CONSULTANCY – BASELINE SURVEY FOR CLEAN RIVERS, CLEAN HOMES PROJECT IN KISUMU, KENYA

Practical Action

ABOUT US

We are an international development organisation putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.

We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.

We’re a global change-making group. The group consists of a UK registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, an independent development publishing company and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone.

OUR AIMS

We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems, made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. Our aims are to:

• Make agriculture work better for smallholder farmers, many of them women, so they can adapt to climate change and achieve a good standard of living.
• Help more people harness the transformational effects of clean affordable energy and reduce avoidable deaths caused by smoke from indoor stoves and fires.
• Make cities in poorer countries cleaner, healthier places to live and work.
• Build disaster resilience into the lives of people threatened by hazards – reducing the risk of hazards and minimizing their impact on lives and livelihoods.

PRACTICAL ACTION IN KENYA

In Kenya, Practical Action has a long history of addressing systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing energy that transforms their lives, helping communities and government make cities healthier and safer, making agriculture and markets work better for small holder farmers and supporting communities and government to become more resilient.

We use a mix of programming with communities and consultancy services with shapers of policy and practice to achieve our aims.

Background and Purpose of the assignment:

Practical Action is embarking on a transformative project named clean rivers, clean homes running from January 2024 to December 2025. The project is aimed at cleaning up waste hotspots, particularly the Auji River, and enhancing the plastic waste value chain in Kisumu, Kenya. The initiative seeks to formalize waste collection services, empower informal waste workers, and instigate behavior change towards recycling and separation of waste at the household level. In collaboration with the Kenya Plastics Pact, the project also aims to transition the current linear plastics system into a circular economy. To inform project design, implementation, and evaluation, Practical Action requires a comprehensive baseline survey.

Objective of assignment

The primary objective of the baseline survey is to conduct a context analysis of waste hotspots, particularly focusing on the Auji River, and to assess collection services, the plastic waste value chain and stakeholders involved. We expect the assessments to embed a gender perspective in every aspect of this assignment. Specific objectives include:

1. Identify and map waste hotspots, with a particular focus on the Auji River, including sources and types of waste.
2. Analyze the existing plastic waste value chain, from collection to recycling, highlighting key actors, processes, and challenges.
3. Gather baseline data on waste services, behaviors and attitudes related to waste management in Kisumu City.
4. Gather baseline data on existing opportunities for the young people (both men and women) and people with disability in waste management space.
5. Understand the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of current waste management practices, especially on communities living near waste hotspots.
6. Identify and understand existing relationships between waste handlers, traders, aggregators, off takers and the county government and Kisumu city.

SCOPE

The consultant(s) will be responsible for:

1. Designing a survey methodology, including sampling strategies, data collection tools, and analysis frameworks.
2. Documenting the survey methodology for collecting key project logframe indicators and ensuring that is passed on for the project to repeat at the evaluation.
3. Conducting field visits to waste hotspots, including the Auji River, and engaging with key stakeholders in the plastic waste value chain and PMSD initiatives.
4. Collecting both qualitative and quantitative data through surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observations.
5. Analyzing data to generate insights on waste management practices, stakeholder dynamics, and contextual factors influencing plastic waste management.
6. Producing a comprehensive baseline report, including findings, recommendations, and data visualizations, within the agreed timeframe.
7. Presenting findings to Practical Action and stakeholders for validation and feedback.

Deliverables:

1. Inception Report: A detailed plan outlining the survey methodology, data collection tools, and work plan.
2. Field work report.
3. Draft zero report (soft copy) in word.docx. (max. 25 pages excluding annexes) for review.
4. Draft-one report incorporating changes or comments generated in the draft zero. (max. 25 pages excluding annexes)
5. The baseline evaluation report (max. 25 pages excluding annexes): A comprehensive report documenting the findings of the baseline survey, including data analysis, key insights, and recommendations.
6. The baseline evaluation report must include an Executive Summary of no more than 2 pages.
7. The baseline evaluation report must include a clear section documenting the baseline level of key log frame indicators.
8. Data Sets: Raw data collected during the survey, organized, and documented for future reference; and clear guidance on methodology for repeating data gathering against the key log frame indicators.
9. Presentation: A power point presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations for stakeholders.

Qualifications:

The consultant(s) should demonstrate:

1. Expertise in conducting baseline surveys, particularly in the field of environmental management or development projects.
2. Experience working with waste management and recycling initiatives, preferably in urban settings.
3. Expertise in conducting gender-sensitive baseline surveys, inclusive of gender analysis and mainstreaming principles.
4. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
5. Knowledge of participatory approaches and experience in engaging diverse stakeholders.
6. Excellent communication and report writing skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner.
7. Team members comprising professional in environmental conservation, Urban planning and management, waste management, Youth experts, Policy and Gender experts who possess more than 10+ of experience with Masters’ and above level education.
8. Have a versed understanding and extensive knowledge of Kisumu city geographically, interns of terrain, local population, demographics, and other details of the city, and has carried some related or similar work in the lake region.
9. Extensive and demonstrated experience in the use of mixed methods approaches (integrating quantitative and qualitative data), statistical analysis and interpretation of results.
10. Experience and a good understanding of participatory market system development including private sector actors’ role in creating business cases in waste management spaces.

A detailed Terms of Reference can be accessed here- Consultancy – Baseline Survey For Clean Rivers, Clean Homes – Practical Action

How to apply

A consulting entity that meets the above requirements and is available within the time limit indicated above should submit the following:

1. Technical proposal outlining the approach to conducting the baseline survey, research design and methodology. (Max. 3 pages).
2. A proposed process and timeframe for the baseline evaluation setting out the phases, the number of consultants and the number of days. (Max. 2 pages)
3. The anticipated challenges and dependencies likely to affect the implementation of the baseline evaluation and how these should be addressed. (Max. 1 page)
4. A description of how to ensure data quality throughout the process/assignment. (Max. 1 page)
5. A narration of how ethical issues will be mitigated/safeguarded throughout the baseline evaluation process.
6. A description of how gender will be mainstreamed throughout the evaluation questions with consideration of how the perspectives of men, women and youths will be sought in the evaluation process.
7. A summary (Max 1 page per CV) of the most relevant skills and experience of the proposed lead consultant and the consultant(s) together with her/his CV showing relevant previous assignments and clients. (Annex CVs separately).
8. Financial proposal detailing the budget breakdown and consultancy fees in Kenya Shillings: If the team consists of several members, the professional fees should be based on clearly shown time allocation for each member of the team to the various activities. (Max. 1 page)
9. Sample(s) of previous similar work, if available. (Annexed separately)

Interested consulting entities that have capacity to deliver this TOR are invited to submit a complete proposal package to recruitment@practicalaction.or.ke with subject line “Clean rivers, clean homes baseline evaluation” to reach Practical Action on or before 7th June 2024.

Note: Practical Action reserves the right to accept or reject any application.