The Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA) is partnering with the Mastercard Foundation to implement the Business in a Box (BizBox) project and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for the Selection of Individual Consultants for the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA).
GEA now invites sealed Curriculum Vitae from eligible Qualified Consultants for the selection of consultants for the following Positions.
In the vibrant economic landscape of Ghana, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have emerged as key drivers of growth and development. These enterprises, which range from tiny startups to more established small and medium-sized businesses, contribute significantly to job creation, innovation, and poverty reduction. However, for these enterprises to thrive and navigate the challenges of the competitive business environment, the development and execution of a well-structured business plan is paramount.
Understanding the Essence of a Business Plan
A business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the goals, strategies, financial projections, and operational details of a business venture. It serves as a roadmap that guides entrepreneurs in making informed decisions, securing funding, and ensuring the sustainability of their enterprises. For MSMEs in Ghana, a well-crafted business plan can be the difference between success and failure.
Clarity of Vision and Mission
One of the primary advantages of a business plan is its ability to provide clarity of vision and mission. In a fast-paced business environment, entrepreneurs often find themselves juggling various tasks and priorities. A business plan forces entrepreneurs to define their long-term goals, target markets, and competitive advantages. This process helps business owners remain focused on their core objectives and make strategic choices that align with their overall mission.
Strategic Decision-Making
The process of developing a business plan requires thorough market research and analysis. This research provides valuable insights into the competitive landscape, consumer preferences, and industry trends. Armed with this information, MSME owners in Ghana can make informed decisions about product development, pricing strategies, and marketing approaches. By having a well-defined strategy, entrepreneurs can seize opportunities and proactively address challenges, reducing the likelihood of impulsive or ill-informed decisions.
Access to Funding and Investment
For many MSMEs, access to funding is a crucial factor in their growth journey. Lenders and investors often require a detailed business plan as part of their evaluation process. A well-structured business plan showcases the financial viability and potential returns of the enterprise, thereby instilling confidence in potential funders. In Ghana, where financing options for MSMEs can be limited, a compelling business plan could open doors to traditional bank loans, venture capital, angel investments, or even grants from government programs.
Operational Efficiency and Resource Allocation
A business plan serves as a blueprint for daily operations and resource allocation. It outlines the organizational structure, roles and responsibilities, and operational processes. This ensures that the business is run efficiently, minimizing wastage of resources and maximizing productivity. For MSMEs in Ghana, where resource constraints are common, effective resource management can significantly contribute to the sustainability and growth of the enterprise.
Risk Mitigation
Starting and operating an MSME in Ghana involves inherent risks, including economic fluctuations, regulatory changes, and unforeseen market shifts. A comprehensive business plan includes a risk assessment that identifies potential challenges and outlines mitigation strategies. By considering these risks in advance, entrepreneurs can develop contingency plans, reducing the impact of unexpected events and maintaining business continuity.
Key Points
In the context of Ghana's dynamic business landscape, the importance of a business plan for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises cannot be overstated. From setting a clear vision to making strategic decisions, accessing funding, ensuring operational efficiency, and mitigating risks, a well-crafted business plan provides the framework for success. MSME owners in Ghana should embrace the process of creating and updating their business plans, recognizing them as invaluable tools that can help navigate the journey from startup to sustainable and thriving businesses.
Following the successful implementation of the First Phase of the SME Digitalisation Project which focused on sustaining existing jobs, GEA proposes to implement another phase of the Digitalization Project for SMEs with a focus on women-owned and women-led SMEs. The objective of this Second Phase is to increase operational efficiency and business growth leading to job creation. The Project will be implemented through a combination of targeted demand-based support for SMEs in digitalizing their procedural models as well as encouraging innovative business processes. The support will comprise facilitating a detailed assessment of the beneficiaries’ needs, virtual and non-virtual demand-based capacity-building programs, access to digital solutions, online visibility as well as in-depth knowledge of digitalization and process innovation.
This Project includes the development of an integrated solution for the survival, improvement, and growth of SMEs with the aim to provide targeted support in digitalizing their operations. This will provide a centralized platform involving a detailed assessment of SMEs’ needs, challenges, and potentials, virtual and non-virtual demand-based capacity-building programs, access to digital solutions, virtual visibility, and in-depth knowledge in digitalization and process innovation.
Download ToR - Digital Tools Development Final - D4J ↓
Based on the above and following the successful implementation of the First Phase of the SME Digitalisation Project which focused on sustaining existing jobs, GEA proposes to implement another phase of the Digitalization Project for SMEs with a focus on women-owned and women-led SMEs. The objective of this Second Phase is to increase operational efficiency and business growth leading to job creation. The Project will be implemented through a combination of targeted demand-based support for SMEs in digitalizing their procedural models as well as encouraging innovative business processes. The support will facilitate a detailed assessment of the beneficiaries’ needs, virtual and non-virtual demand-based capacity-building programs, access to digital solutions, online visibility, and in-depth knowledge of digitalization and process innovation.
