1.0 INTRODUCTION
Solidaridad Network is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through eight regional expertise centres to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our eight regional expertise centres include Asia, Eastern and Central Africa, Europe, Latin America, North America, Southern Africa, South America, West Africa and our global Secretariat in the Netherlands. Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa, one of the regional centres, headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices and programmes in Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. We facilitate strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access.
1.1 From Climate Victims to Climate Heroes Project.
From Climate Victims to Climate Heroes Project’s dream is to fight poverty and climate change by enabling millions of smallholder farmers to invest in carbon farming and get paid for it on the international carbon market.The climate crisis is without doubt the biggest challenge facing humanity this century. Global warming is progressing faster than we feared and record-breaking temperatures are coming thick and fast. Smallholder farmers in developing countries are having to contend with droughts and heavy rainfall, with devastating consequences for crop yields. The increasingly severe consequences of climate change will hit smallholder farmers hardest. Farmers in low and middle income countries feel the effects of the climate crisis first-hand – longer periods of drought, more extreme weather and food shortages and to make matters worse they do not even have the means to adapt to them. Of the more than 500 million smallholder farmers who play a major part in our food system, the vast majority live in poverty. As long as smallholder farmers remain dependent on the low prices they receive for their main crops, they will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Climate change increases hunger and food scarcity. The amount of land suitable for agriculture is decreasing, reducing the area of land available for the cultivation of crops and driving farmers onto other land, which often involves deforestation. Agricultural production must be transformed to mitigate climate change and become more resilient to the consequences. Only then can we safeguard the long-term supply of food for ourselves and for the millions of people in developing countries.
1.2.Project objectives
1. Making farming communities more resilient to the changing climate
- Improving the quality of life for 100,000 farm households
- Mitigating climate change through the sequestration and reduction of greenhouse gasses
1.3.Project outcomes
1. At the core of the project is the assumption that the use of climate-smart farming practices by smallholder farmers will lead to the sequestration of greenhouse gases, better yields and healthier soils. This carbon farming is a key outcome that will make a direct contribution towards all three impacts.
2. Another assumption is that carbon sequestration on farms can be monetized when carbon rights are traded for insetting and offsetting. Farmers will then be able to earn money from new revenue streams. Not only will this make a direct contribution to the first and second impacts, but it will also generate a significant flywheel effect
2.0 Background
The climate crisis is without doubt the biggest challenge facing humanity this century. Global warming is progressing faster than we feared and record-breaking temperatures are coming thick and fast. Smallholder farmers in developing countries are having to contend with droughts and heavy rainfall, with devastating consequences for crop yields. The increasingly severe consequences of climate change will hit smallholder farmers hardest. Farmers in low and middle income countries feel the effects of the climate crisis first-hand – longer periods of drought, more extreme weather and food shortages and to make matters worse they do not even have the means to adapt to them. Of the more than 500 million smallholder farmers who play a major part in our food system, the vast majority live in poverty. As long as smallholder farmers remain dependent on the low prices they receive for their main crops, they will remain trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty. Climate change increases hunger and food scarcity. The amount of land suitable for agriculture is decreasing, reducing the area of land available for the cultivation of crops and driving farmers onto other land, which often involves deforestation. Agricultural production must be transformed to mitigate climate change and become more resilient to the consequences. Only then can we safeguard the long-term supply of food for ourselves and for the millions of people in developing countries. Women and youth provide a significant labour force across most agricultural value chains coffee inclusive. Increasing their knowledge and skills in good agricultural practices or climate smart agriculture can be a significant force in sustainable agriculture however they may not have the motivation to put the skills into practice as they most cases do not get the proceeds from the land usage nor do they make decisions on the income. Women too engage on the land for most of their reproductive roles such as growing subsistence food crops, and cooking using mostly firewood. These engagements no doubt compromise the quality of the land overtime and therefore the need to partner with women in securing the land through agroforestry practices and climate smart agriculture while discouraging practices such as cutting trees for firewood. In addition communities need to be sensitized so that women and youth can benefit from the land usage so that they are motivated to adopt best practices aimed at carbon farming and sustainable land management.
3.0 GENDER AND SOCIAL INCLUSION
The Gender and social inclusion initiatives will aim at not only building capacities but also enabling women and youth to benefit from the land usage so that they are motivated to adopt best practices aimed at carbon farming and sustainable land management. Important to note though is that training women and youth on sustainable land management without enabling them to benefit from proceeds of land demotivates them instead reducing their commitment. The project will adapt the gender action learning methodology to sensitize the coffee communities on the gender and social norms that discriminate against women and other marginalized groups while soliciting their support for inclusive land usage, climate smart practices and carbon farming initiatives. This will focus on galvanizing social capital among women and youth groups involved in carbon farming.
3.1 Objectives of the Gender Analysis:
As part of the interventions towards gender integration the project will build capacity within to ensure that gender inclusivity is an integral part of all the project’s outputs. Through a gender analysis conducted at the baseline, gender and social issues will be identified with a focus on the dimensions to gender and social inequalities in relation to climate change, carbon farming and climate smart practices in the project areas. Gender inclusivity interventions will then focus on, among others, gathering support to women and youth participation and benefit in the project activities.
