German Foundation for World Population
INTRODUCTION
DSW has been implementing sexual and reproductive health and youth empowerment programs in Kenya since the year 2000. With a presence in at least 15 counties, DSW Kenya is headquartered in Nairobi and has regional offices in Mombasa and Kitale from where interventions are coordinated. Satellite offices exist in Migori and Kisumu leading work in those two counties.
DSW envisions a world where all youth – especially girls and young women – live free from disease and make independent and informed choices over their sexual and reproductive lives with full access to sexuality education, health services and modern contraceptives.
We do this by advocating with policy makers for investment in domestic resources and policies for youth-friendly SRHR, through multisectoral approaches. Through the DSW Youth Empowerment Strategic Approach (YESA), and the Young Adolescent Empowerment Strategy (YAES), we work with young people to raise their awareness on sexual reproductive health and rights, gender equality and access to modern contraceptives and to strengthen their livelihoods.
BACKGROUND
Adolescents and young people in Kenya have continued to experience negative health outcomes compared to the wider population. High prevalence of teenage pregnancy, coupled with new HIV infections, GBV and harmful cultural practices continue to disproportionately affect this population. Recent estimates from the KDHS (2022) indicate that 15% with of adolescent girls between the ages of 15-19 years have ever been pregnant. Similarly, data from the KHIS indicates that over 270,000 adolescent pregnancies are recorded in health facilities annually. In 2022, young people aged 15-24 accounted for 35% of all new HIV infections and 42% of adult HIV infections according to the Kenya HIV estimates report. The KDHS (2022) further estimates that 5% of adolescent boys and 7% of adolescent girls between the ages of 15-19 years have ever experienced sexual violence. These grave statistics continue to paint a grim picture of the health status of adolescents and young people in Kenya and are testament of the gaps that still need to be addressed to improve health outcomes of this critical population. They are attributable in part to inadequate access to comprehensive and accurate information on Sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) by adolescents and young people tied to curriculum gaps, inadequate capacity of teachers and parents to provide the information and general fear/embarrassment to engage in discussions on issues of SRH.
Imara TV is an online TV platform that leverages innovation, art, technology and capitalizes on the growing numbers of young people online to respond to the gap in accessing sexual reproductive health rights information. The platform designs and distributes video content on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, GBV, HIV and harmful practices such as FGM, child marriages. Drawing from real life experiences shared by young people, they package the information into short entertaining films to capture the attention of the target population and inspire behaviour change and responsible sexual health practices. These short films are primarily disseminated through online and offline channels comprising Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, youth empowerment centres and community fora. Their approach of employing audio-visual content for sexual reproductive health rights is unique and sets them apart as an innovative platform.
DSW is therefore looking for a consultant to develop a comprehensive business model for Imara TV to operate optimally and sustainably and to eventually establish itself as an independent entity without heavy dependence on external support or funding.
The Consultant will work in close collaboration with Imara TV, DSW and UNFPA.
RATIONALE FOR THE CONSULTANCY
Imara TV as an online platform was incubated in 2016 as a start-up through UNFPAs I-Accelerator program. The platform has demonstrated potential for enormous growth and potential having generated revenue through partnerships and online adverts totaling to about $50000 and, in the process, had a reach of 1.8 million young people with SRHR information through their online activities and campaigns. The goal is to refine and design a comprehensive business model to facilitate this transition into scalability. In this way, the platform will be well positioned to generate revenue that can support its online activities, production and other operational costs associated with running and maintaining the online platform.
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY
Working closely with Imara TV, DSW and UNFPA, the Consultant will lead the design and implementation of a comprehensive business model for the Imara TV platform to ensure that it is sustainable social enterprise and that it reaches the desired scale.
Specific Objectives:
- Review the current business model and identify ways to strengthen it for scalability
- Develop a comprehensive business model for scale-up and sustainability of the Imara TV online platform
- Guide and oversee operationalization and implementation of the business model through a consultative and interactive process
TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
The tasks to be performed and expected deliverables include:
Tasks
- Conduct a desk review on the Imara.TV platform
- Carry out a SWOT analysis of the platform
- Interrogate audience content preferences
- Map potential revenue streams for the platform and opportunities for growth
- Advise on re-design of the platform to ensure robustness and resilience
- Explore partnerships with strategic private sector players for expansion on social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, other digital platforms and mainstream media
- Explore partnerships with the public sector, civil society organizations and youth led organizations on utilization of the platform resources
- Design and submit a business model canvas detailing the value proposition and overall sustainability plan
- Develop a power point presentation on the business model
- Validate the business model with key stakeholders
- Initiate strategic partnerships and relationships for sustainable growth and further reach for the platform
- Support overall operationalization of the business model
Deliverables
- Inception report
- A draft business model for sustainability and scale up of Imara TV with a power point on the same
- A validated business model for sustainability and scale up of the Imara TV platform with a power point presentation on the same
- A Comprehensive report on the implementation/operationalization of the business model
REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Advanced degree in Communication, Business Management, Business Administration, Social sciences or any related field
- At least 10 years’ experience in the field of communication
- Demonstrated knowledge in the e-commerce environment in Kenya
- Experience in digital communication including managing social media platforms and digital marketing
- Previous experience in designing/operationalization of business models/strategies
- Strategic thinker with proven ability to drive expansion and growth through strategic partnerships
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili;
- Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving skills;
- Must be able to work independently with excellent demonstrated teamwork and coordination skills;
- Experience working with start-ups is desirable
- Knowledge of the SRHR environment in Kenya is desirable
CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of National Department Manager – Programmes and Projects.
DURATION AND WORKING SCHEDULE: 30 working days
Milestones / Activities
Duration (Days)
- Inception Report- 2 days
- Desk Review and SWOT analysis-2 days
- Technical consultative meetings- 5 days
- Draft business model – with inputs from consultative meetings and a power point on the same-5 days
- Validation meeting-1 day
- Comprehensive validated business model with a power point on the same-2 days
- Implementation/Operationalization of the business model-11 days
- A Comprehensive report on the implementation/operationalization of the business model-11 days
Adherence to the total consultancy period is critical – no payment will be made for any incomplete quality result / task within the timeline provided.
PLACE WHERE SERVICES ARE TO BE DELIVERED:
Nairobi, Kenya.
There is a possibility of travel out of Nairobi for consultative engagements which will be covered by DSW
The consultant shall use own equipment and workspace as may be necessary
How to apply
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Interested firms or individuals are requested to submit a bid dossier. The dossier as well as any inquiries shall be submitted through email [email protected]with the title “Design and implementation of a comprehensive business model for the Imara TV platform” in the subject line.
Application Deadline: Friday December 1, 2023 COB.
The bid dossier should contain a technical proposal, financial proposal and organizational/personnel capacity statement.
Note: Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. Consider your application unsuccessful if you have not heard from us 8 weeks after the deadline of this application.