CIF Co-Creation Facilitation – Short Term Consultant

The Youth Grow Activity (YGA) is seeking a highly qualified consultant to facilitate a co-creation session(s) with the two potential partners who applied to the Expression of Interest for YGA’s Catalytic Investment fund, and other stakeholders. The consultant will review all the relevant material available at YGA, the concepts submitted by the potential partners, and the profiles of the potential partners, to prepare for the co-creation sessions. The consultant will then facilitate the co-creation session(s), to foster a productive discussion among participants, bringing YGA closer to building the best model for the partnership under the CIF. The consultant will then develop a report detailing the outcomes of the discussion, and recommending the best course of action and the next steps based on the discussion.         

This opportunity is open to Internationals.

Background

Q2 Impact is a global consulting firm with 25 years of experience providing data-driven and insightful solutions to accelerate development in over 97 countries, passionate about transforming lives and systems through knowledge-based solutions.

Youth Grow Activity (YGA) is a five-year (2023-2028) USAID-funded project implemented by Q2 Impact and partners, adopting Positive Youth Development (PYD) principles to empower Jordanian youth for the benefit of the youth and society at large. YGA targets youth aged 10-29, prioritizing girls, women, people with disabilities, and isolated or economically disadvantaged communities. YGA focuses on increasing youth economic participation by addressing both readiness and access to income-generating opportunities. Through targeted programs, the initiative enhances youth economic status by providing skill development, and job-tech opportunities. In parallel, YGA supports the growth of youth-led and youth-serving enterprises through acceleration and access to financial resources. Moreover, YGA promotes an inclusive environment for youth economic participation by strengthening coordination across the youth development system and institutionalizing support mechanisms, ensuring that procedures and practices are embedded within local and national frameworks for long-term sustainability.

The Youth Grow Activity TOC states that: IF youth in Jordan are equipped with knowledge, resources, and income-generating opportunities, and IF stronger youth-inclusive and supportive systems are established in Jordan, THEN youth in Jordan will be economically resilient and contribute positively to their communities.

Overarching YGA Objectives and Expected Key Result Areas

YGA aims to achieve two main objectives:

• Increased youth economic participation readiness. Through increased readiness for income-generating opportunities, enhanced youth access to income-generating opportunities, and enhanced youth-led and youth-serving enterprises’ growth opportunities. The youth will be better prepared, inspired, and linked with activities that allow them to generate income.
• Enabled an inclusive environment for youth economic participation, through enhanced coordination within the youth development system, to ensure collaboration among stakeholders to streamline services, and institutionalize support mechanisms for youth economic participation, integrating sustainable practices and procedures into the local and national ecosystem

The catalytic investment Fund (CIF)

The Catalytic Investment Fund (CIF) is a strategic initiative designed to empower entrepreneurs and foster inclusive economic growth in Jordan. Youth represent a significant portion of the potential workforce, but often lack the skills and experience demanded by employers. As entrepreneurs, youth bring innovative solutions to global challenges but are frequently overlooked due to a lack of collateral and credit history required by traditional financial institutions. Angle, social, and impact investors also view youth-led startups as high -risk due to limited track record and a lack financial literacy needed to navigate funding processes, create compelling business plans, or manage finances.

By providing targeted financial investments, mentorship, and networking opportunities, the CIF aims to stimulate the creation of sustainable income opportunities, and address the challenges faced by marginalized youth.

The fund will prioritize investments in youth-led and youth-serving enterprises that demonstrate a strong potential for social and economic impact. For youth serving enterprises the fund will focus on those that offer products and services tailored to the needs of marginalized youth, contributing to the overall development of the Jordanian economy. Another key focus of the CIF will be to support enterprises led by young women and people with disabilities, who often face significant barriers to economic participation. By providing these groups with access to capital, training, and mentorship, the CIF aims to create a more equitable and inclusive business environment.

The CIF aims to provide a versatile financing package, incorporating blended financing solutions and mechanisms, to address specific challenges faced by young entrepreneurs and enterprises that aim to create income for youth. In collaboration with YGA, the CIF will equip youth with invaluable mentorship, expertise, and networking opportunities to propel their ventures to success.