3.2 Methodology:
The methodology for the gender analysis will utilize gender analysis methodologies that will generate information on gender relations, gender issues, social inclusion/exclusion issues, constraints, opportunities and inequalities in relation to climate change, climate smart practices, carbon farming in the sectors at the micro, meso and macro level.
Micro-analyses – Individual/household
Meso-analysis – Community, CBOs, farmer groups, associations etc.
Macro-analyses – Public/policy
The methodology used during this gender analysis will overall, include, but not be limited to the following:
● Review existing relevant secondary information and reports related to gender and social variables in relation to climate change, climate smart practices and carbon farming. This includes the review of policy, strategy reviews at the macro and meso levels identifying the extent to which they consider gender, social inclusion and intersectionality.
● Discuss with key Solidaridad staff, partners, and key informants at office and field implementation levels on gender, social and intersectionality variables within the project areas.
● Data collection at micro level focusing on the Individual/households in the respective communities to identify the gender relations, gender issues, social issues, constraints and opportunities at this level of players. And the power dynamics in the respective sector at this level of analysis. The consultant will utilize gender analysis tools that generate the gender relations, gender issues, social inclusion/exclusion issues, constraints, opportunities and inequalities among others in the respective commodity value chain in relation to climate change, climate smart practices and carbon farming.
● Data collection at meso level focusing on the Community, CBOs, farmer groups, associations etc. Using gender and social analysis tools that generate the gender relations, gender issues, social exclusion issues, constraints/opportunities and inequalities among others.
● Special emphasis will be put on women, youth, and people with disabilities participation, so as to understand and recommend interventions on issues concerning these interest groups from a gender, youth, and people with disability inclusion’s perspective.
● Use of data from local institutions or organizations.
● Data analysis and verification of analyzed data.
3.2.1 Geographical area and Stakeholders’ scope
The Gender analysis will be carried out in Kenya and Uganda within specific communities agreed upon during the inception phase.The stakeholders and actors in the respective industry will be the primary target with specifics agreed upon during the inception phase meeting.
Study area:
Uganda: Elgon, Northern, Central, West Nile, South West, Western regions.
Kenya: Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties
Commodities for this project include: Coffee Sector
3.3 Deliverables
I. Inception Report for the Gender Analysis
II. Presentation of gender analysis methodology to Solidaridad team in an inception meeting and later incorporate suggestions in the final inception report.
III. A draft report of the gender analysis for feedback and comments from Solidaridad and partners involved.
IV. Presentation on the main findings of the gender analysis for validation involving project teams, and other stakeholders as agreed with the project team.
3.4 Expert/Consultant’s Profile:
Consultancy firms/companies with verifiable work in conducting gender analysis and who fulfill the following requirements are encouraged to express their interests.
● Demonstrates an understanding of the gender technical aspects in relation to the assignment.
● Has been part of a similar engagement e.g. gender analysis and was able to fully deliver.
● Education background. A MUST have minimum academic post graduate qualification in Gender studies. Or an equivalent of a minimum of a Postgraduate qualification in Social sciences. Experience in development work in gender, social inclusion, women and youth empowerment is a plus.
● Shows prior experience supported by capability in practical application of different gender mainstreaming tools or specific tools needed to accomplish the assignment e.g. analytical tools.
3.5 Consultancy Period:
The overall time frame of the Gender Analysis will be 20 days (including Saturdays and Sundays), which will include inception meetings, finalizing the methodology, data collection, data analysis, report writing, presenting findings of the gender analysis and submission of the final report.
Deadlines
1. Interested parties should submit a Technical and Financial proposal
Budget proposals should include logistics costs (transport, communications, meals and accommodation); 6th February 2023, 5:00pm (EAT)
2.Decision of selected consultant – only selected candidates will be contacted; 15th February 2023
3. Inception report and meeting (virtual or in-person depending on situation).: 22nd February 2023, 5:00pm (EAT)
4. Draft report submitted; 12th March 2023, 5:00pm (EAT)
5. Validation meeting and final report (virtual or in-person depending on covid19 situation).: 14th March 2023, 5:00pm (EAT)
How to apply
Application process:
The consultancy firms/companies are required to submit an EOI containing a statement on candidate’s experience with similar assignments, curriculum vitae, financial proposal and work plan by 6th February 2023, 5:00pm (EAT). All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, those unable to meet the requirement will not be considered.
Each EOI submission should be not more than 15 pages and include the following:
● A brief proposal for the methodology and work plan.
● A sample/samples of previous related work.
● A financial proposal with a budget with breakdowns of different costs involved, to the finer detail. Budget with aggregated figures will not be accepted.
● Updated CVs for the team leader and team members (each CV not more than 2 pages). The team must include gender specialists academically qualified in gender studies or an equivalent in social sciences or related field of study. Gender specialists on the team will score very highly.
● Contact details of 3 references with complete contact information (i.e. name, organization, title position, address, email, telephone).
Subject reference: EOI Gender Analysis- FROM CLIMATE VICTIMS TO CLIMATE HEROES
Submissions are by email to procurement.eca@solidaridadnetwork.orgwhileaddressed to:
Attn: Managing Director
Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa Expertise Centre
Kilimani Business Centre, Kirichwa Road,
P.O. Box 42234 – 00100 GPO
Nairobi
Note: Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification and only successful candidates will be contacted.
