HQ25NF067- EOI, Investment Advisory Services

Background

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is considering sponsoring the establishment of a new AgriFood Value chain fund which will invest in climate smart agriculture-food value chains, including growers, storers, transporters, processors, wholesalers, input providers, retailers. WFP is seeking an individual/firm to guide WFP on fund structure, fund set-up, investment strategy, investor appetite and investment fund manager identification.

Assisting 80 million people in around 80 countries each year, WFP is the leading humanitarian organization fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.

The Fund - World Food Invests

Over decades of operational presence, including in the most remote locations, WFP Country Offices (COs) have developed a deep understanding of local agri-food value chains and have become integral parts of local food economy networks. Through WFP’s strategic focus on food systems, COs provide technical assistance to smallholder farmers, cooperatives and food processors, linking production with financing and commercial off-takers. With the objective of using market forces to improve food systems, WFP is exploring the establishment of a new Value Chain Impact Investment Fund (World Food Invests), affiliated with WFP, which will invest in marginalized climate smart agri-food value chains. 

Response

In order to participate in the pre-selection exercise, companies are required to provide the following:

• Have a previous, proven track record in advising on impact investment funds in frontier markets in Africa. Include examples of the work done with other Organizations/Companies (max 1 page);
• Company description and summary of experience in the required business (max 2 pages);
• Capacity to provide the services as conceptualized under the subparagraph ‘World Food Invests’, above, including the following:
  • Capacity to assess investment pipeline;
  • Capacity to advise on pre- and post-investment technical assistance
  • Proven experience in advising on fund investment strategy, investment thesis, and objectives
  • Knowledge of (large) funds and facilities that have been supporting agri-food investments – and what lessons can be learnt. 
  • Experience with guiding on optimal fund size, capital structure, fee structure, and terms
  • Ability to recommend appropriate legal and governance structures for the Fund 

• No financial proposal is required at this stage.

Upon receipt of a positive response, WFP may proceed with the next steps to engage a vendor.

If your company is interested in partaking in this initiative, please provide the information requested, by responding to this email: hq.tenders@wfp.org AND please ensure that the email subject line states the following: HQ25NF067- EOI: Investment Advisor Services

Only companies that submit complete responses will be considered for the next phase of the process.

The deadline for response to this Expression of Interest is:

Friday 21st February 2025, 16:00 hrs CET (Rome Time Zone)

Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at hq.tenders@wfp.org.