Consultancy: Promoting standards for SME competitiveness in Nigeria

Reference: PX/NGA/0453

Location: Nigeria
Duration: 75 person days

Closing Date: 3 May 2011

A. Background

The Commonwealth Secretariat through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation is providing technical assistance to the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to promote the use of Standards by Nigerian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a strategic business tool.

B. Programme Objective

For background purposes we advise that the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan be consulted. The Plan is available online and the SME work is part of the Economic Development Programme (Programme 6). This Programme will assist member states to take advantage of opportunities for economic growth and improve their ability to manage economic development in an equitable and sustainable manner. It specifically aims to strengthen policies and systems that support inclusive and sustainable economic growth in member states. This will allow Member states to attract capital flows and manage increased levels of investment, including for private sector development; and create the environment for Member countries to promote viable competitive enterprises that generate employment, income and reduce poverty.

The Secretariat’s capacity to provide cost-effective technical assistance and its role as a ’trusted partner’ and ‘honest broker’ in delivering policy analysis and advice are highly valued. Indicators particularly relevant to this project include (1) the quality of policy advice and support for creating an enabling environment for growth and stability; (2) higher survival rates of MSMEs and an increase in the contribution of MSME businesses to GDP; and (3) increased numbers of successful women in enterprise and greater and more equitable market access for women producers and entrepreneurs.

C. Project Information

SON is the sole statutory body vested with the responsibility of standardising and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria. The Act establishing the body was amended in 1976, 1984 and in 1990. SON has an SME Unit through which it aims to influence the adoption and use of appropriate standards by SMEs. It has a working relationship with a range of business support organisations, including formal state agencies, business representative organisations and NGOs. This intervention will allow SON and its partners to construct a strategy to accomplish this; and put in place the first major programmes of a dedicated SME action plan. It is anticipated that these pilot programmes will be sustained by SON and its partners once the project activities are completed.

This project will attempt to deliver a general education component to convey an awareness of the benefits of standards; and an action component to support SMEs to find and obtain appropriate standards and take the first steps to implementing it. SON has indicated that has the ability to assess SMEs and issue certification for ISO management standards.

It is important to understand that the measure of success for this project is not how many SMEs take up standards, but how SON and its partners build the systems and capabilities for sustained support for projects and programmes to help SMEs on the standards and quality journey throughout their existence. Specifically, the outputs for this project are:

• Strategy for SON and partners to enhance SME success through the adoption and use of standards,
• Communications Strategy to raise awareness of the benefits of standards as a strategic business tool, and
• Trained SMEs able to adopt standards through participating in SON accredited 1-day introductory training courses for ISO 9001 and ISO 22000.

Additional Information

Information available to the successful Consultant will include internal project files containing the Project Appraisal, Logical Framework and Budgets. The Consultant will also work closely with the Adviser responsible for the project.

D. Consultancy

Technical Assistance is being provided to SON to develop a strategy for a national SME Standards Programme; build their capability to deliver a long term awareness campaign; and implement the first stage of a SME standards programme. Specific issues which need to be factored into the assignment and which are elements of the overall deliverables are noted below.

• An inception mission report should be provided not later than 3 weeks after mobilisation. Issues to be addressed include, (1) timetable for implementation of project activities and the endorsement and validation activities to be undertaken; (2) coherence strategy which will report on steps to ensure that the strategy is coherent and aligned to other related policy and strategy actions, and (3) Draft outline structure for the strategy, highlighting some of the key issues and questions to be addressed.
• In developing the strategy, the consultants need to review the current activities of SON and selected partners, identify success cases for replication, identify major barriers preventing uptake of standards and generate a range of options for consideration. The review is likely to include SON actions in Lagos, Kaduna and Aba.
• Ensure that SON has the required competencies to assess and certify SMEs in ISO management standards.
• Provide support to the ComSec Adviser for hosting the Strategy Workshop with SON and partners; and conduct the SME Awareness Workshops and 1-Day Introductory Courses. The project plan calls for the Consultant to be involve in five 1-day events (strategy workshop, 2 SME awareness workshops and 2 ISO training workshops).
• Consult with SMEs through their relevant business Associations to ensure that their views are accommodated and acted on.
• Consult with Women’s Empowerment Groups and Institutions to ensure that gender issues are adequately dealt with and specific challenges of woman owned enterprises are incorporated in all outputs.

