REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: Consultancy services to develop a training curriculum and training tools on gender and social equity mainstreaming; and conduct training for restoration champions in the great rift valley-Kenya.

Summary of the contract:

WRI intends to award a fixed term consultancy contract to build the capacity of WRI restoration champions in gender and social equity. The purpose of the consultancy is to develop a training curriculum, tools, and other materials; and provide training and support to equip grassroots restoration champions – who include various for profit and nonprofit organizations- with the knowledge and skills to effectively mainstream gender and social equity in their restoration activities in the Great Rift Valley Landscape. For more details on WRI’s work with restoration champion’s kindly visit https://www.wri.org/initiatives/restore-local

About the World Resources Institute:

Founded in 1982, The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. We work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. WRI’s transformative ideas protect the earth and promote development because sustainability is essential to meeting human needs and fulfilling human aspirations in the future.

About the Project:

World Resources Institute’s (WRI) is implementing Restore Local project, which is a WRI-led flagship project that contributes to realizing AFRI100 goals. The four-year project started in July 2023 and is working to restore Africa’s vital landscapes by investing in locally led restoration at scale, providing local communities and businesses across the continent with the support they need to revitalize their landscapes. Restore Local aligns its work with a four-part blueprint, creating training and mentorship opportunities, directly funding restoration champions (local non-profit institutions and restoration enterprises), securing policies that reward farmers, and helping communities track their restoration progress with the right monitoring, reporting, and verification protocols. One of the Landscapes where the project is being implemented is the Greater Rift Valley Landscape. Through Terrafund and Land Accelerator, the Restore Local project has been actively engaging with restoration champions in the GRV to provide crucial financial support and capacity-building opportunities by offering tailored training programs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to implement effective forest and land restoration practices. This project recognizes the critical role of mainstreaming Gender and Social Equity (GSE) in achieving impactful and sustainable restoration outcomes.

Scope of work and outputs/deliverables:

The consultant’s scope of work involves conducting a thorough needs assessment to identify the specific training needs of restoration champions with a focus on gender and social equity. This will include engaging with stakeholders, champions (grassroots organizations), WRI, and other partners, to gather insights and recommendations. Based on this assessment, the consultant will develop a comprehensive and culturally relevant training curriculum tailored to restoration champions from the Great Rift Valley region. Additionally, the consultant will create user-friendly training tools, including PowerPoint presentations, training modules, printed materials, and interactive activities, which can be easily adapted by WRI, partners and these grassroots organizations. The consultant will also prepare and present a high-level overview of the training materials and findings to key restoration partners, including WRI pillar leads, Terrafund lead partners, and other stakeholders. Lastly, the consultant will conduct a three-day, in-person training session for restoration champions, providing ongoing support to ensure the effective application of the knowledge and skills gained in their communities.

The ideal consultant must have authorization to carry out this kind of work in Kenya; and should preferably be based in Nairobi or any county within the Great Rift Valley with the ability to travel to Nairobi and other counties within the GRV as needed.

Timing:

This assignment is expected to be completed by 30th September 2024.

1. Development of GSE curriculum, tools, and materials; and review with WRI and partner technical teams – 10 days
2. Presentation of concept to WRI and Terrafund partners- 1 day
3. Training of restore local champions- 3 days.

Budget:

The expected value of this contract is between USD 5000 and 7000.

Work plan and financial proposal:

A final work plan with the exact dates and days required to carry out the activities is to be provided by the consultant in their proposal and must be reflected in their budget proposal. Once the budget has been validated, the payment of the service will be conditional on the delivery of the deliverables and not only on the number of days worked. All expenses (equipment, materials, supplies, consumables, means of communication, insurance etc.) necessary for the performance of the service are the sole responsibility of the consultant and must be quantified in the budget proposal. Accommodation and transport during the training will be catered for by WRI. Editing, formatting, and printing fees for the final documents will also be covered by WRI.

Please note that WRI is an IRS-registered 501(c)3, tax-exempt organization. WRI is not VAT exempt. All prices or quotes should include VAT and tax, as applicable.

Guidelines for proposal submission:

The selected consultant will be able to demonstrate capacity in similar work, particularly:

1. Demonstrated experience in developing training curricula and tools, particularly in the areas of gender and social equity.
2. Proven experience in conducting needs assessments, stakeholder consultations and training.
3. Familiarity with Land Restoration initiatives and environmental sustainability practices.
4. Strong understanding of the cultural and social dynamics in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya.
5. Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
6. Fluency in English and Swahili is desirable.

Technical and financial proposal:

Prospective consultants should submit:

1. A technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the consultancy.
2. A financial proposal detailing the costs associated with the consultancy.
3. CVs of the lead consultant and any other key team members.
4. Examples of previous work relevant to this consultancy.
5. Examples of and references for similar previous work.
6. A proposed budget with a breakdown of costs sufficient to assess reasonableness and compliance with WRI requirements.
7. Equity statement: At the World Resources Institute, we strive to have an inclusive delivery chain. We believe the environmental and international development communities are strengthened by providing equality of opportunity to businesses owned by LGBTQ+ communities, women, indigenous peoples, racialized groups, and people with disabilities – and it is important to WRI that we partner with organizations which share these values. Please describe both how your organization would take an equity-centered approach to the need you are proposing to help us fill and how you incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion into your staffing, board leadership and programs

Expression of Interest, Deadline for Questions, and Proposal:

All expressions of interest and questions about this RFP must be received via email to the contact below by 27th August 2024 by 5.00 pm Kenyan time. Answers to any questions will be shared with all parties who have asked questions or otherwise expressed interest.

Name: Mercy Mulanga

Title: Gender and Social Equity Associate

[email protected]

Name: Gladys Maina

Title: Grant and Finance Specialist

[email protected]

All proposals must be sent by 27th August 2024 by 5.00 pm Kenyan time in electronic format to the same contact listed above.

Evaluation Criteria:

The following elements will be the primary considerations in evaluating all proposals submitted in response to this RFP.

1. Completion of all required elements.
2. The extent to which the consultant’s proposal fulfills WRI’s stated requirements as set out in the RFP.
3. Experience with similar projects; development of curriculums on Gender and Social Equity and training of local institutions on the same
4. Overall cost of the consultant’s proposal.
5. Debarment and sanctions – WRI will not consider proposals from consultants that are presently debarred by Kenyan government or named on any restricted parties lists.

Selection Process:

No proposal development costs shall be charged to WRI / all expenses are to be borne by the bidders. WRI may award the bidder offering best value without discussion. However, WRI reserves the right to seek bidder clarifications and to negotiate with those bidders deemed to be within a competitive range.

WRI may, at its discretion and without explanation to the prospective consultants, choose to discontinue this RFP without obligation to such prospective consultants, or make multiple awards under this RFP. Contracts will not be awarded to consultants debarred by the Kenya government or named on restricted parties lists.

Qualified consultants feedback should expect to be contacted within a week after close of bidding process.