R&D Group, in partnership with Hybrid Designs and the Mastercard Foundation under the EDGE Program, is seeking qualified consulting firms to deliver a blended skills-training package and job placement support for 5,500 young people nationwide.

TENDER INVITATION Assignment Title: Delivery of Blended Skills Training and Job Placement Support for 5,500 Young People Tender Reference No.: R&D/EDGE/RFP/011/2026 Issuing Organization: R&D Group (in partnership with Hybrid Designs and the Mastercard Foundation under the EDGE Program) Date Issued: August 17, 2026, 5:30 PM 1. Assignment Objective & Scope The EDGE Program invites qualified consulting firms to deliver a blended skills-training package to 5,500 young people nationwide, onboard them to an e-learning platform, and support their placement into work with supported MSME enterprises. Target participants are divided into three training durations: Short-term Training: 1,400 participants (1 offline session + online learning follow-up) Medium-term Training: 600 participants (2 days offline + online learning follow-up) Long-term Training: 3,500 participants (at least 4 offline sessions + on-the-job sessions) Key Placement & Inclusion Targets: Convert at least 75% of trained youth into confirmed youth-at-work placements, aiming for 80% female participation and 10% representation from disadvantaged groups (IDPs, PWDs, refugees). 2. Location & Contract Duration Operational Coverage: Nationwide (primarily outside Addis Ababa, with priority focus on Southern Ethiopia, Oromia, and other regional states). Contract Duration: Initial firm fixed-price contract for 6 months. 3. Key Deliverables D1: Training Needs Assessment & Inception Report (methodology, QA plan, work plan, job-matching assumptions). D2: Customized Enterprise-Specific Curriculum Materials (approved by R&D Group). D3: Cohort Delivery & Completion Reports (per-batch attendance and satisfactory completion). D4: E-Learning Onboarding Confirmation & Placement Tracking Reports. 4. Qualification Requirements Legal Compliance: Valid business registration, trade license, Tax Identification Number (TIN), and tax clearance certificate. Firm Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience delivering vocational, soft-skills