BACKGROUND

1. CARE International in Kenya.

Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading global humanitarian and development organization fighting poverty. CARE International in Kenya has been working in partnership with Development and relief Organizations, the private sector, and Government of Kenya since 1968 and is currently under the direct management of CARE US. We seek a world of hope, tolerance, and social justice where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. CARE commenced its humanitarian program in Kenya in 1968. Since then, we have built a substantial development and humanitarian program including refugee operations, emergency response, livelihoods, food security, climate change adaption, sexual reproductive and maternal health, women and girls’ economic empowerment, and youth employability. CARE Kenya’s mission is to reduce poverty at the household level and to provide relief in emergencies.

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2. Beiersdorf Kenya Project.

CARE International in Kenya in partnership with Beiersdorf-NIVEA, a global corporate enterprise based in Hamburg Germany, is implementing a two years COVID19 resilience project, aimed at fostering good health and economic resilience of the vulnerable women and youths in Kakamega and Bungoma Counties. In the health front CARE Kenya in partnership with a local FM station, will support COVID19 Mass awareness sessions, in collaboration with ministry of Health experts, equip 200 health facilities with infection prevention and control (IPC) materials, conduct community health campaigns and Strengthen capacity of 400 front line health workers on use of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology in COVID19 home based care case management. In the economic resilience front, the project shall train women and youths on community led Savings and Loan (VSLA) methodology, provide financial literacy skills training to 4000 VSLA members through interactive chat bot platform. The project will build capacity of beneficiaries on entrepreneurship and provide grant support to viable micro enterprises, owned by women and youths.

3. Justification.

The economic contribution of women in rural households is vital for survival of every member in the household. Gender equality will only be achieved when women gain equal economic rights, control over economic resources and access to economic opportunities. CARE seeks to strengthen women’s position as economic actors and to address their exclusion from economic processes and structures (Informal & formal). This will reduce women’s exploitation, marginalization, and vulnerability, enabling them to effectively participate in and reap from the benefits of economic opportunities and build prosperity for themselves, their families, and the community. According to the UN and McKinsey Global Institute, tapping the economic potential of female entrepreneurs may add an additional US$28 trillion to global GDP by 2025; whilst investing in programs that promote economic empowerment for women may provide a return of US$7 for every US$1 spent. In Kenya, Women-owned businesses account for about one-half (48 percent[1]) of all micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which contribute to 20 percent of Kenya's GDP. Of the 462,000 jobs created annually since 2000 in Kenya, 445,000 jobs are in the informal sector, where 85 percent of women's businesses are found. Investment in delivery of financial literacy lessons to woman entrepreneurs is envisaged to strengthen their financial management skills and spur growth in the MSME sector in Kenya. It’s in this regards that CARE Kenya plans to invest in mass training of 4000 VSLA members by sharing the financial literacy content via SMS chatbot.

4. Overall Objective.

The overall objective of the consultancy is to digitize and upload financial literacy content, into simple short easy to comprehend messages, released as bulk SMS to 4,000 VSLA members in Bungoma and Kakamega counties, for a period of six months, while keeping track and sharing the graphic report with CARE monthly, of the number of farmers accessing the messages, and feedback received during the contract period.

• Specific Objectives.

1. To set up the SMS chatbot system
2. To package, the financial literacy modules in to simple easy to comprehend short massages in Kiswahili language, without distorting the original content.
3. To Upload the short messages to the chatbot system.
4. To test the functionality of the system feedback mechanism.
5. To deliver the financial literacy short messages to 4,000 VSLA members in Bungoma and Kakamega counties.
6. To share with CARE Kenya on monthly basis, the graphic presentation of the system usage results, and feedback received from the system users.
7. Maintain/ host the system for six months/or up to December 31st, 2022, from the date of contract sign off.

5. SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY.

The scope of the assignment shall include desktop review of the CARE Kenya’s financial literacy manual, packaging of the financial literacy modules in to simple easy to comprehend messages and upload to the system, testing of the system feedback mechanism. Launch of the bulk messages, hosting of the system for six months, and sharing of the system usage monthly reports with CARE Kenya. The consultant is expected to liaise with Program Quality, Learning and Accountability Manager for technical support and the Beiersdorf Project manager on administrative matters.

6. EXPECTED OUTPUT.

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant.

1. Inception report.

The inception report shall outline the scope of work and timelines. The first report to be presented during inception meeting and the reviewed report within 3days of the inception meeting. The inception report and meeting will provide CARE Kenya with opportunity to confirm if the consultant share same understanding and interpretation of the TOR and implementation schedule.

2. Draft Comprehensive report.

The draft consultancy report, addressing the TOR should be produced in English for CARE Kenya to provide feedback within 15 days from the date of approval of the Consultancy.

