Consultant to Support the Adaptation of a Rural Microloan for Smallholder Farmers

TechnoServe is recruiting a Consultant to Support the Adaptation of a Rural Microloan for Smallholder Farmers, to be based in Nampula and Niassa, Mozambique.

Description

• The WIN program is starting a partnership with a microfinance bank that intends to design and pilot a microloan for Smallholder farmers (SHF). The main objective of this role is to provide specialized support to this intervention which will take place in two phases: Phase 1 focuses on the development of a risk assessment (matrix), an exercise led by an external expert hired by the microfinance bank. This risk matrix assessment will inform whether the intervention passes to the second phase. Phase 2 focuses on the development and marketing of the microloan product and testing it with selected aggregators, to ensure it is adapted to the needs of SHFs, including women. The individual will report to the Market Systems Manager responsible for the Financial Services vertical and the intervention described in this Scope of work. Scope of Work
• The consultant will be engaged in the following activities in both phases of the intervention with the microfinance bank:

Duties

Phase 1

• Participate in meetings with the microfinance bank and the external expert hired to carry out the risk matrix. Meetings will take place before and during the field activities, and after the report has been shared by the risk matrix expert
• Accompany the risk matrix expert on field activities in Nampula and Niassa districts for a maximum of 14 days and provide insights about the activities carried out eg: stakeholders interviewed, findings about the farmers, findings about the crops
• The microloan for SHFs needs to be piloted with aggregators (cooperatives, associations, or small private agricultural aggregators)
• In this case, through the meetings that the risk matrix expert will have with aggregators, the contractor under this Scope of Work will identify the most viable models between the microfinance bank and aggregators that benefit all parties
• Review the risk matrix expert’s assessment report and provide inputs and recommendations. The contractor is expected to build his/her skills to be able to independently lead similar assignments, develop a risk matrix and conduct field assessments in the future. Capacity building activities include training sessions with and shadowing the risk matrix expert. After reviewing the results of the assignment and assessing the completed risk matrix, the microfinance bank will decide if it will pursue the development of the loan for SHFs. If the bank gives its approval, Phase 2 will begin and includes the following activities:

Phase 2

• Support in the revision of the SHF microloan product developed by the microfinance bank and provide insights and recommendations
• Train the microfinance's team in the marketing and communication of the new product to potential customers
• Take part in the testing of the microloan, and ensure it is tailored to the needs of SHFs, including women, and make recommendations on how to improve the product to ensure a high uptake rate from customers
• Participate in the implementation of the model – which was identified in Phase 1- between the microfinance bank and aggregators that benefit all parties
• It is estimated that the contractor will work 30 days covering the 2 phases

Deliverables

• The consultant will be required to submit the following deliverables:
• Phase 1
• Brief report containing the summary of the field activities during the risk matrix assessment that includes a description of possible models for linking microfinance banks and aggregators, including findings, lessons learned and recommendations
• Brief report containing the main learnings on developing a risk matrix, demonstrating the acquired knowledge and skills necessary to replicate the risk matrix exercise in the future
• Phase 2:
• Brief report explaining the adaptation made to the product and the marketing and communication of the new product to potential customers
• Brief report about the microfinance bank and aggregator model, the pilot results of the new microloan product and recommendations for further uptake

Requisites

• Degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering or related areas Proven experience working in consultancies in the agriculture sector or agribusiness in Mozambique (preferably including in the north), especially in soil mapping studies, climate analysis, crop characterization and drawing up production plans Proven experience in rural financial product development
• Proven experience of training in rural financial products Proven experience in creating linkages between market players (experience with aggregators constitutes an advantage)
• Knowledge, understanding and passion for women’s economic empowerment
• Fluent in Portuguese and English
• Able to write excellent reports in Portuguese Ability to work collaboratively, autonomously, flexibly and responsively
• Self-directed, disciplined and driven