Deliverables

• SMEs and Standards in Nigeria: Strategy and Action Plan for SON and partners
• Guidelines, and where relevant, Training Course Materials for (a) SME Awareness Training Workshops and (b) 1-Day ISO Introductory Courses for ISO 9001 and 22000
• Report on the SME Awareness Workshops and 1-Day ISO Introductory Courses
• Final Project Report

E. Qualifications for Consultancy

The Commonwealth Secretariat is inviting bids from companies, consortia and/or Standards Organisations who are registered in a Commonwealth Member Country. The Statement of Capability should indicate the institutions experience in supporting businesses to adopt and use Standards. This is a non-negotiable condition of this assignment.

The evaluation criteria are based on the following:

• Formal evidence of capability to consult on Standards,
• Evidence of developing strategies for the adoption and use of Standards, preferably, but not essentially, for SMEs,
• Ability to advise businesses on the ISO system, specifically ISO 9001 and 22000, and
• Demonstrated evidence of developing and delivering Standards training courses.

The Company may wish to engage the services of a Local Consultant but would be entirely responsible for the identification, recruitment and remuneration of such Local Consultant(s), although the selection would need to be cleared beforehand by ComSec.

F. Level of Effort, Reporting and Payment Terms

• The Level of Effort (LOE) of this consultancy is estimated at 75 person days (15 weeks), commencing June 2011 to March 2012[1].
• Up to 49 days of this LoE is estimated to be in Nigeria.
• The indicative all inclusive fee for this assignment is £41,000[2], while consultancy related expenditure, such as workshops and training expenses, will be provided by ComSec. 

G. Proposal

The proposal should comprise of the following:

• A Statement of Capability,
• Resumes of the key staff allocated to the project,
• A document detailing the methodology, work programme and milestones (this will be finalised with the Commonwealth Secretariat prior to commencement)
• A financial plan for the execution of the project.

The proposal needs to be received by 3 May 2011 and the Company must be in a position to deploy during June 2011.

H. Contact Information

Closing Date for Submission of Proposals: 3 May 2011

Submission of Proposals

Proposals should be submitted to Mr Arif Baig via email / post / fax at:

Mr Arif Baig HR (CFTC)Commonwealth SecretariatPall MallLondon UKSW1Y 5HXEmail – a.baig@commonwealth.int
Fax: + 44 20 7747 6520

[1] Comsec will not liable for delays occurring due to unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.[2] Comsec bears no liability to pay any taxes, including VAT, on this contract.

Download Terms of Reference

Consultancy services for e-govenance academy

OSIWA is currently seeking consultants for its e-governance academy

for more information see
http://www.osiwa.org/IMG/pdf/Afega-Consultancy_Advert.pdf

EU, USAID, WB, UN Grants Specialised Workshop On Project Proposal Formulation And Grants Management For Civil Society Organisations In West Africa, 19-21 April, 2011

WACSI established by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the George Soros Foundation is organising an EU, USAID, WB, UN Grants Specialised Workshop On “Project Proposal Formulation and Grants Management” For Civil Society Organisations In West Africa from the 19-21 April in Accra, Ghana.

For More Information Contact: Charles at cvandyck@wacsi.org for an application form

Job Opportunity at OSIWA

Osiwa seeks a COUNTRY COORDINATOR for its Guinea Office. OSIWA seeks a Country Coordinator for its Guinea office to provide a variety of strategic program implementation services and administrative oversight, supported technically by the OSIWA regional office under the direction of the OSIWA management. Job Advert Osiwa Country Coordinator - OSIWA Guinea
 for myhttp://www.osiwa.org/spip.php?article155

World Bank youth forum

Dear All, As part of efforts to put meat and structure to the World Bank Youth Forum (NIGERIA), it has become necessary for ALL members to register. Please kindly complete the form below.

If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you can fill it out online:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dFJvQm5WVUF4UWpsdG16eUNZRmUwNXc6MQ

Nairobi

Today I travel to Nairobi Kenya to attend the Commonwealth Investing in Young People's Conference. Topmost on my mind is how development partners and government agencies can finally start working together to change the lives of young people

More importantly, is my interest in Kenya as the PRIDE OF AFRICA, the nature of its people and way of life in general. What opportunities for investment can young people take advantage of in this country.

