R&D Group is seeking qualified, institutional-scale leadership-development providers to design and operate a structured Enterprise Leadership Development program for the core leadership and management teams of EDGE-Supported Onshore and Offshore Enterpris

INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP): Enterprise Leadership Development for EDGE-Supported Onshore and Offshore Enterprises

• Tender Ref No.: R&D/EDGE/RFP/017/2026
• Date of Issuance: September 28, 2026
• Employer / Organization: R&D Group (in partnership with Hybrid Designs and Mastercard Foundation under the EDGE Program)

1. Background & Program Context

Under the Entrepreneurship in the Digital and Gig Economy (EDGE) initiative—a five-year program funded in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation—R&D Group is seeking qualified, institutional-scale leadership development providers to design, launch, and operate a structured Enterprise Leadership Development Academy. The program targets the core leadership and management teams of 15 EDGE-supported onshore and offshore enterprises across Ethiopia.

2. Scope of Work

The selected firm(s) will deliver a sustained academy model benchmarked against international best practices, covering the following key tasks:

• Task 1: Needs Assessment & Curriculum Design: Conduct baseline leadership competency assessments and design tailored, segmented curricula.
• Task 2: Core Leadership Delivery: Deliver structured, enterprise-level training for intact leadership teams.
• Task 3: Cross-Enterprise Cohort Learning: Organize peer-learning convenings across enterprises.
• Task 4: Digital Learning & Self-Paced Access: Load content and manage leadership resources on the R&D Group-provided e-learning platform.
• Task 5: Executive Coaching & Succession Planning: Deliver 1-on-1/group coaching and draft succession/leadership-pipeline plans to reduce founder dependency.
• Task 6: Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Reporting: Conduct pre/post assessments, track engagement, and produce enterprise and portfolio impact reports.

3. Eligibility Criteria & Requirements

Interested firms must meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Legal Compliance: Valid Business Registration, Trade License, and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• Institutional Experience: Minimum of 7 years of institutional experience operating structured leadership development programs/academies.
• Faculty & Certification: At least one proposed coach/facilitator holding a recognized credential at PCC/MCC level (ICF) or equivalent senior standing.
• Key Personnel: Program Lead (Master’s/Doctorate + 15+ years experience), Senior Facilitators, Executive Coach(es), Digital Learning Specialist, Organizational Design & Succession Specialist, and M&E Specialist.

Note: Sole proprietorships or individual consultants lacking institutional staffing and capacity are not eligible.

4. Clarifications & Financial Form Requests

• Financial Proposal Form Request: Interested bidders can request the Annex A Financial Proposal Submission Form via email at [email protected].
• Clarification Period: Written inquiries regarding the RFP must be sent to [email protected] with the subject line "Question RFP: LEAD-DEV_RFP/017/2026_[Firm Name]" no later than October 9, 2026, by 5:00 PM.

5. Proposal Submission Guidelines

Submissions must be made electronically via email according to the following instructions:

• Method: Email separate Technical and Financial Proposal PDF files to [email protected].
• Subject Line: RFP: LEAD-DEV_RFP/017/2026_[Firm Name]
• Email Details: Include full company contact person name, mobile number, and physical office address in the body of the email.
• Format: Technical Proposal maximum 12 pages (excluding CVs and annexes); Financial Proposal as a separate document.
• Language: All correspondence and documents must be in English.

6. Submission Deadline

• Date & Time: October 12, 2026, at 5:30 PM (East Africa Time).
• Late submissions will not be considered.

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-10-12
• Bid closing time: 17:30
• Bid opening: 2026-10-12 17:30
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: R&D Group
• Published on: Qelal Tenders (Sep 28, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-09-28T06:54:17.000Z
• Source: Qelal Tenders