MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING CONSULTANCY FOR ROAD TO GROWTH PROJECT IN NIGERIA TERMS OF REFERENCE

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1 MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING CONSULTANCY FOR ROAD TO GROWTH PROJECT IN NIGERIA TERMS OF REFERENCE August 2018

2 1. About us The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (the Foundation) supports women entrepreneurs in developing and emerging economies to access the skills, technology, networks and financial services they need to become successful small and growing business owners. We are driven by our vision of a world where women have equal opportunities and the capability, confidence and capital necessary to create thriving enterprises and have a stronger voice in their societies. Working in collaboration with our non-profit, private and public sector partners, we have supported over 140,000 women from 100 countries across our Enterprise Development, Mentoring Women in Business and Mobile Technology programmes. To find out more, visit 2. Background The Foundation is looking to contract a consultant to support with the monitoring, evaluation and learning for its Road to Growth project in Nigeria. Road to Growth is an innovative project which aims to use cutting-edge technology to build the business skills of women entrepreneurs. There will be three elements of support provided to Nigerian women entrepreneurs: The Blended learning approach, combining in-class training with a custom-built online learning tool An online version of the above curriculum, allowing women who cannot access the in-class sessions to still access support. A dynamic mobile learning app, which delivers essential business training, tips, and support, via their mobile phones or tablets The programme will increase women s access to financial services and markets, and empower them to grow profitable and sustainable businesses, ultimately promoting their long-term economic independence. The project aims to meet the following outcomes: Empower 1,000 women to transform their small businesses into thriving enterprises that are profitable and sustainable through a three phased approach: o Phase 1: Deliver broad-based business management and financial literacy training to 1,000 or more women entrepreneurs in start-up and growth stages of their businesses through a tailored mobile learning app o Phase 2: Deliver support to 500 women entrepreneurs through a blended learning approach. This will be delivered in two stages: Stage 1: 500 women entrepreneurs using a bespoke blended learning approach. This will give women the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to gain better access to finance and move their business to the next level of growth.

3 o Stage 2: Provide intensive business support to 100 of the 500 women entrepreneurs through tailored business advisory sessions, advanced business workshops, mentoring, networking and links to financial services, investment, and markets. Phase 3: Deliver support to 500 women entrepreneurs through 6 week online curriculum 3. Purpose and scope of the consultancy The purpose of this monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) consultancy is to design the project s monitoring, evaluation and learning plan and provide an independent assessment of the extent to which the project meets its goal of empowering women entrepreneurs in Nigeria to access the necessary finance to grow profitable and sustainable businesses. Specifically, this will include: 1. Designing a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan. The consultant will be expected to develop a MEL plan at the start of the consultancy period, which should include guidance on collecting and analysing data collected; methods and tools for data collection; and a simple management information system for data compilation and processing. The plan produced by the consultant should ensure adherence to the Foundation s M&E framework and include stakeholder (especially participant) engagement. 2. Collecting baseline data. The consultant will be expected to conduct a baseline survey at the start of the consultancy period to provide an information base against which to monitor and assess progress and effectiveness during implementation and after project is completed. 3. Conduct external evaluation. The consultant will be expected to conduct an external evaluation of the project. The primary focus of the evaluation should be on learning and understanding the changes resulted from the project, reflecting on progress and achievements, and highlighting recommendations for scale-up and replication in other geographies. The main audiences for this evaluation are the Foundation, partners and stakeholders, as well as the women entrepreneurs themselves, and the wider women s economic empowerment community. To guide the scope of the evaluation, the consultant will seek to respond to the questions below as well as conduct an assessment in line with the OECD-DAC criteria. These questions are intended to be a guiding framework, and will be refined in conjunction with the Foundation and the implementation partner. Key questions that drive our learning agenda around this work include: Have the project outcomes been achieved, and were there any unintended outcomes? How, when, and for whom did the project make a difference? How significant was this difference? Did project outcomes also extend to indirect beneficiaries? What was this impact, and how significant was it?