As i feast on a corn made meal, and experience the difference in cuisine, i look forward to exploring the opportunities of engaging different structures to work with young people as equal partners in development

Regards

All about Dynamic Views for Readers - Blogger Help

All about Dynamic Views for Readers - Blogger Help

Programme Manager (YWET), Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Africa Centre

Reference: 110300311
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Closing Date: 18 Apr 2011

Job summary

The Programme Manager: Youth Development is part of a team of three technical officers who assist the Regional Director in the formulation of the Regional Strategic Plan and the Annual Operational Plan. S/he is responsible for implementation of the said plans, particularly in respect of the programme strategic area assigned to her/him. Towards this, s/he will provide technical leadership in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of capacity building/knowledge management initiatives in the region. These capacity building initiatives are designed to improve knowledge, skills and attitudes in youth development. S/he will organize campaigns, conferences, events and conduct programmes aimed at strengthening the knowledge management in youth development for the region. S/he will prepare related training materials, reports and publications thereon, conduct research where required and work closely with the communication division of the Commonwealth Secretariat; s/he will carry out other tasks as may be assigned by the Regional Director from time to time. The Programme Manager contributes to all aspects of CYP operations, supporting the efforts of governments and youth organizations, and collaborating with international organizations in the promotion of range of youth development activities.

Task description

The primary task of the YWET PM will be to work with programme staff, youth networks, youth workers, Governments, partners and stakeholders to develop coordinated capacity building and skills enhancement initiatives that meets the needs of the Africa region in the field of youth development. The responsibilities under this task will include but not limited to:

• Conducting training needs assessments with the relevant target audiences (where appropriate);
• The design of integrated strategies (based on evidence) to address the priority areas of capacity needs in the region;
• Overseeing the development and production of appropriate training, capacity building and IEC resources using print and electronic media (e.g. tools, learning aids, manuals etc.) for the target audiences;
• Facilitate and ensure the resources are pretested for relevance and are appropriate for the target audience;
• Commission youth development research that strengthens the knowledge building in the field;
• The organization and facilitation of youth development training courses, workshops and conferences that contributes to the addition/sharing of new developments/best practices in the field;
• Establish partnerships that will contribute to the capacity and skill building in the region and capacity development of young people in the area of youth development.

The PM will also advocate for the recognition of youth work professionals (where necessary) in collaboration with governments (e.g. public service commissions) educational institutions, training agencies, youth workers and other stakeholders. The responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implement advocacy and marketing strategies that promote the merits of youth work professionals;
• Supporting the establishment of youth worker networks/associations (where required);
• Facilitate new training opportunities for youth work professionals through universities, training agencies etc. (by e.g. increasing the number of institutions that offer the Commonwealth Youth Development diploma course);
• Advocate for the introduction and promotion of National standards for youth work professionals.

The PM will oversee and coordinate the implementation of the pilot Commonwealth Youth Development Diploma in the region

• Managing and coordinating the Commonwealth Youth Development Diploma programme with the various Partner institution in the region;
• Develop and oversee the implementation of a Marketing strategy for the diploma;
• Develop and oversee a sustainability plan for partner institutions that have completed the pilot phase of the programme.

The PM will participate in setting the overall CYP Strategy and enhancing the programmes that are implemented by:

• Assisting in the development of a regional strategic plan based on the new strategic areas and the mandates of the Commonwealth and the CYP planning and decision-making bodies, and an annual operational plan, its implementation and evaluation;
• Advocating and lobbying multilateral and bilateral development organizations to increase resource allocation for youth mainstreaming and the development of indicators;
• Assisting in the preparation of materials for meetings of CYP regional planning and decision making bodies;

Preparing reports on the CYP Africa Centre’s work;

Any other duties as may be assigned by the Regional Director from time to time.

>> Apply online

Download Application Guidelines and full job description

For more details see

http://www.thecommonwealth.org/job/191203/167709/234770/110300311.htm

Commonwealth Scholarship UK awards

http://www.cscuk.org.uk/docs/Prospectus_Scholarships_2011.pdf

I N T R O D U C T I O N
Since their inception in 1959, some 26,000 individuals have benefited
from the award of Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships to pursue
advanced academic study in other Commonwealth countries. About two
thirds of awards have been tenable in the United Kingdom. The vast
majority of award holders have returned to make a significant
contribution to their home countries, in many cases at the highest level,
making the award scheme one of the largest and most prestigious in the
world.
This prospectus describes the Commonwealth Scholarships offered
by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the United Kingdom
for citizens of other Commonwealth countries in 2011-2012. Separate
programmes and prospectuses exist for the scholarships offered by
distance learning and on a shared funding basis, and for short mid-career
fellowships, both academic and professional, offered by the
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission. Please visit the CSC website
at www.cscuk.org.uk for details of these programmes. For information
on Commonwealth Scholarships offered by other Commonwealth
countries, please visit the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship
Plan (CSFP) website at www.csfp-online.org

