1.0 The Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF)

The Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) is a five-year IFC program, implemented in partnership with the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), Turkana County Government, and UNHCR. Based on the results of IFC’s “Kakuma as a Marketplace” research, Kakuma was found to have thriving, untapped economic potential. KKCF was designed to catalyze private-sector investment in the Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area of Turkana West, Kenya. The programme seeks to unlock economic opportunities for refugees and host communities alike by introducing business firms of all sizes, from micro-enterprises and family businesses to big companies and social enterprises, into their midst to create jobs, enhance the availability of products and services, and support fair market prices. (More at: https://kkcfke.org/).

KKCF adopts a competitive funding strategy to channel donor funds to firms most likely to thrive under the prevailing local market conditions and yield maximum socio-economic returns. Through transparent competition and rigorous vetting, the program identifies businesses that are likely to engage with local trends and contribute positively to large-scale development agendas in Turkana County. Because the region is marginalized and vulnerable, KKCF provides concessionally priced capital, technical assistance, and policy support to help strategically identified businesses navigate the challenges of poor infrastructure, low-skilled labor, complex regulations, and limited access to finance.

Today, KKCF is supporting 105 micro-enterprises and 19 SMEs across various sectors. These businesses will create higher incomes, employment opportunities, and access to basic services, as well as improve the standard of living among the host and refugee populations. Inextricably interwoven with the program is a robust results measurement system that tracks each grantee’s impact and applies those results to program design, rendering KKCF responsive and flexible to the needs of the communities it serves.

2.0 Competitive business challenge

Component 1: Competitive Business Challenge

Implemented in collaboration with the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF), this component supports established companies, social enterprises, and local entrepreneurs in developing commercially viable and sustainable businesses that can raise incomes, provide goods and services, create jobs, and improve living standards in both refugee camps and host communities. Private-sector companies and social enterprises compete for performance-based grants that require co-financing. Technical Assistance (TA) is also provided.

Three funding windows were offered:

• Private Sector Window (PSW) – for companies already present or seeking to establish operations in Kakuma/Kalobeyei.
• Social Enterprise Window (SEW) – for social enterprises seeking to set up or expand operations.
• Local Enterprise Development (LED) Window – for local enterprises already operating in the area.

Component 2: Investment Climate and Policy Advisory

IFC works with the Turkana County Government (TCG) to create a conducive business environment in Turkana West sub-county. Initiatives include establishing the Biashara/Huduma Centre in Kakuma (May 2023) to provide access to policy information, government services, and regulatory services. IFC has also supported the development of an Investment Promotion Bill and a portal to attract and manage investments.

Component 3: Facilitating Entry of Larger Companies

IFC assists larger companies through customized market and feasibility assessments, business development missions, and links to IFC financing and technical assistance.

KKCF Results to Date (as of Dec 31, 2025) – subject to external validation:

• 1,250 direct jobs supported and an estimated 7,280 indirect jobs.
• 253,430 Individuals with improved access to services.
• 7,719 Loans disbursed by supported MFIs, valued at USD 4.15 million.
• 4,565 Farmers engaged in agribusiness activities.
• USD 12.7 million in private sector investment leveraged.
• 325 tons of plastic waste collected, 9.2 tons of e-waste recycled, and 2,255.5 Cm³ of fecal sludge collected for waste-to-energy conversion.
• 36 kWh of renewable power sold.
• 49 acres of land put to productive use.
• 4,350 community members have access to free water.
• 1,385 students are benefiting from improved learning standards.

About the Kakuma Kalobeyei refugee hosting area:

The Kakuma–Kalobeyei refugee-hosting area in Turkana West, northwestern Kenya, is home to over 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers and roughly 250,000 host community members. Both groups face persistent socio-economic challenges, including limited jobs, scarce water, poor infrastructure, and restricted access to quality services. These shared needs have made Kakuma–Kalobeyei a key focus for the humanitarian–development nexus, where aid and development partners collaborate to promote self-reliance, strengthen livelihoods, and improve services for all residents.

