Economic Empowerment Consultancy

Duty Station: 1 position based in Nairobi with activities spread across Dadaab, Garissa and Kakuma.

Duration of Consultancy: 6 months renewable contract

Terms of Reference

1. Introduction

   1.1 Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK)

RCK is an NGO that was established in 1998 in response to the increasingly complex refugee situation in Kenya. RCK’s mission is to protect and promote the wellbeing, voice, and dignity of the displaced and host population. We achieve this through our five strategic pillars that includes the legal aid and governance, peace and social justice, women and girls’ empowerment, mental health and psycho-social support, and organization development. Our delivery pathways include strategic approaches of advocacy and thought leadership; innovation and learning; capacity building and support; partnerships and localization; and strategic communication to attain our overall organizational goal.

1.2 Background

RCK has secured funding to support its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan from various donors. RCK aims at expanding its interventions on women and girls’ under its strategic pillar 3. Under this pillar RCK endeavors to:

• Offer entrepreneurial training to displaced and host populations, especially women, and establish partnerships with vocational training institutes that offer recognized certificates to the displaced and host population for sustainable participation in the labour market.
• Conduct gender assessment and situational analysis on Sexual and Gender Based Violence drivers, while integrating survey findings on access to labor markets for increased women agency.
• Offer support to the displaced and host populations, with increased focus on women, on the establishment of businesses through acquisition of permits, licenses, and in-kind grants. This is to enhance access to the labor market.
• Increase the number of brand ambassadors and refugee women in leadership.
• Improve support for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) activities especially Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)/ Menstrual Health Hygiene (MHH), and sex education.
• Increase advocacy against SGBV and harmful cultural practices.
• Increase the number of SGBV and FGM survivors economically empowered to sustainably participate in various trades.

The organization wishes to hire an economic empowerment consultant to support RCK in enhancing entrepreneurship skills of targeted refugee and host community women as per its mandate. The consultant is expected to work closely with the RCK staff in the delivery of the project goals and objectives.

2.0 Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultant shall ensure:

1. Business mapping for viable enterprises for refugees and host community women in the stated project locations.
2. Development of a business entrepreneurship training curriculum for refugee and host community women.
3. Identified refugee and host community women are trained on business entrepreneurship skills.
4. Development of viable group business plans for refugee and host women post training.
5. Disbursement of in-kind grants to the refugee and host women groups as capital for the identified businesses.
6. Mentorship and coaching oversight for the women engaged in the businesses.

3.0 Expected Deliverables and Outputs

The shortlisted consultant is therefore expected to achieve the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1: Provide a work plan in line with the project objectives on economic empowerment strategy for the targeted beneficiaries within 14 days from the start of the consultancy.

Deliverable 2: Conduct a quick and simple market analysis and develop a business entrepreneurship training curriculum based on the analysis within 30 days of the consultancy.

Deliverable 3: Pilot test the business entrepreneurship training curriculum within 60 days of the consultancy.

Deliverable 4: Based on the work plan and project proposal, conduct trainings on business entrepreneurship skills for women within 90 days of the consultancy.

Deliverable 5: Develop viable business plans for the trained women in groups, within 95 days of the consultancy.

Deliverable 6: Facilitate in-kind grants disbursement to the women groups trained on business and entrepreneurship skills.

Deliverable 7: Monitor, mentor and coach the initiated enterprises and document key milestones.

Deliverable 8: Document the project challenges, lessons learnt and impact stories.

Deliverable 9: Submit satisfactory monthly, quarterly, bi annual and annual consultancy reports as per the donor reporting dates and RCK operational requirements.

4.0 Consultancy Time Frame

This consultancy covers a period of 43 days spread out over 12 months. The consultancy is renewable subject to performance and availability of funds as supported by the donor.

5.0 Qualifications

Education

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Economics/Business Administration, Gender Studies, Development Studies, and Law with advanced knowledge in gender and micro business entrepreneurship/SME.

Experience

1. At least 3-years’ experience in economic empowerment of women especially for local groups, preferably in addressing GBV situations.
2. Experience working with a non-governmental organization (NGO) or in the humanitarian field is an added advantage.
3. Knowledge of RCK working environment, protection needs of refugees and displaced populations.
4. Experience providing business trainings to varied community groups.
5. Experience in partnership building and knowledge management.
6. Provide certificate of good conduct.
7. At least 2 years of experience working on GBV, gender equality, women and or human rights especially amongst refugee and or displaced populations.
8. Knowledge of dynamics of the local business/market environment.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of Economic Empowerment of women and GBV.
• Strong capacity in working with community groups and capacity development.

Core Competencies:

• Professionalism: In-depth knowledge of and significant experience in relevant field of business entrepreneurship, strong analytical, problem solving and drafting skills. Discretion and sound judgment in applying business expertise to sensitive, complex entrepreneurial issues.
• Communication and information sharing: Strong interpersonal and effective communication (written, spoken and presentational) skills. Proficiency in English and Kiswahili is a must.
• Technology Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and ability to use relevant software applications, in particular Microsoft Office, information databases, internet/intranet services, library sources, etc.
• Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.
• Managing Performance: Ability to supervise, coach, mentor and develop community members as required.
• Self-management and Emotional Intelligence: Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others.

6.0 Reporting Line

• The consultant shall report directly to the Director of Programmes with guidance from the Executive Director.
• Shall work closely with the Pillar Programme Managers, and with peer lines to Project Officers based in Nairobi, Dadaab, Mwingi, Mombasa, Garissa and Kakuma.
• S/he will refer any matters of the contract to the Finance and Administration Director; and the Human Resources Officer.
• S/he may be assigned interns, volunteers, Community Based Counselors, translators and monitors.