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THIS IS A REVISED CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTANTS

TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY TRAINING

The UNDP Zambia is seeking to train 30 National Consultants and is inviting consultants and technical experts to express their interest in participating in the “Supplier Development Methodology” International Training Course.

Background

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are one of the key drivers for economic development, wealth and jobs creation and overall, for the improvement of the quality of life for households. The Government of Zambia has prioritised the MSME sector as a key driver of economic development and this is outlined in the Eighth National Development Plan (2022 – 2026) which has outlined the strategic focus areas that are to be pursued during this period with a focus on the key role that MSMEs will play in economic transformation. The importance of the MSME sector has further been emphasised by the establishment of the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development whose mandate is to promote the development of cooperatives, small and medium enterprises to create jobs and wealth across the country.

However, despite their importance, MSMEs face several challenges, including limited access to finance, lack of business management and technological resources, and/or have limited access to markets. These limitations significantly reduce their ability to grow, let alone their chances of participating in the existing sometimes lucrative value chains, such as the mining, transport and logistics, trade, and retail industries.  Zambia is one of the world’s most resource endowed countries with vast mineral resources, extensive arable land and more than 35 percent of the water resources of the Southern African region. Zambia’s economy is highly dependent on mining and agriculture, but despite its abundant resources, its economy remains undiversified, and growth has been insufficient to lift its young and growing population from poverty.

Overall, four sectors: mining, agriculture, trade, and construction contribute towards half of GDP and 56 percent of employment. The capital-intensive mining sector, the prime export earner (securing over 70 percent of export receipts) contributed 17.5 percent of GDP in 2021 but only 2 percent of employment. By contrast, agriculture is high in labor intensity (24 percent of total employment) but with low productivity (the contribution to GDP was 3.4 percent in 2021).

The Supplier Development Methodology

The Supplier Development Programme is a methodology of productive chains with a business and social approach based on the demand for an inclusive value chain, which helps build and improve business relationships between the client companies and its suppliers. The SDP was developed by UNDP and has been successfully implemented in more than 16 countries over 16 years, in basic and advanced industrial sectors, from small companies to well-known brands.

The training will be offered on a competitive basis to consultants and experts who fulfill the required criteria listed below.

Required skills and experience

To be part of this program, candidates must demonstrate the following:

• University degree in business administration, management, engineering, economics, or agriculture economy. A Master’s degree would be an advantage.
• At least 5 years of verifiable work experience in the public and private sector, and preferably 2 years as a consultant.
• Applicants must pass a basic knowledge exam in finance, micro-economic concepts, competitiveness strategies, productivity, market, quality, administration, operations, trade and supply.
• Ability to interact positively with personnel of various levels in organizations.
• Full participation throughout the whole training is expected.
• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Advanced digital skills.

Registration and Selection Process

• The candidates must complete their resumes (personal information, education, experience and accomplishments) on the following platform: https://forms.gle/FbGa57xTT4RWr6ad6 by 18th October 2024. Applications sent after this date will not be considered.
• The selection process to participate in the training will be done in 3 steps:
  1. Evaluation of the completed profiles of the applicants in the platform.
  2. The candidates with a completed profile will be invited to take a knowledge test in the areas of accounting-finance, marketing, productivity, quality, and consulting skills.
  3. Candidates with a test score above 70% shall be invited to participate in a virtual interview.
• PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ONLY THING TO SUBMIT IS THE CV-NO OTHER DOCUMENTS.
• BIDDERS WHO RESPONDED TO THE EARLIER CALL FOR EOI SHOULD SUBMIT AGAIN, BASED ON THE ATTACHED REVISED EOI REQUIREMENTS.'
• 'PLEASE SEE MORE DETAILS IN THE ATTACHED REVISED EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI).