Kenya Women-Owned Business Outreach and Engagement Consultancy at WEConnect International

Expected materials in response to this TOR: 

• Resume and cover letter, highlighting relevant experience and a workplan to complete the deliverables 
• A draft budget of all costs (in USD) associated with producing the key deliverables outlined below 
• Email to procurement@weconnectinternational.org 
• Subject line in email: Outreach and Engagement – KENYA_ YOUR NAME 

Application deadline: Aug 31, 2021 at 12 noon EDT 

WEConnect International is seeking applications from dynamic professionals (preference for individuals or companies based in Kenya) for a short-term contract to deliver the tasks outlined in the TOR by May 31, 2022.  WEConnect International does not sponsor employment visas. This opportunity could lead to a long term position if WEConnect International is able to successfully start up operations in Kenya as a result, in part, of consultant’s performance on this consultancy. 

Organization Information:  WEConnect International, a corporate-led global non-profit, helps women-owned businesses access and succeed in global value chains.  WEConnect International has, since 2009, provided business education, certification, and business connections to companies based outside the United Sates that are at least 51 percent owned, managed, and controlled by one or more women.  WEConnect International corporate members represent over $1 trillion in annual purchasing power and are true pioneers in inclusive sourcing and global supplier development. www.WEConnectInternational.org 

Context:  WEConnect International is working with USAID to drive Women’s Empowerment through Economic Inclusion. This project seeks to generate long-term opportunities for Women Owned Businesses (WOBs) to connect and conduct business with large buyers, including local and multinational corporations, government agencies, and non-profit and non-governmental organizations. 

Tasks and deliverables by May 31, 2022 

1. Organization and planning 
2. Submit work plan including expected completion dates for deliverables.  
3. Develop and maintain a master contact list with phone numbers and email addresses of representatives of large buying organizations, women business owners, and staff of relevant business associations. 

Deliverables:  

1.  Prepare and submit workplan with dates for deliverables within 5 days of signing the contract 
2.  Share the template for master contact list 

B. Report on Women-Owned SMEs  

1. Conduct a literature review on economic development opportunities, policies and issues affecting women owned SMEs and identify organizations in Kenya  a) with a common purpose or mission to advancing women-owned businesses access to markets that may be good partners for WEConnect International or b) could be direct competitors.  
2. Review and reference government policies that pertain to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises    and provide project-specific recommendations for expanding gender inclusive sourcing. 
3. Incorporate interviews with stakeholders such as potential partners, women-owned businesses and large buying organizations that are WEConnect International potential Member buyers. 
4. Identify the need and demand for the WEConnect International certification in Kenya and the types of documents that should be submitted to adequately assess whether a woman owned business qualifies for certification 
5. Draft a report (no more than 10 pages) and presentation of the report which can be used to develop a start up strategy for Kenya 

Deliverables: 

      1.      Report (no more than 10 pages) and short (10 minute) presentation 

B. Outreach and strategic partnerships 

1. Contact potential partners and enable win-win collaboration 
2. Enable outreach opportunities targeting potential women-owned businesses 
3. Engage with local media and influencers 

Deliverables: 

1. Partners and media contact list developed and contacts introduced to the team. 
2. Weekly outreach events for the Regional Director and the engagement team 
3. Awareness of WEConnect International increased through media coverage and social media 

C. Network Growth 

1. Identify qualified potential women-owned businesses to join the network by registering on the WECommunity database 
2. Follow up the registration process until completed with the support of the WEConnect International Customer Service team 
3. Develop one to many strategies to engage women-owned businesses through our value proposition toolkit 

Deliverables: 

1. 600 women owned businesses start the registration process (Invited, In Registration, Pending) on our FREE platform WECommunity 
2. Registration is completed (all information submitted) by 150 women owned businesses 

C. Capacity Building and Business Connections 

1. Design, lead and support events that promote women business owners joining WEConnect International and connections between member buyers and womenmbusines owners                                                                                    
2.   Identify training opportunities for women business owners with members and other partners 

Deliverables: 

1. Support Kenyan participation at regional events such as the WEConnect International Africa Regional Conference and Meet the Member events, and increase the attendance of potential women business owners 
2. Create insights report about women business owners’ main needs  

Additional Tasks  

1. Join weekly meetings with the Regional Director to coordinate timely completion of deliverables, raise any issues or risks, and to request further support or guidance. 
2. Proactively connect WEConnect International to representatives of large buying organizations in Kenya, women business owners, and staff of business associations that can benefit from the project.   

Qualifications 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree, required  
• Business-related master’s degree, preferred 
• Language: English and Swahili 

Experience and Skills 

• Demonstrated ability to read, speak, and write in English and Swahili and write business reports in English 
• 5+ years of experience with international and/or entrepreneurship development programs and/or women-owned business initiatives
• Demonstrated consulting, market research and strategy development experience 
• Demonstrated experience in outreach and partnership development and customer service 
• Demonstrated experience in starting up and running new projects 
• Knowledge of the Kenyan SME sector, entrepreneurship, supplier diversity, women’s economic empowerment, international development and/or trade 
• Demonstrated ability to influence companies to shift strategies and practices that drive positive change 
• Ability to understand stakeholder objectives and sensitivities and anticipate client needs and integrate that understanding into the decision-making process 
• Entrepreneurial and results oriented mindset 
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment where things are not fully defined 
• Experience implementing and managing virtual and in-person events preferred 
• Experience with media engagement and social media promotion preferred 
• Knowledge of business administration, event planning, business training and capacity building preferred 
• Location: consultant based in Kenya is preferred 

 Compensation:  

      •    Consultant will propose their fees in USD; fees must include all locally applicable taxes