81299677-VB: Consulting services on private and financial sector development in Ghana

The contractor will be responsible for the management of a pool of national and international experts ("short-term expert pool") which will contribute to the overall strategy and objectives of the PFS programme. The services delivered by the short-term expert pool will be related to the following activities under the four key outputs of the programme: Access to financial services for MSMEs (Output 1) - Provide trainings and capacity development measures at partner financial institutions (banks, MFIs, insurance companies, pension fund trustees etc.) of the project in product development optimization of business processes, market research development, green finance, sales and marketing, digital solutions to increase outreach, etc. - Capacity development for MSMEs in coordination with their trade associations to enable them to manage their businesses well and access financial services - Participatory development of a public-private implementation-oriented action plan of inclusive financial services for women led businesses (Gender Action Plan for Inclusive Finance) and advice on the implementation of selected activities - Knowledge transfer to MSME associations, to strengthen their competence regarding financial management and analysis including the area of sustainable and green financing - Integration of PFI offerings (financial services and complementary BDS offerings) into the new regional networks which will be created in the implementing regions by Output 2 - Advised public stakeholders such as the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Ghana (BoG) and National Insurance Commission (NIC) on improving the regulatory and supervisory framework of innovative financial services for MSMEs Improved business development service offering for MSMEs (Output 2) - Advice on the formation of regional networks to improve the work-sharing cooperation between business development service (BDS) providers (public and private), MSME associations and the Regional Coordination Councils (RCCs) - Advice on adapting the range of services offered by the network partners to the priority demand of MSMEs, through the diversification/specialization of the BDS portfolios and corresponding training/advice for staff. - Advice, review and update strategic plans or documents for the effective and efficient running of regional networks (based on the performance of the networks) - Stimulating MSME demand for the services of regional network members through information and awareness campaigns on the availability and benefits of BDS - Development/provision of temporary subsidies in the range of services offered by the regional networks for combining BDS with financial services. - Mobilizing the Ghanaian diaspora and integrating their regional representatives into the networks - Create a pool of experts (enterprise development) on readiness to deliver speeches, keynotes, presentations, serve as panel members etc. during the MSME trade festivals. Improved employment services for returned migrants and jobseekers (Output 3) - Integration of the regional/local structures of the Department for Employment and Labour Relations (Regional Labor Departments) and other providers of employment services into the regional networks in the five intervention regions - Improvement of the offering of employment services and office infrastructure as well as further advice for the specialist staff of the Public Employment Centers (PECs) active in the networks - Cooperation with the Ghanaian European Center for Jobs, Migration and Development (GEC) in the qualification of selected specialists from the PECs for the initial support of job-seeking returnees and potential migrants - Organization of advice including post-foundation support by service providers in the network of returnees and potential migrants who want to take up wage-dependent, self-employed, or collective employment, through technical and business training, material, or financial start-up packages - Enhance the use of legal pathways for labour migration and mobility and set up models and a Study in Europe Desk within a selected employment service. - Diaspora engagement for the social and economic development in Ghana will be enforced. Green Jobs (Output 4) - Implementation of regional potential analyzes for the implementation of the Green Jobs Strategy of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations (MELR) - Development of regional program proposals for the broad promotion of environmental and climate protection in the MSME sector - Organization of regional MSME competitions on cleaner production and/or expansion into green business areas in cooperation with relevant business associations - Advice and training for the winners of the competitions, including the provision of matching grants - Implementation of a landscape study and action plan on the promotion of Green and Inclusive Businesses in Ghana - Facilitate Access to Green Finance by building a pipeline of bankable projects through assistance to MSMEs on concrete business proposals, and through collaboration with and support to financial institutions - Policy measures to promote green business opportunities as identified as part of above-mentioned activities The services to be delivered by the contractor will be based on individual requests by the PFS programme specified during the duration of the contract. This strategy follows a results-oriented approach that requires a high level of flexibility. The contractor is therefore expected to adjust the work plan and to react with additional short-term consultants based on what is emerging through the course of the assignment in consultation with GIZ.