W H A T   T  Y  P E S   O F   A W A R D
A R E   A V A I L  A B L E   A N D   H O W
C A N   I   A P P L Y ?
The Commission invites the nomination of candidates for Common -
wealth Scholarships from a number of sources. These are described below.
Candidates may choose any of these ‘nominating routes’ for any category
of award, subject to the exceptions noted. Candidates must, however,
apply locally in the first instance.  The Commission does not accept
direct applications.
For the following categories of award…
• 12-36 months’ support towards completion of either a  full-time
taught or a doctoral post graduate qualification at an eligible UK
institution. These awards are open to those candidates nominated
either by the Vice Chancellor/Executive Head of their employing
institution or by the appointed agency in their home country
• 12 months’ non-degree study in the United Kingdom on a Split-Site
basis to aid the completion of a doctoral degree undertaken at a
university in the candidate’s home country
• 6 months’ clinical training in medicine or dentistry (available only
to candidates from developing countries). These awards are open to
candidates nominated by their Vice Chancellor/ Executive Head or
by the appointed agency in the home country

E L I G I B I L I T  Y
To apply for the awards covered in this prospectus, candidates should:
• Be Commonwealth citizens, refugees, or British protected persons
• Be permanently resident in a Commonwealth country other than the
United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man
• Be available to commence their academic studies in the United
Kingdom by the start of the UK academic year in September/October
2011
• Hold, by October 2011, a first degree of upper second class
Honours standard (or above); or a second class degree and a relevant
postgraduate qualification, which will normally be a Master’s degree
AND
• In the fields of medicine and dentistry, have qualified as a doctor or
dentist between 1 October 2001 and 30 September 2006


follow the links at www.cscuk.org.uk/apply/postgraduate_study.asp

World Bank Scholarship Program 2011

Are you a national of a World Bank member country? Then you might be eligible for Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program scholarship from World Bank. Apply Today: Application Deadline: March 31, 2011 Applicants are strongly encouraged to use our on-line application. The mission of the World Bank Group is to reduce poverty and improve living [...]

http://www.scholars4dev.com/2735/japan-world-bank-graduate-scholarships-for-development-related-studies/

The few face of UNFPA

UN Sec Gen appoints Osotimehin as UNFPA Executive Director

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has chosen former Nigerian
health minister Babatunde Osotimehin to head the United Nations
Population Fund, U.N. diplomats said Thursday.

Ban has informed the fund's executive board of his choice and called
for reaction before making an official announcement, the diplomats and
others familiar with the exchange said. They spoke on condition of
anonymity because no announcement has been made.

Osotimehin, a medical doctor who specialized in clinical pathology,
served as Nigeria's health minister from December 2008 to March 2010
and is currently provost of the University of Ibadan's College of
Medicine. He studied medicine in Ibadan and at the University of
Birmingham in Britain.

He would succeed Thoraya Ahmed Obaid of Saudi Arabia, an expert on
women's issues who cracked a glass ceiling for women in the Arab world's
most conservative nations. She has served as the fund's executive director
since 2001.

The world's population is edging toward 7 billion people, up from 2.5
billion in 1950, with almost all of the growth expected in cities of less
developed countries.

The 1995 U.N. population conference in Cairo changed the focus of the fund,
known as UNFPA, from numerical targets to promoting choices for individual
women and men, and supporting economic development and education for girls.

UNFPA supports countries in using population data to develop policies and
programs to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted and every birth is safe.
It also works to promote reproductive health, to combat HIV in young people
and to promote equality for girls and women and economic development


Source: Edith M. Lederer, The Associated Press

AIDS Activists die-in delays AIDS 2010 Opening Ceremony

Hundreds of angry people living with HIV and AIDS activists marched
through the Messe Wien conference center in Vienna, Austria the site
of the 2010 International AIDS Conference on Sunday where they staged
a mass die-in.

Red Umbrellas were carried by a group of the activists. The sound of
Vuvuzelas, sirens and whistles were heard amongst chanting of slogans
'Governments count pennies, Africa counts graves", Stop silencing sex
workers", You made a promise, now make it happen",
What year is it, 2010?"

