Consultant to undertake a technical study on the enabling environment for small- and medium-scale biodigesters & strategy to address the gaps in Kenya at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

About the job

Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is to provide clear guidance to SNV on the specific gaps in the enabling environment for biodigesters in Kenya and how these can be addressed in the most effective way within the duration of the ABC-K project.

Specific objectives

• To identify the major deficiencies in the enabling environment for biodigesters in Kenya, using the results of the biogas Energy Access Market Development (EAMD) assessments and the Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) developed by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and provide concrete recommendations to address gaps and improve on existing frameworks.
• To undertake a sector deep dive of the country’s existing sector associations and their membership base and assess the association’s advocacy capabilities, overlapping and conflicting mandates, and technical needs assessment for technical and operational capacity building needs.

The results of this study will shape the enabling environment strategy and design the implementation instruments, such as the on-demand Technical Assistance (TA) facility. An action plan for comprehensive capacity building will be developed for a maximum of two business networks, while targeted training for other networks will also be considered.

Additionally, the consultant will develop a roadmap for SNV for the implementation of the ABC-K project for 4 years (2022-2025) to create an enabling environment for the sector and practical steps for sector engagements (coordination of working group meetings, action planning, reform of association membership structures, enlarging the service offer of membership association etc).

Scope of Work

The technical study will involve a comprehensive assessment of the enabling environment for biodigesters to identify the most important gaps and opportunities to support the development of the sector. Specifically:

• Review of supportive institutional, policy, strategies, regulatory and legal frameworks in Kenya and analysis of gaps
• Assess the adoption of quality standards for biodigester including implementation challenges and gaps
• Review the needs for skills development and training, incl. existing programmes and identification of clear delivery mechanisms
• Undertake a stakeholders mapping (private sector, sector associations, government ministries and agencies and donor partners) and their roles
• Undertake a capacity needs assessment to inform training strategy for biodigesters players in Kenya
• Undertake an organizational analysis of the different biodigester associations
• Develop an implementation strategy to address the identified gaps

The study will carry out a comprehensive assessment of Kenya’s current enabling environment for biodigesters to identify the most important gaps and opportunities to support the development of the sector. The study will comprise a comprehensive analysis of the overall enabling environment at the national level (based on the EnDev Energy Access Market Development (EAMD) biogas scorecard and/or the RISE framework), as well as across the high potential counties for small scale and medium-scale biodigesters (e.g. use in flower farms, institutions etc).

Existing networks will be identified and analysed (SWOT at technical, institutional and operational levels), to identify two key players, one for high-level representation within the broader context of the renewable energy/clean cooking sector, and one for the technical deep dive.

The study will also consider if alternative networks or channels may be more effective channels for advocacy regarding the promotion of biodigesters and bio-fertiliser and if specific targeted training may be required for these networks.

It will also include a general assessment of technical capacities available in biodigester companies and support structures (university, TVET institutions, technical colleges etc…) in the different counties for construction, operation and maintenance of biodigesters.

The study will deliver clear and actionable recommendations highlighting key interventions and propose key partners to deliver these interventions and address the identified gaps.

Timeline & Deliverables

The following highlights the deliverables and proposed timelines of this consultancy assignment.

Research Framework Development will be carried our in early April involving the following:

• Inception meeting
• Draft research framework submitted for review
• Delivery of final research framework

Research outputs will be delivered as follows:

By Mid-April 2022, deliver an inception report with the following:

• Understanding of the assignment
• Detailed methodology and approaches
• Detailed work plan

By mid-May 2022 deliver a Technical Study report with the following:

• Sector gap analysis on the biodigesters and biofertilizers sectors
• Assessment of the biodigester standards and recommendations to the identified gaps and implementation challenges
• Review of supportive policy, strategies, and legal frameworks in Kenya
• Stakeholder’s mapping (private sector, sector associations, government ministries and agencies and donor partners) and their roles
• Organizational analysis of the different biodigester associations
• Capacity needs assessment to inform training strategy for biodigesters players in Kenya
• PowerPoint presentation with the background, study approach, results, and recommendations

By Early June 2022, deliver a roadmap for the implementation of the ABC-K project to build an effective enabling environment with practical steps for capacity building, advocacy, policy actions and sector stakeholder coordination and meetings.

Qualifications

Criteria for Evaluation

Technical proposal including:

• Consultant or firm’s experience in previous similar assignment and reputation – Past performance, references for the work performed in the last five years with at least 2-3 assignments in Kenya (25%)
• Demonstrate past work in the renewable energy (biodigesters) sector, or agriculture sectors, and working knowledge of Kenya (15%)

Detailed Workplan (20%)

Relevant qualifications (20%)

This focuses on:

• CV(s) of consultant(s) and reference lists including the scope of past assignments that highlight similar work.
• Sector experience

Financial Proposal (20%)

• Must be inclusive of all applicable taxes in Kenya
• Value for money
• Clear budget match to deliverables based on a daily rate in Kenya Shillings

Qualifications of consultant/firm of consultants

All bidders must meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Lead consultant with a minimum of 10 years in the renewable sector in Kenya, of which at least 5 years in the biodigester sector.
• Knowledge of research, policy analysis and capacity needs assessment will be an added advantage
• Strong written and communication skills
• Experience with programmes with a focus on smallholder farmers and the private sector.
• Excellent command of English and Swahili, both written and oral.

Additional Information

Proposal submission.

• Interested and qualified firms and consultants are required to submit separately, a technical and financial proposal that includes the following:

Technical Proposal

• Qualification and experience of the consultant/ firm and the team to carry out the tasks
• The understanding of the assignment, demonstrating background knowledge
• Proposed approach and methodology to undertake this assignment, highlighting how the applicant will address the needs of this ToR
• Previous experience in a similar assignment(s).
• Detailed activity work plan.

Financial proposal

• Total budget (Kshs) aligned to work plan
• Cost breakdown of the experts per day
• Copy of Certificate of Registration
• Copy of PIN Certificate of firm/company/individual
• Copy of valid Tax Compliance Certificate

Payments will be based on outputs, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the ToRs

Clarifications

• All questions should be submitted by 25th March 2022 to the following email address snvendevkenya@snv.org with the subject line “Inquiry-Technical study on the enabling environment for ABC Project- Kenya”

Submissions

• Separate technical and financial proposals should be sent by email to snvendevkenya@snv.org and should be received by Friday, 1st April 2022, 1700hrs (EAT) with the subject line“Proposals for the technical study on the enabling environment for ABC- Project-Kenya”

SNV will notify all applications via email. SNV may reach out to request additional information or clarification.