Terms of Reference

1. Background

Concern Worldwide Liberia is implementing the Irish Aid funded Livelihoods, Innovations, Food Security, and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) program Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties with two local partner organizations-the Liberia Agency for Community Development (LACD) and Community Hope for Agriculture Program (CHAP). As part of its commitment to ensuring that local organizations remain viable and sustainable, Concern Worldwide is supporting partners to develop and adapt strategies for diversifying their income and funding streams, especially strengthening and expanding their social enterprise initiatives. CHAP has an already established social enterprise mechanism that complements its agricultural initiatives and provides a pathway toward financial sustainability. However, CHAP requires technical support to strengthen its enterprise model, management structures, and expand its market reach. LACD, meanwhile, is at the early stage of exploring social enterprise development. To diversify its funding sources and create long-term impact, LACD needs guidance in designing and launching a viable social enterprise that aligns with its mission and community development objectives.

In this context, Concern seeks to engage a qualified Business Advisory Service consultancy to provide tailored support to both organizations.

2. Objectives

The overall objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of CHAP to consolidate and expand its existing social enterprise, and to support LACD to design and launch a new social enterprise.

Specific objectives include:

Strengthening CHAP’s business model, ensuring long-term viability.

Supporting LACD in the design and start-up of a social enterprise initiative aligned with its mission.

Building the capacity for sustainable enterprise management, fund raising, and enhancing financial management for the two organizations.

3. Scope of Work

The consultancy firm is expected to deliver the following:

1. Business Strategy & Planning

Conduct each organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Develop a strategy that aligns business development with funding and

organizational strategy or business plans for CHAP and LACD with a mid-term time horizon (2-10 years).

• Support CHAP and LACD in designing a viable social enterprise model.

Support LACD in setting up a social enterprise management structure to ensure effective accountability.

Facilitate the structuring of CHAP management team to ensure effective and accountability.

Review and recommend best business practices for both organizations.

1. Financial Advisory

Support financial management, budgeting, and cash flow analysis.

Provide guidance on financial reporting and compliance.

Develop a fundraising strategy for management teams.

Support the development of a data driven, people-centric solution to business development.

1. Operations & Process Improvement

Establish quality assurance systems for products (seed, paddy, milling, etc.).

Develop a grading system for paddy rice procurement.

Review operational processes and recommend efficiency improvements.

1. Market & Business Development

Support branding and registration of CHAP Agro for intellectual property

protection.

Develop strategies for market visibility, including billboards at the airport and key centers.

Facilitate participation in fairs and organize food tasting events to promote

products.

Advise on competitive positioning and partnership opportunities.

Support content creation, and networking tips to boost visibility and growth for both LACD and CHAP.

Propose how to strengthen social media marketing.

1. Coaching & Capacity Building

Provide executive and management coaching.

Deliver training sessions for key staff on enterprise management, financial literacy, and market development

Expand coaching and mentoring networks to promote professional growth. 4. Deliverables

The consultancy firm will be expected to provide the following deliverables:

1. Business Plan Development

A comprehensive, profitable business plan for CHAP Agro, including financial projections, market analysis, and sustainability strategies.

A tailored social enterprise start-up plan for LACD, aligned with its mission and community development goals.

1. Management Structures

A structured management team framework for CHAP Agro, with defined roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines.

Recommendations internal control systems for both CHAP and LACD.

1. Financial Support & Advisory

Financial management tools, budgeting templates, and cash flow monitoring systems developed.

1. Branding & Market Development

Branding and registration of CHAP Agro for intellectual property protection.

Marketing, social media and visibility strategy components included in the two separate business plans.

1. Operational Systems & Quality Assurance

Development of a grading system for paddy rice procurement.

Establishment of quality assurance protocols for seeds, paddy, milling, and final products.

Recommendations for efficient payment and delivery processes.

1. Capacity Building & Coaching

C Training sessions for CHAP and LACD staff on enterprise management, financial literacy, and market development.

Executive coaching for management teams.

Facilitation of regular management meetings to review progress and address challenges.

1. Fundraising & Sustainability Strategy

A holistic fundraising strategy tailored to both organizations is considered as part of their business plans.

Recommendations for long-term sustainability and diversification of income streams.

5. Expected Outcomes

By the end of the consultancy, the following outcomes are expected:

CHAP has a strengthened and fully operational social enterprise with a clear growth roadmap and enhanced market visibility.

LACD has a well-designed and viable social enterprise model ready for implementation, with capacity to manage and sustain operations.

Both organizations demonstrate improved financial management,

accountability, and compliance systems.

CHAP Agro products meet established quality assurance standards, with clear

grading and procurement systems in place.

CHAP Agro achieves increased market presence and brand recognition, including visibility at key public locations.

Both organizations have enhanced capacity for fundraising, partnership

development, and long-term sustainability.

Concern’s FSL program partners are better positioned to contribute to resilient and sustainable food systems in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties

6. Duration

The consultancy assignment is expected to run for a period of no more than six months, commencing from the date of contract signing. This timeframe is designed to allow for:

Development of a business plan for CHAP Agro company and LACD enterprise. Recommendations on structuring and operationalization of good governance and management team.

