Consultant to Support the Sustainable Youth Empowerment (SYE) Project 41 views1 applications

Project Name: Sustainable Youth Empowerment (SYE) Project

Location: Cabo Delgado, Mozambique

Duration: 3 Months (June 2025 – August 2025)

1. Introduction

Young Africa International (YAI), in collaboration with Young Africa Mozambique (YAM), is implementing the Sustainable Youth Empowerment (SYE) project, funded by the Puma Energy Foundation. The SYE project aims to enhance socio-economic opportunities for conflict-affected youth in Cabo Delgado by equipping them with technical (vocational training on electrical and photovoltaic installation) and entrepreneurial skills (including distribution on start-up kits) in the solar energy sector.

Cabo Delgado faces significant challenges in energy access, with many rural communities relying on traditional biomass and lacking reliable electricity. Low-cost solar solutions such as Solar Home Systems (SHS), therefore, present an opportunity to address these challenges by providing affordable, clean, and continuous access to energy. These systems can power basic household needs such as lighting and small electric equipment charging such as phones, improving quality of life and business opportunities while reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources. By harnessing the potential of solar systems, communities can experience enhanced productivity, better educational outcomes through improved lighting, and reduced health risks associated with indoor air pollution from traditional fuels. The introduction of low-cost solar systems also creates opportunities for sustainable employment for skilled workers in the sector.

To address employment gaps among the graduates trained on electrical and photovoltaic installation in Cabo Delgado, YA is implementing a project extension phase focusing on product-specific knowledge and operational expertise for effective engagement with low-cost solar systems and other renewable energy solutions.

Young Africa seeks the services of a well-established solar company to spearhead the implementation, and monitoring of this initiative, ensuring the successful implementation of micro-businesses and improved employment outcomes.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the assignment is to oversee the implementation of the SYE project extension phase by guiding and supporting the engagement of 40 solar technician graduates, conducting technical and sales training, and facilitating the distribution of start-up kits to establish 20 nano solar businesses. It also involves providing continuous mentorship and coaching through structured support systems, while monitoring and reporting on key performance indicators such as income generation, business sustainability, and socio-economic improvements among the participants.

3. Scope of Work

The solar company will be required to:

a. Inception Phase

• Review project background materials and stakeholder expectations.
• Assist in the finalisation of the selection of 40 electrical and photovoltaic installation graduates, including development of the selection criteria
• Develop a training curriculum & monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tool in liaison with the YAM and YAI M&E team

b. Implementation Phase

• Coordinate logistics for the training of participants in the different areas in Cabo Delgado
• Working together with YAM, conduct pre-training assessment on the socio-economic status of the 40 participants, including employment status, weekly or monthly income, and living conditions
• Facilitate training sessions on product knowledge (low-cost solar systems), business skills, local marketing strategies, supply chain as well as legal and contractual engagements with customers and problem-solving approaches
• Support the establishment of 20 business groups (40 students working in pairs) and oversee start-up distribution.

c. Transition Phase

• Facilitate the coaching and mentorship meetings/sessions in collaboration with YAM Business Development Officer.
• Conduct weekly check-ins with the 20 business groups to offer guidance on operational challenges, customer engagement strategies, payment monitoring techniques, and overall business management.
• Document progress, income levels, and challenges faced.
• Provide the possibility of reordering of micro-companies to allow continued operations of micro-companies.

d. Monitoring and Evaluation

• In liaison with YAM, design and implement tools for monitoring business activity and socio-economic indicators.
• Collect, analyze, and report data on employment and income outcomes.
• Working together with YAM, conduct post-training monitoring and assess the changes in the socio-economic status of the 40 participants, including employment status, weekly or monthly income, and living conditions.
• Document lessons learned and recommendations for scale-up or replication.

4. Deliverables

The solar company chosen is expected to deliver the following:

1. Inception Report detailing approach and work plan, as well as the training curriculum/program
2. Final selection list of 40 participants with justification (the list will be developed in consultation with YAM)
3. Training completion report and participant feedback summary.
4. Bi-weekly progress reports covering coaching sessions and business outcomes.
5. Final report with findings on employment impact, business sustainability, and recommendations.

5. Timeline

The assignment spans 3 months (June – August 2025) with the following indicative schedule:

Inception phase- 16 – 20 June 2025

Key Activities – Engagement with YAMoz & selected students, preparation, including submission of inception report.

Implementation phase – June to July 2025

Key Activities – Training, pairing, kit distribution

Transition Phase – July to August 2025

Key Activities – Business support, coaching etc.

Final evaluation Phase – August 2025

Key Activities – Data collection, final report

6. Qualifications and Experience

The solar company to be engaged for this initiative should have:

• Proven expertise in youth entrepreneurship, business incubation, and livelihood support in developing contexts.
• Strong background in renewable energy, particularly proven expertise in the solar energy sector
• Experience in post-conflict or fragile settings is a plus.
• Strong skills in stakeholder coordination and capacity building.
• Some level of proficiency in M&E and reporting.

7. Proposal Submission

Interested solar companies are invited to submit the following:

1. Technical proposal – detailed approach and methodology for conducting the assignment, including a work plan with a clear timeline for deliverables and training curriculum. Profiles of the experts involved in the scope of work, highlighting relevant experience in training and qualifications should be part of the proposal. The Cover Letter (max 1 page) and Understanding of the Assignment (max ½ page) should be straight to the point.
2. Financial proposal – detailed budget breakdown including consultancy fees and any other associated costs.
3. Previous work samples/reports – at least 2 work samples on similar assignments
4. CV of the Lead Consultant

8. Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be evaluated using the criteria outlined below.

Relevant experience and expertise – 30%

Understanding of the assignment – 10%

Technical approach and methodology – 30%

Financial proposal – 20%

Work samples – 10%

9. Submission Deadline

Applications should be submitted by 13 June 2025 to [email protected]