REF: 102019: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONTRACT TO CONDUCT A WOMEN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION (WROs) MAPPING EXERCISE IN KENYA 250 views0 applications

1. Introduction and background information on WVL Project

The Women’s Voice and Leadership Project ( WVL ) Kenya project is part of the Government of Canada’s Women’s Voice and Leadership Program through its Feminist Assistance Policy, which supports local and regional women’s organisations and networks that are working to promote women’s rights, and advance women’s empowerment and gender equality in developing countries. This is done by supporting interventions, building institutional capacity, and promoting network and alliance-building of women’s rights and feminist organizations as critical agents of change. The Program also responds to the globally recognized, significant gap in funding and support to women’s rights organizations and movements around the world.

The Women’s Voice and Leadership – Kenya (WVL) Project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is being delivered by CARE Canada, CARE Kenya, Uraia Trust, Centre for Rights Education (CREAW), Community Advocacy and Awareness (CRAWN Trust) and Urgent Action Fund (UAF- Africa). Its goal is to support the capacity and activities of local and national women’s organizations and movements seeking to empower women and girls, advance the protection of women’s and girls’ rights, and achieve gender equality with the ultimate outcome being the “Increased enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the enjoyment of gender equality in Kenya”.

The WVL K project offers the following four types of support to women’s rights organisations (WRO): (1) Multi-year funding; (2) Fast, responsive funding for discrete activities / short projects to allow for nimble responses to unforeseen events and pilot innovative ideas; (3) Institutional capacity building support; and (4) Network and alliance building (including intergenerational alliances) for movement building to amplify WRO voices and foster an enabling environment where collective action can coalesce.

The project will support approximately 120 women’s rights organizations across Kenya. The project will help them improve their structures, programming and capacity to deliver quality services in order to promote women’s and girls’ rights, and equal opportunities for all. It also strengthens the effectiveness of women’s rights platforms in Kenya.

The Outcomes include:

• Improved management and sustainability of local women’s rights organizations (WRO).
• Enhanced performance of WRO’s programming and advocacy to advance gender equality and empower women and girls.
• Increased effectiveness of national and sub-national women’s rights platforms, networks and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.

2. The Purpose of WROs mapping exercise.

The WVL-Kenya project will strengthen the institutional and technical capacities of WROs and women’s rights networks to improve their governance and service delivery in the various thematic interventions to support women and girls. In order to realize this, an updated and current mapping of the existing WROs in Kenya is required that will support partners who work with WROs to have information on the existence, performance and eligibility of different WROs across Kenya. Also this map will provide the typology of the WROs to better understand their heterogeneity and allow reaching out to the very vulnerable and marginalised/ excluded WROs. This typology will look at whether they self-identify as feminist, and make distinctions between those that are truly feminist and those that are only women-headed, working for women, or general NGOs doing gender work. The current comprehensive existing map in Kenya was developed in 1994 and from then only region based/ sector& thematic based maps have been developed. Therefore there is a need to fill this gap with the WVL Kenya mapping that will support and be utilized by the women’s rights space in Kenya. The information gathered shall be used to build a database of WROs and women’s rights networks in Kenya and shall be accessible by authorized stakeholders including development partners, donor community, relevant government agencies and the Women rights organizations (WROs) who would use the information to identify partners for future advocacy or movement building opportunities.

3. The Scope.

The WRO mapping exercise will be undertaken across the 47 Counties in Kenya.

We anticipate that this consultancy will be for no more than 40 consultancy days including travel to 7 regional blocks to support data collection (Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Central, Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza).

The WVL project defines WROs as “civil society organisations active at the grassroots, county, national, or regional level, with an overt women’s or girls’ rights, gender equality or feminist purpose, and play a central role in spearheading change in support of the empowerment of women and girls and gender equality.”

