J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA). (“the Contractor”) acting on behalf of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) as implementer of the USAID Bicycles for Growth (BFG) Project, is soliciting offers from qualified, legally registered Zambian for-profit and non-profit organizations of all types, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to submit proposals to provide services as the National Convening Partner in Zambia.
This Request for Proposals (RFP) consists of the following sections:
Section 1 – Funding Opportunity Description, Scope of Work
Section 2 – Detailed Instructions
Section 3 – Proposal Submission and Preparation Information
Section 4 – Evaluation and Award Information
Section 5 – Administration Information
Section 6 – Annexes
JAA is soliciting proposals from qualified offerors to provide the services described in “Section 1 – Funding Opportunity Description, Scope of Work” of this request for proposals (RFP). The successful bidder will be responsible for ensuring achievement of specified deliverables.
The Offeror may NOT subcontract or enter into joint ventures or other agreements with other organizations under any resultant subcontract without prior JAA approval. Should there be a need for the Offeror to subcontract to another organization, the Offeror must perform a substantial portion of the activities (including program management and operations, and delivery of required services).
The Offeror may not submit more than one proposal per RFP. The Offeror may not be a partner in another proposal on the same RFP. The Offeror and its partner(s), if any, must satisfy the eligibility criteria as per Section 2.1.
Subcontract Award: JAA intends to award one time and materials subcontract up to the amount of USD $6,000, to be allocated over an estimated seven months. The anticipated period of performance of the subcontract is expected to start from on or about October 24 th , 2022. All tasks should be completed by March 31 st , 2023 (the end of BFG’s Assessment Phase). Under a time and materials subcontract, payments will be made based on approved expenditures.
JAA will select the offer that presents best value based on the evaluation criteria stated in this RFP. This RFP in no way obligates JAA, the BFG Project, or USAID to execute a subcontract, nor does it commit JAA, the BFG Project, or USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of proposals.
Submission and deadline of proposals: Offerors are responsible for ensuring that their signed technical and cost proposals are received in accordance with the instructions stated in this RFP and received no later than the closing time and date. JAA cannot guarantee that late offers will be considered. Offerors must submit their offers electronically via e-mail to Ms. Kylie Grow, Project Manager, at kgrow@jeaustin.com . Offers must be received by October 7 th , 2022, no later than 5:00 PM (17:00) CAT. Please include “ Submission–[Offeror/Entity Name]–USAID BFG RFP 2022-09-1 ” in the e-mail subject line.
Validity Period: Offerors’ proposals must remain valid for 90 calendar days after the proposal submission deadline.
Written Questions and Clarifications: Upon receipt of this RFP, Offerors should carefully review the entire document. All firms interested in responding to this RFP should submit any questions/requests for clarifications, in writing via email to kgrow@jeaustin.com by September 23 rd , 2022, at 5:00 PM (17:00) CAT. No questions will be accepted after this date and time. Please include “ Questions–[Offeror/Entity Name]–USAID BFG RFP 2022-09-1 ” in the e-mail subject line. Answers to questions and clarifications will be sent by September 30 th
to all who provide questions and/or a return email address. Answers to questions will also be posted on the websites where the RFP was publicly posted.
Organizations invited by JAA / the BFG Project to submit proposals for the services described in this RFP are under no obligation to do so. Offerors will not be reimbursed for any costs incurred in connection with the preparation and submission of their bids.
Required profile for job ad : Request for Proposals National Convening Partner Scope of Work
The purpose of this RFP is to solicit applications for a National Convening Partner in Zambia, beginning on or around October 24 th , 2022, through March 31 st , 2023. The project’s Pilot Phase will begin on/around April 1, 2023; continued engagement of the National Convening Partner beyond the Assessment Phase will depend on pilot countries targeted. The National Convening Partner plays a key role in BFG’s coordination mechanisms at the country level.
Coordination Structures
BFG will collaborate with international, regional, and local partners to increase the supply and uptake of fit-for purpose bicycles in sub-Saharan Africa. These partners include Regional Convening Partners, National Convening Partners, and Advisory Committees. Regional Convening Partners have a supportive role, whereas National Convening Partners and Advisory Committees are at the forefront of efforts in their communities. Learning and knowledge dissemination are core elements of this project, and where BFG’s Regional and National Convening Partners’ networks and learning platforms will play a key role. Regional Convening Partners provide three primary functions on BFG: thought leadership, convening authority, and coordination. Advisory Committees will be comprised of a group of committed bicycle market system stakeholders who are willing to provide input and feedback to BFG and to advocate for solutions to strengthen the bicycle market system and address non-motorized transportation challenges. BFG and the National Convening Partner will then facilitate guidance and input from an Advisory Committee, whose members will benefit from the program’s research and advocacy, while also sustaining development of bicycle market systems and rural mobility efforts in their communities after BFG ends.
