff name)	Dereje Agizie and Mahder Belayneh
Place/s of the activity	Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Duration	Start Date: April 1, 2026		End Date: April 30, 2026
Background	Livelihoods Improvement for Women and Youth (LIWAY), a nine-year programme (July 2017 to December 2028) funded by Sweden and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The programme is implemented by a consortium of partners comprised of SNV and Mercy Corps. LIWAY aims to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and social stability in Addis Ababa by increasing incomes through improved wage and self-employment opportunities, primarily for poor women and youth. The objective is to increase incomes of 400,000 poor people in Addis Ababa, of which at least 200,000 (50%) are women (young and adult) via a climate smart well-functioning MSD program implementation approach. The LIWAY programme works in four interrelated market systems-Labor, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE), Medium and Large Enterprises (MLE) and skills which were selected based on their relevance to poor women and youth, the opportunity for positive impact, and the feasibility of intervention.  Each system is interrelated and fosters structural transformation engaging public and private market actors/agents to make the system work better for the target groups (Women and Youth). The labor market in Ethiopia is undergoing rapid digitalization, with digital job matching platforms increasingly used by job seekers and SMEs. However, systematic linkage between medium and large enterprises (MLEs) and digital platforms for recruitment remains limited. This study aims to assess the feasibility, commercial viability, and systemic constraints/opportunities for creating and scaling MLE with specific focus on medium enterprises platform linkages that improve recruitment efficiency, reduce hiring costs, and expand access to decent work particularly for youth and women. This assignment aligns with LIWAY program objectives to catalyse inclusive market systems in Addis Ababa through private sector led solutions and sustainable models.
Purpose of the Assignment	General Objective Assess the feasibility of recruitment linkages between medium and large enterprises with focus on medium enterprises in sectors such as Manufacturing sectors, service, and others and digital job matching platforms in Ethiopia and suggest possible recommendations to design interventions on outsourcing through digital job platforms in Addis Ababa.  Specific Objectives: Map current MLE recruitment practices recruitment barriers, and demand for adopting digital recruitment channels. Map leading digital job matching platforms (e.g, functionality, coverage, pricing, matching algorithms, verification, API, analytics, employer support). Analyse supply–demand dynamics: job categories, volumes, skills requirements, sourcing channels, time-to-hire, and quality-of-hire considerations. Analyse cost – benefit and risk assessment and possible linkage models (commercial, partnership, product/feature-level) including value propositions for enterprises, platforms, and jobseekers. Assess inclusion and accessibility of job opportunities and digital matching platforms to youth and women job seekers
Key outcomes of the Assessment	The following are the major expected outcomes from the assessment: A mapped and analyzed overview of how medium and large enterprises currently recruit, including their challenges, hiring volumes, preferred channels, costs, and readiness to adopt digital recruitment solutions. Analysis of digital job platforms, including their features, matching algorithms, pricing models, inclusivity, employer services, and integration capabilities. Evidence based recommendations on the commercial, operational, and regulatory feasibility of structured collaboration between MLEs and digital job matching platforms. Recommendations to design market-based recruitment linkages among MLEs and Digital Job matching platforms. Cost- benefit and risk analysis/assessment on the hiring practices of MLEs through Digital job matching platforms.
Scope of Work	The consultant will be responsible for: Conducting interviews and focus group discussions with MLEs (such as HR heads, procurement, hiring managers), digital job matching platforms, gig/short-term work platforms, HR tech providers. In addition, enablers such as industry associations, chambers, incubators, MoLS, BoLS, TVET/institutions, and development partners. Analysing both qualitative and quantitative data to produce a comprehensive report. This will include an analysis of barriers and enablers for MLEs recruitment linkage with digital job matching platforms. Guiding Questions  What are MLE hiring volumes, roles, skills, regions? What are current channels and their performance (cost/hire, quality-of-hire, diversity outcomes)? Which job categories are most suitable for digital sourcing (e.g., sales, customer service, technicians, ICT, operations and others) Which platforms have sufficient candidate liquidity, employer services, screening/assessment tools, analytics, integration capability, and compliance? What pricing models exist (subscription, per-posting, success fee, hybrid)? What is sustainable for MLEs? What data flows, verifications (KYC, credentialing), and workflows are needed? What service-level expectations do MLEs have (turnaround, replacement guarantees, candidate quality thresholds)? What risks exist and how can they be mitigated? What partnership/contracting options are viable for MLEs recruitment linkage with digital job matching platforms What incentives and revenue models allow platforms and MLEs to sustain collaboration? How can the recruitment linkage increase women’s, youth, and PWDs participation, accessibility, and fairness in recruitment (e.g., inclusive job descriptions, bias-reducing workflows?
Deliverables	Deliverables Submission of Inception Report with detailed methodology and workplan Submission of draft assessment report Comprehensive Final Assessment Report including feedback from the draft assessment report.
Time Period	The assessment study expected to be done from April 1 – April 30, 2026. This includes the submission of the final assessment report.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria will be employed for the evaluation of the proposals: –

