Capacity Building Programme for Clusters/Groups/Associations (Ukraine)

Deadline: 21-Dec-20

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hereby invites you to submit a Proposal for services of Capacity Building Programme for clusters/groups/associations in Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis poses additional challenges to people, households and businesses, in unprecedented ways. While containing the pandemic and protecting people is the top priority, disrupted supply chains, containment measures that are limiting economic and social interactions and falling demand put people’s jobs and income-generation opportunities at risk. The crisis especially affects MSMEs that have significantly lower reserves and are less resilient than large business.

Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported that up to 700 000 enterprises, which give employment to 3,5 – 4 million people, have already stopped their business activity due to the lockdown. These figures constitute some 25% of all businesses and labour workers active in Ukraine. An immediate employment generation and business support are needed. They should aim at enhancing the ability for self-employment of those who lost their jobs due to the crisis and at teaching existing micro, small and medium entrepreneurs how to operate in the changing market conditions.

Objectives

The overall objective of this assignment is to strengthen the MSMEs’ capacity for cluster development and management and to enhance the overall cluster development process within the GCAs of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts and selected rayons of Zaporizhzhia oblast. For this purpose, the Contractor shall develop and deliver Capacity Building Programme for clusters/groups/associations on methods and instruments of cluster management and development in the target areas.

The Training Programme shall contribute to the achievement of the following learning objective:

Objective. Participants have increased their knowledge and skills of how to build strategic alliances for cluster creation using entrepreneurial ecosystem model and shared value approach to address SDGs in the target regions for mutual benefits in terms of growth of production and employment, innovation boost, improved competence and know-how, quality and productivity, higher exports and better resource utilization through cooperation.

Criteria

An organization submitting a proposal:
- Organization/company officially registered for at least 3 years;
- Experience in the organization and management of business training programmes (at least two programmes);
- Experience in the implementation of training programmes with a total number of trainees over 200 people.
The Contractor must have a team of at least 8 professionals with the following roles and required qualifications:
- Team Leader/Project Manager:
  - Minimum 3 years of professional experience in project management and/ team management,
  - Minimum 3 years of experience and implementation of at least 3 projects/programmes/provision of business training services;
  - Master’s (or equivalent) degree in Economy, Finance, Public Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship or related field;
  - Excellent reporting skills (a reference to at least 1 open-source report should be provided);
  - Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian. At least working knowledge of English.
- Project Assistant:
  - Minimum 2 years of professional experience in administrative support of training and educational projects;
  - Experience on the hotline or in multi-crowded projects would be considered as an asset;
  - Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Economy, Finance, Public Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship or related field;
  - Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian and Russian. Knowledge of English would be considered as an asset.
- Trainer (6 people):
  - Bachelor’s (or higher) degree in Economy, Management or Business Administration followed by at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of business and entrepreneurship training development and delivery;
  - Sound knowledge and proven experience in training business origination, MSME finance, management and operations, at least 3 years and at least 10 training sessions conducted;
  - Proven experience in developing training curriculums, publications, handout materials and manuals related to business, MSME activity and administration (at least 2 references in open sources);
  - Excellent public speaking skills on Ukrainian and Russian. (at least 1 record of training or link to such record to be provided)