ToR to hire freelance consultants to write business plans for seed multipliers

• Provide on-site support to 20 pre-selected seed multipliers scattered in different regions in developing a sound business plan to be submitted to Horti-LIFE Green Growth which meets all the quality requirements and shared template.

Deliverables:

20 Business Plans Developed

Twenty business plans shall be developed in English, fully aligned with Horti-LIFE Green Growth requirements and quality standards. Each business plan shall include both a comprehensive narrative and a detailed financial analysis, covering cost-benefit analysis, a financial investment plan, and three-year cash flow projections.

The business plans must be commercially viable, evidence-based, and suitable for financing and investment purposes. A detailed business plan template and outline will be provided following the signing of the service contract. All reports and business plans shall be written in high-quality English and comply with British English spelling, grammar, and professional writing standards.

Final Report

A final report shall be submitted at the end of the assignment, providing a comprehensive overview of the support delivered to the seed multipliers. The report shall summarise the activities undertaken, challenges encountered, lessons learned, and recommendations for strengthening the sustainability and growth of the seed multiplier enterprises.

2. Required Skills

Qualifications and Experience of Business Development Service (BDS) Providers

• For the purpose of this assignment, the proposed consultants should hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Commerce, Business Management, or a related field.

The following qualifications and competencies are considered essential:

• A minimum of five (5) years of proven experience in business plan development, preferably within the agriculture, horticulture, seed, or agribusiness sectors.
• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian agricultural sector, including seed systems, input supply chains, agricultural production, marketing, and agribusiness finance.
• Experience in developing bankable business plans that can be used to access financing from commercial banks, microfinance institutions, development finance institutions, or other investors.
• Proven ability to conduct financial analyses, including cost-benefit analysis, investment planning, profitability assessments, break-even analysis, and cash flow projections.
• Sound knowledge of business management principles, organisational development, governance structures, and risk management for agricultural enterprises.
• Familiarity with horticulture and seed value chains in Ethiopia will be considered a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality reports and business plans in English, meeting professional standards and donor requirements.

Language Requirements

• Given the geographical spread of the seed multipliers and the importance of effective communication, proposed consultants should be fluent in the relevant regional languages spoken in their proposed areas of operation. The main languages used across the project’s operational regions include Amharic, Afan Oromo, Sidama, and Tigrigna. While all final business plans and reports must be submitted in English, business planning discussions are expected to be conducted primarily in local languages.
• Consultants may choose to focus on specific regions where the required language competencies are available within their team. Where language gaps exist, bidders must clearly describe the measures they will put in place to ensure effective communication and quality service delivery, such as partnering with local experts, engaging qualified interpreters, or assigning consultants with the necessary language skills.