3.0 Objective of the assignment

The objective of this assignment is to develop high-quality sectoral case studies and 8 sector-specific documentaries of a maximum of 5 minutes each, aligned to the corresponding sectoral studies, capturing outcomes, contributions, and transformative effects of grant-supported businesses across supported sectors, namely: Agriculture, Service, Manufacturing, Retail, Wholesale, Healthcare, Education, and Financial.

The assignment seeks to document and communicate credible, evidence-based sectoral impact, demonstrating how grant-supported enterprises have contributed to economic growth, job creation, service delivery, inclusion, and resilience within their respective sectors. The Case study and the documentaries will harness sector-level economic and social outcomes and translate technical and performance data into engaging stories that can be understood by different audiences, including donors, partners, policymakers, and the public.

4.0 Scope of the assignment

The consultant shall focus on the following Thematic and analytical areas when developing sectoral impact stories and documentary content.

• Sector-Level Impact: Contribution of supported enterprises to sector growth, productivity, value addition, and competitiveness.
• Business Transformation: Evidence of changes attributable to grant support, including scale-up, productivity improvements, innovation, or formalization.
• Economic and Social Outcomes: Job creation, income generation, inclusion of women and youth, and local economic effects.
• Access and Affordability: Improved access to goods and services, particularly in essential sectors such as healthcare, education, finance, and transport, including value chain links and ecosystem strengthening.
• Sustainability and Resilience: Durability of outcomes post-grant, resilience to shocks, and scalability of successful models.
• Grant Additionality and Learning: Evidence of change attributable to the grant and lessons to inform future sector-focused interventions.
• Additionality: The value KKCF adds, beyond the provision of financing, benefits that are not typically offered by commercial financiers or other investors.
• Attracting private capital-The value KKCF adds towards lowering risk for private investment in various sectors.
• Business Environment and Government Policies-The value KKCF has added towards streamlining external conditions that influence how businesses operate, grow, and attract investment in various sectors. It includes regulatory frameworks, infrastructure, certifications, taxation, market access, and overall ease of doing business.
• Cross-Cutting Themes: Innovation, digitalization, climate resilience, and inclusive growth, where applicable.

5.0 Stakeholder engagement

The Consultant shall undertake a thorough and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement approach to ensure balanced analysis, triangulation of results, and credible documentation of impact at the sectoral and enterprise levels. Stakeholder engagement shall cover not only the enterprises but also other actors in the ecosystem, beneficiaries, financial institutions, and relevant government directorates.

Stakeholders to be Engaged:

• AECF and IFC
• Enterprises supported representatives of all Business windows
• Beneficiaries/end users of products/services through KKCF-supported businesses
• Employees/Workforce in the KKCF-supported businesses
• Value chain actors
• Financial institutions
• Relevant government institutions/authorities at the national and Turkana County Government
• Relevant development partners/sectoral experts, i.e., UNCHR, ITO,

Stakeholder engagement shall be undertaken in a manner that is gender-sensitive, ethical, and compliant with data protection requirements, including triangulation of results and informed consent for use of documentary materials.

6.0 Specific deliverables and expected output

The consultant/Firm will deliver to AECF:

Deliverable	Description
1. Inception Report	An inception report confirming the Consultant/Firm’s understanding of the assignment and detailing the proposed methodology, documentary approach, work plan, timelines, and key assumptions. The report will guide implementation and ensure alignment with programme objectives. The inception report should include a detailed concept note and storyboard that outline the documentary’s narrative structure, key themes, featured enterprises and beneficiaries, messaging, and proposed visual style, all aligned with verified impact data, for IFC/AECF’s approval before production.
Case Study Handbook	A compiled portfolio of nine (8) sectoral impact stories, presented in a cohesive publication, integrating photos, infographics, and a clear narrative structure. Submit for IFC/AECF and stakeholder review.
Impact Documentaries	Professionally produced 8 impact documentaries (1 per sector) capturing sector-level transformation, enterprise journeys, and beneficiary voices, presented in a compelling, ethical, and evidence-based manner and suitable for donor and stakeholder engagement. Submit for IFC/AECF and stakeholder review.
Validation and Presentation of Findings	Presentation of draft sectoral stories and documentary content to the AECF for review, validation, and approval, with cooperating feedback prior to Finalization.
Final Submission Package	A final package comprising approved written Case studies, the final impact documentary, raw and edited visual assets, accompanying documentation, including signed videography Consent forms, and an external-facing insight paper. All materials shall remain the property of IFC/AECF.

