1. About us. 2. Background

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1 SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY FOR A STUDY IN INDONESIA, MYANMAR AND VIETNAM TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF A MOBILE VALUE ADDED SERVICE (MVAS) AS A BUSINESS ENABLER FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TERMS OF REFERENCE October 2016

2 1. About us The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provides women in developing and emerging economies with the skills, technology, networks and access to financial services that they need to become successful small and growing business owners, so that they can contribute to their economies and have a stronger voice in their societies, resulting in a brighter future for the women themselves and their communities as a whole. Since it was established in 2008, the Foundation has directly reached over 136,000 women across more than 90 countries through its Mobile Technology, Mentoring Women in Business and Enterprise Development Programmes in Africa, Asia, Central and South America and the Middle East. Tens of thousands more benefit indirectly as the women we support go on to become role models, create new job opportunities and invest additional income back into their families and communities. The Foundation has also published ground-breaking research on mobile technology for business growth and is undertaking high level advocacy to broaden the scope for women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging markets. The Mobile Technology Programme: Our Mobile Technology Programme works with a wide range of partners across the mobile technology ecosystem combining research, projects and advocacy across three models: Customised mobile applications for women entrepreneurs Increasing the participation and capacity of women in mobile and banking agent networks Financial inclusion through mobile financial services. The Foundation s work in this field has been recognised globally. Our Usaha Wanita mobile service in Indonesia won the Global Telecoms Business Innovation Award and our project in India won Best Mobile Service in Emerging Markets at Mobile World Congress and an mbillionth award in Since its inception, the programme has reached over 116,000 women worldwide, including: 1,800 women managing an agricultural supply chain in India via a mobile app Over 100,000 women provided with business training via their mobile phones 2,500 women trained as mobile money agents in Africa. 2. Background The Business Women application At the Foundation, we realise the positive impact that Mobile Value Added Services (MVAS) can have on enabling women entrepreneurs to improve their businesses, particularly in countries where women face difficulties in accessing markets, finance and reliable business information. Business Women is a mobile learning tool founded upon our research Mobile Value Added Services: A Business Growth Opportunity for Women Entrepreneurs, which examined the specific educational needs of women entrepreneurs in three different countries: Indonesia, Nigeria and Egypt. We identified eight challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. These included access to digital channels, affordable resources and training. We went on to identify how the challenges could be addressed using mobile phones. Historically, mobile solutions have not had the scale necessary to empower large numbers of women, and the majority of business services are not tailored to address the precise regional and local barriers that women entrepreneurs face. In response, and in partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation and Nokia, we developed an application providing business management information to women entrepreneurs via their mobile

3 phones. The Business Women application, running on the Nokia Life platform, delivered five to six SMS messages per week to subscribers, with bite-size information on bookkeeping, customer relations, personnel management and sources of capital. These were based on a year-long business training curriculum, which was developed with content tailored to local conditions by an international consultancy and local NGOs. Through our Business Women application, we have provided access to business management tips and information to over 100,000 women. We are currently developing a second generation of the Business Women application, to be launched in Mexico in Scope of the consultancy The Foundation plans to launch a Mobile Value Added Service (MVAS) to build the capacity and confidence of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia, Myanmar or Vietnam. This study, to be conducted in Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam, is aimed at understanding the segmentation of women entrepreneurs in these countries, identifying the specific barriers women entrepreneurs in the separate segments face (such as accessing new customers, financial support and market information) and how a MVAS could be used to overcome these barriers. This study will be made possible with a financial contribution from Qualcomm Wireless Reach. Qualcomm Wireless Reach is a strategic initiative that brings wireless technology to underserved communities globally. Wireless Reach invests in programmes that foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning and improve environmental sustainability. The aim of the study is to: 1. Understand the female entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam, including: a. What socio-economic and professional segments of women entrepreneurs exist in the three countries? b. What are the business needs of the different segments of women entrepreneurs? c. What existing support is available to women entrepreneurs in these three countries? What gaps remain? 2. Assess the mobile industry in each of the three countries: a. What is the state of the mobile industry and its level of maturity? b. What MVAS are currently available? Who uses them and benefits most from them? What technologies are used to deliver them? What are the specific business models and tools used, and their opportunities for sustainability and scale? 3. What role could mobile technology play to support women to overcome the barriers identified in this study? 4. Identify which country would be best suited for a MVAS to impact upon women entrepreneurs. The study will focus on the needs of women entrepreneurs in order to tailor the design and content of the service, and ultimately provide a recommendation of which country would be best suited for a

4 MVAS that will build the capacity and confidence of women entrepreneurs. At the end of the study, the Foundation would to like to receive a recommended target market and concrete ideas for a MVAS that could meet the requirements of women entrepreneurs in that segment. 4. Deliverables The following deliverables are expected during and at the end of the study: Initial kick-off meeting/call with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to discuss/agree the scope of the study. An inception report which will detail the work plan and methodology for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including data collection processes and tools, etc. Presentation of findings to the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women using PowerPoint at a validation workshop. The presentation should highlight the main findings of the study. A draft report including all preliminary findings, analysis of findings, conclusions and recommendations, which will be refined following feedback from the Foundation. Final report including findings, analysis of findings, conclusions and recommendations. The due dates for all deliverables will be finalised by the consultant with the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women prior to submission of the inception report/work plan. 5. Methodology The study will employ (but not be limited to) the following methods: Desk-based/macro/sector and industry level research Direct interaction with a minimum of 200 women entrepreneurs in each target country across multiple regions Direct interaction with mobile operators Direct interaction with other members of the MVAS value chain in the target markets Other methods and techniques as suggested by the consultancy firm/research agency. 6. Decision criteria Criterion Details Weight Experience of Mobile Value Previous work experience in the field of MVAS and 25% Added Services (MVAS) Mobile for Development will be an advantage. Experience of the ASEAN The consultant/firm must have a thorough 20% mobile telecommunications market understanding of the state of the mobile industry in the ASEAN region. Experience with women Previous experience of working on women s 15% entrepreneurs Proposed methodology Project team Financial proposal entrepreneurship projects will be an advantage. The successful firm must clearly explain in its proposal how it will go about addressing the questions this study poses. The team must display the ability to identify unmet MVAS needs among women and also how these may be commercialised. The most economical proposal that meets the expectations of the study as detailed above will be selected. 20% 10% 10%

5 7. Timeframe The study will start in January The final report and findings will be delivered by the end of March Interim reports will be delivered during the course of the study and a detailed schedule of when these will be expected will be drawn up in the contract awarded to the successful consulting firm. This is a short and focused piece of work and the successful firm will need to demonstrate the ability to be quick, responsive and flexible in their approach. 8. Payment terms 20% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the inception report 50% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the draft report 30% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the final report The consultant will be expected to provide their own office space and working equipment. The consultant will be expected to cover the cost of insurance, travel, communication and any expenses associated with the consultancy within the available budget. 9. Structure of the proposal Prospective consultants/firms are expected to submit technical and financial proposals using the following format: Profile of consultant/firm, clear demonstration of previous experience Understanding of the Terms of Reference Approach and methodology Work plan Proposed budget in GBP and inclusive of VAT Annexes CVs of key experts Three references from similar projects undertaken by the firm/consultant, including contacts and phone numbers 10. Instructions for submission All submissions must be sent to recruitment@cherieblairfoundation.org no later than 17:00 GMT on 18 November Proposals must be a maximum of 10 pages in length with an additional Executive Summary of one page. Proposals must be written in a narrative style that follows the structure outlined above. Questions and clarifications regarding the Terms of Reference should be sent to recruitment@cherieblairfoundation.org.