1.   About gain

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, GAIN has Programmes and projects being carried out in a variety of other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people.

 At GAIN, we believe that everyone in the world should have access to nutritious and safe food. We work to understand and deliver specific solutions to the daily challenge of food insecurity faced by poor people. Our programmes in Africa and Asia enable better diets via nutritional products, such as fortified staples foods, including cooking oil and flour, and condiments like salt and soy sauce. We also support improved maternal and infant health by promoting breastfeeding and specialised products for infants over six months and young children. In addition, we partner with local businesses to improve the quality of food along agricultural value chains. By building alliances that deliver impact at scale, we believe malnutrition can be eliminated within our lifetimes.

By understanding that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model, we develop alliances and build tailored programmes, using a variety of flexible models and approaches. We build alliances between governments, local and global businesses, and civil society to deliver sustainable improvements at scale. We are part of a global network of partners working together to create sustainable solutions to malnutrition. Through alliances, we provide technical, financial and policy support to key participants in the food system. We use specific learning, evidence of impact, and results of projects and programmes to shape and influence the actions of others.

2.   Background

In 2024, GAIN Pakistan initiated a project with the financial support of DANIDA Green Business Partnerships (DGBP) to “valorise dairy bi-streams to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable business growth and improved human health/nutrition” with three subobjectives: i) reduced environmental strain caused by dairy processors; ii) sustainable and responsible economic growth and new job creation in the dairy value chain; and iii) improved consumption of nutritious whey-based products by vulnerable populations.

GAIN is working with cheese producing companies/dairies in Pakistan to repurpose whey water and develop value added products. Arla Food Ingredients (AFI), as one of our international technical partners, is providing technical assistance to the local dairies, while support form Danish Industry (DI) is being extended in terms of Responsible Business Conduct (RBC). 

Currently GAIN has partnered with two dairies in Pakistan, with plans to engage more number of cheese processing companies/dairies in the coming years. These efforts aim to strengthen sustainability, improve resource utilization, and provide affordable products for low-income consumers.

One of the known barriers to business growth for SMEs is access to finance which restricts their ability to invest in innovation, scale operations, and adopt sustainable practices. These barriers could be internal as well i.e. the SMEs being risk averse. This challenge is particularly significant in dairy sector, where the transition towards greener and sustainable models requires both technical and financial support. To bridge this gap, it is critical to map out the landscape of financial institutions, banks, investors and organizations that can provide tailored financial products/services and investment opportunities for SMEs under Green Dairy Initiative. Such mapping will help identify potential partners, mobilize resources, and create pathways for unlocking much needed financing to enable inclusive and sustainable sector growth.

GAIN intends to engage a qualified consultant to undertake a comprehensive mapping and landscaping exercise of relevant financial institutions, investors and organizations etc. 

3.   Objectives of the consultancy

The primary objective of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive mapping of the landscape of global and local financial institutions, banks, investors, organizations and other stakeholders that can support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the Green Dairy Initiative, in Pakistan. This exercise aims to identify opportunities for improving access to finance, and fostering partnerships that can enable SMEs to adopt sustainable, climate-resilient, and growth-oriented business models. Furthermore, if opportunities can be identified that would prioritise businesses with sustainable practices for extending credit facilities, it would encourage SMEs to adopt green / sustainable production practices.

4.   scope of work

The consultant will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

1. Desk Review & Context Analysis

• Review existing studies, reports, and relevant policies on access to finance for SMEs in Pakistan, with a focus on green and sustainable initiatives.
• Analyze barriers and opportunities within the financial ecosystem for the dairy sector.

2.  Understanding SMEs Barriers & Perception

• Interview a few SMEs in the dairy sector to understand their willingness to utilise credit facilities, their need for credit (the purpose of credit) and barriers they face
• What do they think can be done to eliminate those barriers

3. Financial Institutions Mapping & Engagement

• Identify and map banks, microfinance institutions, development finance institutions, venture capital firms, impact investors, donor-funded programs, and other relevant financial actors.
• Engage with key stakeholders including banks, impact investors, etc to validate findings and collect insights on financing opportunities and challenges.

4.Gap Assessment

• Assess gaps between the financing needs of SMEs in the green dairy sector and the existing financial products/services available.
• Assess perceived barriers of SMEs – internal and external and their suggestions on how these can be overcome.
• Highlight potential areas for innovation in financial instruments, partnerships, or blended finance models.

5. Recommendations & Strategic Entry Points

• Provide actionable recommendations for connecting SMEs with identified financing opportunities.
• Suggest strategies for strengthening linkages between the Green Dairy Initiative and financial institutions/investors.
• Develop a brief handbook / directory of the available credit facilities in Pakistan and globally for the SMEs to refer to for guidance and identification of the most appropriate option for their circumstances

5. DELIVERABLES :
The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

1. Inception Report detailing methodology, work plan, and timeline.
2. Stakeholder Mapping Report including a database of relevant financial institutions,
3. investors, and support programs.
4. Gap Analysis Report highlighting key challenges, constraints, and opportunities for
5. SMEs in accessing finance.
6. Final Report with Recommendations providing actionable strategies for mobilizing
7. financial support and fostering partnerships for the Green Dairy Initiative.
8. Presentation of Findings to stakeholders and project team, summarizing key insights and
9. recommendations.
10. A brief Handbook / Directory of the available credit facilities in Pakistan and globally

6. TIME FRAME :
The required services need to be completed in a time of 4 months from the date of contract signing.

7. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

1. At least a master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Development
2. Studies or a related discipline.
3. Additional certifications or training in sustainable finance, impact investment, or green/climate
4. finance will be considered as asset.
5. Minimum 5 years of demonstrated professional experience in the areas of sustainable finance,
6. green investment, development finance or investment advisory.
7. Demonstrated experience in mapping financial institutions and financing mechanisms.
8. Knowledge of the Pakistani financial sector and familiarity with global climate/impact finance
9. instruments.
10. Proven ability to facilitate linkages between businesses and financing institutions.
11. Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills

8. PROPOSAL OUTLINE
The consultant/service provider needs to prepare and submit a technical proposal with the following
headings:

• Introduction of the consultancy firm/consultant
• Executive Summary
• Objectives
• Methodology
• Scope of Work including timeline and milestones
• Previous Relevant Experience
• Team Member’s Competencies/CVs and Clear Roles and Responsibilities
• Deliverables
• References

The financial proposal should indicate the following details:

• Budget Items
• Unit Cost
• Activity Cost
• Personnel Cost
• Travel and Accommodation Cost
• Taxes
• Admin Cost
• Profit Margin

The total proposed budget should include all items like fees, travel, meetings/workshops/FGDs,
Taxes etc.

9. EVALUATION CRITERIA :

• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of the assignment
• Technical Documentation and Approach
• Timeline
• Qualifications, and experience of the team members
• Past Experience on similar/relevant assignments
• Clear roles and responsibilities
• Detail and Cost Effectiveness
• Risk & Mitigation Plan

10. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES :

Proposals should be submitted in electronic format no later than 8 th October 2025, to [email protected]
Late submissions will not be considered.
Disclaimer: GAIN reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received, to request additional
information form any proposer, and to negotiate with any qualified proposer.