The activists intended to delay the Opening ceremony of the Conference
to illustrate how governments around the world are slowing and scaling
back their commitments toward Universal Access to HIV care, treatment
and prevention.

Tombstones, held to remind conference attendees of the 15 million
people who are in immediate need of treatment, read "Broken Promises
Kill, No Retreat,Fund AIDS."

Recently, the U.S. and European governments have pulled back in their
support for AIDS care, treatment and prevention and to the fact that
governments in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, have failed to live
up to their commitment to fund AIDS treatment and other health needs
as laid out in the Abuja Declaration.


The Global Fund (GFATM), the world's response to the AIDS crisis,
was forced to adopt 10% budget cuts to the first 2 years of funding,
and 25% cuts to for the last 3 years.

Michael Gwaba from the Zambia Community Initiative for Tuberculosis,
HIV/AIDS & Malaria (CITAM+) and the Here I Am Campaign, said, "There
remains a huge funding gap for Round 10, opened in May 2010, which
will result in countries scaling back programs and resisting
investment in activities with recurrent costs, such as hiring
desperately needed health workers or enrolling new patients in treatment.

In 2010, the U.S. Congress paid $1.05 billion to the GFATM which is
$1.7billion less than the U.S. fair share. For 2011, President Obama
proposed to cut funding to only $1 billion, even though at least $2
billion is needed from the US to begin to close the GFATM's funding
gap.

"The African Union countries have failed to live up to their Abuja
commitments on health, and our finance ministers recently suggested
that these spending targets should be dismissed altogether. Already,
access to HIV treatment is being cut back.
Waiting lists are growing",she said.

Despite their repeated rhetorical recognition that investment in
health is critical for socio-economic development, governments around
the world are retreating from their commitments particularly with
regards to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care,"
said Paula Akugizibwe from ARASA.

There are many important discussions that will take place during the
International AIDS Conference. However, in order for any of those
discussions to have any relevance, all conferees must first address
the growing crisis in funding for AIDS care and prevention said,
Mabel Takana, an AIDS activist with Health GAP from Cameroon.

The Opening Ceremony of the Conference also focused on three plenary
presentations of the state of the epidemic setting the stage for
discussions on the theme "Rights Here, Rights Now".

5th World Youth Congress

Turkiye will welcome 1000 young people from around the world to meet during Ýstanbul’s year as the European Capital of Culture. You will have the chance learn a lot about Turkish culture, about Turkish people, and the history of one of the oldest civilizations of the world – which is now the 2nd fastest growing modern economy in the world after China.




Also, just as in Hawaii, you learned about the word ‘Aloha’ – and here in Canada – you learned the meaning of ‘Regeneration,’ in Turkiye, we hope you will discover the meaning of the word: "imece" - a turkish word which doesn’t have exact definition in English. It refers to an ancient tradition of solidarity - working collectively for the common good. But it carries with it – not the connotation of effort or duty – but the fun of collaboration: like its always a festival of enjoying yourself when you work and achieve things together.



We hope that this is how young people around the world will see youth-led development: the effort to make poverty history in our lifetimes – and create peace, human rights, democracy, Trust, Volunteerism and a prosperous green economy that will bring sustainable happiness to every race and nation on the earth – this is imece! And it will be the greatest source of joy and fun for us all to take part in this effort.



Istanbul is at the crossroads of civilisations – a meeting point of two great continents. Join us in Istanbul, and help us write another chapter in this history of this fascinating city: one in which the young people of the world and their governments learn to work together in ‘imece’ to eliminate the scourge of poverty from our world

KEEPING UP

The way life goes at times is very difficult to keep track. leadership forces alot of responsibilities and takes away one's rights. i usually say this alot until i found out that as a youth leader I could not do the things i usually do normally for example..., it use to be ok for me to protest to things from my perspective before i became a regional Youth caucus member, now its very difficult to have an opinion of my own as i am required to look at everyone's perspective and options before taking a stand on any issue...in fact am expected to talk last....and i can tell you its so difficult

I have found out that the best i can do for myself is seek advice from my inner circle of trusted friends who do not feel threathened by my progress and are willing to look at me in the face and correct me in the best manner possible. i had to rely on such advice recently when my intentions were not considered in a decision i took, only my mistakes were beamed upon.

My  advice to my collegues is simply  'Leadership requires one to be meticulous and selfless' , if you can't do that, don't bother aspiring for leadership as your failure will become headline news too.

Ciao