1. Introduction

The Armenian Association of Social Workers (AASW), in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is implementing the project “Empowering Communities: Comprehensive Social Support and Protection for Forcibly Displaced Populations”.

The project includes a self-employment support component aimed at strengthening the socio-economic stability of families displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh and vulnerable local families. At the current stage, project beneficiaries have completed entrepreneurship capacity-building training and developed business plans. Following the assessment of these plans, selected beneficiaries are expected to receive grant support to start or develop their own businesses.

Following the provision of grant support, beneficiaries will receive ongoing business coaching and mentoring to facilitate the proper implementation of their business plans, the effective launch of their businesses and the stabilisation of their operations.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to provide individualised business coaching and mentoring to beneficiaries who have received grants under the project, supporting them in implementing their business plans, launching their businesses and organising their operations.

The business coach/mentor shall regularly monitor the implementation of the business plans of their assigned beneficiaries, identify emerging challenges and support needs, and provide appropriate practical advice in close cooperation with the social worker supporting each beneficiary and the project team.

3. Scope of Work

The business coach/mentor shall be responsible for carrying out the following activities with their assigned beneficiaries:

3.1. Support for Business Plan Implementation

• Review the approved business plan with the beneficiary and, where necessary, help clarify the key steps and sequence of actions required for its implementation.

• Provide advice on practical matters related to starting the business and organising its operations.

• Support the proper planning and implementation of the activities and expenditure set out in the business plan.

• Provide advice on arranging the procurement and use of equipment, tools, materials and other necessary resources envisaged in the business plan, in accordance with the approved business plan and the requirements of the Business Plan Implementation Agreement.

• Support beneficiaries in preparing and submitting narrative and financial reports on business implementation, ensuring compliance with project requirements.

3.2. Advice on Legal and Administrative Matters

• Provide advice and guidance on business registration, the organisation of business operations, taxation and other applicable legal and administrative requirements.

• Where necessary, refer beneficiaries to the relevant public authorities or specialised services for matters requiring professional legal, tax or other specialist advice.

3.3. Support for Business Management and Development

• Provide advice on organising day-to-day business operations, financial planning, and managing expenditure and income.

• Provide support with pricing products or services, attracting customers and organising sales.

• Provide advice on business promotion, marketing and the use of appropriate communication tools.

• Support beneficiaries in identifying challenges and risks arising during business operations and developing possible solutions.

3.4. Monitoring Progress in Business Plan Implementation

• Regularly monitor progress in implementing the activities set out in the approved business plan.

• Assess progress in the launch and operation of the business against the approved business plan.

• Document key challenges, deviations, risks and additional support needs arising during business plan implementation.

• Inform the project team in a timely manner of any challenges or significant deviations that may jeopardise the proper implementation of the business plan.

• Where appropriate, work with the beneficiary to define clear steps for addressing challenges and taking further action.

• Where necessary, provide additional advice on urgent matters arising during the launch or operation of the business.

3.5. Cooperation with the Social Worker and the Project Team

The business coach/mentor shall work closely with the social worker supporting the beneficiary to ensure that the business and social support components complement each other. In particular, the coach/mentor shall:

• regularly exchange information with the social worker on progress in implementing the beneficiary’s business plan and any difficulties identified;

• discuss with the social worker any issues that fall outside the scope of business coaching but require additional support;

• participate in joint discussions concerning the beneficiary, where necessary;

• bring to the attention of the project team any cases in which existing challenges may significantly affect business plan implementation.

The business coach shall hold at least one meeting per month with the Centre’s social workers, either online or in person.

4. Service Delivery Arrangements

For each beneficiary, the business coach/mentor shall ensure:

• at least one in-person visit per month to the beneficiary’s place of business;

• remote/online consultations between visits, according to the beneficiary’s needs, by telephone, video call or other available means of communication.

The outcomes of each visit and online consultation shall be briefly documented, including the main issues discussed, challenges identified, recommendations provided and agreed next steps.

6. Implementation Period

Business coaching and mentoring services are scheduled to be provided from 15 October to 30 December 2026.

Each beneficiary shall receive at least one in-person visit per month and have access to ongoing remote advice in response to emerging needs.

The specific work schedule shall be agreed with the project team.

7. Lots and Expected Number of Beneficiaries

The assignment is divided into the following lots:

The beneficiary numbers indicated may vary by up to ±20%, depending on the course of project implementation.

Applicants may apply for one or more lots. Applicants applying for more than one lot shall demonstrate that they have the professional capacity and time availability required to deliver the services properly and on schedule in the relevant geographical areas.

Services shall be delivered from Monday to Friday, between 10:00 and 18:00.

AASW may select different business coaches/mentors for different lots.

8. Expected Results

The assignment is expected to deliver the following results:

1. At least one in-person visit per month for each beneficiary.

2. Ongoing remote/online advice tailored to beneficiaries’ needs.

3. Regular monitoring and documentation of progress in business plan implementation.

4. Practical advice on challenges and risks identified during the launch and operation of businesses.

5. Coordination and joint work with social workers and the project team.

6. Submission of monthly reports and a final summary report covering the work carried out, each beneficiary’s progress, key challenges and risks, and the support provided.

7. Effective implementation of approved business plans by beneficiaries and the development, by the end of the project, of the capacities and conditions necessary for the sustainable operation of the businesses launched.

9. Reporting and Accountability

• The business coach/mentor shall report to the Project Manager and/or the responsible coordinator designated by the project.

• The coach/mentor shall maintain the required documentation of the work carried out with each assigned beneficiary and submit it to the project team at the prescribed intervals.

• Reports shall enable the project team to track not only the number of visits and consultations conducted, but also actual progress in implementing each business plan, the challenges identified, the advice provided and the agreed next steps.

10. Required Qualifications

Applicants shall have:

• a higher education degree in business administration, economics, finance, marketing, social sciences or a related field;

• at least five years of professional experience in entrepreneurship development, business consulting, business coaching or a related field;

• practical knowledge of the processes involved in establishing and developing small and micro businesses;

• experience in developing business plans and supporting their implementation;

• experience in working individually with vulnerable groups, displaced persons and/or beneficiaries of socio-economic empowerment programmes.

Application Procedure

Applicants shall submit the following:

• a CV outlining their relevant education and professional experience;

• a financial proposal specifying separate hourly rates for in-person and remote/online consultations, using the prescribed template;

• a proposed methodology for delivering the services, identifying the lot or lots for which the application is submitted. Applicants applying for more than one lot shall provide a brief justification of their capacity to deliver the services across the selected lots.

Applications shall be sent to procurement@aasw.org, with “Business Coach/Mentor — Lot No. …” in the subject line.

Applications may be submitted up to and including 11 October 2026.