Provision of Executive Entrepreneurship Training in Building & Construction with Focus on Green Technology Solutions

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Provision of Executive Entrepreneurship Training

in Building & Construction

with focus on green technology solutions

A. BACKGROUND

The University of Central Asia (UCA) offers an internationally recognized standard of higher education in Central Asia. UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) provides a range of high-quality technical and professional education opportunities across the Central Asian region and Afghanistan with the aim of supporting employment and economic growth.

The UCA’s SPCE will develop and offer new short-cycle Executive Entrepreneurship program on Building & Construction with focus on green technology. The program will create international synergies that will have most potential for growth, promote increased exports, enhance revenue streams, and job creation. Specifically, this training for advanced Building & Construction entrepreneurs will focus on establishing business linkages, formal partnerships, and development of joint ventures, with the view to facilitate export promotion, foreign investments, and access to new markets for SMEs in the region. It must educate Building & Construction executives on how to create international synergies, enhance revenue streams, and support job creation in the region. 

Under this initiative, UCA’s SPCE will directly support Aga Khan Foundation’s Accelerate Prosperity (AP) through the provision and execution of the Executive Entrepreneurship training. The training is expected to increase the competency & capability of the managers/executives currently in the Building & Construction sector, working either at the regional or national levels so they are able to grow their business and bring about valuable and positive change in those they lead, increasing motivation and morale of their teams, while enhancing their performance and becoming role models that inspire mentorship to develop others in similar roles/business.

The outcome desired is to enhance Business to Business (B2B) linkages between countries (Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan), involving Accelerate Prosperity (AP) Investees and SPCE supported enterprises. It is expected that the training will encourage growth in area of promotion of Building & Construction between neighboring above countries, promotion of exchange experience of running successful Building & Construction services with particular focus on green technology / business across Central/South Asia and extension of value chain networks.

To achieve the aim, the training programme will need to cover: (i) how to establish joint ventures and business partnerships in building & construction; (ii) how to access wider markets beyond the traditional base; (iii) understanding import/export regulations and tax regimes; (iv) and, how to develop business models for sustainable growth and export-oriented production and services in construction.

These would be inclusive of: 

• Cross-marketing of products between the countries/regions, utilizing best practices of the industry with the use of green technologies.
• Enhancing Building & Construction knowledge and landscape with the heavy focus on green technology solutions in all spheres from the planning, product manufacturers; architects and designers; equipment/energy efficient systems and energy audit; contractors/construction process; clients’ roles and policy makers;
• Current experience of using green technology, energy efficient systems and activities in construction of new buildings and in improvement in already built buildings (old one as well).
• Educating the participants on the inter-cultural Building & Construction landscapes, environmentally friendly components/protection; health and safety issues; Quality Control systems and Time management.
• Research and identify revenue generating products and services across Central Asia and the region.

To achieve the above, UCA seeks to engage a consulting firm who is able to deliver the below scope of works and deliverables in Building & Construction with focus on green technology solutions based on training needs assessment, in close consultation with SPCE UCA and AP.   

B. SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED OUTPUT / DELIVERABLES

Selected Consulting firm would:

1. Carry out assessment of the Building & Construction sector in the target areas that provides the below data:

• Current state of Building & Construction industry, targets and status as well as gaps.
• Building & Construction activities across borders, and long-term Building & Construction business growth and link to major trading partners in select markets.
• Available regional networking and Building & Construction events organized for SME owners and senior managers.
• Executive training already offered within region to build competency and skills of future industry leaders.
• Number of SMEs in the Building & Construction that this programme should target, who have the pre-requisite knowledge to build on the desired competences.
• Current law regulations for using/implementing green construction technology, energy efficient systems and activities in target and neighbor countries.
• Understanding of international prequalification and tendering processes, contractual rights (for instance FIDIC), etc

2. Carry out stakeholder analysis to identify roles and responsibilities of key players and Institutions in the Building & Construction.

3. Carry out gap analysis to identify Skills & Competencies required for SME and map out the issues and identify the priorities in line with the objectives of this project. This should include consultations and meeting and key informant interviews with the relevant stakeholders (APs offices in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and AKF, AKAH offices respectively as required).

