Developing Gender Mainstreaming at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Consultant tasks:

Under the supervision of the Manager – Partnerships and Gender, the consultant will be expected to research, write, and produce a gender mainstreaming toolkit for KKCF-supported companies as per the project priorities and complying with gender equality principles in a humanitarian context. The tool kit will have specific guides to the business sectors being supported. Specifically:

1. Review the gender assessments already conducted by the projects and conduct desk research to understand the social context as well as take stock of the social and cultural norms and practices. Evaluate the gender equality issues within the context of the project in Kakuma/ Kalobeyei; focusing on the project beneficiaries including an understanding of the gender dynamics - unpacking the critical role of social norms, cultural stereotypes, and power dynamics in the companies and how these influence behaviours and decisions that perpetuate inequalities along gender lines and how they create imbalances within organizational structures
2. Engage the businesses/investees to understand their gender mainstreaming strategies and provide recommendations while including guidelines on the same in the toolkit for each business
3. Assess the enabling and policy environment that the businesses are operating in to support gender mainstreaming initiatives within a humanitarian/refugee context
4. Conduct an in-depth consultation with stakeholders including the project beneficiaries(investees) to gather input in developing the gender mainstreaming toolkit.
5. Develop gender mainstreaming indicators to be used to track progress in relation to gender equality by the companies. The indicators should align with the AECF investment approach and Monitoring & Evaluation framework.
6. Develop project-level gender mainstreaming tools to be used as a guide for gender mainstreaming and development of company policies that also cover SGBV and child protection
7. Conduct a stakeholder validation meeting and orientation of the gender mainstreaming toolkit to KKCF staff and relevant stakeholders
8. Pilot test and induct a few investees and staff on the use of the tool

Specific deliverables

The key deliverables/outputs for this assignment are outlined below:

An inception report with the following;

• Detailed work plan with milestones and timelines
• Updated methodology/approach for developing the toolkit and stakeholder engagement process/plan
• Key research questions and an assessment tool/guide to be used for the KIIs with stakeholders and businesses, including focus group discussions with the refugees and the host communities to check their opinions on GE in the businesses
• A synopsis of existing gaps/opportunities and an outline/structure of the sections of the toolkits for the various business models/sectors of focus
• A summary report of findings with recommendations
• Draft toolkit with sections and guides customised for each sector
• Validation report that covers the orientation of KKCF staff, investees & stakeholders
• Final Tool kit adopted by the investees
• A short report on insights from this work, as will be guided by AECF.

Duration of the assignment

The assignment will be undertaken between July 2022 and October 2022 (3 months).

Qualifications and experience

The consultant or consulting firm/team must demonstrate experience and understanding of gender mainstreaming approaches in development programs and in private sector development.

The minimum competencies and qualifications include:

1. An advanced degree in field related to business management and administration, gender development, social science, or any other related field.
2. Minimum of 5 years of professional experience with proven competence in gender and development, and SMEs development
3. Knowledge and experience regarding methodologies and best practices for promoting institutional gender mainstreaming interventions
4. Demonstrated experience in developing gender strategies and toolkits is highly desired
5. Previous experience working in a humanitarian context will be an added advantage.
6. Good analytical and presentation skills