Opportunity: Private Sector Collaboration Guidebook for East African Countries

1. Background

Fingo (Finnish Development NGOs) is a global development expert and an umbrella organization for 270 Finnish CSOs focused on development cooperation, sustainable development, and global citizenship education. In 2020, Fingo initiated the Powerbank project to support CSOs by building their capacity to utilize technological solutions and fostering partnerships with the private sector and other stakeholders. This guidebook represents a key step in promoting private sector – CSO collaboration as a sustainable model for addressing social challenges in East Africa.

2.  Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this is to localize an existing private sector collaboration guide (originally written for Finnish context) for Kenyan, Ugandan and Ethiopian contexts. These three country specific guides should aim to provide a practical process, insights, case studies, and best practices to help CSOs to initiate, maintain and assess collaboration with private sector partners, enhancing impact and sustainability in the work towards realizing UN Sustainable Development Goals and other development objectives.

3.  Objectives of the consultancy

The objectives of this guidebook development are to:

• Document opportunities and challenges for collaboration between private sector and CSO in 3 East Africa countries (Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia), including available resources and funding channels.
  • Identify partnership models and funding opportunities that align with local legal and cultural contexts.

• Provide guidelines and principles for effective collaboration between CSOs and private sector entities.
  • Examine CSR policies and practices relevant to East Africa to inform effective partnership strategies.
  • Assess the impact of private sector involvement in the economy and in addressing social challenges.
  • Highlight local collaboration models and share case studies that demonstrate the best practices.

4.  Scope of the consultancy and suggested methodology

The review will cover various collaboration models in East Africa, focusing on practices, challenges, and opportunities for CSO and private sector partnerships. The methodology may include:

• Literature Review: Analysis of existing documentation on private sector-CSO partnerships in selected three countries.
  • Stakeholder Interviews: Conduct interviews with representatives from Fingo, local CSOs, private sector companies, and other stakeholders to gather insights and contextual knowledge.
  • Case Study Analysis: Document successful case studies of private sector-CSO partnerships that address economic and social issues effectively.

5.  Key Questions

The review will address the following questions:

• What are the primary challenges and opportunities in establishing private sector-CSO collaborations in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia?
  • How can CSOs leverage shared value to secure partnerships with private sector entities?

• What are the critical factors for sustaining long-term collaborations between CSOs and private sector partners?
  • Which partnership models have been most effective in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, and what lessons can be drawn from them?
  • How role has the private sector played in realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia (particularly in collaboration with CSOs)?

6.  Process of the Consultancy

1. Preparation and Research:
   o Review relevant literature and organizational documents.
   o Plan interview sessions.
2. Data Collection:
   o Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including CSOs, private sector partners, and local networks in all 3 countries.
3. Analysis and Documentation:
   o Compile findings from interviews.
   o Analyze case studies and compile lessons learned into actionable guidelines.
4. Draft and Finalize Guidebook:
   o Develop 3 draft versions of the guidebooks for Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia for review by Fingo Powerbank and key stakeholders.
   o Incorporate feedback and finalize the guidebooks.

7.  Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Draft Guidebooks: Three initial drafts for feedback, covering all objectives and including sections on partnership models, challenges, case studies, and best practices for Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.
  • Final Guidebook: Three Comprehensive, user-friendly guidebook with practical recommendations, case studies, and guidelines for Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
  • Supporting Materials: Templates, worksheets, and tools to support CSOs in partnership development and maintenance.

8.  Schedule

The project will begin in early 2025 with the selected consultant and is expected to be completed within 4 months.

9.  Consultant Requirements

The consultant should possess:

• A strong background in private sector engagement in NGOs, and partnership development in East Africa.
  • 5 years’ experience in conducting multi sectoral reviews, especially private sector partnerships experience in East Africa and social impact sectors.
  • Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
  • Ability to analyze complex issues and present them clearly for practical use.

10.  Available Documentation

Relevant documents, including previous reports on Fingo Powerbank experiments and case studies of private sector-CSO collaborations, will be provided to the consultant at the start of the project.

Please submit the application by 1700hrs on 20^th of December 2024 to: Rosebellah.nyanchoka@ext-fingo.fi. For any inquiries contact: Rosebellah Nyanchoka on +254759060804.