4. Produce a comprehensive training needs assessment report based on the above, with recommendations for:

• Key topics and competencies to be covered.
• Content availability – on-demand, on-line or custom development.
• Identify resource requirements to deliver the program.
• Define schedule/length of each course.
• Evaluation process for the participants.
• Post-training evaluations and impact assessment of the overall program.
• Provide estimate cost of each course & overall program costs.

5. Conduct Training Need Assessment workshop and submit draft reports that should include desk review, situation report, stakeholders and gap need analysis.

6. Based on the assessment, develop comprehensive 3 cycles of training programme in English for both online/offline format of delivery (provided number of days is indicative below but can be flexible provided total 45 days of training to be provided):

• 10 days cycle 1: After completion, course participants will be able to develop business networks with other Building & Construction businesses, etc.
• 20 days cycle 2: After completion, course participants will be able to develop professional collaboration with their peers and create legal contracts.
• 15 days cycle 3: After completion, course participants will together be able to develop joint business plans, which can then be used as models in the region.

7. Produce a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) survey questionnaire. Such survey will be used to assess the knowledge of participants from 4 target countries before and after the 3 comprehensive training modules. Ultimately, survey results will help the instructors to evaluate effectiveness of the training modules, to make improvements, and adjust future courses.

8. Share the draft modules with key experts for their review, incorporate comments and finalize the modules.

C. FINAL DELIVERABLES AND RESULTS:

• Need assessment report.
• Concept of the programme (on a given standard form)
• Curriculum by modules (on a given standard form)
• Syllabus (on a given standard form)
• Teaching and facilitator’s Manual (as per given standards)
• Participants Learning Manual (as per given standard)
• Course/module assessment tests/quizzes
• Reading package
• Qualified Instructors, who are capable to deliver the training.

D. REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• A postgraduate or equivalent qualification/degree in Construction, Economics, Business and Management, Entrepreneurship with particular focus on Building & Construction or as relevant.
• 5-7 years of prior work experience in the field of training, curriculum development and research especially in the regional and international context connected to the related discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting needs assessments and developing training modules/curriculum, training materials etc.
• Demonstrated experiences and skills in facilitating stakeholder/working group consultations and training.
• Relevant regional and international experience in the required field and contexts will be an added advantage.
• E. TECHNICAL PROPOSAL

Technical Proposal of applicant must contain followings:

• Profile of consultant (max 2 page) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
• Relevant Experience (max 2-3 pages).
• Detailed methodology and conceptual framework with expected deliverables and timelines, days required (4-5 pages).
• CVs of experts.
• Contact information of three references.

F. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

The Financial Proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (including a breakdown of costs for fee, travel (if any), training material, number of working days and any other cost that may be associated in developing the courses/modules. Payment will be made in installments based upon key outputs i.e., upon delivery of the services.

G. EVALUATION

Proposals will be evaluated by UCA’s SPCE using the following criteria:

• Track record: Relevant background (understanding of the Building & Construction market in the Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Evidence of experience with similar assessment(s). Professional expertise in analysing data and producing high quality reports.
• Delivery Approach: Use of operational delivery or project management processes for consistent and timely delivery of services.
• Key Personnel & Subject Matter Expertise: Evidence of subject matter expertise to deliver the required service.
• Cost: Best value for money proposal will be considered as priority.

Proposals should provide straightforward, concise information within requirements noted in the Proposal.

Language of the proposal: The bid, as well as all correspondence and documents relating to the bid shall be written in English language. Supporting documents and printed literature furnished by the bidder in another language may be provided if accompanied by an accurate translation of the relevant text in English language. 

Currency of the proposal: All financial information should be provided in USD ($).

Submitting of the proposal: The bidder expected to submit the proposal electronically (technical and financial) to procurement@ucentralasia.org with a copy to dilovar.butabekov@ucentralasia.org and with the name and address of the bidder.

Deadline for submission: the proposal must be received by UCA at the electronic addresses specified above no later than 20 July 2022.