Terms of Reference

Consultancy Assignment for an Individual Expert
World Bank Broadband Strategies Toolkit: Module 2

Financing for Broadband Development

1         Background

infoDev (www.infodev.org) is a research, capacity building, and advisory program, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat housed in the Financial and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank Group.  It helps developing countries and their international partners use innovation and information and communication technologies (ICT) effectively as tools for poverty reduction and sustainable social and economic development.

Since it was launched, the infoDev program has become renowned as a premier research and development organization in the field of technology for development.  Its work program for FY2010-12 is organized under three themes: Innovate, Connect, and Transform, and aims to develop a new cutting-edge set of activities.  The Innovate work stream includes infoDev’s thought-leadership in technology-enabled small business incubation.  infoDev’s global incubation network focuses on innovative small businesses that use information and technology to create sustainable enterprises in developing countries.  infoDev’s Connect work stream creates and disseminates widely-acclaimed tools such as regulatory toolkits for policymakers. These knowledge products help developing countries to increase their access to ICT, thus connecting their citizens to the information and opportunities that technology brings.  infoDev’s Transform work stream encompasses our work with client countries and partners to nurture the transformative possibilities of ICT through grassroots initiatives in sectors including education and agriculture.  Within the World Bank Group, infoDev has also been recognized as a leader in its use of web-based resources to develop, publish, and disseminate its work and facilitate debate and interaction among and between client countries and donors.  infoDev’s goal is to bring together people passionate about how technology can be used appropriately and effectively to tackle a variety of challenges facing communities in developing countries. 

With funding from the Korean Trust Fund (KTF) on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), infoDev and the World Bank’s ICT Sector Unit (TWICT) are jointly planning to create a Broadband Strategies Toolkit for developing countries, in three phases, between 2010 and 2012. The main deliverable of the first phase, due for completion in April 2011, will be a Broadband Strategies Handbook and the first three modules of the Toolkit in full.

2         Objectives of this Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to carry out a survey of the financing issues associated with broadband development plans and a comparison of different models that could help foster broadband development in developing countries.

3         Scope of Work

The consultant will provide a report (20-30 pages) identifying the relevant issues (opportunities and barriers) for financing broadband development in developing countries and comparing different financing models or approaches that could be used to spur broadband deployment and adoption.  The analysis will cover at least the following:

·         Identification of the trends in financing broadband development around the world, with a particular focus on developing countries.  This should include:

o   Direct funding strategies;

o   Subsidy strategies;

o   Tax-relief; and

o   Other ways governments have provided financial support or incentives for broadband deployment;

·         Analysis of what financing strategies have been successful and which have not, including country-specific factors that may make such strategies exportable or not;

·         Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of public vs. private funding of broadband deployment, with a particular emphasis on:

o   Strategies for enabling private sector/market forces to address broadband needs;

o   When public funding is most appropriate (and when it should be avoided); and

o   Public/private co-investment opportunities;

·         Identification of alternative or innovative models of financing broadband deployments, including local government initiatives and end-user financed models.

4         Deliverables

·         A first draft of the report will be due one month after contract signing.

·         The Consultant will incorporate comments and provide a second draft version within five days of receiving comments.

·         The final version of the report, incorporating any final comments following the second draft, will be due 45 days from contract signing.

5         Consultant Qualifications

·         University degree with relevant field. Postgraduate qualifications would be an advantage.

·         At least 5 years of relevant experience in the ICT sector, with experience in developing countries an advantage.

·         Strong analytical and data skills and proven writing ability.

·         Experience with public/private infrastructure financing models.

6         Timetable and Payment Schedule

This consultancy is expected to run from November 2010 to January 2011.

It is expected that this assignment will require around 15 days of effort, at a rate to be established based on the consultant’s qualifications and experience.  No travel is expected for this activity. The deliverables will be according to the following notional timeline:

7         Management and Logistical Support

The Consultant will work under the supervision of company appointed by the Bank as Handbook Coordinator, Telecommunications Management Group, Inc.