Swedfund and the Project Accelerator

Swedfund is the development finance institution of Sweden. Our overall mission is poverty reduction through sustainable investments.

The Swedfund Project Accelerator contributes to this mission by supporting and accelerating the development and implementation of sustainable infrastructure projects.

There is a major need for investments in sustainable infrastructure in developing countries. One key challenge is the shortage of bankable and sustainable projects. Addressing this issue is crucial for implementing Agenda 2030. Swedfund can support and accelerate sustainable project development through the Swedfund Project Accelerator.

The Project Accelerator works integrally and closely with public entities throughout the project cycle to develop high-priority infrastructure projects and ensure delivery on key priorities. Collaborations typically extend from early-phase upstream work and project preparation to project design, capacity building, and institutional support.

As part of its offer, the Project Accelerator can provide untied grant financing to public entities. The grant is used to engage consultants and experts who support and strengthen the institutional capacity of the local Project Owner. Feasibility studies are a typical engagement that the Project Accelerator can support, but the scope of support is always tailor-made.

Digitalisation is pivotal for economic growth and social development as it enables improved access to education, healthcare, and financial services through digital platforms. ICT infrastructure, such as mobile networks and internet connectivity, facilitates communication and information exchange, empowering communities and businesses. Digitalisation also drives innovation, enhances government services, and supports entrepreneurship, fostering inclusive development and bridging the digital divide.

As the Swedfund Project Accelerator grows its portfolio, additional Advisors across the Digital and ICT sectors are expected to be needed.

A structured process to identify new Advisors will be conducted during autumn 2024. The deadline for registering interest is November 11, 2024.

Interested and selected applicants will be included in the Advisor pool/register and will be shortlisted for consideration when the Project Accelerator engages in a new project within the sector

The Advisor role in projects

The Project Accelerator engages at least one Advisor in all projects. The Advisor supports Swedfund throughout the project cycle with in-depth expertise in the subject matter.

The Advisors assist Swedfund's Project Accelerator in both assessing opportunities and defining the scope of work that could be subject to grant funding. A key objective is to help develop a sustainable project and support sustainable procurement. The Advisor is also expected to continue providing support during the execution of the study, which is financed by Swedfund and carried out by external consultants.

Note that the engagement for which Swedfund provides grant funding is carried out by an external consultant selected through a separate competitive sourcing process. The roles of Advisor and Consultant cannot be combined.

The Advisor role varies between different projects and geographies, but the following tasks are typically included:

• Support Swedfund in evaluating leads and project proposals, reviewing project materials and background information, and participating in meetings with stakeholders
  
• Assist Swedfund and the local project owner in developing the Terms of Reference for the study or assignment financed by Swedfund
  
• Aid Swedfund and the local project owner in the process of procuring a consultant. This could include supporting the evaluation processes for consultancy services, such as drafting RFPs and evaluating proposals
• Support Swedfund throughout the project execution phase by reviewing the deliverables of the project and participating in steering group meetings
  
• Help Swedfund identify key risks and obstacles in the project

Advisor profile

Candidates for assignments as Advisors to the Project Accelerator are expected to meet the majority of these general requirements:

• Significant experience and knowledge within the field of digitalisation/ICT in emerging and developing countries.
• Experience in the international consultancy sector within the field of digitalisation/ICT.
• Experience in sourcing consultancy services for the purpose of project development of infrastructure projects, including the development of Terms of Reference, RFPs, and bid evaluation. Experience working with such processes in multilateral development banks is advantageous.
• Experience working with public institutions in emerging and developing countries, including state-owned companies, municipalities, ministries, local administrations, and other stakeholders.
• Broad understanding of the project development cycle and success factors for infrastructure projects in digitalisation/ICT.
• Experience in project development in developing countries.
• Experience working with multilateral development banks and other financiers.
• Ability and interest in supporting throughout the entire project cycle, which may involve varying time requirements depending on project development.

Proficiency in English is required. Proficiency in additional languages (e.g., French, Spanish, Swedish, other relevant languages) is a plus.

Swedfund prefers the Advisor to be an individual consultant due to the significant variations in workload and project timeline, that require a high level of flexibility as described below. However, consulting companies can appoint one person within the organisation to be the key contact for Swedfund, who can draw on the organisation for technical support in certain aspects of the assignment.

The process

Interested applicants will be included in the Swedfund pool/register of Advisors for future digitalisation/ICT projects. Swedfund cannot guarantee that any contract will be signed or that interested applicants will be selected for an assignment.

The process for selection from the Advisor pool/register is outlined below:

1. Depending on the characteristics of a project, Swedfund will select a limited number of Advisors from the Advisor pool/register and ask for their interest in participating in the specified assignment
2. Swedfund will evaluate the interested Advisors and select one (1) for the assignment
3. The selected Advisor will enter into an agreement with Swedfund

Based on such an agreement and Swedfund’s specific need for advisory support in the particular engagement, assignment descriptions will be created to stipulate the activities and deliverables for the specific project.

A template contract and assignment description are provided alongside this invitation.

An engagement can take years from the initial discussions of the scope until the final delivery from the sourced consultants. Swedfund expects Advisors to be prepared to support throughout the entire project timeline. As the role of an Advisor also involves building relationships with stakeholders, the preference is for the same individual to act in this capacity over the project cycle, which could span 2-3 years.

The assignments are based on an hourly fee.

The workload for the Advisor varies significantly over time, and it is difficult to estimate the number of hours required per project/assignment, partly due to the different project contexts. Initially, in an engagement, the Advisor will typically spend 2-6 weeks of work during a 3-6 month period; however, this can vary between projects. Once the project is in execution, i.e., the consultant has been sourced, the work will be less intense.

Travel is expected, and Swedfund will cover such expenses. Travel in business or first class is not allowed.

Expressions of interest

Interested candidates are asked to submit an Expression of Interest and an up-to-date CV to Swedfund by November 11, 2024.

Swedfund continuously assesses new opportunities and therefore has an ongoing interest in receiving resumes from interested candidates. The deadline above does not restrict relevant candidates from expressing their interest in future engagements.

Expressions of Interest should include the CV of the candidate. Please ensure that the following information is included, and that the application also addresses the “Advisor profile”:

• Name of company and company information
• Main objective and focus of the organisation
• Name of Advisor and contact details
• Availability to engage as an Advisor from November 2024
• Description of key expertise, sector and other relevant experience, including reference projects
• Description of roles and responsibilities in relevant projects/organisations
• Experience of work in developing countries
• Expected hourly fee for the assignment

Swedfund Policy

Swedfund is a signatory to a number of international framework agreements and principles for responsible investment and sustainable business practises. Swedfund strives to act in accordance with international guidelines regarding inter alia environmental and social considerations, working conditions, human rights, children’s right, women’s right, anti-corruption, corporate governance and business ethics.

Swedfund requires the selected Advisor to adhere to the requirements in Swedfund’s policy for sustainable development and anti-corruption policy, whereby it shall:

(i) conduct its business in a sustainable and responsible manner with a long-term perspective and strive to adhere to international standards and internationally recognised human rights as well as internationally acknowledged standards for business integrity and corporate governance;

(ii) comply with legal and regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions where it operates;

(iii) comply with the Harmonised EDFI Exclusion List;

(iv) adhere to applicable IFC Performance Standards;

(v) adhere to Swedfund’s anti-corruption policy; and

(vi) ensure that its sub-consultants or subcontractors adhere to the above-mentioned standards and requirements.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

An Advisor is not eligible for procurement by Swedfund if the Advisor or a person having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them or a member of their administrative, management or supervisory body have been the subject of a final judgment or of a final administrative decision for one of the following reasons:

1. bankruptcy, insolvency or winding-up procedures;
2. breach of obligations relating to the payment of taxes or social security contributions;
3. grave professional misconduct, including mis-representation;
4. fraud;
5. corruption;
6. conduct related to a criminal organisation;
7. money laundering or terrorist financing;
8. terrorist offences or offences linked to terrorist activities;
9. child labour and other trafficking in human beings;
10. irregularity;
11. creating a shell company; or
12. being a shell company.

Furthermore, the Advisor may not be listed on any of the following:

1. Any list of sanctioned entities, individuals or countries maintained by the European Union or the government of any member state, the government of the United Kingdom, the United Nations, or the government of the United States of America; and

2. World Bank Listing of Ineligible Firms and Individuals.