Organization: Future Resilience and Development Foundation (FRAD)
Project: Interim Reparative Measures (IRM) for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Borno State
Position/Assignment: VSLA Consultant
Employment Type: Consultancy
Duration: One (1) Month
Locations: Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Monguno and Gwoza LGAs, Borno State
Remuneration: Based on Budget
About FRAD Foundation
Future Resilience and Development Foundation (FRAD) is a non-governmental organization registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2019. The organization addresses the needs of vulnerable populations across the thematic areas of Education, Protection, Health/Nutrition, WASH/Environment, Governance/Peacebuilding, and Early Recovery/Livelihoods.
In November 2024, FRAD Foundation signed an agreement to implement the GSF Interim Reparative Measures (IRM) project in Borno State, targeting survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) across MMC, Monguno and Gwoza LGAs.
Background
As part of the project, CRSV survivors have received Financial IRM to enable them to establish small-scale businesses and/or strengthen income-generating activities.
To promote the sustainability of these investments beyond the project lifecycle, FRAD intends to support survivors to join existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and establish survivor-led groups where appropriate.
The VSLAs will provide survivors with a community-based platform for savings mobilization, access to small loans, financial management, mutual support and collective problem-solving.
FRAD therefore seeks the services of a qualified and experienced VSLA Consultant to provide technical support for the training, formation and strengthening of VSLA groups across the three project locations.
Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant will be responsible for delivering VSLA training, facilitating group formation and governance, providing practical guidance on savings and loan management, and procuring the required VSLA training materials and kits.
Objectives
The objectives of the consultancy are to:
- Strengthen survivors’ knowledge and practical skills on the principles, structures and operations of VSLAs.
- Facilitate the establishment and/or strengthening of sustainable survivor-led VSLA groups in MMC, Monguno and Gwoza.
- Strengthen survivors’ capacity in savings mobilization, loan management, financial literacy, record-keeping and financial accountability.
- Strengthen VSLA governance and leadership through appropriate group structures, constitutions, roles and responsibilities.
- Ensure that VSLA groups have the knowledge, tools and systems required to continue operating beyond the project implementation period.
Scope of Work
The consultant will support FRAD in planning and delivering VSLA training for CRSV survivors across MMC, Monguno and Gwoza.
Key activities will include:
- Developing the VSLA training plan and materials.
- Sensitizing participants.
- Supporting VSLA group formation or strengthening.
- Training participants on governance and leadership.
- Supporting the development of group constitutions.
- Training participants on savings and loans.
- Providing training on financial management and record-keeping.
- Training participants on conflict resolution, group cohesion and sustainability.
- Conducting practical VSLA simulations to enable participants to independently manage meetings, savings, loans, records and group finances.
- Procuring four (4) VSLA sets/kits using the standardized VSLA grouping materials and specifications:
- Two (2) sets for MMC.
- One (1) set for Monguno.
- One (1) set for Gwoza.
- Submitting samples of proposed kit items and costs to FRAD for approval before procurement.
Target Participants
The primary target participants are 432 CRSV survivors who received financial IRM under the FRAD/GSF IRM project:
- MMC: 177 survivors
- Gwoza: 121 survivors
- Monguno: 134 survivors
Relevant FRAD project staff may also participate in the training to strengthen their capacity to provide subsequent mentoring and monitoring support to the established groups.
Expected Deliverables
The selected consultant will be responsible for delivering:
- Detailed VSLA training plan and methodology approved by FRAD.
- VSLA training materials/manuals adapted to the context and needs of the target participants.
- VSLA training sessions conducted for selected survivors and relevant FRAD project staff.
- VSLA groups established and/or strengthened in MMC, Monguno and Gwoza.
- Group leadership structures established, with roles and responsibilities clearly defined.
- Group constitutions/rules developed and adopted by the respective groups.
- Practical training on savings, loans, financial management and record-keeping completed.
