TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) FOR THE CONSULTANCY TO CUSTOMIZE THE REARING AS A BUSINESS (RAAB) MODEL AND create TRAINING MATERIALS UNDER THE RWANDA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PHASE II (RDDP II)

1. About Cordaid

Cordaid is an internationally operating humanitarian and development organization working to create resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods. In Rwanda, Cordaid contributes to the development of resilient and inclusive agricultural value chains by promoting financial inclusion, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development.

Through partnerships with government institutions, local communities, financial service providers, and private-sector actors, Cordaid supports smallholder farmers and rural enterprises in improving access to finance, strengthening entrepreneurship and business skills, enhancing market participation, and adopting climate-smart agricultural practices.

2. Background and Context

The Rwanda Dairy Development Project Phase II (RDDP-2) aims to enhance the income, nutrition, and resilience of rural households through a more inclusive, sustainable, climate-resilient, digitalized, and competitive dairy sector. As part of the project, Cordaid leads interventions focused on strengthening access to finance, investment readiness, financial inclusion, and business development among dairy value chain actors.

Despite improvements in dairy production, many actors across the dairy value chain including smallholder dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Collection Centers (MCCs), savings groups, milk transporters, dairy SMEs and MSMEs, and other service providers continue to face challenges related to business planning, governance, financial management, access to finance, investment readiness, climate risk management, and gender and social inclusion. These constraints limit their ability to operate sustainably and competitively.

To address these challenges, Cordaid intends to customize and expand the Rearing as a Business (RaaB) approach into a comprehensive business development and investment readiness framework tailored to the needs of different dairy value chain actors. The customized RaaB model will deliver practical tools and learning pathways that strengthen entrepreneurship, governance, financial management, record keeping, market orientation, access to finance, climate resilience, and inclusive business practices.

The model is expected to transform dairy farmers and other value chain actors from production-focused operators into commercially oriented entrepreneurs capable of making informed business and investment decisions, maintaining proper records, accessing financial services, and managing profitable and resilient dairy enterprises.

To assist this process, Cordaid seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm with proven expertise in agricultural value chain development, agribusiness training, financial inclusion, and rural enterprise development to customize the RaaB model and create training curricula, facilitation tools, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms suitable for Rwanda's dairy sector and rural context.

3. Objective of the Assignment

Overall Objective

To customize and create a comprehensive Dairy Value Chain Rearing as a Business (RaaB) Framework, together with practical training curricula, facilitation tools, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms, that strengthens the entrepreneurship, business management, governance, financial literacy, investment readiness, digital financial inclusion, gender and social inclusion, and climate resilience capacities of dairy value chain actors including smallholder dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Collection Centres (MCCs), farmers’ saving groups, milk transporters, dairy SMEs, and MSMEs thereby enhancing their competitiveness, sustainability, and access to market and financing opportunities.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, the consultancy shall:

1. Assess existing RaaB approaches, training materials, and capacity gaps among key dairy value chain actors to detect training and business development needs within the RDDP-2 intervention areas.
2. Customize and expand the RaaB model into a practical and inclusive Dairy Value Chain Business Development and Investment Readiness Framework tailored to the needs of dairy farmers, cooperatives, Milk Collection Centres (MCCs), savings groups, milk transporters, SMEs, MSMEs, and other relevant stakeholders.
3. create comprehensive training curricula, learning pathways, facilitation guides, and practical business management tools that strengthen entrepreneurship, governance, leadership, financial management, digital financial literacy, investment readiness, and access to finance.
4. Integrate climate-smart dairy business practices, climate resilience measures, gender equality, and social inclusion principles into the customized framework and training materials to promote sustainable and inclusive dairy sector development.
5. Establish practical coaching, mentoring, peer-learning, and knowledge-sharing mechanisms that facilitate the adoption of improved business practices and assist continuous capacity development among dairy value chain actors.
6. create monitoring, evaluation, and learning tools to assess training effectiveness, measure behavioral change, and track improvements in business performance and investment readiness.
7. Pilot, validate, and refine the customized framework and training materials, and build a pool of Master Trainers capable of supporting the effective rollout, quality assurance, and scaling of the RaaB framework across the 27 RDDP-2 districts.
8. Establish a sustainable capacity-strengthening and knowledge dissemination system that promotes continuous learning, peer exchange, and the adoption of business-oriented, climate-resilient, gender-responsive, and investment-ready practices throughout the dairy value chain.

4. Scope of Work

The consulting firm shall undertake the following assignments:

Phase 1: Desk evaluate, Inception, and Stakeholder Consultations

evaluate relevant RDDP-2 project documents, policies, studies, existing RaaB models, and other dairy value chain development and capacity-building materials.