The WVL project is most interested in mapping WROs that at least fulfil 2/3^rds of the below:

• Are Kenyan organisations.
• Are non-government, non-partisan and not-for-profit non-commercial entities.
• Have existed for 1 year or more.
• Have been active in the last one year.
• Are a group (not an individual)
• Are led by one or more women or girls (female leadership in management/ board / operations).
• Identify as feminist.
• If the organisation has a board, ideally at least 2/3 board members are women or girls.
• Have at least 2/3 of staff, volunteers, or members who are women or girls (if applicable)
• Target women and girls as the main beneficiaries.
• Have a belief in the advancement of gender equality and the realisation of the human rights of women and girls.
• Have a mission, values, and activities that focus on transforming gender inequalities.
• Focus on making systematic changes to sustainably improve women’s and girls’ lives, (may include by engaging men and boys).

WROs do not need to have an office, a Board, staff, or government registration to be included in the mapping. CARE and its partners recognise that Kenya WROs are diverse and dynamic. They range from large, well established and internationally recognised organizations to small, county or youth-female start-ups. They focus on women and girls rights empowerment, providing direct service delivery, linking women to legal aid and justice, raising awareness and undertaking political reform and leadership, policy influencing or advocacy. Some are strongly aligned with international or pan-African organizations or movements while others work in relative isolation. Some have a strong ability to analyse and harness international women’s rights instruments to effect policy change, while others are skilled at mobilising marginalised, grassroots women to advocate their own rights, and those of their constituency, as they see them. The aim of the mapping is to capture this multitude and diversity of WROs and bring out the heterogeneity that exist among the WROs and also define them according to type.

Mapping information per WRO to include but not limited to;

• Name
• Contact info (Including Physical address/ location)
• Type of organisation
• Registration status
• Where they work & geographical coverage (County, Sub-County, ward, etc.)
• Thematic areas (E.g. GBV, FGM, Health, Social justice, Economic empowerment etc.)
• Members / staff / volunteers (If any)
• Summary of Programmes/ Projects (If any)
• Typology, classifying the WROs according to how feminist they are.
• Which networks do they work with/ are members of?
• Support from Donors/resources accessed and utilised (If any)
• Innovations / best practices / models done by the WROs

The consultant(s) must propose a methodology that will reach a diversity of WROs, including small, unregistered, nascent, underground, etc. WROs and those from diverse regions of the country.

The end result map should include but not be limited to:

• WROs representing/targeting different ages, languages, religion, geographic area, ethnic groups etc.
• WROs representing/targeting marginalised women/girls (with disability, PLHIV, LGBTI, ethnic minorities, refugee, conflict-affected, youth, commercial sex workers, pastoralists, women with mental illness, etc.)
• A mixture of large, medium and small WROs.(based on geographical reach / Resources/ nature of interventions)
• Organizations led by young feminists and support them.
• Groups of feminist men / boys focused on supporting women’s rights and gender equality may be included in the mapping, but should not make up more than 10% of mapped organisations.
• Groups whose activities are concerned only or mainly with individual scholarships, supporting political parties, or supporting conflict or terrorism should not be included.
• The mapping should also include a typology of WROs. This typology could include but is not limited to: 1) organizations who identify as feminist and are working to transform the individuals, families, communities and governments they work with (local, regional, national); 2) organizations focused on responding to the immediate needs of women but not the root causes of inequality; 3) organizations led by women but that do not focus on advancing gender equality and women’s rights; and 4) to those that claim to help women but in reality reinforce patriarchal norms and structures which limit the advancement of women’s rights.5) Credible WROs and individuals within WROs who can provide litigation and legal expertise should also be identified and mapped.6) Map out Networks that support women rights organization work and women movements in Kenya

4. Methodology

The consultancy firm / consultant is expected to use innovative WROs mapping methods in the most feminist, participatory, empowering, effective and shortest turn-around time possible. The mapping must unearth recent and up to date information from no earlier than 2018 about diverse WROs, ranging from large and successful to small, unregistered, nascent WROs, covering all Counties in Kenya. A desk research simply compiling government (both National and County) databases and previous mapping information will not be adequate.

