Sector Reform and Utility Commercialization Program: Scope of Work for Jamaica Empowered Entrepreneur Training Program

Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Deloitte Consulting LLP. The SRUC Task Order aims to promote utility commercialization and equitable, effective reforms that will enhance the financial viability and long-term sustainability of developing countries' electricity systems. The majority of the work under this contract is undertaken directly with power utility companies in developing countries to promote long-term commercialization, private sector participation, and market-based approaches to financial and operational sustainability. Jamaica was identified as a potential recipient of SRUC programming in collaboration with its electric utility company JPS (Jamaica Public Service Co, Limited), JSIF (Jamaica Social Investment Fund), the utility regulator OUR (Office of Utilities Regulation), and other associated energy and environmental government entities. The objective of engaging JPS is to put in place programming that can be scaled up over time to address utility losses and expand access to legal, affordable service by low-income communities. Through the SRUC Jamaica Ready board Demonstration Project, the SRUC team worked with Jamaica's electric utility, JPS Co Ltd., to carry out a "Ready board" demonstration project in Majesty Gardens – a community in Kingston, Jamaica with a high density of substandard dwellings, previously without access to legal electricity prior to the program. The Empowered Entrepreneur Training Program (EETP) is designed to promote business, agency-based empowerment, and leadership training in Majesty Gardens. The program will be implemented using a Train-the-Trainer approach, where trainers and community facilitators will be selected, trained, and certified to deliver the training. The EETP includes training on business, leadership, and a unique agency-based empowerment component, which focuses on enhancing personal agency – the internal ability to make decisions and take actions that affect our lives. The program specifically focuses on the needs of women entrepreneurs, helping them identify and appreciate their strengths, overcome limiting beliefs that may be holding them back, develop positive mental habits, and manage fear and risk. The EETP will comprise of four phases: preparation, Empowered Entrepreneur Trainer Certification, Training Roll Out, and post-training monitoring and technical support. Phase 1: Preparation for Empowered Entrepreneur Training Program (EETP) will involve an initial scoping trip to engage all stakeholders in outlining objectives, identify trainers, discuss any necessary modifications to the existing curriculum, and list key indicators for post-training monitoring. The team will identify and select the most appropriate trainers from JEEP and JBDC to participate in the certification program. Early discussions will also include how to recruit and identify participants from the community and collect additional background information on target participants to inform the training and curriculum adaptations. The EETP will benefit the communities by increasing women's (and men's) economic empowerment and personal agency, increasing awareness of productive uses of energy, generating additional income in the community, increasing awareness of health and safety risks associated with power theft, and creating a greater sense of control and ability to make changes in their lives. The EETP will also benefit JPS by providing opportunities for additional profit generation and growth, increasing goodwill in the communities and positive brand identity, and reducing utility commercial losses.