Consultancy assignment - Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis and Development of Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for the African Biodigester Component Projec at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is to undertake a gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) analysis of the biodigester value chain and use the findings to develop a gender mainstreaming strategy for the ABC-K project. The strategy shall inform gender-sensitive indicators, tools, approaches and actions / interventions the Project shall adopt and mainstream across all components of the Project:

• project implementation processes,
• partners and enabling environment
• beneficiaries:

The strategy shall also be aligned to the Minimum Standards for Gender Mainstreaming, as developed by the Gender Practitioners Collaborative with regards to gender-related impact, utilisation of sex-disaggregated data, development of gender equality indicators and “do not harm” criteria. 

Scope of Work

This assignment will involve two key stages as follows. Specifically:

• Conduct a gender equality and social inclusion analysis from selected counties from clusters identified by the project (Central, Rift Valley, Western, Coast and Eastern). The analysis will include among other parameters the following.
• Analysis of the national and sub-national gender policy frameworks, strategies, structures and programme, institutions with regards to biodigester and opportunities and gaps for a vibrant biodigester value chain development.
• The relative status of women, men and youth and how this affects their differential access to/control over assets and resources, access to finance and other resources, information, opportunities, and services related to their businesses and in driving the biodigester benefits along the value chain.
• Existing gender norms and cultural beliefs and how they affect business leadership for women and youth SMEs.
• The inter-personal and intra-household power relationships that are at play and how these influence decisions on purchasing power/ access and control of biodigester and its by products, including access to information and knowledge.
• Opportunities and constraints that affect men, women and youth’s agency and voice in policy dialogue and decision-making processes and platforms related to biodigester value chain. 
• Mapping of stakeholders involved in gender that ABC-K project could partner with to support SMEs in gender mainstreaming at business level.
• Capacity building needs for the ABC-Project team, government and SMEs on gender mainstreaming relevant for the project to achieve its overall goal. 

Qualifications of consultant/firm of consultants

All bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Mixed expertise in Gender Studies and (renewabe) energy. Knowledge in market based approaches is an added advantage.
• The lead consultant expert(s) with a minimum of 7 years experince in gender equality work and  (renewable) energy sector in Kenya.
• Strong writing, communications and analytical skills.
• Extensive experience in research and analytical work in gender equality and social inclusion

Closing date 20 April 2022