The in depth WROs scoping and data collection must involve and include women’s rights organisations themselves in capturing their own views, and opinions, to collect information against the agreed indicators. This will likely include qualitative and quantitative feminist methods including surveys, literature review, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, that will be agreed on and allow participatory collection of information among the WROs.

Methods may include but must not be limited to:

· Desk review of previous mappings and the methodology used to undertake WRO mapping including but not limited to; Mazingira Institute’s Directory of Women’s organizations in Kenya (1994), Guide to Women’s Organizations and Agencies Serving Women in Kenya (1995), Women & Development: A Kenyan Guide (1992), and 2 follow up mappings done in the subsequent years.

· Desk review of National government NGO registration information, National and County lists of civil society organisations and networks, existing databases, lists and e-lists of WROs and network members, including the contact lists of CARE, Uraia, CREAW, UAF-Africa and CRAWN Trust, UN Women, MATCH International, African Women Development Fund, HIVOS, Mama Cash, Women Deliver, Youth Council, This-Ability, Kenya Network for Women with AIDS, Minority Women in Action, FRIDA, Global Fund for Women, Girls not Brides, Women’s Empowerment Link, Maendeleo ya Wanawake, She Decides, Echo Network Africa, GROOTS Kenya, Media Focus on Africa, Kesho Alliance, Deliver for Good and FIDA Kenya.

• Consultation with WROs and other stakeholders on the best methodology to conduct the mapping (ex. interview Mazingira Institute to discuss their methods, best practices)
• Review of previous and current GAC and donor funded projects that have done recent WRO mapping line the Media Focus on Africa (MFA).
• Requests for CARE, Uraia, CREAW, UAF and CRAWN Trust, as well as other organisations that support WROs to share their list of contacts.
• Snow ball referrals from WROs already identified.
• Interviews / phone calls with local authorities at national and county levels.
• Reaching down to sub-county level through networks, volunteers etc.
• Engaging networks, feminist youth volunteers and other existing structures as enumerators to collect information.
• Travel so some key areas (ex. areas with high numbers of WROs, or areas where information is not coming through other means) to collect information on WROs.
• · Create a scheme (perhaps incentivised) to encourage groups to fill in their own information online within the timeframe of the consultancy.
• Brainstorming workshops.
• Qualitative and quantitative feminist methods including surveys, focus group discussions, that will be agreed on and allow participatory collection of information among the WROs.
• Other participatory, feminist, women-led or girl-led research methodologies.

All information on WROs must only be shared with their written or documented verbal consent. Sensitive or personal information with the potential to create risk for organisations or individuals if published should not be included in the online sharing report platforms without discussing the risks and mitigation. In such cases, after discussion, the WRO/individual may specify whether she wishes that information to be: shared publicly, or only shared with the WVL staff and governing bodies, or not shared at all.

5. The WROs Mapping expected Outputs & Deliverables.

All deliverables must be completed within 2 Calendar months

· Inception report following the desk review and initial interviews / meetings / consultations, including:

• A revised detailed methodology, including definitions of WRO, typology and agreed upon data collection variables.
• Template for the information for each WRO in the format that it will be included
• Revised detailed timeline.
• Draft tools for data collection.
• List of initial / possible WROs identified to date.
• List of WROs and individuals who will be interviewed / participants.
• Validation of methodology and tools with Uraia Trust, CREAW, CRAWN Trust and UAF Africa
• Validation of WROs mapping (with typology).
• Final validated WROs mapping report and data base.

6. Consultancy activity schedule / Timeline**

The consultancy schedule will cover a maximum period of 40 days from the day of the award and this to be within 2 calendar months inclusive of data collection, all consultations, and validation of data and submission of final WRO mapping report and data base.