This Project includes the development of an integrated solution for SMEs’ survival, improvement, and growth with the aim to provide targeted support in digitalizing their operations. This will provide a centralized platform involving a detailed assessment of SMEs’ needs, challenges, and potentials, virtual and non-virtual demand-based capacity-building programs, access to digital solutions, virtual visibility, and in-depth knowledge in digitalization and process innovation.
Download TOR - Online Operational and Digital Visibility D4J ↓
The Ghana Enterprises Agency in partnership with the German Cooperation's 'Invest for Jobs' (an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), is implementing a Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize for Jobs.
The project seeks to provide capacity-building to women-owned/led SMEs on different aspects of digitalization and how their companies can grow from its use and increase their process efficiency and competitiveness by providing access to knowledge, digital tools, and expertise in the field of digitalization and innovation management challenges. It will Create a digitalized business environment conducive to the rapid growth of SMEs in Ghana, ensuring that they are creating jobs after the program.
As part of this project, GEA seeks to engage a competent and highly qualified IT consultancy firm / Digital Services Provider, that has the required capability and experience in the development of digital solutions for SMEs, to lead the development or customization of (Open Source) software solutions based on key needs and demands of selected SMEs in Ghana.
The objective of this assignment is to support the digital transformation of selected women-owned SMEs in Ghana thereby increasing their process efficiency and competitiveness by providing access to demand-based digital software solutions complementing the technical assistance in terms of training and mentoring that the project offers.
The IT consultancy firm should be able to identify the needs and challenges of the target SMEs, advise on appropriate solutions to support their businesses operations, to recommend innovative open-source solutions - without license costs - that could be considered for adoption/customization to address SME’s constraints in the following areas but not only limited to these.
The software solutions shall be easy to handle, user-friendly, and simple but include necessary core functions, a very affordable model, context-specific and modular.
The underlying approach is not to develop new software solutions from scratch but to explore whether appropriate and effective existing open-source solutions are available on the local market that can be customized to the needs of Ghanaian SMEs.
Sustainability is key - The proposed software solutions need to be adapted to the local market so that maintenance and IT Support in Ghana are guaranteed.
The customization/configuration of the software solution shall be complemented by training/capacity building of SMEs as users but also administrators (for later adaption/configuration).
The scope of work of this assignment includes the following:
Considering the scope of work of this project and based on the proposed project development & implementation methodology, the Consultancy Firm must provide a complete list of all deliverables that will be produced throughout the entire project timeline whether those are plans, reports, applications, etc. in a table format mentioning the stages, activities, and timelines.
Some examples of the deliverables are mentioned here under for your reference.
This is a national assignment with utmost importance to GEA, thus the Consultancy Firm must prove that they have a solid technical background and operational strength to undertake and take this work forward without any hindrances. The Consultancy Firm must also have adequate technical ability, human resources, and processes. As such, the following are defined as minimum eligibility criteria:
The CV shall be submitted by 12:00 pm/noon (GMT) on Monday, September 12, 2022, in a sealed envelope delivered to Procurement Officer, GEA, and be clearly marked "Digital Tools Development / Customization or Acquisition"
Applicants may obtain further information on the requirements including the criteria for shortlisting by applying to procurementgea@gmail.com, procurement@gea.gov.gh during office hours.
Wednesday, 15th March 2023
Detailed Terms of Reference for this project may be downloaded HERE (Click Here).
The Ghana Enterprises Agency in partnership with the German Cooperation's 'Invest for Jobs' (an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), is implementing a Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize for Jobs.
The project seeks to provide capacity-building to women-owned/led SMEs on different aspects of digitalization and how their companies can grow from its use and increase their process efficiency and competitiveness by providing access to knowledge, digital tools, and expertise in the field of digitalization and innovation management challenges. It will Create a digitalized business environment conducive to the rapid growth of SMEs in Ghana, this will ensure that they are creating jobs after the program.
The objective of this assignment is to engage an experienced and qualified individual who will help with the development of knowledge management, communication, and public relation strategy for the project and make known to the public what the Project seeks to achieve, and reach out to potential beneficiaries.
The Communications / Public Relations Consultant will be responsible for drafting and implementing the communication and publicity strategy of the Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize for Jobs (D4J). He/she will oversee all information circulation concerning the project
Progress report on challenges and achievement periodically as well as media and communication output.
The period of the assignment is 6 Months.
Consultant shall act under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer of GEA or an appointed Representative and report to the Lead Project Consultant. The Consultant shall be expected to provide periodic reports on activities to the Chief Executive Officer of GEA.
