Background, Purpose and Objectives

At SAP, we believe that social procurement, defined as the practice of purchasing goods and services from businesses that prioritize social and environmental values over profit, can serve as a transformative strategy for businesses. This approach can help companies meet regulatory compliance, achieve sustainability and CSR goals, enhance employee retention, and accelerate innovation. Additionally, it creates significant economic, social, and environmental impacts that go beyond the scope of traditional corporate philanthropy.

In the Indian context, there is an urgent need to address social and environmental challenges. Fortunately, India has a well-developed social enterprise ecosystem that can support the private sector in achieving their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives while maintaining competitiveness and profitability.

In 2024, we initiated a Social Procurement Coalition through workshops and calls, uniting passionate individuals from industry-leading companies, supply chain and procurement roles, and sustainability and CSR positions. Our aim was to advance social procurement and foster a collaborative space for sharing best practices and pursuing shared objectives. Currently, the coalition exists as an informal group. Considering the pressing needs in the country and the well- developed impact business sector, the time is ripe to establish a dedicated secretariat team. This core team will drive the agenda, spearhead progress, and solidify the coalition's structure. In support of the Secretariat's inception and activities, Company X has committed to providing an initial grant of €50,000 in 2025.

Purpose: To promote social procurement amongst the private sector thus fostering inclusivity and sustainability

Key stakeholders: Private sector companies (procurement, human resources, supply chain, CSR and sustainability professionals), social enterprises, federations, Government agencies, NGOs, academics, etc.

Strategic objectives: Evangelize the idea of social or impact procurement, capacity building, policy development, supplier diversity and impact assessment.

Our Goals:

Scale Corporate Commitment

(1)  Percentage / Number of Corporates that integrate impact procurement into core procurement operations;

(2)  Percentage / Number of companies in India to publicly commit to social procurement

Infrastructure and Support for Social Procurement: Develop infrastructure and support mechanisms in India, including an industry- endorsed framework, recognized certification bodies, and capacity building programs

Pro-Social Procurement Stance in Government of India (GoI):

Actively engage with Niti Aayog, line Ministries, SEBI, and other relevant bodies (BRSR, MSMEs / FPOs) to encourage a pro-social procurement stance

Purpose and Objectives of the Secretariat

The secretariat will:

1. Facilitate Design and Identity of the coalition
2. Govern and Coordinate the coalition’s operations
3. Engage Stakeholders including members, buyers, suppliers, policymakers and funders
4. Facilitate Knowledge Sharing through various platforms with stakeholders and members
5. Monitor Impact and Reporting to track progress and effectiveness
6. Self-Sustain by raising funds through more donors

Scope of Work

 

Strategic Steer: Facilitating Collective Vision, Design, and Identity for the Coalition

 1. Support Stakeholders: Assist stakeholders in developing a collective vision and design for the Coalition.

• Success Metric: Unified vision and design adopted by all stakeholders.

2. Develop Unique Identity: Create a unique identity for the Coalition that communicates its mission and goals, and provides a pathway for new members and partners.

• Success Metric: Increased membership and engagement reflecting the Coalition's recognized identity.

3. Facilitate Interactions: Promote robust interactions and action-oriented dialogue between members, key stakeholders, and other ecosystem players.

• Success Metric: High frequency and quality of interactions leading to actionable outcomes.

4. Enable Growth: Ensure the Coalition's growth and achievement of outlined goals with a focus on scale, impact, and sustainability.

• Success Metric: Growth in membership, operational scale, and measurable social and environmental impacts.

5. Communication Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to engage stakeholders and build public awareness.

Success Metric: Effective communication strategy measured by stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and media coverage

Member and Stakeholder Engagement:

1. Onboard Members and Partners: Engage and on-board interested corporates and social enterprises

• Success Metric: Number of members and partners onboarded.

2. Support Members: Assist members in addressing challenges and celebrating successes using frameworks, evidence, and dialogue.

• Success Metric: Member satisfaction and retention rates, successful resolution of challenges, and celebration of successes.

3. Facilitate Key Processes: Act as a dedicated facilitator for key processes, stakeholders, and resources.

• Success Metric: Effective facilitation of key processes and alignment of plans and resources.

Resource Mobilization: Identify and secure funding and other resources to support the initiative.

• Success Metric: Amount of funding and resources secured and their sustainability.

