Readvertisement: Call for Expression of Interest to Undertake Legal & Policy Gaps Analysis on Women Engagement in Governance.

ABOUT FIDA-KENYA

The Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Kenya is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit making organization established in 1985 with a mission to promote women’s individual and collective power to claim their rights in all spheres of life. FIDA-Kenya is a membership organization with over 1,100 women lawyers and law students committed to the creation of a society that is free from all forms of discrimination against women in Kenya. The organization works towards addressing challenges facing women’s access to their social, political and economic rights.

To address these challenges, FIDA-Kenya has two key programs: Access to Justice and Women and Governance. The Access to Justice Program focuses on providing Legal Aid, Public Interest Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the form of Mediation as well as Psychosocial Support. The Women and Governance Program focuses on advocacy, policy engagement and transformation of formal and cultural systems to ensure that they are gender sensitive and responsive, uphold and respect women’s rights.

BACKGROUND

Kenya is largely a patriarchal society, which has contributed to women’s subjugation in both the private and public spheres. Women have historically taken a secondary position to men, and this tradition is manifested in the practices, policies, and laws of the country. Cultural attitudes and low levels of education also impede women’s participation and representation in decision-making at all levels, as well as their lack of access to economic opportunities. Women’s empowerment and the promotion of gender equality are key to achieving sustainable development. Greater gender equality can enhance economic efficiency and improve other development outcomes.

Over the years, FIDA-Kenya has established offices in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu with each serving the counties within their regions. The organization’s two main programs, Access to Justice and Women and Governance have the overall objective of addressing challenges facing women’s access to their social, political and economic rights. This is achieved with the support of various development partners, key among them being FORD Foundation.

SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY

FIDA-Kenya would like to undertake a legal & policy gaps analysis whose purpose is to map out legal and policy gaps that exist at the national level and in eleven identified counties. The findings will be used to advocate for legislative and policy reforms that are gender responsive and promote women’s engagement in governance. The focus counties are: Machakos, Baringo, Busia, Siaya, Kilifi, Homabay, Garissa, Kitui, Kirinyaga, Elgeyo Marakwet and Samburu Counties.

The organization would like to contract the services of a suitable firm or individual to undertake this assessment

Overall objective of the consultancy

The overall objective of this consultancy is to map out legal and policy gaps in relation to women’s political participation and governance that exist at the national level and in the 11 identified counties. **

Objectives of the assignment

i. To assess the existing legal and policy framework on women’s political participation and governance.

ii. To identify gaps, present in the legal and policy framework on women’s engagement in governance.

iii. To determine existing legal and policy barriers hindering women from meaningful political participation and engagement in governance.

iv. To evaluate the implementation and impact of the existing laws and policies on women’s political participation and governance.

v. To develop a set of recommendations based on findings and lessons learnt that can enhance women’s political participation and governance at the national level and in the 11 counties.

Methodology

The consultant will be expected to utilize a multi-method, qualitative and quantitative participatory approach to conduct the evaluation. Among stakeholders to be engaged are FIDA-Kenya beneficiaries and public officers in departments that have worked with the organization at the national and county levels.

NB: The consultant will be required to provide a methodology that takes cognizance of the prevailing WHO Guidelines on COVID-19 Pandemic.

Indicative Time Frame

It is expected that the whole task should be completed within 21 calendar days.

Deliverables

The following are the deliverables:

1. Inception report detailing the methodology, work plan and budget.
2. Submission of all data collection tools for approval before data collection.
3. First draft narrative report.
4. Submission of hard and electronic copies of materials, data collected/analyzed and other documents.
5. A summary PowerPoint presentation highlighting main findings and recommendations.
6. Final narrative report of the Policy Gaps Analysis detailing the process and methodology, findings, lessons learnt and key recommendations.

The consultant will report to the Deputy Executive Director and have direct communication with FIDA-Kenya’s Senior Program Officer and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer during the execution of this assignment.

Expected Profile of the Consultant

1. Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Law, Research or Gender Studies. (Master’s degree in the above will be an added advantage.)
2. A minimum of 10 years’ experience undertaking research on human rights.
3. Evidence of undertaking of similar work in the last five years.
4. Excellent analytical and report writing skills.

Requirements

Interested individuals, companies or research firms should submit a detailed expression of interest (technical and financial proposal):

● The technical proposal should include an interpretation of the objectives of the consultancy, detailed methodology and an elaborate work plan. Organization/individual capacity statement, past experience and activities related to the Policy Gaps Analysis, CVs of the consulting team and their roles in the achievement of the assignment; names, addresses and telephone numbers of three professional referees.

● The financial proposal should include a detailed budget proposal; a detailed profile of the firm including contact and physical address, telephone numbers and copy of registration certificate, VAT and PIN where applicable.