1. A. Background International Finance Corporation (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 2024; IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries; leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information; visit www.ifc.org <http://www.ifc.org/> . Gender is a cross-cutting corporate priority for IFC; as highlighted in the World Bank Group’s Gender Strategy. </en/topic/gender/brief/gender-strategy-update-2024-30-accelerating-equality-and-empowerment-for-all> Gender equality is not only a social and moral imperative; but also an economic necessity. Across the world; countries are losing $160 trillion in wealth because of differences in lifetime earnings between women and men. To help close this gap; IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion Department (GEID) <http://www.ifc.org/gender> works toward a private and public sector that provides women; men; and underserved communities with equal economic opportunities as leaders; employees; entrepreneurs; consumers; and community members. IFC convenes private sector and other key stakeholders in emerging markets to facilitate learning and support implementation of private sector policies and practices to tackle barriers to gender equality and economic inclusion. Childcare is a focus of IFC’s work on gender in several markets; including Viet Nam; recognizing that access to quality; affordable childcare can enable more and better jobs for women. 2019 research <https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/739441558098304418/pdf/Childcare-and-Maternal-Employment-Evidence-from-Vietnam.pdf> shows that access to childcare could increase a woman’s possibility of having waged jobs by 41%. Access to early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in industrial zones become increasingly important; considering the demand from working parents and the undersupply of ECEC service provision in industrial zones. Improving access to quality childcare services also aligns with the government’s intention to universalize childcare access to children aged 3 to 5. To contribute to the expansion of quality and affordable ECEC service provision in industrial zones; there is the need to better understand the landscape of existing operators; opportunities for expansion; constraints to growth; as well as financial and non-financial needs to enable existing operators to scale up and enhance the quality of their services and to encourage new operators to enter the market. B. Objective of this Assignment GEID is seeking a consulting firm/ consortium or consultant teams to conduct a market assessment of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in and nearby industrial zones in Viet Nam; with the following objectives: * To inform IFC and its stakeholders with an in-depth analysis of ECEC supply and demand in industrial zones in Viet Nam. * To identify potential entry points for IFC interventions and investment in the ECEC sector. C. Scope of Work The market assessment will help answer the three main questions: 1. What does the ECEC landscape look like? a. What is the total demand for childcare services; including from employers; industrial zone developers; and employees? What their key considerations are in terms of pricing; accessibility; safety; and quality considerations. b. How demand for childcare; provider presence; availability of finance/appetite of financial institutions; etc.; varies across different types of industries in industrial zones (manufacturing; agribusiness; food processing...) c. What is the current supply of childcare services in industrial zones? For example; the types of ECEC facilities and services offered; market segments; and their characteristics. The study will develop a typology of different care providers and their respective needs. d. What the unmet care provision gap looks like – types of services needed; quality standards and gaps; total market sizes at different pricing points. e. What is the landscape (including legal; regulatory; and policy framework at national and provincial/local levels) for ECEC in areas with a?density of industrial zones? Is there an enabling environment to support growth; and ensure accessibility; affordability; and quality of childcare provision? And if not; what hindering the development; and what more is needed? 2. Identify scalable; quality ECEC operators that are already present in; or could be introduced to; industrial zones and what they need to enhance the?quality and scale-up of their services.? 1. a. What are the top 5 – 10 affordable; quality; and scalable private models for ECEC service provision that could work in industrial zones? b. What are the characteristics of these childcare providers (business model; size; employees; assets)? c. What is the size and projected growth of ECEC market segments; including micro and small-scale childcare providers? To what extent do?they meet current and future demand for ECEC services? d. What is the financing gap for these childcare providers (including SME women-led businesses) What financing solutions are needed/ could be provided? e. What non-financial barriers do childcare providers face across the different typologies of providers? f. What are their needs; including both financial and non-financial needs for expansion? g. What financing and non-financial solutions are being provided by financial institutions; employers; the government; and other stakeholders to support small-scale childcare providers in growing the childcare economy? Which financial institutions are currently servicing ECEC operations; and what are their offerings? h. What are the barriers to entry for new private investment in ECEC in industrial zones? For example; regulatory/ legal requirements and restrictions; access to a pool of quality teachers and caregivers; access to financing resources; etc. i. What are good practices to ensure safe; accessible; affordable ECEC services for working parents in industrial zones; and opportunities to introduce or strengthen child protection and child safeguarding practices. 3. What are the opportunities for mobilizing public support and incentivizing private investment for ECEC in industrial zones? 1. Which investors; private ECEC operators; financial institutions/ monetary financial institutions; and development partners would be interested in scaling up ECEC provision in industrial zones? What is the level of appetite and constraints around financing from financial institutions to childcare service providers? b. What business models and activities (childcare setup; expansion; or quality improvements) are financial institutions interested in funding? c. What would incentivize financial institutions to develop; test; and scale financial solutions for smaller-scale childcare providers (for example; opportunities to de-risk small and medium enterprises and microloans)? d. What are the potential entry points for IFC? This will include considerations for direct investment; indirect financing or de-risking through FIs; building capacity; and/or convening other stakeholders. The market assessment will include field visits to up to five selected provinces upon agreement with the project team. D. Data analysis and reporting. 1. a. Reporting. The selected consulting firm/team will report to and is expected to work closely and collaboratively with the project leads for IFC’s Vietnam CARE and World Bank’s Start Strong Vietnam. Deliverables include: * * Data collection tools on ECEC supply and demand in industrial zones (note these can be adapted from existing tools IFC has developed for other markets in Asia). * * A market assessment report on the ECEC landscape; opportunities for private investment in ECEC in industrial zones; and recommendations based on potential entry points for IFC and other investors. * * A mapping of relevant stakeholders; including ECEC operators; industrial zone developers; employers; and FIs/ MFIs interested in engaging with IFC to develop the ECEC sector in Viet Nam. 1. b. Data confidentiality. All data and information received from IFC and the World Bank for these assignments are to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to IFC. All materials produced or acquired under terms of this contract - written; graphic; film or otherwise - shall remain the property of IFC and may not be used for other purposes than the execution of these terms of reference and will not be disclosed to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorization of the IFC. The rights and duties provided for in this paragraph shall continue; notwithstanding the termination of the contract or the execution of its other provision. E. Timeframe Please refer to attached TOR F. Evaluation criteria 1. a. Demonstrated expertise in market studies; scoping assignments; and market assessments in early childhood care and education contexts in emerging markets is required. 1. b. Comprehensive research methodology and strong analytical expertise; with demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research; including instrument design; data collection; statistical analysis data and visualization; are required. 1. c. Demonstrated experience working with private sector childcare providers and/or in industrial zones is preferable. 1. d. Demonstrated experience of hands-on market research experience in the financial sector is an advantage. 1. e. Team diversity – gender; background; and technical expertise. 1. G. Application Process and Deadline 1. a. The firm’s submission of technical and financial applications will be made via RFX. 1. b. Deadline for ROI – 18th November 2024; and full proposal 30th November 2024.