RFP-Business Plan Preparation Support to MSMEs and Cooperatives

Background Agriculture remains a critical pillar of Ethiopia’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, food security, and rural livelihoods. Within the agricultural sector, poultry production presents a strong opportunity for inclusive economic growth due to its low start-up costs, short production cycles, and potential to create employment for women and youth. Despite increasing demand for poultry products, the sector continues to face challenges including limited access to finance, weak business management practices, inadequate investment readiness, and insufficient access to quality production inputs and market infrastructure. To address these challenges, UNCDF, under the “Leveraging Public and Private Sector Investments in Sustainable Food (Poultry) Value Chains (JSDG)” project, seeks to strengthen the capacity of MSMEs and cooperatives operating in the poultry sector in Oromia Region. The initiative aims to improve the investment readiness of selected enterprises through the development of high-quality, bankable business plans that will enhance their ability to access financing from financial institutions and attract investment for sustainable growth. Scope of Work The service provider will support 20 selected MSMEs and cooperatives in the poultry sector located in the Jimma and West Arsi zones of Oromia Region to develop comprehensive and bankable business plans. The assignment will include conducting initial business assessments, collecting and analyzing financial and market data, and preparing detailed business plans covering market analysis, operational strategies, organizational structures, financial projections, risk analysis, and growth strategies. The consultant will also develop inception and assessment reports, prepare draft business plans for review, and finalize all business plans incorporating stakeholder feedback. The assignment will require close coordination with UNCDF and partner agencies including FAO and UNIDO, as well as fiel