3. The final report.

The final report will be produced within 2 days after receiving comments on the draft report from CARE Kenya team and the County stakeholders during validation sessions. Other than the technical content and structure, the report should capture feedback from beneficiaries, relevant actors, relevant Government ministries, as well as notable challenges during the exercise and recommendations.

7. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSULTANT AND CARE KENYA.

1. Responsibility of –Consultant.

• Prepare both technical and financial proposal in power point (PPT), demonstrating clear understanding of the assignment, including activities and realistic timelines, during virtual technical evaluation session.
• Develop both quantitative and qualitative date collection tools relevant to the specifications in the TOR and share with CARE Kenya team, during virtual technical evaluation session.
• Prepare and present in power point (PPT) the inception report to CARE Kenya, prior to commencement of work. The report should demonstrate the consultants’ understanding of the assignment, the detailed breakdown of activities and timelines.
• Provide details of relevant documents required from CARE at inception meeting.
• Undertake thorough desktop review of the CARE Kenya Financial Literacy manual.
• Supervision of field data collection in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties.
• Analyze the study results and prepare a comprehensive report.
• Prepare and share draft report for review with CARE Kenya team.
• Prepare and present summary Power point presentation of the evaluation results, during stakeholder validation sessions in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties.
• Prepare the final report in English language and share the soft copy with CARE Kenya.
• Prepare valid Invoice alongside the final report with input from stakeholders incorporated.

2. Responsibility of –CARE Kenya.

• Provide any information that may be required by the consultant during implementation of the assignment
• Participate in decision making according to consultant tasks above and be available for consultation as needed
• Review draft report and provide feedback.
• Introduce the consulting team to the County authorities in Bungoma and Kakamega Counties.
• Facilitate payment as specified in the contract document.

8. EVALUATION TEAM. QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS NEEDED.

CARE Kenya is looking for experienced Consultant(s) who is/can work in collaboration with teams.

The Consulting firm should possess the following.

1. Duly registered with availed certificate of incorporation.
2. KRA tax compliant, with most recent copy of tax compliance certificate.
3. Evidence of undertaking IT related assignment, within the last one year.
4. Recommendation letter from a recent engagement.
5. Excellent communication, reporting and presentation skills in English.
6. Knowledge of CIK work, or other international NGO’s (desirable).
7. SCHEDULE, BUDGET, AND LOGISTICS.
8. Proposed timeline.

The engagement is expected to commence from 12th/07/2022 and conclude by 28th/07/ 2022, as scheduled in the table below.

DELIVERABLES

TIME FRAME

DATES

Virtual technical evaluation session

1 Hour

July 12th ,2022

Inception meeting with project team and Program quality, leaning and Accountability (PQLA) Manager

1 Hour

July 14th ,2022

Desktop reviews of CARE Kenya financial Literacy manual.

4 days

July 15th to 20th, 2022

Development of Financial Literacy short massages.

4 days

July 15th to 20th, 2022

Chat bot development and upload of financial literacy messages.

4 days

July 15th to 20th, 2022

Pretest of the Chatbot system and feedback mechanism functionality.

2 days

July 21st to 22nd, 2022

Confirmation of the system hosting rights up to December 31st, 2022.

July 22nd, 2022.

Presentation of the SMS Chatbot system functionality for feedback from CARE Kenya team

1Hour

July 23rd, 2022

Launch of the Short messages to 4,000 VSLA members.

July 24th, 2022.

Presentation of the final report Incorporating inputs from CARE team.

2days

July 28th ,2022

1. Budget.

All costs inclusive of taxes should be included in the quoted budget outline by the consultant. Including the accommodation, transport, and communication expenses.

1. COORDINATION, RESPONSIBILITIES AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL.

The Program Quality, Learning and Accountability Manager will be the technical lead in the exercise. The consultant will report to Project Manager-Beiersdorf, who will also be the contact to the consultant(s) and ensure access to requisite documents and other support needed to facilitate work of the consultant.

The CIK will provide letters of introduction to the County authorities in the project area to the successful consulting firm.

1. APPLICATION PROCESS.

Prospective consulting firm is expected to submit technical and financial proposals in English, including the following:

• Copy of certificate of incorporation.
• Copy of most recent KRA-tax compliance certificate.
• Profile of consultant/consulting firm, a clear demonstration of previous experience in undertaking similar assignment.
• Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining how the consultant meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the TORs. Proposed activities of schedule/ work plan with timelines
• Financial proposals including consultant fees and field costs
• Short cover letter stating interest and availability
• Professional CV / Resume of the lead consultant(s) who will undertake the evaluation
• Three Professional References
• Evidence of the most recent similar App development engagement preferably within the past 2 years.
• List of at least three professional referees.

Please email your application to KEN.Proc@care.or.ke by 16TH July 2022, COB. Please use “BEIERSDORF SMS CHATBOT CONSULTANCY” as the subject title of your email. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

[1] Study by IFC Gender Entrepreneurship Markets& Foreign Investment Advisory Service.