Cluster Booster is a capacity-building program developed as part of the Euromed Clusters Forward project to enhance the skills of cluster managers, teams, and SME members in the Southern Mediterranean region. Key priorities of the program include improving governance and sustainability models, developing strategies to attract new members, analyzing value chains for better market positioning, and enhancing business performance as well as technological and innovation capacities. These actions aim to strengthen collaboration between the northern and southern Mediterranean regions. This comprehensive technical assistance program lasts a maximum of 18 months.

To benefit from this program, clusters from seven Southern Mediterranean countries applied through an expression of needs. Based on this, two projects were selected per country to benefit from Cluster Booster.

ANIMA seeks to recruit a consultant to conduct a thorough needs assessment of the selected projects and develop a detailed and budgeted roadmap for the technical assistance to be provided to the four selected clusters in Tunisia and Morocco.

Scope of Work

Step 1: Needs Assessment Meetings

Organize online assessment meetings to clarify the needs of the clusters based on the application file: identify gaps in capacities, financial models, market access, and other critical areas requiring attention to improve their performance. Each cluster has specific characteristics and needs, ranging from improving governance and financial models to enhancing member access to international markets.

Step 2: Roadmap Development

Develop detailed and actionable roadmaps for each cluster in collaboration with them, outlining the necessary intervention areas, types of services required, timeline, and budget allocation per service. The roadmap should specify and prioritize key interventions based on the results of the needs assessment and quantify the necessary expertise.

Step 3: Terms of Reference for Consultancy

Draft detailed terms of reference for acquiring consulting and expert services required to implement the Cluster Booster roadmaps. The terms of reference should include the scope of work, deliverables, deadlines, budget, and required qualifications.

Step 4: Recruitment of Consultants for Cluster Booster Implementation

The consultant will support the project team in selecting the consulting and expert services necessary for implementing the Cluster Booster roadmaps.

Expected Deliverables

Needs Assessment Reports*

• Minutes of the meetings with the clusters. 
• Produce a report for each cluster detailing the findings of the needs assessment and the identified services. 

Cluster Roadmaps

• Develop detailed and actionable roadmaps for each of the four selected clusters for technical assistance, including an action plan, budget allocation plan, and monitoring framework. 

Terms of Reference for Consultancy

• Develop the terms of reference for consulting and expert services required to implement the technical assistance roadmaps for the clusters.
  • An evaluation grid for external consultant applications. 

Profile Requirements

Candidates must be officially registered consultants, companies, or associations based in the EU or a Southern Mediterranean country (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon). They must comply with tax and international funding receipt regulations. Subcontracting is not allowed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in management, economics, or business administration. 
  • Strong knowledge of clusters. 
  • Excellent communication skills in French.

Skills and Experience

• Proven experience in cluster-related, industrial, or innovation projects. 
  • 5 to 7 years of experience in strategic planning and consulting. 
  • Expertise in cluster strategy development and data collection/analysis.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents: 

1. Profile: A detailed CV outlining relevant experience and expert references. 

2. Technical Proposal: A clear methodology with a timeline of activities and a deep understanding of the Moroccan and Tunisian contexts. 

3. Financial Proposal: A financial offer in euros, with a breakdown of costs per phase of the mission.

Applications must be sent via email with the subject “ECF – Cluster Booster Consultant” no later than October 7, 2024 to sarra.boussaidi@anima.coop

For more details, please consult the terms of references of the offer