Consultant – Landscape Review: Investing for Impact in Education in East Africa 25 views0 applications

Call for Consultant – Landscape Review: Investing for Impact in Education

Position Location: East Africa

Reports to: WUSC Kenya Country Director; WUSC Inclusive Economies Advisor

Contract term: 15 Jan – 7 Feb, 2018

Number of days: Approximately 15 days

WUSC – World University Service of Canada – is a leading Canadian non-profit organization in international development, committed to providing education, economic opportunities and empowerment opportunities that improve the lives of millions of disadvantaged youth around the world. WUSC is currently exploring the impact investing sector as an enabler to contribute to its global goals. As such, we seek to better understand the market dynamics and key actors already engaged in the sectors and regions where we are most likely to add value.

WUSC is seeking a consultant to undertake a review of education financing in East Africa, assess current trends in impact investing in the sector and identify gaps and opportunities for the client. This should include a desk review of existing literature, an overview of the current trends in the market, a list of current major players in the space, emerging players, gaps, opportunities, etc. Finally, the purpose of the review will be to assist WUSC in identifying opportunities for engagement as a non-financial player.

The following should inform the assignment:

1. WUSC does not have the current ambition to develop, own or invest in an impact investment vehicle.
2. WUSC believes that impact investing can be an important enabler for positive social outcomes. Yet much of the field is currently driven from developed countries to developing ones. In many regions, a nascent local sector is emerging which WUSC believes is critical for effectiveness, scale and depth of impact.
3. WUSC is operating from the working assumption that there is scope for organizations, such as WUSC, to support the growth and strengthening of the local impact investment ecosystem, including pipeline development. This paper should be framed as a test of this assumption in the specific context of East African education investment.
4. WUSC has strong institutional capabilities as a convener, facilitator and capacity builder as well as long standing expertise strengthening TVET and other educational systems.
5. The education landscape for this study is understood to include early childhood, basic (primary and secondary), TVET and higher education.

General Duties

The consultant will carry out a literature review, interview key stakeholders and conduct a market assessment, and will ultimately supply the WUSC Impact Investment working group with a presentation and a report outlining the current opportunities for WUSC in this field. The consultancy will take place between mid-January and early February 2018.

The report (and presentation) should address the following:

1. Review of education financing in East Africa (primarily literature review);
2. Summary of impact investing landscape in East Africa (primarily literature review);
3. Assessment of impact investment ecosystem for education in East Africa (including Kenya and at least two other high-potential countries), including identification of actors;
4. Evaluation of risks and opportunities in the impact investment ecosystem for education in East Africa;
5. Recommendations for WUSC identifying appropriate opportunities for meaningful involvement in the sector. If the consultant finds that there is a lack of opportunities for meaningful engagement by WUSC, this should be documented and thoroughly articulated.

Qualifications of the Consultants

The Consultant(s) is expected to have:

• At least ten (10) years of experience working in the Impact Investing or education financing space in East Africa;
• Strong network of contacts in the impact investing / Education financing space in East Africa;
• Understanding of the education sector in East Africa;
• Ability to write insightfully and concisely in English;
• Excellent interpersonal skills

How to apply:

Interested candidates should send a CV and a one-page cover letter (including why they are an ideal candidate, how they would approach the assignment, and their daily rate) to [email protected] by November 22^nd, 2017, with the subject line “Impact Investing consultant – East Africa.” WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.