Short-term Consultant for early childhood care and education in industrial parks and processing zones

TERMS OF REFERENCE

SHORT-TERM CONSULTANT – EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION IN INDUSTRIAL PARKS AND

PROCESSING ZONES

Location: Hanoi, Vietnam (preferable)
Contract: Short-Term Consultant

BACKGROUND

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

OBJECTIVES/ PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

IFC proposes to hire the consultant to support an engagement on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector in Vietnam, specifically on the Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi markets and on the industrial zones surrounding, but not limited to, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hai Phong.

The selected consultant will work closely with IFC teams to deliver the following:

(i) Scoping of industrial parks developers/ operators with ECCE opportunity

• Prepare a short list of industrial park operators and key developers for industrial parks in Vietnam with opportunity for childcare based on desktop research and discussions with IFC team & industrial parks.
  
  • Availability of land and other infrastructure for ECCE in industrial parks;
  • Initial assessment of demand for childcare at these IPs (via desk research)
  • Assessment of other favorable conditions for ECCE at IPs from investment and operation perspective;

• Conduct research on relevant regulatory framework, requirements, as well as government planning and incentives for ECCE in key locations where shortlisted industrial park developers/ operators operating, including:
  
  • Reach out to relevant DOETs and provincial government agencies, in addition to deskresearch, to understand government interests in expanding childcare services in andaround industrial parks, including in relation to Decree 105; as well as relevant state/provincial policies/ incentives to private childcare service providers to encourageECCE development

(ii) Outreach to potential industrial park developers/ operators and large employers

• Coordinate meetings with industrial parks developers/ operators on their interests, opportunities and challenges for private childcare operators to enter;
• Prepare a short survey for industrial parks operators and large employers in industrial parks to access their appetite to partner for employer-supported childcare and preferred business models;
  
  • Understand the support they are willing to provide to childcare operators in their respective industrial parks
  • Coordinate introductions with the key tenants/anchor customers for these industrial parks
• Develop a pitch package for industrial parks operators and employers that includes
  
  • The business case for childcare in industrial parks
  • Industry good practices & potential partnership models for supporting childcare
  • Package of services for childcare need assessment and design from IFC

(iii) Contribute to IFC’s client engagement delivery

• Contribute to delivery of an on-going IFC’s advisory to client on ECCE/ employer-supported childcare;
• Update, and localize where relevant, resources and tools on employer-supported childcare that allow IFC to deliver our advisory services in the local market.

The STC will report to Hang Vu and Ridhi Gupta, IFC. The STC will work in close collaboration with other colleagues across the World Bank Group.

The STC will be offered an initial 20-day contract, with possibility of extension, until the end of June 2023.

KEY DELIVERABLES

Key deliverables include but are not limited to:

• Mapping of IPs developers/ operators with opportunity for ECCE and future IFC interventions;
• Regulatory framework for private childcare service providers in IPs
• Meetings with the key industrial park developers and anchor tenants to explore potential for ECCE partnership
• Pitch deck on IFC’s childcare services targeting IP developers/ operators and large employers within these IPs.
• Set of tools for accessing demand: surveys, questionnaires, etc. on childcare assessment in IPs after piloting with at least 5 IPs and employers

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Master’s degree in relevant field with 5-10 years of relevant or related work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience with the private sector, with ability to translate theory into practical applications in context of IFC Advisory projects
• Knowledge of or experience in the manufacturing sector/ industrial parks is desirable
• Willingness to travel regularly within Vietnam
• Experience in contributing to research, preferably on the topics mentioned
• High degree of commitment to development impact and gender equality and social inclusion
• Excellent communication skills in English and Vietnamese and ability to participate in multi-disciplinary teams.

Interested candidates should send their CV and a cover letter with subject line “STC Gender Childcare in Industrial Parks” to Ms. Ngoc Thi Minh Ha ([email protected]) by 6th of January 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.

IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.