Call for Consultants – Financial literacy and practices, Cash management and Revenue Model- Bassatine

Context & Background

Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ (BASATINE) is a four-year project that aims to support farmers and other value chain and associated sector actors in areas of Beqaa and Akkar focused on the production of wheat and vegetables, seeking a territorial approach, and promoting linkages with other value chains. Through complementary interventions designed in alignment with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, the project will immediately address food insecurity and provide needed income and technical support to farmers to survive this tumultuous time, as well improve the capacity of food systems to maintain employment and growth in the longer term via stronger domestic production and system linkages. This will ultimately contribute to greater economic stability – particularly for women, improved rural development, and more positive social cohesion between host/refugee communities at a local level.

For this purpose, Berytech, through the BASATINE Project, will hire consultant(s) who will be able to deliver the consultancy services requested below to 10 SMEs operating in the agri-food sector.

The consultant(s) will be primarily working with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) most of which are characterized by their primitive and low-tech nature. These enterprises are underdeveloped and may lack the necessary resources and infrastructure commonly found in established companies. Furthermore, some of these MSMEs are situated in vulnerable areas, which may pose additional challenges to their operations. It is important to note that a number of these enterprises might not have well-defined governance structures or fully developed teams. The consultants’ role will be crucial in supporting these MSMEs by providing guidance, expertise, and assistance in enhancing their operational capabilities, fostering growth, and establishing sustainable business practices based on the three axes of intervention defined in this TOR.

Consultant(s) might in some cases and based on the clients’ location, travel in-country to rural areas. Online sessions might be allowed if approved by the program team.

Financial Literacy and Practices Objectives

The objectives of the consultancy engagement are as follows:

1. Enhance the financial literacy of the company's key stakeholders, including management, employees, and relevant personnel.
2. Develop a high-level financial structuring plan to optimize the company's financial operations and resources.
3. Implement effective bookkeeping practices to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial records.
4. Design a revenue model that maximizes profitability and sustainability within the company's financial constraints.
5. Provide guidance on financial structuring to optimize the company's capital structure and financing options.

Scope of Work

1. Financial Literacy Training
   1. Assess the current level of financial literacy within the company.
   2. Develop and deliver customized sessions to improve financial literacy among key stakeholders.
   3. Cover topics such as financial statements interpretation, budgeting, cash flow management, and financial decision-making.
   4. Provide educational materials and resources to support ongoing financial literacy development.
2. Financial Structuring Plan
   1. Conduct a thorough analysis of the company's financial position, resources, and long-term objectives.
   2. Develop a high-level financial structuring plan that aligns with the company's goals and limited financial resources.
   3. Identify and recommend strategies for optimizing working capital management, debt management, and equity financing.
   4. Provide guidance on financial forecasting, capital budgeting, and investment decision-making processes.
3. Bookkeeping Practices Improvement
   1. Evaluate the company's existing bookkeeping practices and financial recordkeeping systems.
   2. Develop and implement standardized bookkeeping procedures and processes to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial records.
   3. Provide guidance on the selection and implementation of appropriate accounting software or tools.
   4. Train relevant personnel on proper bookkeeping practices, including recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and generating financial reports.
4. Revenue Model Development
   1. Analyze the company's current revenue streams, pricing strategies, and sales processes.
   2. Develop a revenue model that aligns with the company's products/services, target market, and financial constraints.
   3. Identify potential revenue growth opportunities, such as new market segments, product diversification, or strategic partnerships.
   4. Provide recommendations for pricing optimization, sales forecasting, and revenue tracking mechanisms.
5. Financial Structuring Guidance
   1. Assess the company's current capital structure and financing arrangements.
   2. Provide guidance on optimizing the company's capital structure to maximize financial efficiency and minimize risk.
   3. Evaluate financing options available to the company, such as debt financing, equity financing, or grants.
   4. Assist in preparing financial projections, business plans, and financial documentation required.

Upon selection, the consultant(s) will be duly onboarded on the task with the program team and accordingly, the intervention roadmap will be developed in tandem with the program team with exact timeline of intervention and deliverables.

  Additionally, and as part of Berytech’s Monitoring and Evaluation (MEL) processes, the consultant(s) is required to:

• Deliver an end-of-intervention report to the program’s team. This final report summarizes the outcomes and impact of the intervention with targeted businesses, highlighting key achievements and lessons learned.
• Attending check-ins short meetings, if needed and required by the program’s team.
• Attending MEL induction meeting before the beginning of the intervention and adhere with all MEL requirements with the assistance and proper support of the program team.

Deliverables & Payments

The consultant is/ are anticipated to facilitate three personalized, three-hour one-on-one coaching sessions with each of the 10 targeted SMEs. This approach aims to address the distinct and individual needs of each business, fostering a tailored coaching experience that aligns with their unique requirements. Through these sessions, the consultant is expected to provide guidance and support to enhance the capabilities of each SME in Financial Literacy and practices, Cash management and Revenue Model.

Full payment shall be made upon the satisfactory submission of all deliverables in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions.

Deliverables:

1. 1 assessment report per company (SME) detailing the current situation of the business, the action plan.
2. 30 one-on-one coaching sessions for the 10 targeted SMEs, 3 sessions per SME - (attendance sheet)
3. 1 end-of-intervention report detailing the work done and the impact.

Intervention Modality

• Upon selection, the implementation timeline is expected to fall between March 2024 till May 2024.
• The consultant(s) will prepare and submit an end-of-intervention report as part of the consultancy job and attend all onboarding meetings that are required by the program team. It is understood and agreed that the provision of this report should be provided free of cost and included within the scope of the consultancy services.

For technical clarifications on the scope of work, deliverables, work timeline, or for any relevant questions please contact Mr. Slayman Fawaz (Program Manager) at slayman.fawaz@berytech.org,  Mr. Hussein Sheet (Senior Business Advisor) at hussein.sheet@berytech.org. or Ms. Bouchra Tamer (Business Advisor) at Bouchra.tamer@berytech.org .