• perform an inception process to refine the methodology, work plan, assessment tools, stakeholder engagement approach, and deliverables.
• Consult key stakeholders, including RAB/SPIU, Cordaid, dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, Milk Collection Centers (MCCs), farmers’ saving groups, milk transporters, dairy SMEs and MSMEs, financial institutions, and other relevant actors.
• Assess capacity gaps, training needs, business development constraints, governance challenges, and investment readiness requirements across the dairy value chain.

Phase 2: Customization of the Dairy Value Chain RaaB Framework

create a comprehensive Dairy Value Chain Rearing as a Business (RaaB) and Investment Readiness Framework tailored to the RDDP-2 context.

• Design differentiated learning pathways and training modules for:

-Smallholder dairy farmers;

-Dairy cooperatives and MCCs;

-Farmers’ saving groups and VSLAs;

-Milk transporters and other service providers; and

-Dairy SMEs and MSMEs.

• Integrate business development, entrepreneurship, financial management, digital financial literacy, market systems development, investment readiness, climate resilience, and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across all modules.
• Incorporate governance, leadership, accountability, transparency, and organizational sustainability components for cooperatives, MCCs, savings groups, and other collective dairy value chain enterprises.
• Ensure coherence and alignment across all modules while adapting content to the specific roles, capacities, and operational realities of each target group.

Phase 3: Development of Training and Facilitation Materials

create comprehensive facilitator guides and participant manuals in both English and Kinyarwanda.

• produce training presentations, visual aids, illustrations, practical exercises, and low-literacy learning materials suitable for adult learners.
• create practical business management tools and templates, including:

-Business planning and enterprise development tools;

-Financial management and record-keeping tools;

-Governance and leadership assessment tools;

-Investment readiness assessment tools;

-Climate resilience planning tools; and

-Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) tools.

• Design participatory learning methodologies, including case studies, storytelling, role plays, demonstrations, group exercises, and experiential learning approaches.

Phase 4: Training Delivery Model and Learning Pathways

Design a practical and scalable training delivery model that minimizes disruption to participants’ daily economic activities while maximizing learning outcomes.

• Define optimal training duration, scheduling, sequencing, and modular delivery approaches for different target groups.
• create structured learning pathways that link training content to practical business applications and improved enterprise performance.
• Design a phased approach integrating training, coaching, mentoring, peer learning, refresher sessions, and continuous capacity development.
• create graduation and progression criteria, particularly for cooperatives, MCCs, and savings groups, to measure advancement toward improved business performance and investment readiness.

Phase 5: Coaching, Mentoring, and Peer-Learning Framework

Design a proximity-based coaching and mentoring framework tailored to the needs of different dairy value chain actors.

• Define coaching methodologies, mentoring tools, roles and responsibilities, frequency of assist, monitoring mechanisms, and quality assurance systems.
• create a farmer-to-farmer and peer-learning model that leverages model farmers, cooperative leaders, MCC managers, VSLA facilitators, and other local champions as knowledge multipliers.
• Establish mechanisms for continuous learning, knowledge exchange, practical application, and business improvement at community level.

Phase 6: Validation, Pilot Testing, and Capacity Building

Facilitate stakeholder validation workshops to evaluate, validate, and refine the framework, training modules, tools, and learning materials.

• Pilot selected training modules and tools with representative beneficiaries and incorporate lessons learned into the final products.
• Deliver Training of Trainers (ToT) for selected project staff, extension personnel, and field-level facilitators.
• Strengthen the facilitation, coaching, mentoring, and quality assurance capacities of key implementation actors tasked with rolling out the framework.

Phase 7: Finalization and Knowledge Products

Revise and finalize all frameworks, training materials, facilitation guides, and tools based on stakeholder validation and pilot-testing feedback.

• Ensure all final products are professionally designed, user-friendly, and available in both English and Kinyarwanda in editable soft-copy and printable formats.
• create a knowledge dissemination and sustainability strategy to assist long-term adoption and scaling of the framework.
• Submit a comprehensive final consultancy report outlining the methodology, findings, deliverables, lessons learned, recommendations, and roadmap for scaling implementation across the 27 RDDP-2 districts.

5. Expected Deliverables

The consulting firm shall submit the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report

Including detailed methodology, refined work plan, tools, stakeholder engagement plan, and implementation schedule.

2. Other activities:

2.1. Desk evaluate and Assessment Report

Summarizing findings from document evaluate, stakeholder consultations, and capacity gap analysis across dairy value chain actors.

2.2. Customized Dairy Value Chain RaaB and Investment Readiness Framework

A comprehensive framework tailored to farmers, cooperatives, MCCs, VSLAs/Farmers for group saving, milk transporters, SMEs, and MSMEs, integrating business development, governance, financial management, gender and social inclusion, and climate resilience.

3. Differentiated Training Modules

Modular curricula for each value chain actor, including clear learning objectives, content, and progression pathways.