To collaborate on managing the CIF as an activity under YGA and create a substantial portfolio of innovative investments in Jordan's youth, Q2 Impact issued an Expressions of Interest (EOI) for existing investment funds operating in Jordan, to collaborate in the launch, development, and scale of the CIF. Through this partnership with a specialized local investment fund, the CIF will leverage the partner’s expertise, infrastructure, and credibility to create a sustainable and impactful investment platform. By providing mentorship, funding networks, and milestone-based funding, the CIF seeks to foster the creation of income opportunities for youth, generate a reasonable return on investment, and create positive economic change.

Based on the results of the expression of interest, two applicants have been selected as potential CIF partners. These applicants will be invited to two-to-three-hour long co-creation sessions (combined or separately).

Scope of Work and objectives

The consultant's primary objectives are to facilitate productive co-creation sessions between YGA, potential partners, and stakeholders, gather insights and information, and develop a comprehensive report summarizing the outcomes and recommending actionable steps. Participants in the Co-creation session will include the potential shortlisted applicants, Government of Jordan and USAID representatives in addition to related YGA’s technical team responsible for addressing the demand side through project activities that offer youth business capacity training, improve the enabling environment, and strengthen youth- supporting civil society groups.

To achieve these objectives, the consultant will first prepare for the sessions by reviewing relevant materials and developing a structured agenda and facilitation plan. The consultant is expected to advise on the best way to engage shortlisted applicants either through separate or combined sessions. During the sessions, the consultant will guide participants through open dialogue, brainstorming, and consensus-building.

Once the sessions are complete, the consultant will develop a detailed report summarizing the key findings, identifying areas of alignment and synergies, and recommending specific actions and next steps for partnership structures, roles and responsibilities, and funding mechanisms.

The consultant should have experience in facilitation, a strong understanding of youth economic development and social entrepreneurship, and the ability to navigate complex discussions and negotiations.

Level of Effort / Period of Performance

The total Level of Effort (LOE) estimated for this assignment will not exceed 5 working days.

Expected deliverables

The consultant shall submit the deliverables described above in accordance with the following deliverables:

1. Preparation:

• Review all relevant materials, including YGA's documentation, the potential partners' submissions, and their profiles.
• Develop a facilitation plan for the co-creation sessions, ensuring a productive and inclusive discussion.
• The material should be on MS Word and/or And ppt format.
• The material should be in English.
• Total LOE for this deliverable is two (2) days
• The due date for this deliverable is November 7, 2024

1. Facilitation:

• Conduct two-to-three-hour co-creation sessions with the potential shortlisted applicants and relevant stakeholders.
• Guide participants through a structured discussion, encouraging open dialogue, brainstorming, and idea sharing.
• Facilitate consensus-building and address potential challenges or disagreements.
• The sessions conducted with the potential shortlisted applicants and relevant stakeholders and the discussions will be as direct face to face facilitation.
• The language will be in English.
• Total LOE for this deliverable is one (1) day
• The due date for this deliverable is November 11, 2024

1. Report Development:

• Summarize the key findings and outcomes of the co-creation sessions.
• Identify areas of alignment and potential synergies between YGA, the potential partners, and the CIF.
• Recommend specific actions and next steps based on the discussions, including potential partnership structures, roles and responsibilities, and funding mechanisms.
• The report should be on MS Word and/or And ppt format.
• The report should be in English.
• Total LOE for this deliverable is two (2) days
• The due date for this deliverable is November 14, 2024

The consultant(s) who is assigned for the delivery of this assignment must submit a time sheet indicating the actual days done, a list of deliverables completed, and a breakdown of the activities achieved. Time sheet subjected for the technical review and approval of the respective team lead in the activity prior to proceeding with the invoicing process.

Location of the Assignment

The Consultant shall conduct this assignment using a blended approach, where the review process and reporting can be completed remotely, whereas the facilitation of the co-creation session must be physically in Jordan. 

Reporting

The Consultant shall directly report to the Deputy Chief of Party of YGA.