TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR A RESEARCH CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE AN INDUSTRYWIDE RESEARCH STUDY AND DEFINE THE SCOPE AND SIZE OF THE WHOLESALE INTERNET MARKET IN KENYA

TECHNOLOGY SERVICE PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION OF KENYA

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR A RESEARCH CONSULTANT TO UNDERTAKE AN INDUSTRYWIDE RESEARCH STUDY AND DEFINE THE SCOPE AND SIZE OF THE WHOLESALE INTERNET MARKET IN KENYA

INTRODUCTION

Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK) is a professional, non-profit organization representing the interests of Technology service providers in Kenya. Established in 1999, the strength of the Association rests on its ability to be truly representative of the Kenyan industry as a whole.

Vision: “To be the driver of ICT growth and excellence in Africa”

Mission: “To be the voice of Information Technology, influencing policy, direction and development in the industry”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The number of data/Internet subscriptions continued to grow due to increased demand for access to information online, coupled with transfer of more services to the digital space; according to the Communications Authority, Q4 2019-2020 report. The enterprise customer is keen on ensuring service uptime and value for money especially with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This has places TESPOK and specifically the Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) at the centre of enterprise customer interest as many consumers continue adopt video-conferencing services as they work from home, access online entertainment and streaming Video-on-Demand services. This has brought to the fore the need to define the data wholesale market. The role of the data wholesale market in the development of the digital economy is becoming critical to the evolution of the economic environment in the region.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of the assignment is to identify the size and scope for the data wholesale market in mainly Kenya and possibly the east African region. We seek to emphasis on challenges and opportunities of existing infrastructure and it’s ownership, the regulatory framework, competition, customer-driven pricing models, last mile solutions and infrastructure sharing arrangements.

SCOPE OF ASSIGNMENT

Task 1: The consultancy firm will develop and share a project workplan having clearly identified key stakeholders to be engaged during the study

Task 2: The consultancy firm will conduct a diagnostic analysis of issues related to existing infrastructure and it’s ownership, the regulatory framework, competition, customer-driven pricing models, last mile solutions and infrastructure sharing arrangements.

Task 3: The consultancy firm will prepare a final report of the findings to TESPOK

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

• Situational analysis report: That informs on the understanding of the scope the study will cover and the size of the wholesale market in Kenya and the East African Region. The report should identify the key players, infrastructure ownership models and licensing categories under the respective regulatory authorities.
• A Research report: This should take a deep dive of details on existing infrastructure, the regulatory framework, competition, pricing models, last mile solutions, infrastructure sharing arrangements, challenges and opportunities within the wholesale market.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES

1.Inception report:

 This is to be submitted within 14 calendar days (or 2 weeks) after the date of contract signing, confirming the approach and methodology to be utilized and work plan to be implemented. The inception report will also have a communication plan that covers consultation and communication milestones throughout the study, a roadmap linked to the above outputs and the proposed structure of the final reports.

 2.Draft Research report:

 This is to be submitted within 45 calendar days after the date of contract signing. The consultant will give an oral presentation of the Final Draft Report to TESPOK secretariat. The draft report should reflect the general and specific objectives of the assignment; capture information drawn from all the tasks under this assignment and the expected outputs. The draft report will provide identified challenges in the country as well as a report on available opportunities.

 3.Final Research report:

This is to be submitted within 60 calendar days after the date of contract all the comments from the consultative meetings and any written comments made by the technical team or other stakeholders.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultancy firm will be accountable to the TESPOK secretariat. The consultant will be administratively supervised and guided at operational levels by the project manager from the secretariat. The consultant will work closely with the two business development executives and the KIXP technical team on all deliverables.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The duration of the contract will be 3 months with 60 days dedicated to this assignment. A buffer period of 30 days will be for the client institution to provide feedback on the deliverables. The qualified firm shall have the responsibility of breaking down the calendar days to cover the actual 15 professional working days among the required personnel for this assignment, specified in terms of number of person days for the team leader, the experts and the team of consultants.

OWNERSHIP

The ownership of all copyright and other intellectual property rights in respect of any data compilations, research, spreadsheets, graphs, reports, diagrams, designs, work products, software, or any other documents, developed in connection with this Assignment will be shared with TESPOK which shall have an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, worldwide license to use the intellectual property.

REQUIRED PROFILES AND QUALIFICATIONS

Firm profile

The consultancy firm being sought to undertake this assignment should be a renowned trade advisory firm/individual that possesses at least 10 years of experience in conducting ICT based studies similar to this assignment in a development context. Experience in the information technology communications sector advisory and evaluation and regulatory and policy formulation is important. The firm/individual should have the ability to engage other stakeholders other than TESPOK members to get their views and align them to our position.

Core Competencies:

The lead Consultant should have:

1.Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.

2.Strong organizational skills;

3.Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs;

4.Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities

5.Should have experience of leading consultancy studies or evaluation of similar projects and policies, context and magnitude.

6.Fluency in written and spoken English.

RESPONSE DEADLINE

Closing date for applications: 4^th June 2021 by Close of Business Application and selection procedure Submit:

1.Letter of interest

2.Curriculum Vitae; and

3.Financial Proposal via email to the email address tespok@tespok.co.ke

For queries contact Project Manager via email address projects@tespok.co.ke or telephone using the contacts below.

OUR CONTACTS

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

TECHNOLOGY SERVICE PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION OF

KENYA (TESPOK)

BRUCE HOUSE, 14th Floor, Standard Street,

Nairobi, Kenya

P.O. Box 27589-00506

Tel: (020) 2245036

Email: tespok@tespok.co.ke

Website: http://www.tespok.co.ke