DEADLINE: 10TH JUNE, 2024
ETHNOCENTRIQUE LIMITED
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE (PMO) AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY ENHANCEMENT (ICE) PARTNER
BACKGROUND
In alignment with the organization’s strategic vision to empower young Nigerians with dignified work opportunities, Ethnocentrique is launching the “Fashion MSME Skills and Cluster Development Program.” This pilot intervention aims to provide standardized skills to 5,000 young individuals in Abia State, Nigeria, focusing on garment, footwear, and leather work through a cluster apprenticeship system.
The program includes training, understudy, and internship opportunities
with 1,000Mastercraft persons(MCPs). Additionally, support will be extended to existing youth-led MSMEs in the identified cluster areas, offering business development support, tools, and networks to access new markets and finance for growth.
Program Components:
a) Youth Apprenticeship: 5,000 young individuals provided technical skills in garment, footwear, and leatherwork through apprenticeship-styled training. The program will also provide non- technical support to the participants, such as,
I. Business Soft Skills
II. Digital market tools and platforms to access new market opportunities
III. IP and other relevant legal and trade laws to inform and protect against copyright infringements, trademarks, etc.
b) Mastercraft Persons (MCPs): The program will also provide training, access to market, finance, and other relevant market opportunities for growth for 1,000 MCPs in the selected trade areas.
c) MSME Support: Business development assistance, access to finance, access to new markets, and other support services for 3000 existing youth-led MSMEs in the cluster areas.
Program Objectives:
The goals and objectives of this pilot program include the following:
a) Introduce and equip 5,000young women and men with the skills and knowledge required to build a successful career in the fashion subsector of garment, footwear, and leatherwork.
b) Using the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), assess and upskill 1,000
Mastercraft professionals with standardized and market-relevant skills to ensure the apprentices are being trained on current market-relevant skill sets.
c) Working with certified BDS providers to expand access to market linkages for the MCPs, their apprentices, and 3000 existing entrepreneurs / MSMEs operating within the clusters across Abia state.
d) Support the MSMEs and Apprentices to utilize online distribution channels i.e. Agogo Africa, etc.
e) Provide access to finance linkages via FCMB for the 3000 supported entrepreneurs.
f) In close collaboration with partner legal firms and relevant industry stakeholders, initiate conversations with the Nigeria Copyright Commission, on policy enforcement and increased awareness for intellectual property rights in the fashion industry.
g) Support the MSME Business Member Organizations to design and deploy public awareness advocacy campaigns to educate individuals and businesses about the dangers of intellectual property infringement in the fashion industry.
h) Empower youth with skills in garment, footwear, and leatherwork.
i) Facilitate partnerships between youth apprentices and experienced MCPs.
j) Support MSMEs for business growth and market access.
k) Contribute to sectorial and policy-based advocacy initiatives
Ethnocentrique is seeking an Institutional Capacity Enhancement and Project Management Office Partner to:
1) bolster its capabilities in executing the Fashion MSME Skills and Cluster Development Program and sustainably contribute to the growth of the organization post program implementation; and
2) to provide project management oversight for the effective implementation of the Fashion MSME Skills and Cluster Development Program. The selected partner is expected to support Ethnocentrique and other sub-implementing partners with improved operational structure, processes and efficient organizational capacity to sustainably deliver programs at scale beyond the current program in view and provide project management oversight to support effective project implementation. The program aims to equip 5,000 young
individuals with skills in garment, footwear, and leather work, provide training for 1,000 Mastercraft persons (MCPs), and support 3,000 existing youth-led MSMEs. The partner will conduct a needs assessment, recruit key program staff, develop a capacity-building strategy, and deliver training sessions to enhance Ethnocentrique and other sub implementing partner’s organizational
capabilities. This partnership requires a firm with expertise in institutional capacity enhancement, particularly in youth empowerment and MSME support and expertise in serving as a project management office for development programs.
Submission and Deadline:
This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued to evaluate service providers that will be able to meet the required services as detailed in the scope of work. The deadline for submission is the 10th of June
Kindly ensure that all requested document (detailed proposal, work plan, company profile, budget breakdown, and team profile) are provided.
