Technical proposal for Conducting the Final

Evaluation of the SME Development Project

Uganda
Background of Oxfam In Uganda 
Oxfam in Uganda is part of the Oxfam confederation, aligning with Oxfam NOVIB as the
Oxfam Affiliate. Oxfam in Uganda started work in the 1960s delivering development and
humanitarian support as part of the global Oxfam confederation, a global movement of people
fighting to end inequality and injustice. We tackle the inequalities that make and keep people
poor. We enable vulnerable people’s voices to be heard and campaign for genuine, durable
change. The SME Development project Uganda is part of the intervention within the Resilient
Livelihood thematic area.

Information about the project 

Uganda is one of the most enterprising countries in the world, ranking number one in 2016.
However, Uganda’s private sector continues to be dominated by Micro enterprises (93.5%),
Small enterprises (4.1%), and Medium enterprises (2.4%). The enterprise mortality rate also
remains high with the majority of enterprises collapsing within the first three years, with 90% of
them operating for less than 20 years and or remaining small and informal over their lifetime
(Financial Sector Deepening, 2015).

While the contribution of small and medium enterprises to the economic development of Uganda
is generally acknowledged, entrepreneurs face many obstacles that limit their business's long-
term survival and development. These challenges hinder their scalability, potential to create jobs
and incomes that lead to financial and social impacts for the poor

Purpose and objectives 

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency & scalability,
impact, and sustainability of the SME Development project and document challenges, successes,
lessons learned, and best practices to inform the scale-up of the SME Development project
beyond 2021.

Specific Objectives of the Evaluation:

 To assess the relevance of the SME Development project to commercial viability, growth
and social impact orientation of the 42 supported SMEs
 To assess the effectiveness of the SME Development project in achieving its intended
objectives.
  To examine the efficiency of the SME Development project in achieving its intended
objectives and possible scalability of the project.
 To determine the sustainability of the different interventions under the SME
Development project.

We request applicants to provide a clear, robust, and well-structured research framework linked
to these objectives.

Scope of work and timeframe

The SME Development project evaluation will target the 42 SMEs that received business
development assistance with funding from Aegidius. The evaluation shall cover 3 years and 6
months period from 1st June 2018 to 31st Dec 2021. Most of the SMEs targeted are
headquartered in Central Region but a handful is based elsewhere including Northern, Eastern,
and Western regions.

The activity is expected to take 28 working days from the date of signing the contract. The
consultant should include details of the timelines and key milestones in the proposal.

Methodology 
A lot of quantitative data has been collected throughout the three and a half years of project
implementation available in-house. The prospective consultant shall be provided access to this
data. More data collection is expected to fill the gaps in the existing data.

The consultant is required to describe how the assignment will be conducted. He/she should
make suggestions on the potential research/evaluation design and approaches to apply during the
study, and provide justification for the study design.

The study methods you prefer should be sensitive to the target population (unit of analysis), and
robust enough to provide adequate responses to the stated evaluation questions/research
hypotheses. Overall, the methodology section should cover details of study design and
approaches, sampling, sample size determination, data collection methods/instruments, data
analysis techniques, plan for dissemination of study findings, and a statement on quality
assurance and ethical considerations during the study.

The section should focus on how the study will be conducted. The expected approach should be
described in enough detail to ensure that the study can easily be replicated by any other evaluator
in case of interest.

Supervision 
Oxfam Uganda will supervise the process. Specifically, the consultant will report to the Project
Manager Business Development Services based in the Kampala office. The consultant will be
expected to work closely with and interact a lot with Oxfam PQL Coordinator, and the project
coordinators at partners Open Capital Advisors and SEATINI.

Evaluation outputs/deliverables
1. Inception Report that will include among others: 

 An SME portfolio analysis

 A theory of change with updated outcomes and impact level statements
 Stakeholder consultation final list
 KII guidelines for case studies and focus groups
 Template for the case studies and focus groups debriefing
 An updated work plan.

The Inception Report will have a maximum of 12 pages, excluding annexes.

2. Case study reports (maximum of 5 A4 pages-each)

3. Evaluation draft report that will include:

  An introduction
 Evaluation approach, and methodology
 Main findings across each evaluation question
 Concluding remarks and recommendations

This report should not exceed 30 A4 pages (excluding Annexes).

4. Evaluation final report that will incorporate comments from Oxfam and Aegidius Foundation.
A public-facing summary of the final report will be also produced.

Experience and qualifications 

The consultant should have a multidisciplinary team with key qualifications and competencies as
follows:

 A master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, International Development,

Project Management, Economics, Statistics or any other relevant field, etc. A higher-level
degree or credential shall be an added advantage.
 Demonstrate understanding of Uganda context including entrepreneurial ecosystem,
private sector and SME development, and related initiatives by the government of
Uganda and other stakeholders.
 Minimum of 5 years practical experience in the provision and evaluation of business
development services, business ecosystem influencing work, or access to finance
initiatives with documented proof of evaluation of such activities.
  Extensive work experience and proven record in advocacy, policy influence, campaigns,
and strategic management.
 Extensive knowledge, understanding, and experience of Uganda’s business ecosystem,
key private sector development actors, government agencies that support private sector
development, and the legal framework governing private sector development.
 Should have knowledge and experience in business impact investing
 Should have knowledge and experience in gender and women rights issues that relate to
the private sector and business development including knowledge and experience in
gender lens investing.
 Strong writing skills and experience in producing written material for a range of
audiences including comms and media.
 Previous experience with Oxfam work is an advantage. National consultants are
preferred.

Proposal study Criteria

The technical proposal will be evaluated based on the Quality Cost-Based Selection (QCBS)
Criteria:

The individual's general reliability as well as experience and capacity in carrying out the
assignment (30%).

The approach in responding to the TOR and detailed work Oxfam in Uganda (45%).

The qualifications and competencies of the proposed personnel for the assignment (25%).

Proposals obtaining more than 70% of the technical points will be considered technically suitable
and qualify for a financial assessment.

Budget and Payment

Professional fee: Though the interested consultant/s is expected to provide a budget for the
exercise, Oxfam will consider proposals that are within the approved rates as per its policy on
professional fees.

Tax and insurance: The consultant/s shall be responsible for his/her income tax and/or insurance
during the assignment

The consultant will be paid in two installments 30% of consultant fees at the initial state and
70% after submission of the final report.

A contract will be signed by the consultant upon commencement of the evaluation which will
detail additional terms and conditions of service, aspects of inputs and deliverables

Code of conduct
Oxfam's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment
to humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Oxfam Code
of Conduct sets out the standards to which all staff members must adhere. The consultant is
bound by the principles and conditions of the Oxfam Code of Conduct.

Submission and deadline

All expressions of interest should include:

 Letter of interest (maximum one page) letter addressing the assessment criteria
 Technical Proposal (maximum 10 pages-excluding study instruments) highlighting: a
brief explanation about the consultant/s with an emphasis on previous experience in this
kind of work; the profile of the Consultant/s to be involved in undertaking the final
evaluation; understanding of the TOR, the evaluation methodology, key contacts of
previous work done, and organizations worked for.
 Financial Proposal: The financial proposal should provide cost estimates for services
rendered including daily consultancy fees including transport, accommodation and living
costs, stationeries, and supplies needed for data collection, etc.
 The Consultant should also use his/her computer.

Expressions of interest should be submitted not later than 24th Nov 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

All submissions should be emailed to ugandalogistics@oxfam.org referencing Expression of

interest to conduct the final evaluation of the SME Development Project Uganda. Offers received
by any other means will not be taken into consideration.

Only selected bidders/candidates will be contacted for further discussions. 

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