Job Description

Terms of Reference

Consultancy for Entrepreneurship/SME Training and Mentorship in Hargeisa, Burao, Las’anod, 

Garowe, and Bosaso

Introduction:

Under the SIDA project, Shaqodoon intends to train 250+ selected youth in an entrepreneurship 

training program and SMES to be able to create or improve their own business and will further develop 

business plans and receive mentorship support. Youth/SMES hailing from the targeted villages under 

the SIDA project who are living in Hargeisa, Lasanod, Burao, Bosaso and Garowe will be selected with 

the support of the village committees. Youth/SMES will be trained in entrepreneurship skills to be able 

to unleash and encourage the entrepreneurial capabilities of young women and men, to help them 

start a business or improve their existing business. Youth/SMES will be supported in taking a calculated 

and informed approach to entrepreneurship, learning skills such as Business Idea Development, 

Creating Business model using Lean canvas model, financial management (Basic Accounting & 

Bookkeeping, Budgeting & Financial Planning), Sales & Marketing (Market Research, Digital Marketing 

& Pricing Strategy). Improved entrepreneurial skills will not only enhance community productivity and 

diversify employment opportunities but also develop economic independence and improve 

confidence and self-esteem among women.

Youth with successful business ideas, either new or a business operating less than two years will 

receive start-up funds (on a competitive basis) to enable them to improve or establish their 

enterprises - 30% of the start-up fund is on an award basis while the remaining 70% will be a loan

without a markup that needs to be repaid to the revolving fund to be recycled. 

For SMEs, trainees will receive comprehensive training tailored to the specific needs of their existing 

businesses. This will be followed by personalized mentorship and support in developing dynamic, 

actionable business plans. Additionally, they will be connected to local banks to facilitate access to 

loans and financial support.

Purpose of the Consultancy

Shaqodoon is hiring a qualified company/organization that is expected to provide entrepreneurship

and SMEs training, Mentorship & Coaching, Business Competition and crowdfunding platform for 250 

entrepreneurs/SMES. The company/organization will equip entrepreneurship training skill to the 

selected trainees and will assist them to develop investment-ready business ideas. Training provider 

should have conducive training halls/classes to accommodate 250+ trainees and experienced trainers 

on this subject in Hargeisa, Lasanod, Burao, Bosaso and Garowe under the supervision of Shaqodoon.

Scope of Work

• Train 250+ youth entrepreneurs/SMES in Hargeisa, Lasanod, Burao, Bosaso and Garowe on

Business Idea Development, Creating Business model using Lean canvas model, financial 

management (Basic Accounting & Bookkeeping, Budgeting & Financial Planning), Sales & 

Marketing (Market Research, Digital Marketing & Pricing Strategy) and etc.

• Assist youth/SMES in developing 250+ investment-ready business plans (Consultant should 

make sure all business plans are at a satisfactory level)

• Engage a professional business development service providers with strong knowledge and 

experience in business development. Shaqodoon should approve them.

• Deliver biweekly, in-person mentorship sessions (1.5 hours per startup) to new investees for 

the first six months, followed by regular follow-ups for the subsequent year. 

• Support the Bank for following up on the loan repayment and tracking of defaulters. 

• Develop and distribute simple and customized Bookkeeping manuals for the startups 

(Shaqodoon will approve the developed manuals before the Startup adapts). 

Conduct business idea competition/pitching and create scoring order for all pitching 

participated youth (Shaqodoon will announce the selected startups for the Bank due diligence 

process). 

• The target number can be increased considering the program dropouts without increasing the 

service fee amount. 

• The training provider is expected to conduct pre/post-test evaluations before and after the

training. Shaqodoon will also do SMS and IVR based evaluations during the training and will

conduct a final evaluation after the completion of the training while any unsatisfactory results

will be informed to the training provider to fulfil

Training and mentorship methodology

• During the training and mentorship, the service provider should consider the gender, age,

knowledge and experience of the trainees and should tailor the training based on these

factors. The Service Provider should use but not be limited to the following methods: Group

work, discussion, field trip (where necessary) lecturing through the presentation, e-learning,

and both individual/group mentorship and coaching.

• The training location should be a gender-friendly environment that can accommodate both

male and female participants and equipped with all necessary facilities 

Training and Mentorship Schedule

For the Entrepreneurs (New and Existing Business operating for Less than 2 years)

• Business development training: 3 days per week for 4 weeks(12 days) - Training contact hours

(3 hours*12days = 36) – training can be delivered in small groups.

• Mentorship biweekly per individual startup (3 hours per startup per session) - Mentorship

contact hours (4 hours per month *6month = 18hours per startup). BDS will continue the

mentorship and follow up services. 

Existing Business Operating for 2 years or More

• Business development training: 3 days per week for 2 weeks – training contact hours (3 

hours*6days) – the training will be delivered in small groups.

• Mentorship biweekly per individual SME (1.5 hours per SME per session) - Mentorship

contact hours (4 hours per month*2month = 8hours per SME). BDS will continue the

mentorship and follow up services. 

• Link to the local banks for the successful graduates to access loan

Experiences and Qualifications

Qualification of the BDS

• A qualified Registered company with strong background in the sector

• Previously managed similar activities

• With a minimum of 3 years of experience in entrepreneurship training programs, investment 

management, mentorship and business development services.

Deliverables

• Develop training work plan based on the training curriculum and the ToR

• Adapt a tailored training manual, power point presentations, handouts, and links to deliver 

effective training for youths to make them ready for employment.

• List of the trained 250+ youth/SMES (Hargeisa, Lasanod, Burao, Bosaso and Garowe)

• Final investment-ready business plans (250+ business plans)

• Quarterly update reports that cover (Training provided, mentorship, bank investment 

distribution, repayment updates)

• Pre/post-test evaluation report 

• Monthly training and mentorship reports for the entrepreneurs/SMES

• Quarterly success stories of the investees (1-2 success stories per location per quarter) 

• Quality training and mentorship photos 

• Annual report 

• Original attendance sheets

• Any other assignment from Shaqodoon

Skills Required

Attachment

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