4. Facilitator Guides and Participant Manuals

4.1. Training Guides and Manuals

Fully developed training guides and manuals in both English and Kinyarwanda, including structured session plans and facilitation instructions.

4.2. Training Presentations and Visual Learning Materials in Kinyarwanda and English

PowerPoint presentations, illustrations, infographics, and simplified visual tools designed for low-literacy audiences.

4.3. Practical Business and Financial Tools Package

Including templates and tools for:

-Business planning

-Record keeping and financial management

-Governance and leadership assessment

-Investment readiness assessment

-Climate resilience planning

-Monitoring and evaluation

4.4. Training Delivery and Learning Pathway Framework

A structured model outlining training duration, sequencing, phased learning approach, and progression from training to coaching, mentoring, and investment readiness.

4.5. Proximity Coaching and Peer Learning Framework

A structured system for mentoring, coaching, and farmer-to-farmer learning, including roles, tools, frequency, and monitoring mechanisms.

5. Validation Workshop Report

Documenting feedback from stakeholders, agreed revisions, and final validation of outcomes.

6. Carry out Training of Trainers (ToT) and Report

Including agenda, participant list, methodology, key outcomes, and evaluation results.

7. Final Consultancy Report

A comprehensive report consolidating all outputs, methodologies, lessons learned, and recommendations for scaling the RaaB framework across the 27 districts.

6. Expected Outcome

The customized RaaB Model will establish a sustainable farmer-to-farmer extension and peer-learning system whereby trained model farmers serve as local champions of business-oriented dairy farming. Through coaching, mentoring, demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing activities, model farmers will assist the wider adoption of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital financial literacy, investment planning, record keeping, and climate-smart dairy practices among fellow farmers across the 27 RDDP-2 districts.

7. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy is expected to be completed within thirty (50) calendar days from the date of contract signature.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience of the Consulting Firm

To qualify for this assignment, the consulting firm shall:

• The firm will have a minimum of seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in agricultural value chain development, agribusiness promotion, rural finance, financial inclusion, enterprise development, and capacity building.
• Demonstrate proven experience in developing business-oriented training curricula, participant manuals, trainers’ guides, facilitation tools, coaching frameworks, and adult-learning materials.
• Have successfully implemented at least three (3) similar assignments for government institutions, development partners, non-governmental organizations, producer organizations, cooperatives, financial institutions, or private sector entities.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of Rwanda’s dairy sector, agricultural extension systems, cooperative development, rural finance ecosystem, and private sector engagement approaches.
• Demonstrate proven experience in business development services, investment readiness, entrepreneurship development, financial literacy, and access-to-finance interventions targeting agricultural value chains.
• Have experience in designing and implementing farmer-to-farmer extension systems, peer-learning mechanisms, model farmer programmes, Livestock Farmer Field Schools (L-FFS), coaching, and mentoring approaches.
• Demonstrate experience in integrating gender equality, climate resilience and mart agriculture, and digital financial literacy into training and capacity-building programmes.
• make sure that the Team Leader and all key experts involved in curriculum development, facilitation, coaching, and training delivery are fluent in both spoken and written Kinyarwanda. Proven experience in developing and delivering training materials in Kinyarwanda for rural communities shall be mandatory.
• Demonstrate the institutional capacity to deliver large-scale training and capacity-building programmes across multiple districts and organize effectively with government institutions, development partners, cooperatives, Milk Collection Centres (MCCs), financial institutions, and other dairy value chain stakeholders.

Key Personnel

The assignment shall be undertaken by a multidisciplinary team with demonstrated expertise in dairy value chain development, agribusiness, financial inclusion, organizational strengthening, climate resilience, gender equality and social inclusion, and adult learning methodologies. At a minimum, the consulting firm shall present the following key experts:

a. Team Leader / Business Development and Capacity Strengthening Specialist

• PhD degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development or Animal Production.
• At least 10 years of experience in capacity building, curriculum development, business development services, and agricultural value chain development.
• Proven experience leading similar assignments involving entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion, investment readiness, and organizational strengthening.

b. Dairy Value Chain and Agribusiness Specialist

• Master's degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Animal Production.
• At least 7 years of experience in dairy value chain development, market systems, enterprise development, cooperative strengthening, and business planning.
• Demonstrated experience supporting dairy farmers, cooperatives, MCCs, SMEs, and MSMEs to enhance profitability and market competitiveness.

c. Financial Inclusion and Investment Readiness Specialist

• Master's degree in finance, Micro-finance, Economics, Business Administration with Financial option.
• At least 7 years of experience in rural finance, financial literacy, investment readiness, SME development, business planning, and access-to-finance initiatives.
• Proven experience working with financial institutions, cooperatives, producer organizations, and rural enterprises.

