Development of a Standardized Methodology for Technical Evaluation of Loan Applications — Individual Consultant Call

CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Development of a Standardised Methodology for Technical Evaluation of Loan Applications

• BACKGROUND

Seychelles’ comparative advantage lies with its natural capital as the country is endowed with an extremely rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity. It is one of Conservation International’s designated biodiversity hotspots and has exceptionally high endemism. Seychelles is one of the world's most environmentally conscious nations, having officially protected more than half of its total land area from development and with strong marine environmental protection measures in place. The two most important sectors of the Seychellois economy are tourism and fisheries, both strongly tied to the country marine endowment and biodiversity.

The Republic of Seychelles is currently preparing an investment in the framework of the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Program (SWIOFish). A long term, regional program, the SWIOFish program aims to increase the economic, social, and environmental benefits to the countries of the southwest Indian Ocean from sustainable marine fisheries. Within this program, Seychelles is preparing the Third South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Governance and Shared Growth Project (SWIOFish3).

The project development objective of SWIOFish3 is to improve management of marine areas and fisheries in targeted zones and strengthen fisheries value chains in Seychelles. SWIOFish3, which is financed primarily by the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility, will support country-level investments in Seychelles over 6 years and is expected to become effective in late 2017 (see Annex 1 for a more detailed description of the project).

SWIOFish3 will be further supported through the issuance of a Blue Bond by the Government of Seychelles as part of an innovative transaction that mobilizes capital markets to finance the country’s blue economy objectives. A Blue Investment Fund will be capitalized with the proceeds of the Blue Bond, which will be administered by the Development Bank of Seychelles (DBS) as a revolving fund to extend commercial loans to projects that are aimed at supporting fisheries restructuring and rebuilding, diversifying and expanding seafood value chains (including aquaculture development, fish processing and value addition), and improving the scope and efficiency of services to the sector.

A Technical Committee, independent to DBS, will be appointed to undertake technical reviews of loan applications to the Blue Investment Fund. To support this process, it is necessary to develop a robust technical evaluation methodology for assessing loan applications to the Blue Investment Fund. The methodology will be designed to enable a systematic and transparent score-based approach to evaluation while ensuring alignment with the objectives and key criteria associated with the fund.

• OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of this consultancy assignment are to develop a technical evaluation methodology for loan applications to the Blue Investment Fund and to train the Technical Committee in the use of the methodology.

The Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning (MFTEP) is now recruiting a consultant to undertake this assignment.

• SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will undertake the following activities in developing a technical evaluation method for loan applications to the Blue Investment Fund (BIF):

• Review the plans for implementation of the BIF as detailed in the SWIOFish3 Project Appraisal Document (PAD), the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and other relevant documents

• Synthesize international best practice for technical evaluation of loan applications, including their solicitation as part of sectoral development agenda, and identify appropriate approaches and methods (i.e. options) for the project context

• Establish a detailed approach for receiving and processing applications (loan application process), including undertaking preliminary examination of eligibility before plans progress to full technical evaluation. Refine and clarify project eligibility criteria described in the PAD and other documents as appropriate.

• Establish a system for technical evaluation that is based on clearly defined criteria and scoring guidelines that can be applied to:

• key generic aspects of proposals (i.e. business plans) such as overall quality, market analysis, the financial, social and business models, performance criteria, contingency planning and risk assessment, capacity of the proponent

• specific attributes of proposals in relation to SWIOFish3 and BIF objectives and safeguards instruments, national objectives (e.g. Sustainable Development Goals),

• Develop guidelines (including templates and instructions) for preparing business plans, safeguards instruments and other application materials for the BIF that are consistent with eligibility and technical evaluation criteria.

• Develop training materials and provide training to DBS and members of the Technical Committee on the loan application process and technical evaluation of loans based on bullet (d) above

• Develop guidelines and templates for monitoring, supervision and reporting of loan implementation and compliance with safeguards, and provide training to DBS and members of Technical Committee

• DELIVERABLES

The expected outputs of the assignment are:

• An inception report (10-page maximum) with detailed work plan, review of best practice and options for approaches to technical evaluation

• A ‘how to’ manual on the loan application process for potential applicants and loan application templates including, but not limited to, application process information, application forms, and business plan structures, for potential applicants

• A “how-to” manual for technical evaluation of loan applications to the BIF, including training materials (i.e. PowerPoint presentations, examples, etc.) for the DBS and Technical committee

• Templates for assessment of loan implementation and for monitoring, supervision and reporting

• Training modules and materials on the above for DBS and Technical Committee

All outputs and reports are expected to be completed and delivered by the Consultant to the MFTEP no later than 3 months after the signing of the contract. All outputs and final reports should be in English.

• ASSIGNMENT DURATION AND TIMING

The assignment is expected to require thirty (30) working days input by the Consultant and be delivered by the Consultant three (3) months after the signing of the contract. The detailed schedule for delivery is as follows: