1. General Objective:

The overall objective of this assignment is to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of the CAA to effectively support creative start-ups and MSMEs through business-enabling services and to reinforce its role as a key coordinator and facilitator of Ghana's CCI ecosystem. 

2. Expected results:

The achievement of this objective is expected to generate the following results:

R1. The CAA's institutional and operational capacities to deliver business-enabling services to creative start-ups and MSMEs are strengthened, with priority systems, procedures and capacity-development needs identified and addressed.

R2. The CAA's capacity to design and implement business-oriented programmes, outreach activities and stakeholder engagement initiatives for creative start-ups and MSMEs, including at regional level, is strengthened.

R3. The CAA's capacity to develop strategic partnerships and identify and pursue resource mobilisation opportunities is strengthened, contributing to the sustainability of its support to the CCI ecosystem.

R4. The capacities of CAA staff and relevant personnel are sustainably strengthened through the transfer and institutionalisation of relevant knowledge, methodologies and operational tools.

1. Description of the assignment

2. Scope of Work

The Senior Advisor will work in close, daily collaboration with the CAA leadership, staff, and volunteers, as well as the Expertise France GDI-PSD project team. The Senior Advisor will provide long-term strategic and technical advice across the following areas of intervention:

2. Tasks to be carried out

To achieve the above objectives and expected results, the Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

Task 1 – Institutional assessment and operational strengthening

• Conduct an initial assessment of the CAA's institutional and operational capacities, including organisational arrangements, existing systems, procedures, workflows and available resources;

• Jointly with the CAA, identify priority institutional, regulation, and operational needs and develop an institutional strengthening roadmap for the duration of the assignment;

• Provide strategic advice to CAA leadership on institutional development, operational procedures and working methods;

• Support the CAA in the development and/or improvement of relevant operational tools, systems and procedures that strengthen the CAA's capacity to provide business-enabling services to CCI start-ups and MSMEs.

Task 2 – Strategic programming and ecosystem outreach

• Provide strategic advice for the design and implementation of programmes and initiatives aimed at strengthening the CAA's business-enabling support to creative start-ups and MSMEs;

• Advise on the design and implementation of ecosystem engagement initiatives, masterclasses, peer-learning activities and regional roadshows;

• Support the planning and implementation of stakeholder consultations, regional outreach activities and partnership forums;

• Support the CAA in identifying appropriate approaches to strengthen its outreach beyond Accra, including in Kumasi and Tamale.

Task 3 – Partnership development and resource mobilisation

• Advise the CAA on partnership development with public institutions, private sector actors, industry associations and development partners;

• Support the identification and assessment of relevant partnership and resource mobilisation opportunities;

• Provide strategic advice on approaches and tools for engaging prospective partners and funders;

• Support, where relevant, the development of partnership concepts, proposals and other resource mobilisation materials;

• Provide advice and support to the CAA, as appropriate, in its engagement and negotiations with prospective partners.

Task 4 – Capacity development and knowledge transfer

• Identify priority capacity-development needs jointly with the CAA, based on the initial assessment and emerging implementation needs;

• Provide at an agreed frequency - regular mentoring, coaching and on-the-job support to CAA staff and relevant personnel;

• Facilitate or contribute to targeted workshops, masterclasses and peer-learning activities, as appropriate;

• Ensure the progressive transfer throughout the assignment of relevant knowledge, methodologies and operational tools;

• Support the documentation and institutionalisation of relevant systems, procedures, tools and working methods developed or strengthened through the assignment ;

• Develop and implement a clear exit and sustainability strategy, establishing post-TA monitoring frameworks and key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the CAA maintains operational systems independently beyond the assignment;

• At the end of the assignment, consolidate lessons learned, document progress achieved and formulate recommendations to support the sustainability of the results.

Task 5 – Coordination and coherence of the Technical Assistance

• Maintain regular operational coordination with Expertise France, the CAA leadership, and other specialized technical experts under the Technical Assistance package (e.g., Short-Term Experts in Communication, Policy, and Business Development);

• Support the technical coordination of the different areas of Technical Assistance, ensuring coherence, complementarity and appropriate linkages between the different areas of support;

• Focus primary efforts on overall institutional advisory, capacity transfer, strategic programming, and resource mobilisation, ensuring clear operational boundaries with short-term domain experts;

• Share relevant information, analysis and recommendations with other experts, as appropriate, to facilitate a coordinated approach.

3. Anticipated Deliverables