NEEDS ASSESSMENT IN SOKO MJINGA MARKET IN NYANDARUA COUNTY

Habitat for Humanity Kenya is seeking the services of a consultant/consulting firm to conduct a Needs assessment on designing a comprehensive squatter resettlement program which incorporates financial inclusion for owner led home construction and settlement-based practices touching on planning, infrastructure, security of tenure and basic services.

Background and Rationale

Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) is among the 70 country affiliates of HFH International (HFHI). We report to the Africa Area Office (AAO) together with other 8 National Organizations (NOs). In Kenya, we were registered in 1982 as Non-Governmental Organization, with the goal of enabling low-income families access decent and affordable shelter. In the last 40 years, HFHK has supported more than 345,000 families across 9 counties in Kenya through housing micro-finance and direct construction. We are currently operating in Laikipia, Homabay, Kisumu, Tana River, Machakos and Makueni. Our current Business Plan (2020-2025) has outlined four programmatic areas, namely: Financing for Owner-led Construction (FOC); Settlement-Based Practice (SBP); Secure Land Tenure (SLT); Disaster Risk Reduction & Response (DR3). HFHK’s programs has been based in Laikipia County since 2016, with a portfolio of interventions on Home Construction, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Schools Infrastructure, Table Banking, Land Rights and Cash transfers. Peponi Securities & Investments Limited (“PSIL”), a private landowning company, approached HFH Kenya in November 2023 with a proposal to partner in the resettlement of squatter families settled on part of its land that is situated at the border of two central Kenya Counties.

PSIL acquired the property in 2011 and would wish to resettle the squatters who currently occupy some 2.3 acres along an all weather road that runs along one of the property boundaries. At the last enumeration exercise carried out by the provincial administration in 2007, there were 87 families occupying that portion of the land and the number may have increased as second and third generations continue to build temporary structures on the same portion of land resulting in settlement densification but with minimal additional encroachment.

PSIL would wish to undertake a settlement plan that empowers the community and grants them security of tenure so as to enable them to live peaceably on the land. Given the high value of the land (, and being conscious of what has happened in many squatter resettlement schemes before where land allocated to squatters is quickly sold to others for profit or is invaded by opportunists, PSIL’s current preference is to carefully enumerate the families (distinguishing between tenants and “owners”) before providing the original “owners” with registered sub-leases that place restrictions on transfer of the property to third parties so as to encourage long term ownership and cross generational empowerment.

PSIL has limited experience in the area of squatter resettlement and is therefore keen to leverage off Habitat for Humanity Kenya expansive experience in designing and implementing housing and settlement schemes that improve decency and quality of life for low-income and vulnerable populations.

1. Purpose and Objectives

To conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and enumeration exercise to accurately identify squatters on the land, apply HFHK’s beneficiary selection criteria to categorize them into vulnerable groups and economically abled poor, and establish a collaborative relationship with the respective County Government to facilitate the implementation of the housing project.

The specific objectives are outlined as follows:

1. Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and enumeration exercise aimed at accurately identifying the individuals and families residing as squatters on the designated land parcels.
2. Utilize HFHK’s established beneficiary selection criteria to categorize the identified squatter families into distinct groups, including vulnerable populations and economically disadvantaged households.
3. Identify and establish key relations with the respective County Government to enable meaningful engagement and cooperation for the project implementation.
4. Identify key stakeholders from the community, government agencies, and private sector entities relevant to the successful implementation of the squatter families resettlement scheme.

Top of Form

1. Scope of Work

This Needs Assessment requires:

1. Undertaking a Desk Review to collect and analyze existing data of the respective County including the cultural context
2. Review existing data and documentation related to the land parcels and squatter settlements.
3. Develop a detailed methodology for conducting the needs assessment and enumeration exercise, including sampling techniques and data collection methods.
4. Engage with community leaders and local authorities to gain access to squatter settlements and ensure cooperation for the assessment.
5. Conduct field surveys and interviews to gather data on demographics, living conditions, socio-economic status, and other relevant factors.
6. Compile and analyze the collected data to identify the number of squatter families, their needs, and any specific vulnerabilities.
7. Familiarize project team members with HFHK’s beneficiary selection criteria and guidelines.
8. Apply the criteria to the data collected during the needs assessment to categorize squatter families into vulnerable populations and economically disadvantaged households.
9. Verify the categorization through consultation with community leaders and relevant stakeholders.
10. Identify key contacts within the County Government responsible for housing and resettlement projects.
11. Schedule meetings with relevant government officials to introduce the housing project and discuss potential areas of collaboration.
12. Present project objectives, timelines, and expected outcomes to gain support and cooperation from the county government.
13. Establish channels for regular communication and updates between the project team and county government representatives.
14. Identify relevant stakeholders including community leaders, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector entities.
15. Develop a stakeholder engagement plan outlining communication strategies and roles/responsibilities.
16. Conduct stakeholder meetings and workshops to present the resettlement scheme and solicit feedback and support.
17. Facilitate coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to address potential challenges and ensure smooth implementation.
18. Deliverables and Timing

The consultant is expected to work very closely with the HFHK management, the County Government and the local administration in carrying out the Needs Assessment. The deliverables of this assignment are a follows:

• Deliverable Objective 1: Comprehensive report summarizing the findings of the needs assessment and enumeration exercise.
• Deliverable Objective 2: Documented list of squatter families categorized according to HFHK’s beneficiary selection criteria.
• Deliverable Objective 3: Signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) or collaboration agreement with the County Government.
• Deliverable Objective 4: Stakeholder engagement plan and documented evidence of stakeholder mobilization efforts.

Tasks with the number of days
Briefing of consultant, review of relevant documents and development of tools- 3 Days
Inception Report and feedback- 4 Days
Data collection – field and desk research- 8 Days
Data analysis and preparation of draft report- 5 Days
Feedback from HFH Kenya and PSIL- 5 Days
Finalization and submission of the final – 4 Days

Qualification and Experience

• The following qualifications are essential:
• Advanced degree in social sciences, urban planning, development studies, or a related field with a strong focus on community development and housing issues.
• 10 years’ demonstrated experience in conducting needs assessments, enumeration exercises, and stakeholder engagement activities, particularly in the context of housing and resettlement projects.
• Expertise: Possess expertise in data collection and analysis methodologies, including survey design, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and reporting.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with housing and resettlement policies, community development principles, and stakeholder engagement strategies relevant to the project context.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, build partnerships, and manage relationships.
• Collaborative Approach: Ability to work collaboratively with HFHK, government agencies, community organizations, and private sector entities to ensure the successful implementation of the needs assessment study and subsequent resettlement scheme.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Sensitivity to the cultural context and dynamics of the community and willingness to adapt approaches to ensure inclusivity and respect for local customs and traditions.
• Spoken local language (Kiswahili and/or Kikuyu) is an added advantage for qualitative research; fluency in English language written and spoken.