Required Competencies

1. Network Management and Leadership: The effectiveness of network leadership, measured by the growth and engagement of the network.
2. Resource Mobilization: The success in mobilizing resources, reflected in the diversity and amount of resources secured.Strategic Partnerships: The number and quality of strategic partnerships established.
3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: The implementation and effectiveness of monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks.
4. Partner Network: The strength and expansion of the partner network

Eligibility criteria:

Must be a registered non-profit entity in India (society, trust or Section 8 company) with valid registrations and tax exemptions under the FCRA and Income Tax Act, 1961 (80G and 12A). Please note that the FCRA license must be valid till December 2026 at least.

Disclaimer: Please note the award of the grant and formal selection of the backbone organization following the overall application process, would be contingent upon the completion of a detailed due diligence process by SAP or an independent third-party organization appointed by it.

Strategic Alignment

• Mission and Vision Compatibility: Organization's alignment with the coalition's goals.
• Business Plan Alignment: Alignment of organization's business plan with the coalition's objectives.
• Commitment to Collaboration: Demonstrated history of fostering partnerships and managing diverse stakeholders. Collaborative submissions will be given priority consideration.

Organizational Capacity and Resources

• Staffing and Expertise: Availability of adequate staff with the necessary skills to manage the coalition effectively.
• Infrastructure: Access to required infrastructure, such as office space, IT systems, and communication tools, to support the coalition's operations.
• Budget and Resources: Availability of budget and the organization's capability in raising funds.
• Technology and Networks: Access to technology, assets, and networks that can be leveraged.

Experience and Track Record

• Coalition Management: Prior experience in managing or facilitating coalitions, networks, or similar multi- stakeholder initiatives.
• Sector Expertise: Proven expertise or knowledge about the coalition’s focus areas or target audience/stakeholders.
• Financial and Program Management: Credibility and a proven track record in financial and program management, including incubating collaboratives.

Governance and Accountability

• Governance Structures: Governance mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Conflict of Interest Management: In-built mechanisms to manage potential conflicts of interest with organizational interests and those of the coalition.

Communication and Outreach

• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrable skill in engaging and mobilizing diverse stakeholders.
• Policy Development and Narrative-Building: Ability to effectively represent the coalition in external engagements.

Leadership and Vision

• Innovative Approaches: Ability to bring innovative solutions to steer the coalition towards outlined goals.
• Visionary Leadership: Ability to guide the coalition towards its long-term goals and effectively position/elevate the visibility and credibility of the coalition.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Commitment to DEI: Demonstrable commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its operations and partnerships, which can be integrated into the coalition as well.
• Fair Representation: Demonstrable history of fair representation within its structure and decision-making processes.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Systems for Tracking Progress: Robust systems for monitoring, evaluating, and reporting coalition activities.
• Learning Culture: Commitment to adaptive learning and improving based on feedback.

Reputation and Credibility

• Trustworthiness: Strong reputation for integrity and effectiveness

Application Timeline and Process

• Release of RFP: 5th March, 2025
• Submission deadline: 7th April, 2025
• Winners notified: 9th May, 2025

Submission Guidelines

Proposals should be no more than 10 pages (including a cover sheet) and organized in the following order:

1. Cover Sheet (one page)
2. Organizational Overview / Information (one page)
3. Narrative Description (3-4 pages max), including:

• A description of the associated activities that will be undertaken by the organization as the Secretariat to advance the goals of the Coalition, including the key elements of the approach.
• How the organization's current work or past experience aligns with the priorities and goals of the Coalition
  • Key staff that will implement or participate in the proposed effort and their qualifications, demonstrated by a short bio.
  • Where the application is being submitted on behalf of a coalition, clearly delineate the roles and responsibilities of each organization and their respective staff members alongside percentage of time committed by each staff member to this project.
  • A monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan.

        4.List of Other Project Funders (one page)

• Committed and prospective

        5. Total Proposed Project Budget (one page)

• Line-item breakout for capex, opex, HR, travel, communications, admin, etc.

        6.Timeline of Activities (one page)

• Preferably a Gantt chart

        7. Risk Management Plan: (one page)

• A detailed plan outlining potential risks and your strategies for mitigating them.

        8. Annexures:

• Letters of Support: Letters from partners, stakeholders, or other organizations (optional)
  • Organizational Policies: Relevant policies or procedures that demonstrate your commitment to best practices, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. (may be hyperlinked)

Contact details: For submission of proposals and/or for queries write to sagarika.bose@sap.com and dimpy.dave@sap.com

 

Tags Social Change Others