AP-00006: Terms of Reference (TOR) ESO/ Ecosystem Support Consultant

1. Background 

Accelerate Prosperity (AP) is a global initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Central and South Asia, which follows guidance from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Board to develop more formal structures to catalyze enterprises within AKDN’s main area development programs, where economic opportunities remain insufficient. Through patient capital and tailored business advisory to startups and businesses, AP complements broader employment-related programs of AKF and draws significantly on technical expertise from the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development’s (AKFED) Industrial Promotion Services (IPS), and coordinates efforts with the AKDN’s financial institutions, the University of Central Asia and many other national partners.  

AP’s approach combines financial and non-financial support, recognizing that standalone business development services and traditional bank financing are inadequate to catalyze start-ups, grow small firms, and deliver job creation in fragile and emerging markets, particularly for marginalized groups in rural areas. 

Start-up Pakistan is a project financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and implemented by Accelerate Prosperity. The initiative aims to scale up Accelerate Prosperity’s existing model of technical support and financing for businesses. It will expand into new geographies and across exciting sectors such as education, health, tourism, and green economy, prioritizing digitization and environmental sustainability. 

About the Position: 

AP is dedicated to enhancing the performance and sustainability of Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in Pakistan. AP recognizes the crucial role that these organizations play in supporting the growth and development of enterprises in Pakistan, particularly those led by women and marginalized communities. 

The Ecosystem Support Consultant will be responsible for managing relationships with ESOs and AP, ensuring collaboration, & supporting the implementation of program activities.

Job Responsibilities: 

1. Pipeline Management: 

• Maintain a database of engaged ESOs, businesses they work with, status, and relevance to AP’s services, updated monthly.
• Support in getting select pipeline from the ecosystem, the required technical assistance and support to make them investment relevant and ready for AP’s investment function.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for engaged ESOs and their partnership with AP.

2. Program Implementation: 

• Manage and lead the ESO capacity building program end-to-end, including design, selection, implementation, monitoring, reporting, etc.
• Lead all communications and coordination related to the ESO capacity building program between all stakeholders
• Submit monthly progress updates documenting activity status, achievements, and issues.
• Design, run, and fully manage pilot programs with selected ESOs.

3. Ecosystem Engagement:

• Engage with at least 2 unique key stakeholders (e.g., government agencies, donors, entrepreneurs) per quarter.
• Support the teams in the head-hunting pipeline and conducting outreach across the ecosystem.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, economics, development studies, or a related field. 
• At least 5-7 years of experience working with ESOs or similar organizations. 
• Strong understanding of Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the challenges faced by ESOs.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and capacity building is desirable. 

Payment Terms:

Monthly Retainer: The payments will be made on a monthly basis, subject to satisfactory completion of deliverables as approved by the supervisor.

Location: 

• The position is based in Islamabad/ Lahore. 

Reporting Line: 

The Ecosystem Support Consultant will report to the Technical Assistance Manager.

Proposal Submission Requirements:

Interested applicants must submit the following: 

1. Technical Proposal: 

• Applicants should include a cover letter describing their previous experience, key skills, and qualifications that make them suitable for this role.
• Applicants are required to sign the RFP document along with annexes and it should be submitted along with the proposal. Please find the link for RFP and other documents here: Ecosystem Support Consultant – Accelerate Prosperity

 2. Financial Proposal: 

• The financial proposal should be submitted using the attached financial proposal format with a valid signature and stamp. Please find the link with additional documents here: Ecosystem Support Consultant – Accelerate Prosperity

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on: 

• Technical expertise and experience of the applicants (60%) 

• Financial competitiveness (40%) 

 Contract Duration

The initial contract will be for 1 year, with the possibility of an extension based on performance and program needs.  

Link

You are required to submit the proposal as per the submission guideline, and you can access the RFP document and other documents here:

https://pk.accelerateprosperity.org/work-with-us-2/ecosystem-support-consultant/