Consultancy for the development of a sustainable financing solution(s) of internet connectivity in Niger schools (National and International), Niamey, Niger

Consultant Teaching & Training Programme & Policy

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, A champion!

How can you make a difference?

Purpose:

Assist UNICEF/ITU (under the Giga initiative) in analyzing sustainable commercial solutions and business models to support large-scale school internet connectivity in Niger. This assignment will support the Government of Niger, through Smart Villages, ANSI and other partners, in developing, testing and implementing self-sustainable business models to accelerate the rate/scale of school internet connectivity in Niger.

Objectives of the assignment

The main objective of the consultancy is to develop, test and implement self-sufficient commercial solutions to support, finance and accelerate school connectivity in Niger. The consultant will specifically perform the following tasks:

1. Building on the previously proposed structures from Giga and its partners, research and perform a high-level local market assessment on the models to determine economic and financial viability

2. Consult and interview key stakeholders (i.e. government agencies, strategic players, schools/parents, communities)

3. In collaboration with the government, develop at least three business model prototypes to test in Niger’s Smart Villages to provide sustainable & affordable connectivity to schools and communities.

4. Validate business model proposals with key stakeholders (government, private sector, schools/parents, communities, UNICEF, ITU, Smart Villages), adapt accordingly to feedback and inputs.

5. Elaborate a testing protocol (i.e., A/B testing, among others) to assess feasibility of the proposed business models.

6. Identify and engage key participants (government, private sector, communities, etc.) in testing the implementation of the proposed business models

7. Elaborate a detailed implementation plan along with the steps required to implement the recommended financing options and business model solutions.

8. In collaboration with the government, support implementation of the financing and business model solutions.

9. Develop a final summary report with the results of the testing stage, analysis, and recommendations for implementing the models at scale.

10. Present the proposed business model(s) to senior management of UNICEF, ITU, Smart Villages and others for validation and inputs

Methodological approach

Throughout the period of the assignment the following methodological approach is suggested:

• Preparation and Criterion Development: Establish an understanding of the goals and objectives of Giga and Smart Villages; develop a roadmap for the project; and construct a set of metrics system to evaluate the commercial models against the other factors of interest such as sustainability, scalability, risks, timeframe, and local culture

• Reviewing the Current Environment: Building on studies completed by Giga and its partners, the Consultant will undertake a desktop review to have an increased understanding of the current environment. In consultation with key stakeholders, the consultant will collect case studies on blended/commercial models applied in other countries. (Giga team will assist by proving a variety of existing case studies).

• Research and Data Collection: Gather information on business models in order to determine likely feasibility (coverage, affordability) and compare against the set of pre-determined criterions. This task is to be carried out through a mixed approach by combining both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.

• Consult and Interview Key Stakeholders: Consult with multiple key stakeholders such as, but not limited to, government agencies, internet service providers, telecommunications companies, community leaders, schools, NGOs and, international financial institutions (AfDB, the World Bank, the IMF)

• Analyze, Review and Benchmark: Conduct a financial and strategic analysis on the set of business models. Compare the findings of the analysis against the set of criterions to assess viability and appropriateness within the Giga and Niger context. As part of the financial analysis, develop an indicative model for the cash flows to justify the sustainability of the business case.

• Implementation Plan: Outline in detail the actions/steps required to implement the proposed commercial model(s) along with key stakeholders.

• Recommendation and Concept Paper: Develop and recommend the commercial model(s) to pursue in Niger. The Consultant will synthesize the research and analysis to justify the recommendations. The report is expected to include both quantitative and qualitative components of the recommendation. Any risks or considerations should also be included, along with available mitigants. Additionally, the Consultant will ensure key stakeholders had the opportunity to provide inputs and comments prior to official validation and dissemination. The consultant will develop a short, clear brief (max two pages) to be shared with key stakeholders during different engagement forums

Key stakeholders

The key stakeholders for this assignment are Government Ministries (MoICT) and Implementing Agencies (ANSI), Giga (UNICEF/ITU), Smart Villages, communities and learners in Niger

Work Assignment:

1. Preparation and Criterion Development

2. Reviewing the Current business Environment

3. Research and Data Collection

4. Consult and Interview Key Stakeholders

5. Analyze, Review and Benchmark

6. Testing

7. Implementation Plan

8. Support implementation and testing

9. Recommendation and Concept Paper

Deliverables and timeline:

1.

A roadmap of activities and benchmark criterion for commercial models in consultation with UNICE and ITU:

• A plan of activities for the project

• A list of key stakeholders to be consulted

• Methodology for comparing and evaluating various business model

Timeline : 2 weeks

2.

•Desktop review of the current business environment in Niger •Develop an understanding of the internet connectivity sector in Niger and Smart Villages program

Timeline : 1 week

3. & 4.

•Gather information on and diligence the set of business models in order to determine feasibility in Niger

•Score/compare models against the set of pre-determined criterions

•Consultations with key stakeholders (governments, industry players, schools/parents, NGOs, local community members, IFIs, etc.)

•Interview schools/parents to ask connectivity usage and gauge willingness to pay

Timeline : 2 weeks

5.

• Conduct a financial and strategic analysis on the proposed business models

• Determine viability and appropriateness within the Smart Villages and the Niger context

• If feasible/available, prepare indicative/illustrative cash flows

Timeline : 1 week

6.

•Elaborate a testing protocol for assessing the feasibility and sustainability of the proposed business models

•Identify key metrics (KPIs) and parameters to guide decision-making (if the model works or not, and if it should be recommended for scale-up)

Timeline : 1 week

7.

•Outline the detailed actions and steps required to implement the feasible/viable models

Timeline : 2 weeks

8.

•Support ANSI and Smart Villages in the implementation of the proposed business models with key participants

•Document implementation challenges and lessons learned

•Track progress and feasibility / sustainability of the proposed business models using the KPIs framework

•Support key participants during the implementation / testing stage

Timeline : 12 weeks

9.

• Draft report developed and shared with the key stakeholders for inputs

• Inputs and comments are addressed

• Final report submitted to UNICEF/ITU for dissemination

Timeline : 3 weeks

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education

•The consultant should have at least a Master degree in Economics, Finance, Development Finance, Public Finance, or other related areas.

Experience

•At least 10 years of proven experience in private/commercial sector engagement, public sector engagement, financial analysis, development financing, or developing de-risking instruments

• Demonstrable ability in writing business/investment cases, with particular focus on ICT, and innovations,

• Capacity to research and synthesize information from a diverse range of stakeholders and resources

• Demonstrable ability in writing business/investment cases, with particular focus on ICT, and innovations,

• Experience in emerging or developing countries (African continent is considered as an asset)

• Experience in telecommunications or digital services is considered as an asset

• Experience with Niger’s financing architecture is considered as an asset

• Working experience with UN and or other international organizations will be an added advantage,

• Ability to work under tight deadlines

Language

• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English required

As part of their application package on the UNICEF online portal, interested candidates should submit:

• A cover letter (letter of motivation)
• An up-to-date CV
• A technical offer
• A financial offer
• A copy of the highest obtained academic diploma

Candidates should clearly state their ability and availability to fulfill these terms of reference, as well as provide their proposed financial compensation. The financial offer should be all inclusive (expected honorarium, subsistence allowance, travel costs, etc...)

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org