This is a National Assignment of utmost importance to GEA so the Consultant must have a solid technical background in communication and knowledge of the SME landscape and operational strength to undertake this work assignment without any hindrances. As such, the following are defined as minimum eligibility criteria:
The CV shall be submitted by 12:00 pm/noon (GMT) on Monday, September 12, 2022, in a sealed envelope delivered to Procurement Officer, GEA, and be clearly marked "CV for Communication & Public Relations Consultant for Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize For Jobs (D4J)"
Applicants may obtain further information on the requirements including the criteria of shortlisting by applying to procurementgea@gmail.com, procurement@gea.gov.gh during office hours.
The Ghana Enterprises Agency in partnership with the German Cooperation's 'Invest for Jobs' (an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), is implementing a Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize for Jobs.
The project seeks to provide capacity-building to women-owned/led SMEs on different aspects of digitalization and how their companies can grow from its use and increase their process efficiency and competitiveness by providing access to knowledge, digital tools, and expertise in the field of digitalization and innovation management challenges. It will Create a digitalized business environment conducive to the rapid growth of SMEs in Ghana, this will ensure that they are creating jobs after the program.
The main objective of this assignment is to lead the Project Implementation and Coordination of the “Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize for Jobs” from a technical perspective. The Lead Digital Consultant plays a key role in the successful implementation of the Project and quality assurance of the Project:
The Consultant will:
The expected deliverables for this Project will include.
The assignment is expected to be concluded over a period of up to 100 working days within a 6-month time frame from the date of commencement to the date of reporting. The Lead Consultant supports the project full-time in the implementation.
The consultant must be available for regular meetings with GEA and the Funding Partner to discuss the progress of work and further planning.
Consultant shall act under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer of GEA or an appointed Representative and report to the Project Coordinator. The Consultant shall be expected to provide periodic (monthly) reports on activities to the Chief Executive Officer of GEA.
The CV shall be submitted by 12:00 pm/noon (GMT) on Monday, September 12, 2022, in a sealed envelope delivered to Procurement Officer, GEA, and be clearly marked "CV for Lead Digital Consultant for Women SME Innovation Programme – Digitalize For Jobs (D4J)"
Applicants may obtain further information on the requirements including the criteria of shortlisting by applying to procurementgea@gmail.com, procurement@gea.gov.gh during office hours.
The Government of the Republic of Ghana has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The project comprises five (5) components namely:
Component 1: Provision of apprenticeship training for jobs
Component 2: Provision of entrepreneurship and micro and small enterprise support for jobs
Component 3: Operationalization of the Ghana Labor Market Information System, upgrading of district PECs and services, and independent performance reviews of Government youth employment and skills development programs
Component 4: Capacity development, technical assistance, and project management support for enhanced skills and jobs impact
Component 5: Contingent emergency response component
The Developmental Objective of the project is to support skills development and job creation in the Country.
GEA intends to contract a Consulting Firm to undertake a quality assessment of training that would be conducted by GEA across the Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels of the Entrepreneurship Training initiative under component 2.1 of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project.
Download TOR for Consultancy for Quality Assessors ↓
The Government of the Republic of Ghana has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The project comprises five (5) components namely:
Component 1: Provision of apprenticeship training for jobs
Component 2: Provision of entrepreneurship and micro and small enterprise support for jobs
Component 3: Operationalization of the Ghana Labor Market Information System, upgrading of district PECs and services, and independent performance reviews of Government youth employment and skills development programs
Component 4: Capacity development, technical assistance, and project management support for enhanced skills and jobs impact
Component 5: Contingent emergency response component
The Developmental Objective of the project is to support skills development and job creation in the Country.
GEA intends to contract a firm (“consultant”) to develop a Public Relations (PR) and communications strategy, success stories, documentaries, sensitization, promotional and other communication materials that will positively highlight subcomponent 2.1 of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, its outputs, and impacts, as well as achievements, good practices and lessons learned.
Download TOR for PR and Communications ↓
The Government of the Republic of Ghana has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The project comprises five (5) components namely:
Component 1: Provision of apprenticeship training for jobs
Component 2: Provision of entrepreneurship and micro and small enterprise support for jobs
Component 3: Operationalization of the Ghana Labor Market Information System, upgrading of district PECs and services, and independent performance reviews of Government youth employment and skills development programs
Component 4: Capacity development, technical assistance, and project management support for enhanced skills and jobs impact
Component 5: Contingent emergency response component
The Developmental Objective of the project is to support skills development and job creation in the Country.
GEA intends to contract a Consulting Firm to undertake and implement nationwide Entrepreneurship and Business skill training across the Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels of the Entrepreneurship Training initiative under component 2.1 of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project.