Branding, registration, and market visibility activities.

Capacity building and training sessions for CHAP Agro company and LACD social enterprise staff.

Proposals for strengthening of financial, and operational systems for LACD social enterprise and CHAP agro company.

Ongoing advisory support and monitoring of progress LACD social enterprise and CHAP agro company.

The duration may be adjusted based on mutual agreement between Concern Worldwide and the consultancy firm, depending on the pace of implementation and emerging needs.

7. Reporting Requirements

The consultancy firm will be required to provide the following reports and

documentation:

Inception Report (within the first 3 weeks)

Detailing the consultancy’s work plan, methodology, timelines, and initial observations.

Monthly Progress Reports

Summarizing activities undertaken, progress against deliverables, challenges encountered, and recommendations.

Including updates on CHAP’s agro company and LACD’s enterprise strengthening and start-up process.

Interim Report (midway through the assignment)

Providing a comprehensive update on achievements, preliminary

outcomes, and adjustments to the work plan if necessary.

Final Report (at the end of the assignment)

Documenting all deliverables, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustainability.

Including finalized business plans, branding materials, fundraising strategies, and quality assurance systems.

Meeting Notes and Documentation

Minutes of meetings held with CHAP and LACD management teams.

Records of training sessions and capacity-building activities.

All reports should be submitted in electronic format (Word/PDF) to Concern Worldwide, with copies shared with CHAP and LACD management teams. Reports must be clear, concise, and include actionable recommendations

8. Qualifications and Experience Required

The consultancy firm must demonstrate proven expertise and capacity to deliver high- quality business advisory services in the context of social enterprise development. Specifically, the firm should meet the following requirements:

Essential Qualifications

A recognized degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Agribusiness, or related fields; advanced qualifications (MBA, MSc, etc.) will be an added advantage.

Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in designing, managing, and scaling sustainable social enterprises, particularly in agriculture and food systems.

Proven track record in business planning and financial modeling, including long- term (minimum 7-year) profitability and sustainability projections.

Experience in management structuring, with the ability to advise on internal controls and accountability frameworks.

Strong expertise in branding, intellectual property registration, and market visibility strategies.

Familiarity with quality assurance systems for agricultural products, including seed, paddy rice, milling, and grading standards.

Demonstrated ability to design and implement fundraising strategies and resource mobilization plans for non-profit and social enterprise entities.

Desired Experience

Prior experience working with NGOs, community-based organizations, or agricultural enterprises in Liberia or similar contexts.

Experience in facilitating training, coaching, and capacity-building programs for management teams and staff.

Knowledge of local and regional market dynamics in agriculture, food processing, and value chain development.

Ability to organize and support public engagement activities such as fairs, exhibitions, and food tasting events.

Strong communication, facilitation, and reporting skills, with the ability to produce clear, actionable recommendations.

Additional Requirements

Commitment to work collaboratively with Concern Worldwide, CHAP, and LACD, ensuring alignment with program objectives and community development goals. Availability to undertake the assignment within the agreed six-month duration and deliver all required outputs on time

9. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals submitted by consultancy firms will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Expertise (40%)

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in social enterprise development, particularly in agriculture and food systems.

Proven capacity to design and implement business plans that can evidence progress towards profitability.

Experience in financial advisory, and organizational development.

Familiarity with branding, intellectual property registration, and market visibility strategies.

Ability to establish quality assurance systems for agricultural products and processes.

1. Relevant Experience (40%

Track record of working with NGOs, community-based organizations, or

agricultural enterprises in Liberia or similar contexts.

Evidence of successful capacity building, coaching, and training programs

delivered to management teams and staff.

Prior experience in fundraising strategy development and resource mobilization for social enterprises.

1. Methodology & Work Plan (10%)

Clarity and feasibility of the proposed methodology and work plan.

Alignment of proposed activities with the TOR objectives and scope of work.

• Realistic timelines and deliverables.

1. Reporting & Communication (10%)

Ability to produce clear, concise, and actionable reports (inception, progress, interim, and final).

Strong communication and facilitation skills, including engagement with management teams and stakeholders.

10. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested applicants must submit:

A detailed technical proposal outlining methodology, work plan, and timelines. Evidence of relevant qualifications and experience (CVs of key personnel, organizational profile, references).

Financial proposal, including confirmation of seed capital contribution.

Examples of similar assignments previously undertaken

Business legal documents in case of firms (Business registration, tax clearance, etc.

11. Submission Guidelines

All proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format to procurement.liberia@concern.net and deadline for submission is 5pm on 18th March, 2026.

***Late submissions will not be considered***

11. Point of Contact for Clarifications – All inquiries related to this RFP should be directed in writing to procurement.liberia@concern.net
12. Ethical Standards and Confidentiality

All information collected during the assignment must remain confidential and be used solely for the purposes of this study. The final outputs will become the property of Concern Worldwide Liberia. The consultant is expected to uphold ethical standards in engaging with participants and reporting findings.

13. Disclaimer

Concern Worldwide Liberia reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, cancel the solicitation process, and modify the scope of work or timeline as needed.

Important information:

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organizations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

During this consultancy application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.

CONCERN

LIBERIA worldwide