Expression of Interest (EOI) / Request for Proposal (RFP) at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)

The Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was established by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund Law of 2016 to provide financial support to residents of Lagos State. Its primary mandate is to prepare Lagos State residents for entrepreneurship and employment opportunities through the acquisition of skills to get better jobs, tackle unemployment and enable wealth creation.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Expression of Interest (EOI) / Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Engagement of Technical Partners to Provide Services on the Implementation of the LSETF MSME Digital Business Project

Reference No: LSETF/S-C/QBS/5/22

Preamble
In furtherance of its mandate, LSETF intends to launch the Lagos State MSME Digital Business Project with the main objective of equipping Lagos State MSMEs and Individuals with the resources and skills to digitize their businesses for the mobilization of online sales and services with a view to increasing their earning potential. The programme beneficiaries will undergo practical training in the areas of digital literacy, financial literacy and social media marketing. The MSMEs will also be eligible to receive hardware devices to support the digitization of their businesses, in addition to micro-loans and micro-grants.

To implement the Programme, The LSETF hereby solicits qualified Technical Partners in Nigeria (including Non-governmental organisations based and legally registered in Lagos) that have experience working on digital business, covering: capacity building/technical skills training, financial literacy training, digital literacy training, financial inclusion and technology procurement and distribution, to express interest by submitting proposals in furtherance of the LSETF MSME Digital Business Project.

In furtherance of the RFP, the LSETF will hold a virtual Briefing Session on Thursday March 17th, 2022 at 2pm - interested organisations should join the session via: https://zoom.us/j/98490506246?pwd=a2dnU0FWVFNuMVBteXVNNEJGUU1hZz09 Passcode: 749926

Should you require assistance joining the session, please contact: adefunke.adele@lsetf.ng , procurement@lsetf.ng , +2348189268769

Scope of Work
A Technical Partner, when selected, will be required to undertake the following tasks for a period of 24 months:

• Submit a management & resource plan, and proposed methodology with agreed timelines, to carry out MSME training and market activations in markets across Lagos State;
• Develop financial inclusion, digital literacy and social media marketing training content in collaboration with industry experts and in line with best practices.
• Constitute a project team that will include a Market Activation Manager who will be responsible for the deployment of trainers and activation agents in markets across the state.
• Ensure a digital platform for the disbursement of all grants that uses unique identifier like BVN or NIN. LSETF shall have access to this platform for improved lending process in Lagos State.
• Ensure that all trainers undergo a ‘train the trainer’ session in line with developed training curricula.
• Ensure that detailed materials are developed in line with developed curricula and are made available to beneficiaries upon training commencement.
• Ensure the enumeration of MSMEs ahead of training and market activations.
• Ensure that a procurement process approved by LSETF is adopted for the engagement of all partners on the project.
• Ensure that the right amount of publicity and awareness is done for the project, via various communication channels, targeting prospective beneficiaries, as well as the general public
• Develop and submit a plan with timelines for the enumeration of eligible and interested MSMEs/beneficiaries for the project, using various channels or associations.
• Ensure that engaged training partners submit the following reports within specified timelines:
  • Weekly training report
  • Micro-loan/grants disbursement report
  • Technology tools distribution report
• Ensure that an independent bank account is set up solely for the purpose of the project.
• Ensure that detailed documentation is provided for every activity carried out or expenses made from the project account by both training partners and 3rd party vendors on the project;
• Ensure that all tax returns are submitted to the relevant tax authorities., provide certified copies to LSETF, when applicable.

Requirements from Technical Partners
The technical partner will be required to provide the following information in their technical proposal:

• A description of the methodology and work plan for performing the task
• The approach to content development across the 3 distinct training areas highlighted in 2.0 above
• The Firm must be able to demonstrate capacity to produce LSETF expected outcomes
• Knowledge of LSETF and its project activities.
• Organizational profile including strategy, track record, similar services offered of relevance to LSETF, names, CV and qualifications of key directors/ personnel.
• Any other document that will give the organization a comparative advantage

Key Competencies and Expertise Required
The Technical Partner shall consider and demonstrate the expertise required for performance of its services. Related experience shall include the following:

• Working with training organisations and industry experts for the development of relevant training content and the implementation of beneficiary training.
• Thorough knowledge of all aspects of managing a project, such as this, including a clear understanding of evolving trends in financial inclusion/financial literacy, social media and technology skills training.
• Prior experience in training activities similar to or significantly related to those stated in this TOR;
• Possess adequate personnel and facilities necessary for the activities required;

Application Closing Date
28th March, 2022.

Submission of Documents
Proposals should be submitted in n a sealed envelope labelled "Request for Proposal for the Engagement of Technical Partners for the LSETF MSME Digital Business Project" to the following address:
Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF),
3rd Floor, Synergy Place,
16 Billings Way,
Oregun, Ikeja,
Lagos State.

However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, an online submission will be preferred. Click Here to submit proposals online in these formats:

• Technical Proposal (PDF)
• Financial Proposal (EXCEL)
• Supporting Documents (PDF)-as requested in the eligibility criteria

Click Here (PDF) for a detailed description of the RFP.