NB: The dates will be adjusted based on the actual contracting date. The assignment will be considered successfully completed when all deliverables meet agreed technical quality standards, are validated by AECF, and demonstrate clear, evidence-based narratives of development impact attributable to the program’s interventions. Outputs must be analytically rigorous, visually compelling, and suitable for use across reporting, stakeholder engagement, communications, and knowledge dissemination platforms. Final products must be publication-ready and require no substantive revisions.

7.0 Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within approximately 6–8 weeks from contract signature. The indicative timeline is as follows:

• Week 1: Inception, methodology finalization, sampling confirmation
• Weeks 2–4: Fieldwork, interviews, filming, data collection
• Week 5: Analysis and draft output production
• Week 6: Review, validation, and revisions
• Weeks 7–8: Final production and submission of all deliverables
• The consultant shall submit a detailed work plan specifying task sequencing, timelines, and milestones.

8.0 Reporting

The consultant will report to the Program Manager KKCF and the AECF Impact and Communications teams.

9.0 Methodology

The consultant shall propose and apply a transparent, methodologically sound sampling approach to select participating enterprises across the identified sectors. The sample must ensure representation across geography, business size, gender inclusion dimensions, and intervention types. The consultant will sample the 124 investees supported by the program and provide a sample size adequate for the case studies. Selection must be validated by the AECF prior to fieldwork commencement. In addition, the case studies will include voices of sector-specific stakeholders.

The AECF will provide access to relevant program documentation, monitoring datasets, enterprise performance reports, prior studies, and contact information for selected enterprises. The consultant will be responsible for identifying any additional data requirements and proposing practical methods for addressing data gaps. All requests for additional data must be submitted during the inception phase.

10.0 Qualifications and experience

The consultant /firm should have.

Requirement Area	Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Institutional Capacity	The consultant or firm shall be a legally registered entity or individual consultant with demonstrated capacity to undertake sectoral impact assessments and development-focused documentation assignments, including analytical and communications outputs.
Relevant Experience	At least 5–7 years of proven experience in private sector development, sector-level impact assessments, SME support programmes, grant-funded interventions, or impact evaluation and learning assignments.
Technical Expertise	Demonstrated expertise in sectoral impact analysis, results measurement, sustainability and resilience assessment, and analysis of economic, social, and market systems outcomes.
Grant and Donor-Funded Projects	Prior experience working on donor-funded or development finance programmes, including assessment of non-reimbursable grants, sector studies, impact reporting, or learning-focused evaluations.
Methodological Capability	Proven ability to design and implement mixed-method approaches combining quantitative analysis, qualitative research, and contribution analysis, including the development of sectoral indicators and evidence-based narratives.
Sector Knowledge	Experience working across relevant sectors (e.g., agribusiness, manufacturing, services, inclusive market systems), with demonstrated understanding of value chains, ecosystems, and dynamics.
Local and Contextual Experience	Demonstrated understanding of the local and regional operating environment, regulatory and market context, and experience working in fragile or displacement-affected settings, including refugee contexts. Country-based consultants will be an added advantage.
Reporting and Communication	Strong analytical writing and presentation skills, with proven ability to translate technical findings into clear reports and compelling impact narratives suitable for donors and stakeholders.
Documentary and Visual Storytelling Capacity	Demonstrated experience in developing impact documentaries or visual storytelling products, including scripting, filming, editing, and alignment of narrative content with verified impact data.
Team Composition (for firms)	Access to a multidisciplinary team including impact analysts, private sector or sector specialists, field researchers, and audiovisual production specialists.
Ethical and Professional Standards	Demonstrated adherence to professional ethics, data confidentiality, safeguarding standards, and responsible storytelling practices, with the ability to manage timelines, prioritize tasks, and deliver outputs within the agreed scope.