d. Governance and Organizational Development Specialist

• Master's degree in organizational development, Cooperative Management, or Strategic management.
• Proven experience in governance strengthening, leadership development, accountability systems, strategic planning, and institutional sustainability of cooperatives, producer organizations, and community groups.

e. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist

• Master's degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, and Development Studies
• At least 5 years of experience integrating gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches into agricultural value chains and rural development programmes.
• Demonstrated experience promoting women's economic empowerment, youth engagement, and inclusion of vulnerable groups.

f. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Resilience Specialist

• Master's degree in environmental sciences, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management.
• At least 5 years of experience in climate-smart agriculture, climate adaptation, resilience building, sustainable natural resource management, and climate risk management.

g. Graphic Design and Communication Specialist

• Proven experience in the development of visual learning materials, illustrations, infographics, job aids, and communication products for rural and low-literacy audiences.
• Experience producing materials in both English and Kinyarwanda will be an added advantage.

The proposed team shall collectively demonstrate substantial experience in designing and delivering business-oriented, climate-resilient, gender-responsive, and investment-ready capacity-building programmes for dairy value chain actors and other agricultural enterprises and speaking Kinyarwanda among other languages.

9. Reporting and Supervision

The consulting firm will work under the direct supervision of the RDDP-2 Project Coordinator supported by the Program Manager at Cordaid Rwanda and in close collaboration with RAB/SPIU.

The Team Leader designated by the firm shall serve as the primary focal point for all technical and contractual matters.

10. Selection Criteria

Evaluation and Scoring Matrix

Proposals will be evaluated using a combined technical and financial scoring system. Only firms that meet all mandatory eligibility criteria will be considered for evaluation.

Total Score: 100%

Evaluation Notes

• Only technical proposals scoring 70% and above will qualify for financial evaluation.
• The financial proposal will be evaluated separately and combined with the technical score to determine the final ranking.
• The contract will be awarded to the highest ranked proposal based on combined technical and financial scores.

11. Application Requirements

Please note that this assignment is open to consulting firms ONLY. Applications from individual consultants will not be considered. 

Interested consulting firms must meet the following minimum eligibility and qualification criteria:

11.1. Technical proposal including above and below mentioned requirements 

a. Legal and Administrative Requirements

• Must be a legally registered consulting firm with authorization to operate in Rwanda.
• Must possess valid tax compliance documentation, including Tax Clearance Certificate
• Certificate of current standing

b. General Institutional Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in agricultural value chain development, agribusiness, rural enterprise development, or related fields.
• Proven track record in implementing similar assignments for governments, development partners, NGOs, cooperatives, or private sector organizations.
• Demonstrated understanding of dairy or livestock value chain systems in Rwanda or comparable contexts.

c. Technical Expertise Requirements specified in N08

d. Relevant Assignment Experience

• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering training curricula, facilitator guides, and farmer training materials.
• Experience in developing multi-actor value chain capacity-building programs (farmers, cooperatives, financial actors, SMEs/MSMEs).
• Proven experience in implementing farmer-to-farmer learning, mentorship, or peer-learning approaches (e.g., Farmer Field Schools or similar models).

e. Language and Communication Requirements

• The firm must demonstrate fluent working capacity in English and Kinyarwanda.
• Key personnel involved in content development, facilitation, and training delivery must be able to create and deliver materials in Kinyarwanda.

f. Key Personnel Requirements as specified in No8

g. Quality of Past Work

• Submission of at least three (5) good completion certificates of similar complexity and scope successfully completed within the previous period.

11.2. Financial Proposal

A detailed financial proposal indicating all costs associated with the assignment.

Submission Details

Applications shall be submitted electronically to: rwanda.procurement@cordaid.org

SUBJECT:Consultancy for the Customization of the Rearing as a Business (RaaB) Model-RDDP II

Deadline: 18 June 2026

12. Ethical Considerations

The consulting firm shall comply with Cordaid's safeguarding, integrity, anti-corruption, environmental, and data protection policies throughout the assignment.

13. Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

All deliverables, training materials, tools, manuals, and frameworks developed under this assignment shall become the property of Cordaid and RAB/SPIU. The consulting firm shall keep strict confidentiality regarding any information obtained during the assignment and shall not disclose such information without prior written authorization.

14. Right to Cancel the Procurement Process

Cordaid reserves the right to withdraw or cease the advertisement for this consultancy at any time before signing a contract. This decision may be made at Cordaid's discretion and without obligation to deliver reasons for such withdrawal. All interested parties will be promptly notified if the advertisement is cancelled.

15. Additional Information

For further information regarding these Terms of Reference, interested firms may contact Cordaid Rwanda Procurement through: rwanda.procurement@cordaid.org

Patrick BIRASA
Country Manager
Cordaid Rwanda