4 What has worked and what has not worked so well? What lessons have been learnt? What are specific recommendations for future programme design? Regarding the blended learning component: Was the blended learning methodology effective and what areas could be improved? To what extent can financial literacy and investor readiness training lead to successful access to finance? What are the most effective and sustainable models for connecting women entrepreneurs with financing opportunities? How can financial institutions be more meaningfully engaged in women s entrepreneurship? What is required to effectively scale-up and replicate models that work well? Regarding the mobile learning app component: What content in the app was the most useful and effective? How did the app facilitate linkages between app users? What value did this generate for users? Specifically, what profile of users found the app most useful? Start-ups, or more established businesses? What other factors affected this such as age, location or other? Was the mobile learning methodology effective and what areas could be improved? Regarding the online learning component: Was the online learning methodology effective and what areas could be improved? Did the online course facilitate linkages between course participants? What value did this generate for users? Was the online course marketed effectively? What other methods might have been more effective? The main audiences for this evaluation are the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, ExxonMobil Foundation, partners and stakeholders, the women s economic empowerment community as well as the women entrepreneurs themselves. The evaluation will be used by the Foundation and ExxonMobil Foundation to inform future strategy and programming, and contribute to the global discussion on women s economic empowerment. 5. Methodology We seek the most robust MEL plan and external evaluation that is appropriate for the scope, resources allocated, and the intended audience. The proposed methodology will employ (but not be limited to) the following approaches: Review of project documents and mobile learning application. Desk research on women s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Nigeria Consultations with implementation partners and stakeholders.

5 Primary data collection using quantitative and qualitative methods as relevant e.g. surveys, focus group discussions, interviews. Review data collected through the mobile learning app, and through the online learning, and blended learning platforms. 6. Deliverables The following deliverables are expected during and at the end of the consultancy: Initial kick-off meeting with the Foundation and implementation partners to discuss/ agree the scope of the evaluation. A detailed inception report, which will include proposed methodology, implementation plan, clear timelines, key tasks, and deliverables. A document outlining the MEL system, including methodology for qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, as well as data collection processes and tools. Baseline study, and periodic data collection thereafter to assess progress and achievements Presentation of findings of evaluation to the Foundation using PowerPoint at an on-line validation workshop. The presentation should highlight the main findings of the evaluation. Final evaluation report (including draft) including: findings, lessons learnt, conclusions and recommendations and case studies. All raw data collected The due dates for all deliverables will be finalised by the Consultant with the Foundation prior to submission of the work plan. In addition to the above, regular check-in calls between the Consultant and the Foundation will be held to update on activities and debrief on emerging findings. 7. Scoring criteria for consultant selection Criterion Details Weight Experience of designing and conducting research and evaluations on women s economic empowerment and mobile for development projects A record of designing and executing monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, including record of delivering rigorous research and evaluations in English. Experience of conducting evaluations of mobile for development projects. Sound knowledge and understanding of the entire project cycle and the ability to monitor and evaluate the quality of each project stage. 30%

6 Competencies in data collection and analysis related to socio-economic variables, quantitative and qualitative research. Experience working on women s empowerment and financial inclusion Proposed methodology Financial proposal In-depth expertise in women s empowerment in developing and emerging economies, in particular in Nigeria. A thorough understanding of the key issues related to women s financial inclusion in developing and emerging economies, especially in Nigeria. Previous experience of working on women s entrepreneurship projects. Sound knowledge and understanding of the context and key issues related to women s entrepreneurship in developing and emerging economies, especially in Nigeria. Previous work experience in Nigeria. The Consultant must work in consultation with the Foundation to develop the methodology. The consultant must display the ability to identify gender-specific approaches and indicators relating to women entrepreneurs and design/develop adapted methods to the local context. The most economical proposal that meets the expectations of the work will be selected. All the costs related to this consultancy, including travel, must be included in the proposal. 20% 30% 20% 7. Timeframe The consultancy is expected to commence in September 2018 and run through December Payment terms 30% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the inception report. 30% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the MEL system document.

7 40% of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory completion of the final report. The consultant is expected to provide her/his own office space and working equipment. In addition, the consultant is expected to cover the cost of insurance, travel, communication and any expenses associated with the consultancy within the available budget. 9. Instructions for submission All submissions must be sent to by 09:00 GMT on 16 August Please use M&E Consultancy Nigeria as the subject title to your application. Prospective consultants are expected to submit technical and financial proposals in English including the following: Profile of consultant/firm, clear demonstration of previous experience in conducting external evaluations Understanding of the Terms of Reference Approach and methodology Work plan Proposed budget in GBP and inclusive of VAT. Appendices to the proposal must include: CVs of the consultancy team Three references from similar training needs assessment projects undertaken by the consultant(s), including contacts and phone numbers. Questions and clarifications regarding the Terms of Reference should be sent by 9:00 am GMT on 7 August, to: recruitment@cherieblairfoundation.org.