- Four (4) VSLA sets/kits procured.
- Handover of all procured materials to FRAD Foundation for custody and accountability.
- Final consultancy report documenting the assignment.
Management & Coordination
The consultant will:
- Work under the overall supervision of the FRAD project team.
- Coordinate closely with designated project focal persons in MMC, Monguno and Gwoza.
- Submit the training plan and proposed materials for review and approval before commencing the training.
- Coordinate with FRAD before procuring VSLA kits and materials.
- Obtain FRAD approval of proposed specifications and procurement costs before purchase.
- Participate in meetings with the FRAD project team to review progress and address challenges.
- Immediately communicate major implementation challenges that may affect the quality or timely completion of the assignment.
- Support a smooth transition to FRAD project staff, who will provide appropriate mentoring and monitoring support to the VSLA groups after the consultancy.
Financial Arrangements
FRAD Foundation will provide support to cover the consultant’s consultancy fee and the procurement of approved VSLA training materials and kits required for the assignment.
The consultant shall manage the approved amount in accordance with the agreed budget.
The total consultancy and procurement amount will be subject to the agreed contractual terms, satisfactory completion of the assignment, submission of required deliverables, and compliance with FRAD’s applicable financial and procurement procedures.
Ownership of Procured Materials
All VSLA kits, materials, equipment and other items procured under this consultancy using project funds shall remain the property of FRAD Foundation.
FRAD will determine the appropriate use, allocation and custody arrangements for the VSLA materials following completion of the consultancy.
Reporting & Accountability
The consultant will report to the designated FRAD project focal person and submit:
- Training plan.
- Regular progress updates.
- All training materials developed during/for the purpose of the training.
- Final consultancy report outlining activities, participants reached, groups established or strengthened, results, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.
The consultant must also maintain confidentiality and ensure secure handling of information relating to CRSV survivors.
Selection Criteria
Interested consultants should demonstrate:
- Relevant academic qualification in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Social Sciences or a related field.
- Vast experience in VSLA formation, training and group strengthening.
- Proven experience in savings, lending, financial literacy and community-based economic empowerment.
- Experience working with women and girls, GBV/CRSV survivors or other protection-sensitive groups.
- Strong facilitation, communication and training skills.
- Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, ethical standards and the Do No Harm principle.
- Ability and willingness to work across MMC, Monguno and Gwoza during the one-month consultancy period.
- Ability to submit a clear technical and financial proposal within the required timeframe.
Required Application Documents
Interested consultants are expected to submit:
- Updated CV/Profile demonstrating relevant experience.
- Technical proposal outlining understanding of the assignment.
- Cover Letter.
- Proposed methodology for the VSLA training and group formation.
- Proposed work plan for the one-month consultancy.
- Financial proposal, including consultancy fees and proposed cost of the four VSLA sets/kits.
- Evidence of previous relevant VSLA trainings facilitated.
- At least two relevant references from previous assignments, where available.
Safeguarding & Confidentiality
The consultant must comply with FRAD’s safeguarding, protection and confidentiality requirements throughout the assignment.
This includes:
- Respecting participants’ dignity, privacy, autonomy and voluntary participation.
- Maintaining confidentiality.
- Applying a survivor-centred, trauma-informed and Do No Harm approach.
- Ensuring a safe and inclusive training environment.
- Promptly reporting safeguarding concerns through the appropriate FRAD mechanism.
The training will focus on financial inclusion, savings, lending, governance, leadership, accountability and sustainability, without collecting survivor testimonies or unnecessary CRSV-related information.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified consultants should submit all required application documents to:
Email: consultancyservices@fradfoundation.org
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis due to the project’s deliverable timeline.
Important Note
Applicants should ensure that their technical and financial proposals clearly demonstrate their relevant VSLA experience, proposed methodology, work plan and ability to deliver the assignment across MMC, Monguno and Gwoza within the one-month consultancy period.
