RFP - Development of an Outcome-Based Funding Instrument for Women’s Entrepreneurship

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About the Organization

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women, and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s India Country Office, based in New Delhi, India, works to accelerate the advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women through the strengthening of strategic partnerships, technical and policy advisory services and advocacy with governmental, inter-governmental and civil society partners. In addition, UN Women India is charged with leading and coordinating the UN system’s work on gender equality, including ensuring accountability for results.

About the Proposal  

One of UN Women's global initiatives is the Second Chance and Vocational Learning Programme (SCE), which offers education and training opportunities so that women in vulnerable situations can return to formal education, obtain employment or start a business/enterprise After five years of successful implementation, and as part of the sustainability strategy of the SCE Programme, UN Women is keen to explore the mechanism of outcome based grant/funding towards maximum impact and outreach. 

Under SCE Programme, UN Women in India implemented a pilot in two districts of Maharashtra and Odisha to provide 60 women entrepreneurs, from vulnerable communities, access, and ownership to solar dryers. The project strengthened technical capacities of women to use clean solar-powered dehydration technology to produce and sell dried and processed agricultural products. The project assured market access through a ‘buy back’ provision resulting in assured income of women.

UN Women in India has led a successful process of co-designing an outcome-based grant/funding model to scale up above initiative with support of the Social Finance (UK) as phase 1. Towards this an initial draft pitch deck outlining the rationale, process and design of the intervention, implementing partners, outcome metrics and associated financial model as well as expected impact has been developed. UN Women is seeking the services of a qualified organisation to finalize the outcome -based grant/funding instrument to create and support 10,000 rural women entrepreneurs  in this area of food processing through clean energy dehydration technology.

The project will contribute directly to the Impact Area 2 of UN Women’s Global Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 on ‘Economic Empowerment and Resilience: Women have income security, decent work, and economic autonomy’.

The project will contribute to UN Women’s Strategic Note (SN 2023- 2027) Development Results Framework (DRF 1) and SN/UNSCDF (United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework) Outcome 4 and commensurate SN Output 1.2 ( Government and Private sector actors have adequate capacities to formulate and implement gender-responsive policy measures and programs in the lifelong learning spectrum)   and  SP_D_0.2.d  indicator (Number of tools introduced that support innovative financing and accountability, including related to digital  financing, for gender equality).

Scope of Work:

The service provider will support UN Women India Country Office to review, refine and finalize the pitch deck and financial model, research and identify key stakeholders including government as well as donor agencies and develop advocacy materials/ tools to determine likely collaboration interest. The scope of work includes:

• Undertake review of existing pitch deck and financial model and update/develop/ finalize relevant parameters of the outcome-based grant/funding model/instrument in consultation with UN Women and potential implementing partners ensuring they are tailored to the needs and interests of key stakeholders including  outcome funders, risk investors, implementing partners etc.
• Undertake stakeholders mapping including government and donor agencies and develop materials and tools for outreach and determine their interest in collaboration.
• Facilitate stakeholders’ meetings/workshops/consultations with stakeholders to fine tune the investment proposition, addressing their concerns and aligning with their interests.
• Develop launch and implementation roadmap of the OBA model.

The development of the OBA financing instrument will be carried out for 5 months starting from July- November 2024 with commencement of contract from 10 July 2024.

Eligibility

Organizations registered in India as commercial for-profit, private or government-owned entities with following background and experience are eligible to apply.

Qualifications of the Proponent Organisation:

• Relevant experience in strategic development, program formulation, and implementation with a focus on innovation, scalability, and sustainable impact, including outcome-based financing in India.
• Proven track record in handling projects related to gender, women’s empowerment, livelihood, education, and similar fields.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing at least two outcomes-based financing projects in India.
• Relevant experience in fundraising for results-based financing and blended finance projects.
• A clear demonstration of the team’s ability to undertake large-scale assignments, with defined roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and accountability measures.
• Preferable experience in conducting assessments for various clients, including UN organizations, with a description of relevant past and present experiences.
• A reputation for delivering within set timelines and achieving tangible outcomes.

How to Apply

Deadline on: 20-Aug-2024 08:00 (GMT -4.00)

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Tags Entrepreneurship Skill Development Women Empowerment Others