MSME Consultant – Youth Enterprise Coaching

1. Introduction

ELiDA is a women-led CSO established in 2008 by the initiation and reputation of women friends of volunteers who could not get the heart to pass over the timely multi-dimensional socio-economic problems of needy community members in general and women and children in particular. ELiDA is registered by the FDRE Agency for Civil Society Organizations with certificate No. 1143. The Organization envisions seeing socially responsible, conscious, and productive women and girls who are meaningfully empowered to take part in the leadership and decision-making processes of the Country’s major societal aspects.

ELiDA, in partnership with Girls Effect Ethiopia, has been implementing the project entitled "Support, Enable and Engage" in the South and North Wollo zones of the Amhara region. Since May 2025, the project has focused on entrepreneurship and mindset development for youth residing in these intervention areas. A key milestone of the project has been the identification and recognition of Youth Role Models entrepreneurs whose business models can be replicated by other young people. To ensure these businesses are strong and sustainable, ELiDA is launching the Yegna Gize Business Development Support (BDS) initiative. This phase involves a thorough coaching program designed to diagnose business gaps, provide tailored recommendations, and drive dynamic growth for these youth-led enterprises.

2. Purpose and Objectives

The primary goal of this consultancy service is to strengthen the operational, financial, and market readiness of youth role model businesses. The specific objectives include:

• Transforming businesses into scalable, youth-friendly enterprises.
• Positioning these businesses as practical centers for youth mentorship, internships, and employment.
• Improving overall business resilience and growth potential.
• Modeling inclusive and youth-safe business practices.

3. Scope of Work & Delivery Modality

The consulting firm will provide needs-based, action-oriented coaching through an on-site, door-to-door delivery modality. The coaching service will be delivered for 15 role models businesses (three in each woreda) reside in 5 districts (Dessie city, Kombucha city, Dessie Zuria, Kutaber and Albuko) of South Wollo zone of Amhara region.

3.1 Coaching Structure
Each business must receive a minimum of two structured visits and one day feedback session

3.1.1 Visit 1: Business Diagnostic & Needs Assessment (2-3 hours):
Conduct a walk-through of operations, review technical financial practices using tailored questioners, and identify growth opportunities.

3.1.2 Visit 2: Targeted Coaching & Action Planning (2-3 hours):

Deliver deep-dive coaching on priority topics and provide hands-on exercises like pricing calculations and record-keeping.

3.1.3 Disclosing the findings of coaching and sharing learnings and best experience
Present consolidated findings to workshop participants for sharing learning, experience and best practices.

3.2 Key Coaching Pillars
3.2.1 Business model clarity, quality control, and workflow efficiency.
3.2.2 Costing/pricing, cash flow, and simple record-keeping.
3.2.3 Customer segmentation, marketing strategies, and market linkages.
3.2.4 Business registration and navigating informal-to-formal transitions.
3.2.5 Structuring internships, apprenticeships, and safe mentorship.

4. Expected Outputs (Deliverables)

The firm/coaches must submit the following documentation for each assigned business:

4.1 Completed Business Diagnostic Tool: Including priority coaching focus areas.
4.2 Business Improvement Plan: A draft action plan with 3–5 realistic improvement actions.
4.3 Coaching Visit Reports: Detailing topics covered, actions agreed upon, and immediate outcomes.
4.4 End-of-Assignment Summary Report: Consolidating common trends, success stories, and recommendations for future support.

5. Required Qualifications & Experience

Potential consultants must meet the following criteria:

5.1. Educational Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Marketing, and other related social science field.

5.2. Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), startups, or youth-led businesses.
• Proven experience in business advisory, financial literacy (costing/cash flow), and local market linkage.
• Familiarity with local business registration, taxation, and regional economic contexts related with entrepreneurship business.
• A coaching approach based on listening and co-creation, with an absolute commitment to ELiDA safeguarding policies.

5.3. Competencies & Ethics

• A coaching approach based on listening and co-creation rather than lecturing.
• Absolute commitment to ELiDA safeguarding policy and the ability to work respectfully in community and home-based settings

6. Preparation of proposal
The interested firm/expert is required to submit financial and technical proposal containing the following information.

• A declaration that the professional services provider understands and is qualified and prepared to perform work as detailed in the scope and deliverables job of the work.
• Overview of the Company profile and experience. Include specific reference, if any, to where similar coaching entrepreneurship business the firm elsewhere.
• Brief curriculum vitae of key personnel that will carry out the coach as detailed in task and activities clearly demonstrating coaching skills and experience.
• Confirmation of the output that will be delivered by the service provider, scope of the work requested in this TOR.
• Estimated consultancy payment/fee (with the detailed hours and rates to be spent) including a motivation on why the service provider believes that their price drives higher value and how this solution will support the return on investment.