• Technical Criteria for Evaluation (weight: 70 %)

A pre-defined technical criterion will be employed for the evaluation of applicants. Failure to secure 60% in the technical criteria (i.e. 42 Points out of the 70) will automatically disqualify the applicant. 

Technical Qualifications	Scoring Criteria	Max. Score
1. Page Limit on Technical Proposal	The technical proposal should not be more than 10 -12 pages. CVs and other supporting documents should be included as annexes. Proposals that exceed this page limit may be automatically disqualified.	Mandatory
2. Solid Experience and Knowledge	Relevant experience on assessments on labour market related activities mainly on workforce linkage. Feasibility study and business model development on HR and recruitment linkage through job matching platforms.	20
	– More than 5 years of direct experience in similar assignments:	20
	– 3-5 years of relevant experience:	10
	– 1-2 years of relevant experience:	5
	– Less than 1 year of relevant experience:	0
3. Quality of Technical Proposal	Clear understanding of objectives, detailed methodology & logical work plan.	30
	– Proposal clearly demonstrates a full understanding of the assignment with a high-quality, detailed methodology and work plan:	30
	– Proposal indicates a partial understanding of the assignment:	15
	– Proposal does not indicate a clear understanding of the assignment:	0
4. Team Capacity and Composition	Multi-disciplinary team with feasibility assessment, stakeholders’ co-creation workshop facilitation, logistics, communications, and facilitation expertise.	20
	– A well-composed team with demonstrated senior-level expertise in the area: feasibility study of a similar types, employment sector, preferably knowledge of Market System Development (MSD)/Private Sector Development (PSD).	20
	– Team composition is acceptable, but lacks demonstrated expertise in one or more of the key areas:	10
	– Team composition is missing more than half of the required expertise:	0
Total Technical Score		70

b) Financial Evaluation Criteria (weight: 30%)

• The financial proposal, submitted in a separate document should be simple, and the proposals shall indicate all applicable taxes separately in a clear manner.
• If Applicants are legally registered consulting firms (copy of annexing of business license, tax registration certificate or any other legal documents need to be submitted). If the supplier is a Local supplier SNV shall deduct either 3% (if the company has valid license and tin number) or 30% (if the company has no tin number and/or license) of the contract amount in lieu of withholding tax and duly paid to relevant inland authority.
• Financial Proposal need to be submitted in Euro/Birr.

Important Notes:

• technical and financial proposals will be submitted separately in marked separate envelopes. Only proposals that have a point of 42/70 and above in the technical proposal are eligible for financial evaluation.

• Proposals that have scored 42/70 on the technical proposal will have their financial proposals evaluated out of 30 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Interested and experienced individuals or firms are expected to meet the following requirements:

Core Team (Required Roles)

Team Lead: Labor Market/MSD Specialist (Overall Lead)

• Experience: 7+ years in market systems development (MSD) or private sector- development with at least 3 years in labor market systems or enterprise:
  • Led at least two feasibility/commercial model design studies
  • Proven stakeholder facilitation with private sector MLEs and government entities (e.g., MoLS), plus co-design workshops.
  • Strong writing and synthesis skills (examples of inception, draft, and final reports).
• Education: Master’s in economics, Public Policy, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Illustrative Evidence 

• 2 relevant assignments in the last 5 years: title, client, year, country, brief objective, role, and outcome.
• 2 written samples: one feasibility report (or commercial model design),
• References: at least two client referees from the private sector or development programs on relevant assignments.

