Terms of Reference (TOR): Talent-on-Demand (ToD) Pilot- Connecting MSMEs with Affordable Skilled Talent (Bid No. 025/26/SNV)

The purpose of this assignment is to design, pilot, and validate a commercially viable, domestically focused Talent-on-Demand (ToD) model that connects local MSMEs and individual clients in Addis Ababa with skilled talent for short-term and project-based assignments. By addressing entrenched ecosystem barriers, specifically the lack of standardized worker profiling, vetting, and underlying trust-related issues the pilot will test a robust project-facilitation framework. This assignment will generate empirical evidence on market demand, willingness to pay, operational business incentives, and inclusive income creation for women and youth. Ultimately, the service provider is expected to demonstrate a practical, market-driven solution that operates independently of donor support, built with the structural readiness to be fully owned, financed, and scaled by private sector actors.

Objectives

The assignment aims to:

• Assess Domestic Market Demand: Analyze the localized demand among urban MSMEs and individual clients in Addis Ababa for short-term, skilled talent, while mapping existing digital and conventional market actors serving this space.
• Design and Pilot an Inclusive ToD Model: Develop and launch a domestically focused ToD model that enables enterprises to seamlessly access affordable, skilled local talent, intentionally structuring the pilot to maximize income-generating opportunities for women and youth.
• De-risk Trust and Vetting Barriers: Establish and test robust worker profiling, comprehensive vetting frameworks, and structural trust-building mechanisms to successfully facilitate secure, reliable short-term and project-based assignments.
• Generate Empirical Evidence: Capture and analyze granular data-driven insights regarding transaction volumes, client willingness to pay, talent income generation, enterprise productivity benefits, and overall commercial viability.
• Formulate a Scaling & Ownership Pathway: Identify, validate, and document a sustainable transition strategy that allows the model to be fully owned, financed, and scaled by private sector actors independent of donor support.

(For details, please refer the ToR)

• The service provider should demonstrate proven experience in labor market development, workforce development, entrepreneurship development, SME support, platform-based employment models, talent marketplaces, gig economy solutions, digital innovation, or related fields.
• Experience designing and testing market-based solutions, facilitating private-sector partnerships, and implementing interventions that create sustainable employment and business growth outcomes is highly desirable.
• Experience working with women, youth, persons with disabilities, and underserved populations in Ethiopia will be considered an advantage.
• Robust ethics, safeguarding, and data protection protocols in prior projects.
• Language: Excellent English (reports, presentations); Amharic for fieldwork

(For details, please refer the ToR)