Concern Worldwide

RFP: Consultancy to Conduct a Gender and Power Analysis in Turkana, Tana River, Isiolo & Marsabit Counties

Background and context

Background and context

The proposal to conduct a Gender and Power (GAP) analysis within Concern Kenya country program forms part of a systemic mapping exercise being applied to understand gender dynamics within the program and all sectors, with multiple steps occurring at the same time. The mapping exercise also includes an internal gender audit which precedes the GAP analysis, and thereafter an action planning process to develop a country level gender transformation roadmap. The aim of this GAP analysis is therefore to examine and review the performance of key projects on gender transformation, and propose ideas to improve on them.

The process will include review of previous, ongoing, and planned interventions from select counties: Tanariver, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Turkana. Findings from the analysis will also be accompanied by recommendations that inform the integration of gender transformative approaches, possible adjustments to the planned interventions, and provide a clear roadmap for future planning to ensure gender integration in the theory of change and project cycles.

Description of the context

Concern Worldwide began operations in Kenya in May 2002, with the development of an urban programme in Nairobi, followed by the development of a rural education programme in Suba District, Western Kenya in 2003. By 2021, this had expanded to a multi sectoral programme including urban and rural livelihoods, primary education, health and nutrition - all underpinned by governance, advocacy and community empowerment.

Our approach and work on addressing gender inequality is guided by four key Concern documents: our Equality strategy (2022-2023), our policy paper outlining How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (2022), and the Kenya Country Strategic Plan (2022-2026). Concern believes that the success of our development work and the reduction of extreme poverty depend on our ability to reduce inequality, particularly gender inequality. This is reiterated in our Approaches to Emergencies Paper (2018) that commits us to “seek to promote greater equality of access to our assistance, remaining aware of power dynamics, bias and imbalances, barriers to participation, and lack of meaningful access and agency, which may affect who is perceived as being in need and who is able to receive the assistance.

Since commencing its operations in Kenya in 2002, Concern Worldwide reaches on average 700,000 people annually through its multi sectoral program approach. Geographically the country program covers the counties of Marsabit, Turkana, Isiolo, Tana River, and the urban informal settlements of Nairobi, hence reinforcing a dual geographical focus; firstly on urban informal settlements, particularly those with high proportions of people living in extreme poverty and secondly on the Arid and Semi- Arid Lands. Since inception, emergency interventions in response to floods, drought and conflict have been supported in partnership with local and international organisations.

Purpose of the Consultancy

This GAP analysis hopes to;

Enable Concern Kenya country program to consistently make evidence-based and context-specific decisions in programmatic and advocacy work to addresses the root causes of gender and social inequality.
Support staff to operationalise Concern Worldwides “How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP)” policy, global equality strategy, including the minimum standards that all programming to be gender transformative.
Generate powerful evidence to measure impact at program level on gender transformation.
Ensure Concern Kenya and partners collaborate with, value the knowledge and experience of, and are accountable to the target communities

Objectives and Specific Tasks to be undertaken by the Consultant(s)

The specific objectives of the gender and power analysis will be:

To establish the role of identified key interventions in contributing to gender transformative programming. These interventions include: climate smart agriculture, integrated health and nutrition outreach, community water supply and management improvement, village savings and loans associations, and mother to mother groups in nutrition - by examining the differential and intersectional status of women, men, boys and girls.
To identify overall differences in power relations, socio-cultural barriers and constraints among women, men, boys, girls, and excluded groups (such as ethnic and religious minorities and individuals with disabilities) that limit access to and benefits from resources, services, and opportunities; as well as the ability of such groups to participate in community-level activities, fora, committees, and decision-making.
3Assess and identify project options, opportunities and preferences in climate smart agriculture, integrated health and nutrition outreach, community water supply and management improvement, village savings and loans associations, mother to mother groups in nutrition, identified by men and women that are considered to be gender transformative and account for fair division of labor, access to and control over resources and income, and address sexual and gender based violence in the context of the project areas.

To include an assessment of the balance of decision making between women and men at the household level and community level using the triple role analysis
To identify vulnerabilities based on gender and coping strategies against gender-based violence
To assess how social gender norms affect mobility, health seeking behaviours, participation, education and what institutions and emerging opportunities are available to the community

4. Inform the refinement of gender sensitive and transformative interventions and the development of a GAP strategy that will ensure that activity interventions: (1) Do no harm: activities are not gender blind or exploitative hence creating negative impacts for participants, and (2) activities are designed to empower all participants so that the highest- level program outcomes are achieved.