National Convening Partner’s Detailed Responsibilities
In each country, BFG will engage a local organization or entity and leverage its deep existing involvement in non-motorized transport (NMT) advocacy and extensive networks throughout the country to play a significant convening role while also supporting the sustainable engagement of relevant stakeholders in the country’s bicycle market system. The National Convening Partner will organize and co-lead the Advisory Committee with BFG, assist in outreach with local stakeholders, and conduct advocacy. The National Convening Partner will convene stakeholders for the Advisory Committee as well as other project activities (e.g., workshops), and provide ongoing guidance to the BFG team. The National Convening Partner’s role is politically neutral, as it engages all relevant stakeholders in support of the goal to increase access to and uptake of fit-for-purpose bicycles in rural communities.
The profile of a National Convening Partner is that of a locally registered for-profit or non-profit organization, non-governmental organization (NGO), or civil society organization (CSO) with a proven track record in successful NMT advocacy and initiatives. The organization will have a demonstrated commitment to improving mobility for improved livelihoods in rural communities in Zambia, particularly for women and girls.
The National Convening Partner will:
Regularly engage with BFG on the bicycle market system assessment strategy, including advice on:
key stakeholders
identification of available gray literature (e.g., locally conducted studies and reports)
market systems report validation
potential support to the participatory geographic information system (PGIS)
Provide insights into the bicycle market system
key players
stakeholder mapping
structure and local contextualization of the bicycle market system map
NMT trends
Co-lead (with BFG) the establishment and facilitation of the Advisory Committee
Craft communication
Approach potential members with the SOW
Follow up communication
Ensure diversity of members
Convene calls and meetings
Co-draft Advisory Committee’s terms of reference (TOR)
Assist with BFG project awareness and bicycle market system advocacy
Identify and leverage events and platforms to share about BFG
Attend conferences, meetings, etc. to promote the project
Assist with validation of project assessment findings
Lead in-country dissemination of the assessment report
Coordinate advocacy efforts for strengthening of the bicycle market system
Develop sustainability strategy following the outcome of the assessment
1.3 Period of performance
The Subcontractor will begin on or around October 24 th , 2022, through March 31 st , 2023. Continued engagement beyond the Assessment Phase will depend on pilot countries targeted.
1.4 Staffing
The Offeror should propose a staffing plan that should include the following staffing:
Key Personnel
The National Convening Partner will have two key personnel positions––the Director, and the Technical Lead––as described herein.
The Director is a key senior leadership position responsible for developing and driving the stakeholder engagement strategy; ensuring all activities under the Subcontract are completed in accordance with the agreed activity schedule; and, actively managing relationships in support of bicycle market system advocacy. She/he will manage the relationship with the BFG Project, and regularly coordinate with WBR’s Strategic Advisor for Mobility and JAA’s Project Director.
Desired qualifications: University degree, with at least 10 years of progressive management experience related to market systems, markets, NMT, and/or mobility advocacy.
The Senior
Technical Lead is a key senior technical leadership position responsible for providing insights into the bicycle market system in Zambia; leading BFG awareness and bicycle market system advocacy; and, convening stakeholders in the public and private sector.
Desired qualifications: At least 15 years of relevant experience in market systems, markets, NMT, and/or mobility advocacy; significant experience working with rural communities using inclusive and participatory approaches; demonstrated long-standing relationships with public and private sector actors––including donors and implementing partners––in the bicycle market system; in-depth experience in multi-sectoral livelihood programming; and experience in facilitating groups in advocacy.
Job criteria for job ad : Request for Proposals National Convening Partner
Job category :
Accounting, controlling, finance Management R&D, project management
Industries :
Advice, audit, accounting Distribution, selling, wholesale Import-export business Research and development Services other
Employment type :
Permanent contract – Fixed-term contract – Temporary work
Region :
Central – Copperbelt – Eastern – Luapula – Lusaka – Muchinga – North-Western – Northern – Southern – Western
City : Lusaka
Experience level : 2 to 5 years
Educational level : College
Number of Position(s) : 1
How To Apply: Send your CV to apply@jobsportal-career.com