11.0 Proposal submission

Interested companies/individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. A technical proposal, max 15 pages (excluding annexes), including the following:

• A profile of the lead consultant (max. 3 pages) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
• CVs of the team composition.
• An understanding of the consultancy requirements.
• Methodology and work plan for performing the assignment.
• Detailed reference list indicating the scope and magnitude of similar assignments.
• Letters of reference/recommendation from previous companies/assignments
• Relevant services undertaken. Sample of past work: applicants are requested to submit a sample of previous projects and/or links to demonstrate the experiences required by these Terms of Reference
• Registration and other relevant statutory documents (this applies to Institutional consultants).

2. A financial proposal

• A financial proposal clearly showing the proposed team member, roles, proposed days, and the proposed professional fee (daily rate and total amount per team member). The financial proposal shall also include an indication of reimbursables (travel, communication, etc.)

3. A detailed work plan.

4. Cost breakdown, including fees, expenses, and any other relevant costs (in KSH).

N/B: Technical and Financial proposals should be submitted separately. Combining the financial and technical documents into one document will automatically disqualify the applicant.

12.0 Pricing

AECF is obliged by the Kenyan tax authorities to withhold taxes on service contract fees and to ensure that VAT at 16% is charged where applicable. Applicants are advised to ensure they have a clear understanding of their tax position with regard to the provisions of Kenyan tax legislation when developing their proposals.

13.0 Evaluation criteria

Mandatory requirements for firms:

1. Company profile.
2. Trading license, Certificate of incorporation, Certificate of Registration, and other statutory documents.
3. Valid Tax Compliance certificate or its equivalent.
4. Audited financial statements.

The AECF will form an evaluation committee. The same standards of confidentiality will bind all members. The consultant should ensure they fully address all criteria for comprehensive evaluation.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all of the consultants to appear before it to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the evaluation committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating the proposals.

In making the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical proposal will be weighted 80% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be assigned a weight of 20%, and the proposals will be ranked by total points.

The mandatory and desirable criteria against which proposals will be evaluated are identified in the table below.

NO.	CRITERIA FOR ASSESSMENT	Weighted Award
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL		80
An understanding of the terms of reference
1.	Demonstrate understanding of the assignment and expected outcomes.	10
2.	Demonstrated understanding of developing digital stories	10
Methodology and work plan that will deliver the best value on the assignment
1.	The soundness and feasibility of the proposed methodology to enhance, synthesize, and finalize pre-drafted company stories, ensuring a comprehensive and coherent documentation of achievements, lessons learned, and impact. The methodology should clearly outline how review of the initial drafts, integrating additional insights and visuals, compiling of refined narratives supported by analysis, recommendations, and conclusions will be undertaken.	20
2.	Realistic and well-structured timeline, clear identification of deliverables and milestones, and coherence with the intended goals.	10
Qualification and Experience
1.	Qualification and experience of the consultant/team and evidence of relevant certification	10
2.	Demonstrated experience and relevant services are undertaken by the applicant in past engagements, with evidence linking to previous work done / completion certificate	10
3.	All required registration and certification documents, and at least 3 signed reference letters for similar work.	10
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: A detailed proposal showing the level of effort of the team, Clarity, relevance, and reality to market value/ value for money of cost for the assignment (inclusive of any applicable tax, reimbursable, and travel where applicable).		20
	Total Score	100

14.0 Application

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, gender, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• Interested consultancies are requested to submit their technical and financial proposal via the e-procurment portal to https://procurement.aecfafrica.org/ by 28^th May 2026, 5 pm EAT
• All questions should be directed to the procurement email aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 21^st May 2026, 5 pm EAT
• The subject of the email should be Consultancy for the Post Grant Enterprise Sustainability and Business Sustainability Assessment in the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) – Kenya Portfolio.
• The AECF shall not be liable for not opening proposals submitted via email or with a different subject, or for not responding to questions that did not meet the indicated deadline.

15.0 Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and reserves the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

The AECF does not charge an application fee for participation in the tender process and has not appointed any agents or intermediaries to facilitate applications. Applicants are advised to contact the AECF directly.