SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY FOR TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR SMALL-SCALE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN RURAL MAHARASHTRA, INDIA TERMS OF REFERENCE

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1 SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY FOR TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR SMALL-SCALE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN RURAL MAHARASHTRA, INDIA TERMS OF REFERENCE February 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 conduct a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) that will identify the training needs of small-scale women entrepreneurs in rural Maharashtra, India and inform the design of a project to promote women s entrepreneurship in the region. The project will support 75 women over 12 months in remote villages in Maharashtra (around Pune city) with tailored skills training and business development support, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, networks and confidence they need to become successful small business owners. The project aims to meet the following outcomes: Support 75 small-scale women producers to become successful entrepreneurs through training and capacity building; Facilitate the creation of women enterprise groups, bringing together small groups of women with similar businesses to work together to address existing business constraints and improve their access to economic opportunities; Promote access to markets so women have increased access to economic opportunities; Provide linkages to financial services where relevant (e.g. savings, insurance, credit). The project will be delivered by the Foundation in collaboration with its local implementation partner, Dhriiti The Courage Within. 3. Scope of the consultancy This training needs assessment, to be conducted in rural Maharashtra near Pune, is aimed at providing guidance to the Foundation and its partners to design, develop and deliver effective training support for small-scale women entrepreneurs in the region. Specifically, the training needs assessment will: 1. Understand the entrepreneurial ecosystem for women in Maharashtra. 2. Identify the relevant target group(s) and outline proposed selection criteria for entry into the project. 3. Identify the priority training needs of the target group(s). 4. Identify training topics, learning outcomes and delivery formats.

3 The consultant will: 1. Develop the detailed scope, methodology and tools for the training needs assessment. 2. Conduct the training needs assessment. 3. Analyse the results and provide recommendations on the target group(s), and training approach/ curriculum to effectively build their business skills. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Foundation and Dhriiti The Courage Within, our local implementation partner. 4. Deliverables The following deliverables are expected during and at the end of the consultancy: Initial kick-off meeting/call with the Foundation to discuss/agree the scope of the training needs assessment. An inception report, which will detail the work plan and methodology for data collection and analysis, including data collection processes and tools, etc. Presentation of findings to the Foundation using PowerPoint at a validation workshop. The presentation should highlight the main findings and recommendations of the training needs assessment. Draft and final reports including all findings, conclusions and recommendations for refining the training approach and curriculum. A summary report/one page infographic on the key findings of the study. The due dates for all deliverables will be finalised by the consultant with the Foundation prior to submission of the inception report/work plan. 5. Methodology We seek the most robust approach that is appropriate for the scope of this training needs assessment, the resources allocated, and the intended audience. The proposed methodology will employ (but not be limited to) the following approaches: Desk-based/macro/sector and industry level research. Direct interaction with a sample of women entrepreneurs in rural Maharashtra. Direct interaction with enterprise development service providers. Direct interaction with other key stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, including financial institutions and government representatives. Other methods and techniques as suggested by the consultant.

4 6. Scoring criteria for consultant selection Criterion Details Weight Experience of conducting needs assessment on women s economic empowerment projects Experience working on women s empowerment Proposed methodology Financial proposal A record of designing and delivering rigorous training needs assessments on women s economic empowerment projects. Competencies in data collection and analysis related to socio-economic variables, quantitative and qualitative research. In-depth expertise in women s empowerment in developing and emerging economies, in particular India. Previous experience of working on women s entrepreneurship projects and in particular with rural communities. The consultant must work in consultation with the Foundation to develop the methodology. The consultant must display the ability to clearly explain in its proposal how it will go about addressing the purpose of the training needs assessment. The most economical proposal that meets the expectations of the work will be selected. 10% 7. Timeframe The consultancy is expected to commence in March 2018 and run through April Payment terms of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the inception report. of the fee will be paid upon satisfactory approval of the draft report. 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.

5 9. Instructions for submission All submissions must be sent to by 09:00 GMT on Friday 9 March Please use Training Needs Assessment in India 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 market research studies 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 to: recruitment@cherieblairfoundation.org