About the Rural Women Cultivating Change (RWCC) Project

Implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia, the RWCC project aims to shift the cultural attitudes and structures that limit young and adult rural women (particularly women small holder farmers, female heads of households and survivors of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV), allowing them to take control of their own lives, advocate for themselves and others and take leadership within communities and beyond. Using gender transformative, participatory agroecological, women leadership approaches and reinforcing interventions aimed at preventing SGBV, the project focuses on the intersection between women’s rights and climate adaptation in order to better support sustainable and equitable resource management, agricultural production and access to markets. It further alleviates poverty through reduced personal and collective vulnerability to social, economic and climate shocks. The project is also providing mentorship for women led SMEs and incubators through GALS trainings and investment forums.

The assignment         

To promote the knowledge and awareness gaps related to agricultural policy, the RWCC program will support a stakeholders’ (policy makers) policy dialogue in Laikipia and Nakuru Counties.

The policy dialogue will strengthen different county departments by raising awareness on the need for adequate, gendered, efficient and sustainable policies in agriculture and climate resilience. The meeting will enhance collaboration and synergy among the targeted departments and provide an opportunity to identify challenges in areas like resource planning and budgeting for gender balanced policies and mechanisms at county level.

Hivos’ research on mapping gender policy gaps and opportunities in climate resilience and food systems revealed that the policy development process has not deliberately included women and youth in the planning, communication and implementation stages. As a result, a majority of policy makers have not considered the specific needs and experiences of women and girls. This has resulted in policies that don’t adequately address the unique challenges faced by women and girls, boys and men, and may even exacerbate existing gender inequalities. The report recommended a need to review the policy development processes to ensure that they are gender-sensitive and consider the unique roles and contributions of women in food systems and climate resilience.

The policy dialogue will be attended by senior government staff from the state departments of gender, agriculture, land and water. Women leaders from different farmer groups will also attend. The policy dialogue will generate evidence and policy actions to improve agricultural policies and service delivery in Laikipia and Nakuru Counties.

Specific objectives

1. Increase awareness of national and county policies in agriculture and climate change among stakeholders.
2. Provide a platform for policy makers to discuss gender mainstreaming in government priorities in agriculture, food security and climate resilience.
3. Develop institutional capacity through the transformation of knowledge on food and agricultural policies.
4. Propel gendered polices in agriculture and climate resilience at county level.

Methodology

The dialogues will be facilitated by an expert facilitator. This will involve group activities and plenary sessions.

Scope of the assignment

The consultant/firm is expected to deliver the following:

1. A one and a half days engaging and interactive training in each county.
2. A workshop report for each county.

Consultant qualifications and experience

• Demonstrable expertise in policy research, reviewing and evaluating policies and legislation, with a minimum of 10 years record in agriculture, climate change, food systems and gender and a master’s degree in the relevant field
• Good knowledge and a proven track record working on climate justice and policy work at local, regional, and international levels
• Have experience working/research among smallholder farmers especially in rural areas
• Strong practical, analytical, research and evidence-based climate change and agriculture advisory experience
• Experience working with counties on diverse policy issues is an added advantage
• Previous experience in facilitating trainings, workshops in with communities
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Expected deliverables

1. Three days interactive training
2. Training material
3. Workshop reports

Duration

The workshops will take place as follows:

Laikipia County – 26^th and 27^th September 2023
Nakuru County – 28^th and 29^th September 2023 

How to apply

All applications should be sent to email address eastafricajobs@hivos.org  by 16^th September 2023 5pm EAT with the following information:

• Technical proposal detailing your experience, why you are the best fit for this assignment, and your proposed general approach to the consultancy.
• CV of consultant(s) and description of any partners or contributing institutions as appropriate.
• Not more than 1 page describing the financial proposal i.e. of how long it will take to deliver the workshop, professional fees (per day) and reimbursable costs (tax inclusive).
• Proof of similar previous assignments delivered.

The email subject should read: ‘RWCC POLICY DIALOGUE CONSULTANT’

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.