Mandatory Qualifications 

• Demonstrated experience in engaging with medium & large enterprises in Ethiopia.
• Completed at least two feasibility studies resulting in implemented pilots or signed platform–enterprise agreements.
• Proven financial modeling of service or platform based- business models.
• Experience designing and running codesign workshops in the private- sector.
• Robust ethics, safeguarding, and data protection protocols in prior projects.
• Language: Excellent English (reports, presentations); Amharic for fieldwork.

Submission of Proposals

The proposal will be submitted in two separate and clearly marked categories:

Technical Proposal

• Cover Letter (One-pager highlighting capability & experience):
  • Express clear interest in facilitating the assessment for feasibility study on Medium & Large Enterprise Recruitment Linkage with Digital Job Matching Platforms for LIWAY program
  • Briefly summarize the consulting firm/individual capability to deliver the assignment in a best quality and standard.
  • Provide evidence of performing similar assignments within the last three years,
• Technical Proposal (Detailed):
  • Understanding of the Assignment: Demonstrate a clear and thorough understanding of the labor and development sector skills system interventions as defined in the Terms of Reference (ToR),
  • Better understanding of the current labor and skill system area, labour market actors, and targets among others.

• Work Plan:

• Submit a clear work plan for the whole assignment facilitation with specific timelines for each activity including co-creation and recommendation workshops and field work.
• Include a detailed team allocation for each task and estimated man-days per team member for each component of the assignment.

• Updated CVs:

• Language Proficiency: Confirmation of excellent written and spoken proficiency in both English and Amharic.
• Ethical Standards: the candidate must adhere to SNV policies, principles, and core values.

• Financial Proposal (in Euro/Birr).
• Breakdown of all Relevant Cost Elements:

• Provide a clear, itemized breakdown of all anticipated costs.
• For each cost element, include:

• Description (e.g., Professional Fees, Daily Subsistence Allowance, Travel Costs, Communication Costs, Report Production etc).
• Unit (e.g., day, trip, unit, people etc).
• Number of Units (e.g., total man-days, number of trips etc).
• Unit Cost (e.g., daily rate, cost per trip etc).
• Total Cost for each item.

• Personnel Costs / service Fees:

• Indicate the daily rate for each professional team member.
• Specify the number of days each team member will be engaged for the assignment.

• Travel Costs:
  • Itemize travel expenses, including domestic travel within Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Communication and Other Costs:
  • Include costs for communication (e.g., mobile, internet for data collection/reporting) and any other miscellaneous expenses necessary for the assignment’s completion.

Submission Guideline and Application submission date: 

Interested and qualified applicants who meet the qualification stated above, should submit their proposals as indicated below.

Title of the specific assignment: Feasibility Study: Medium & Large Enterprise Recruitment Linkage with Digital Job Matching Platforms. 

Both the Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted in a separate email to: ettenders@snv.org. or a separate envelope for those who are submitting in person. 

SNV will not be responsible for proposals submitted without indicating the title of the assignment “Feasibility Study: Medium & Large Enterprise Recruitment Linkage with Digital Job Matching Platforms” on the subject of the email or on the envelop.

Proposals must be received by SNV Addis Ababa office to the address below no later than March 23, 2026, 5:00PM close of business.

All submissions should be sent to: Via email to: ettenders@snv.org or must be submitted in person. 

All physical submissions should be sent to: SNV Ethiopia, Mexico Sar Bet Road Next to African Union P.O. Box 40675, Addis Ababa | Ethiopia Fax + 251 (0) 11 616 6252 Tele + 251 (0) 11 616 6232 or via  <ettenders@snv.org>.  

Refer the whole document via the below link:-

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mtWaokTNYG5BUXSc6FZamw99XDLXy6Ki/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114892436237333514090&rtpof=true&sd=true