7. Roles & Responsibilities

7.1 Role of CRAWN Trust, CREAW, URAIA Trust and UAF Africa and CARE

• Developing assignment TOR and sending out the call for expressions of interest.
• Recruitment of the consultant/Consultancy firm.
• Supervision of the consultant/ Consultancy firm.
• Review and approval of each draft of the deliverables mentioned above.
• Participate in WROs mapping data validation meetings.
• Provide logistical arrangements for consultants when in the field, if needed (to be discussed in more detail before signing the contract).
• During data collection and analysis, the primary roles of partners with direct stake in the Program, are as informants and reviewers. They may review and provide comments on data collection tools, instruments, and all other deliverables before they are finalized.

7.2 Role of WVL’s Project Steering Committee

• Review and approve the WRO mapping TOR and budget.
• Review and approve the validated and submitted WRO mapping report and database.

7.3 Role of Consultant’s/ Consultancy firm.

• Design the WROs mapping methodology.
• Develop data collection tools for mapping.
• Develop and share the Inception report.
• Data/information collection.
• Facilitate WROs mapping data validation forums.
• Produce a final quality and credible WRO mapping report and data base (Draft & Final).

7.4 Supervision and Communication

The overall supervisor of this assignment will be CARE Kenya’s Program Manager Women’s Voice and Leadership. The consultant will work on a day-to-day basis with the CARE WVL MEAL Coordinator. On need basis, the consultant may interact with the CARE Program quality and Accountability Manager and MEAL/Program Representatives from the 4 principal partners. (CREAW, CRAWN Trust, Uraia Trust and UAF Africa).

8. Qualifications requirements / Desired Expertise

The applicant /team should possess the following desired knowledge and expertise. The team as a whole should fulfil these requirements, not each individual consultant on the team unless that consultant is applying alone:

• A Master’s Degree in Development studies/ Economics/ Law/ Social science, gender and women studies or relevant.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experiences in development and gender equality essential.
• Vast experience working with women’s rights organizations in Kenya essential.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods and analytics is essential.
•  Experience in developing similar mapping tools / database desired.
• Proven skills in communication, networking, and strategic thinking desired.
• Experience in using different and innovative sampling techniques that could be used to reach out to the WROs desirable.
• Strong writing and communication skills desired.
• Relevant language skills desired.
• Aptitude to handle competing priorities with multiple audiences desired.
• Women consultants, women owned and managed firms or consortiums are strongly encouraged to apply.

9. Expression of Interest

Firms, teams, or Consultant(s)/ consulting firm who feel that they meet or exceed the requirements should submit an Expression of Interest (6 pages maximum), which should include a technical and cost proposal based on this Terms of Reference (TOR).The proposal should contain the following:

• A capability statement, including commitment for availability for the entire assignment.
• An elaborated methodology to support WRO mapping including a sample data collection tool, a timeline, a work plan/Gantt chart, and the number of organisations to be mapped in each county.
• Detailed plan of action for field work indicating man days required and schedule of key activities preferably in a format such as a Gantt chart
• An explanation of specific roles and responsibilities of the team leader, supervisory chain and other core members of the team.
• A detailed financial proposal, including the consultant(s)’& enumerators’ fees, budget with justification to cover all costs associated with the mapping exercise. This should be submitted by major activities and line items to support review and decision making. This might include a breakdown but not limited to the cost to contract external evaluation team members, travel and other support logistics.
• Demonstrated knowledge of feminist / participatory approaches.
• A profile of the consulting firm (if applicable).

10. Annexes must include:

• Updated CV of team leader and other core members of the team showing relevant experience and a Commitment that the consultants who’s CVs are presented will be entirely engaged if consultancy is awarded.
• Updated curriculum vitae of the consultants who will undertake the work that clearly spells out qualifications and experience. Where more than one consultant will be involved, clearly indicate the roles of each consultant.
• Contact information of 3 organizations that have recently and preferably in the last 3 years contracted the team/consultant(s) to carry out a similar assignment.
• Samples of 2 previous WRO mapping/ scoping work that demonstrate experience with feminist methodologies.
• Optional: Evidence (if available) of working with reputable Women Rights or Feminist work professional associations/ networks relevant to the consultancy.