Selection Criteria

• The following selection criteria, shall take the following into consideration:
• Experience in agriculture sector:
• Proven experience working in consultancies in the agriculture sector or agribusiness in Mozambique (preferably in the north), especially in soil mapping studies, climate analysis, crop characterization and drawing up production plans
• Experience in agricultural financial product development:
• Proven experience in agricultural financial product development Proven experience of training in financial products
• Experience in creating linkages between market players in the agriculture sector/rural context:
• Proven experience in creating links with market players
• Proven experience in developing sustainable models in linkages with market players

Response Instructions

• To ensure consideration, all responses must be submitted no later than 07/11/2025, written in English with prices stated in MZN
• All responses must:
• Contain a detailed cost with applicable taxes and other charges clearly identified
• Provide requested payment terms and conditions
• Include a contact name, email address, and telephone number
• For quotes from a firm, provide a brief outline of the company and services offered, including the company's full legal name and address, the jurisdiction of incorporation, the full legal name and country of citizenship of the company's owners/principal officers, and the year the business was established
• If a consortium of firms or a team of consultants submits a quote jointly, the above information should be provided for each member of the team
• Only include attached files that are 10 MB or smaller in size. Do not include compressed (ZIP, RAR), executable, or other unusual file formats as these will be rejected

Terms and Conditions

• This solicitation shall not be construed as an offer by TechnoServe. Responses must be submitted on or before the date indicated.
• Any quotes that are unresponsive will be summarily rejected
• Responses to this solicitation shall be deemed binding offers and must remain valid for acceptance for no less than 90 days from the closing date of this solicitation
• Any purchases resulting from this solicitation will be governed by TechnoServe's contractual terms and conditions, and may be subject to additional terms as required by donors funding the purchase
• TechnoServe expressly reserves the right to accept or reject any quote or to cancel the solicitation process at any time without explanation, with no liability to any respondent. TechnoServe may, at its discretion, accept all or part of a respondent's offer
• All information provided by TechnoServe in this solicitation is given in good faith; however, details are subject to change
• TechnoServe may require respondents to enter into a non-disclosure agreement as a prerequisite for consideration
• Respondents bear sole responsibility for all costs incurred in connection with the preparation of their response, including any third- party expenses
• All responses shall become the property of TechnoServe. Respondents must fully disclose any conflicts of interest pertaining to this solicitation. Failure to comply may result in disqualification

Request Files

• The following attached files, if any, represent an important part of this solicitation
• No Request Files Found

Selection Criteria

• Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria and rating methodology
• Selection Criteria    -    Max Points
• Experience in agriculture sector - 25
• Experience in agricultural financial product development - 25
• Experience in creating linkages between market players in the agriculture sector/rural context - 20
• Price, inclusive of all fees, taxes, and other charges - 20
• Knowledge and understanding of issues around women’s economic empowerment - 10

Notes

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• Indicate the source of this job post: emprego.co.mz
• Do Not email your response to any employee of TechnoServe or deliver your response in hard copy to a TechnoServe office. Failing to adhere to these instructions may make your response ineligible for consideration
• Remuneration: The selected contractor will be paid on a daily rate or fixed fee according to the final agreement between WIN and the contractor, based on the financial proposal submitted
• The financial proposal should include the detailed costing – clearly indicating the applicable taxes and other charges
• TechnoServe will withhold taxes as required by law, if applicable. The financial proposal needs to be presented for the two phases, with a clear breakdown for each phase
• Anticipated Start Date - 07/14/2025
• Performance Location
• Remote and a maximum of 14 (fourteen) days of field work in Nampula and Niassa – Mozambique

How to Apply

1. Documentation

• Proposal
• For the selection process, the consultants are expected to submit the following:
• CV of the consultant, including examples of previous work (with evidences)
• Commercial registration documents
• Detailed financial proposal (which should disaggregate consultancy fees, logistic costs and all relevant taxes)

2. Application

• Send your Documentation to buy+RQ7957@tns.org with the Subject line “Consultant to Support the Adaptation of a Rural Microloan for Smallholder Farmers”