Key Tasks and deliverables from the consultant:

Conduct an initial literature review for context, reviewing project documents, policies, demographic data, relevant government policies and research.
Design the research protocol. The protocol will inform the analysis framework, research questions, data collection methods and tools, and sample size.
Present an inception report which contains the following:
- Literature review containing a comprehensive contextual analysis, theoretical and conceptual framework built from a desk analysis of secondary data.
- Proposed research protocol detailing the analytical framework, methodology, and sampling process.
- A detailed work plan highlighting key milestones and technical support needed at each level.
In the field: train the team of data collectors/enumerators on basic gender and power concepts; gender and power- sensitive skills and research methodologies; the data collection tools and technologies being used; gender- based violence-related research skills; and conducting data collection with members of community in the context.
In the field: collect primary data in the project areas.
Analyse data and produce a GAP Analysis draft report in both word document format and a PowerPoint format.
Conduct a participatory validation workshop.
Document and present research findings and recommendations in a clear, concise and usable written Gender and Power Analysis Report and oral debrief with key program staff and other relevant stakeholders, as available. The consultant is encouraged to use creative methods to present findings and recommendations that facilitate greater readership and usability of information by program staff.
Draft GAP Strategy indicating key priorities and action points.

To note: Field schedules, data collection tools, meeting minutes, recordings and observation reports remain the property of Concern worldwide and must be surrendered to the country program in both hard and soft copies after the activity has been finalized.

Outputs

Final payment is dependent on the submission of a good quality, well-written final report or completion of agreed outputs (as detailed in the TOR). In addition to methodology, findings and discussion, the report should include a comprehensive executive summary and a section outlining clear and concise conclusions and recommendations.

A digital copy of all reports will be required by Concern at the end of the piece of work.

Proposed methodology

The proposed methodology includes the use of mixed methods entailing secondary literature analysis, qualitative and quantitative primary data gathering and validation of findings before submission of a report. Concern expects the applicants to indicate a detailed proposed methodology to achieve the stated objectives above.

Building on their expertise and review of MEAL tools, the consultant will be at liberty to propose an appropriate research protocol which should include a vastly tested and approved (and contextually relevant) analytical framework(s), research questions, statistical sampling and data analysis methods. The selected analytical framework will be complimented by Concern Worldwide policy on How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (the HCUEP). The main domains for analysis should include (and not limited to) the following interest areas: Access, benefit, and control; Knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions; Practices and participation; Time and space; Legal rights and status; Power and decision making. Analysis must also align with the country programme priorities in climate smart agriculture, integrated health and nutrition outreach, community water supply and management improvement, village savings and loans associations, and mother to mother groups. The analysis should be done within the existing national legal, policy and regulatory frameworks, and the methodology should adequately address all of the different circumstances and target groups in the project locations.

The study should ensure it includes a variety of important social groups such as the poor, girls, and persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other minority groups. The study methodology will be further developed by the consultant and should be well articulated in response to this Terms of Reference. The methodology should demonstrate robustness and rigour in addressing the gender and power analysis objectives. Much as mixed methodologies would normally be preferred, the methodology proposed by the successful consultant should largely be qualitative since gender changes cannot (and should not) only be measured through quantitative data.

Technical proposal

The bidder is expected to submit a technical proposal with their bid, which shall include and not limited to the following:

Detailed technical proposal and work plan, including samples of two previous completed assignments in the last 5 years.
CV and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience with contact details of three past referees that can be reached by Concern.
KRA Pin certificate
Tax compliance certificate
Methodology and timeframe detailing activities and a schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart), in line with the timeframe provided in this TOR**.**

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall be prepared and submitted by the consulting firm(s) and shall contain the following.

Detailed financial proposal with their expected day rate for this work in Kenya Shillings. Concern Worldwide will cover travel, training, enumerators and other costs that will be associated with data collection during this assignment

Lines of Communication

The consultant will be under the direct technical supervision of the Senior Officer Gender in Concern Worldwide for the duration of the contract. For Contractual matters, the consultant will engage with the Country Programme Director.

Timeframe

The assessment is expected to be completed within a maximum period of 35 days from signing the contract with the successful bidder. The Lead Evaluator will be expected to develop an appropriate work plan for the evaluation and needs to ensure it is relevant to the country context. The work plan must be as participatory as possible involving different stakeholders including beneficiaries, partners, Concern staff and other stakeholders.

Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualifications

The GAP analysis will be led by an external consultant with expertise in gender, protection and power analysis with experience of working in the ASAL Counties of Marsabit, Turkana, Isiolo and Tana River.

The suitable consultant must have:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a field relevant to the assignment, for example in gender studies or another relevant field.
General knowledge of gender transformative programming with substantial experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of gender projects.
Extensive knowledge on gender analysis, gender action plan development and gender mainstreaming into projects and programs.
Strong knowledge on the socio-economic-political context of the Arid and Semi-Arid counties of Kenya.

How to apply

Interested candidates, who meet the above requirements, should submit their proposals via email to: consultancies.kenya@concern.net, with subject line “SR104372 - Gender and Power Analysis” by 4:00pm, 27th October 2023.

Concern Worldwide does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment process.

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Consultancy Opportunity to Conduct a Gender and Power Analysis in Turkana, Tana River, Isiolo & Marsabit Counties, Kenya