Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy service for Empowering Cooperatives for Sustainable Growth and Investment Readiness

Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy service for Empowering Cooperatives for Sustainable Growth and Investment Readiness

Background

Heifer International Nepal is a non-profit and humanitarian organization dedicated to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. Heifer has been supporting over 300 women-led cooperatives in 50 districts, empowering 400,000 households through agribusiness development in production, processing, and marketing. These cooperatives, serving as business hubs, drive women’s empowerment, agricultural transformation, and sustainable practices. It fosters economic and environmental resilience by enhancing productivity, optimizing supply chains, and scaling businesses in partnership with governments, civil society, and the private sector.

Through these initiatives, farmers have gained access to multiple buyers, better prices, and stronger negotiation skills, driving fair pricing and local economic growth. However, cooperatives face barriers to accessing investment or affordable credit for scaling, primarily due to a lack of collateral, high transaction costs, and limited expertise among local fund managers. To attract impact investment, cooperatives need to enhance their capacity to assess businesses, track impacts, and improve reporting. Demonstrating tangible impacts can influence policy changes and reduce banks' reluctance to lend. Heifer International Nepal is working to strengthen 30 high-potential cooperatives to address these challenges.

Heifer International Nepal is inviting expert services for this assignment, as outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) to be implemented over a 20-month period starting January 15, 2024. Interested consulting firms are requested to submit EOI. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to pitch their idea, and selected finalist will be asked to submit a detailed proposal, including financial plans.

TOR (Download from Here) 

Qualifications and Experience of Team Leader and Team Members:

• Master’s degree in business administration, economics, Agriculture, Development Studies, or related field.
• Proven expertise in business planning, financial analysis, and market facilitation.
• Familiarity with climate-smart agricultural practices and sustainable business models.
• Strong understanding of cooperatives and their role in economic transformation.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• At least 7 years of experience in cooperative development, capacity building, investment facilitation, or related fields.
• Ability to travel frequently to rural project sites.

Interested qualified consulting firms are invited to submit an EOI that includes the following:

• EOI Letter
• Firm Profile
• Relevant experience
• CV of experts highlighting relevant experience and expertise
• Firm Registration certificate
• VAT Registration certificate
• Tax Clearance Certificate FY 80/81

Note: VAT register firms are encouraged to apply.

Interested firm should submit their application to Procurement-NP@heifer.org including above mentioned documents with the subject line mentioning “EOI for Empowering Cooperatives for Sustainable Growth and Investment Readiness” by 27th December 2024, 5 : 00 PM.

Any telephone inquiries or other inquiries would not be entertained. However, after selection of the consulting firm a kick-off meeting will be organized with the service provider.