Request for Proposals – BCI Office Feasibility Study – Côte D’Ivoire

We are seeking proposals from in country based skilled individuals or organisations interested in BCI Office Feasibility Study – Côte D’Ivoire.

BCI is exploring the establishment of a regional office in Côte D’Ivoire to strengthen its presence and enhance operational efficiency in the country and across the region. This feasibility study will assess a range of critical factors in line with our Hiring & Mobility Policy – such as legal and regulatory frameworks, employment landscape, financial and banking infrastructure,  governance environment, security risks, and overall operational viability – to determine the key steps for) for setting up a legal structure (e.g., non-for-profit entity, NGO/NPO, branch office).

Objectives:

The primary objective of this assignment is to assess and compare the feasibility of establishing a legal presence in Côte d’Ivoire. The study will produce a comprehensive, evidence-based report recommending the perquisites for setting up the business or local not-for-profit legal structure (e.g., non-for-profit entity, NGO/NPO, branch office).

The analysis must provide deep insights into the legal landscape (different legal structures), operational environment, workforce availability, compliance requirements, cost-effectiveness, security, and financial systems. The recommendations should be practical, risk-aware, and support decision-making on office setup and program implementation in the region. The detailed scope includes but is not limited to:

Scope of Work

The selected national consultant or firm is expected to deliver a detailed comparative analysis and recommendations covering the following thematic areas Côte d’Ivoire.

1. Legal and Regulatory Environment

• Provide an overview of the business and nonprofit registration processes in the country. Identify and describe all licenses, documentation, and steps required for setting up a local legal structure for business and nonprofit (branch/non-for-profit company or NPO/NGO).
• Provide a detailed cost breakdown and timelines for registration of all viable options, separately for business entities and nonprofit entities.
• Highlight any limitations or restrictions on foreign ownership, operations of international NGOs, or access to government incentives.
• Analyze existing legal obligations related to compliance, annual filings, audits, and reporting to local authorities.
• Assess legal requirements related to entity setup (corporate & governance), including board composition (local vs. international), mandatory board presence, local shareholder thresholds, and annual reporting obligations.
• Identify applicable laws on anti-corruption, financial transparency, and governance, corporate and assess the overall legal environment—including daily operational liabilities, tax exposure, and compliance burden to ensure the entity can function effectively without undue legal or administrative constraints.

1. Employment Landscape

• Analyze labor laws including minimum wage, contract regulations, benefits, termination clauses, and employee rights.
• Evaluate the availability of local talent in the areas of finance, programme delivery, M&E, administration, Information & data technology and technical (i.e. decent work, climate change etc) expertise along with language (English) abilities.
• Present salary benchmarks for common roles i.e. Manager, coordinator etc to determine employment cost-effectiveness.
• Assess the legal framework and constraints related to directly employing international or global roles within the country, including the feasibility and regulatory implications of using an Employer of Record (EoR) arrangement.

1. Banking and Financial Infrastructure

• Provide information on major local and international banks operating in the country and outline the costs of transfers etc.
• Assess the ease of opening corporate bank accounts for INGOs/non for profits.
• Review regulations regarding receiving international funding, currency exchange controls, and fund repatriation.
• Discuss infrastructure and technology for digital banking, mobile payments, and online transactions.

1. Nonprofit and International NGO/NPO/Branch Environment

• Evaluate the regulatory environment for nonprofit organizations, including registration, taxation, and oversight mechanisms.
• Identify known barriers or enablers for INGOs/NPO/Branch operating in the country.
• Highlight the presence and activity of other INGOs/NPO/Branch and donors in the country.

1. Travel & Accessibility

Assess the ease and practicality of international, regional and domestic travel to the proposed countries/locations. This includes:

• Visa requirements:
  • for nationals from other West African countries
  • for international visitors
• International (including regional) connectivity – frequency of flights, major airlines operating, and proximity to popular transit hubs.
• Airport infrastructure – quality and accessibility of main and regional airports, airlines available, etc.
• Travel risks – including cost, duration, and security considerations.

1. Security and Risk Analysis

• Provide a detailed risk profile of country, including political stability, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism risks.
• Assess safety for expatriates and local staff.
• Analyze insurance requirements and availability.
• Recommend mitigation strategies for identified risks, including contingency planning and incident management protocols.

1. Cost and Operational Effectiveness

• Assess office setup feasibility, including estimated costs for rent, utilities, and communications. Comment on the reliability of services (e.g., power, internet) and suggest common local measures to mitigate issues (e.g., surge protectors, backup power, stronger connectivity options).
• Evaluate availability of reliable ICT infrastructure and logistics support (e.g., couriers, suppliers, etc.).

1. Internet Infrastructure and Data Safety

• Internet Access: Assess availability, cost, and reliability of internet in urban and rural areas.
• Data Privacy: Check compliance with global data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, Swiss law), and cross-border data flow regulations.
• Digital Tools: Identify commonly used operating systems, software, and language compatibility among professionals and general users.
• E-Signatures & Digital ID: Confirm legal acceptance of electronic signatures and digital identity systems for remote processes.
• Use of Technology: Assess if the country permits the use of Better Cotton’s existing tech stack, and identify any restrictions or bans on specific applications, platforms, or equipment vendors that may affect operations.

1. Recommendations

• Provide a complete analysis of the country studied using a scoring matrix based on weighted criteria.
• Highlight specific risks, advantages, and constraints associated with each recommended location.
• Include operational setup steps and a high-level implementation timeline.

In addition to skills, competencies and expertise, we will consider value for money and demonstrable commitment to the sustainability field to evaluate applications.