Position: Research Consultant
Terms: Temporary (Approximately 30 days)
Availability: August-September 2024
Introduction
1.1 Contextual Analysis
Youth priorities and concerns are often overlooked in government program planning and implementation, leaving them disenfranchised and hopeless. Despite Article 167(c) of the Kenyan Constitution granting youth the right to participate in determining government priorities, they often lack the knowledge, capacity, and platform to hold leaders accountable. Consequently, significant resources are either lost through theft or utilized in non-priority areas, while youth struggle to meet basic needs. For instance, the Controller of Budget reported that nearly a quarter of the budget allocated to counties could not be accounted for, and as of April 2024, counties had a total of Ksh 152.37 billion in pending bills. In predominantly one-party counties like Kericho, Homa Bay, and Siaya, effective checks and balances are challenging, underscoring the need for youth to hold leaders accountable.
Overview of the Haki Mashinani Project
The HAKI MASHINANI project addresses these challenges in Kericho, Homa Bay, and Siaya Counties through a one-year program in collaboration with three County-Based Organizations:
- Tilil (Kericho County): Focuses on environmental issues involving young people.
- County Voice and Rights (Homa Bay County): Engages young people in governance issues.
- Dak Achana (Siaya County): Works on women empowerment.
Organizational Background
Siasa Place, established in 2015, is a youth NGO dedicated to creating an environment that fosters youth mainstreaming into politics. Guided by its three pillars: Youth Employability, Devolution and Local Accountability, Politics, Tech and Rights —Siasa Place focuses on meaningful youth engagement in civic processes and utilizes digital platforms to disseminate information through unconventional methods targeting the majority populace.
Project Outcomes
The project aims to achieve the following outcomes:
- Outcome 1: Raise awareness on protecting and promoting human rights.
- Outcome 2: Increase youth advocacy strategies for good governance.
- Outcome 3: Build institutional capacity for County-Based Partners.
1.3 Call-Out
Siasa Place seeks a qualified and experienced consultant to conduct a baseline evaluation of the Haki Mashinani project in Homa Bay, Kericho, and Siaya Counties. This evaluation will provide insights into designing effective interventions and strengthening the project’s results framework.
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct a comprehensive baseline study that will:
- Assess the current state of human rights, with a focus on women in Siaya, youth in Homa Bay, and youth participation in environmental issues in Kericho.
- Identify key challenges, gaps, and opportunities for improving human rights protection and promotion in these areas.
- Provide actionable recommendations for stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and community leaders, to enhance human rights conditions.
General Objectives, and Scope of the Assignment
The objective of this baseline study is to establish the current status of human rights with a specific focus on young women in Siaya, youth in Homa Bay, and youth involvement in environmental issues in Kericho. This study aims to inform future interventions, advocacy efforts, and policy development to enhance the protection and promotion of human rights in these regions.
County specific Objectives:
Objectives of the Study
The specific objectives of the baseline study are:
- For Women in Siaya:
- To assess the status of women’s rights, including access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and protection against gender-based violence and any other risks for the young women.
- To identify barriers hindering women’s full participation in socio-economic and political activities.
- Establish the extent to which existing opportunities have been utilised to realize human rights among women in governance
- Identify opportunities in law and otherwise that the project can utilise to improve human rights realisation among young women
- For Youth in Homa Bay:
- To evaluate the current state of youth rights, focusing on access to education, employment opportunities, and participation in decision-making processes.
- To explore issues related to youth empowerment, including access to resources and support systems.
- Establish the extent to which existing opportunities have been utilised to realise human rights among the youth
- Establish the extent to which existing opportunities have been utilised to realise human rights among the youth in governance
- Identify opportunities in law and otherwise that the project can utilise to improve human rights realisation among the youth in Homa bay
- For Youth in Environment in Kericho:
- To examine the involvement of youth in environmental conservation and climate change initiatives.
- To assess the challenges and opportunities for youth engagement in environmental sustainability efforts
- Establish the extent to which existing opportunities have been utilised to realise human rights among the youth in climate governance
- Recommend opportunities in law and otherwise that the project can utilise to improve human rights realisation among the youth in Kericho in areas of climate governance
Scope of Work:
Prepare a comprehensive baseline report that includes findings, analysis, and actionable recommendations.
Review the Haki Mashinani project proposal and suggest possible adjustments.
Develop a detailed research methodology and work plan in consultation with SP and in collaboration with the implementing partners.
Conduct desk research and review relevant literature, reports, and policies related to human rights, women’s rights, youth empowerment, and environmental issues in the targeted counties.
Engage with key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisations, community leaders, and the target populations, through interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys.
Collect and analyse data to establish baseline indicators for human rights in the three focus areas.
Identify existing initiatives, programs, and policies addressing human rights issues in the targeted regions.
3.0 Deliverables
The consultant is expected to deliver:
The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:
- Inception Report: A report detailing the proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline, to be submitted within one week of contract commencement.
- Data Collection Tools: Development and submission of data collection instruments for review and approval.
- Draft Baseline Report: A draft report presenting preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations for review.
- Final Baseline Report: A comprehensive final report incorporating feedback from stakeholders, to be submitted by the agreed-upon deadline.
- Presentation of Findings: A presentation of the key findings and recommendations to stakeholders.
The draft report should be submitted in soft copy within two weeks of completing fieldwork, with the final report due one week after receiving feedback from Siasa Place and County partners.
4.0 Proposed Methodology
The consultancy should employ a consultative and participatory approach, using mixed methods for primary and secondary data collection. Data collection tools should align with the project log-frame indicators, and data should be systematically analysed.
5.0 Time-frame
The consultancy will last approximately 21 days, starting from the contract signing. The consultant will spend about two weeks in the field, with the remaining days allocated to other phases as per the proposed work plan.
6.0 Profile of the Consultant
Mandatory:
- Demonstrated experience in conducting baseline studies, human rights assessments, or similar research.
- Strong understanding of gender issues, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
- Knowledge of devolution and county government systems in Kenya.
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- Familiarity with the socio-political context of Siaya, Homa Bay, and Kericho is an added advantage.
- A degree in human rights, social sciences, law, or a related field is an added advatage is an added advantage
7.0 Management of the Consultancy
The Programme Manager, Siasa Place or any other designated staff, will supervise and manage the consultant. During fieldwork, the consultant will work with county coordinators to ensure effective stakeholder engagement and data collection.
8.0 Terms and Conditions of Engagement
- Siasa Place will provide information for field interviews.
- The consultant must adhere to Siasa Place policies, including Child Protection and Sexual Abuse.
- The consultant is responsible for their taxes, apart from statutory deductions by Siasa Place.
9.0 Application Procedure
Interested applicants are invited to submit their applications by sending a single PDF document titled “HAKI MASHINANI BASELINE” to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19idEfDHEJJbROvi5s_f5t_JQqjDMmZXDITOwqU5fbPk/edit not later than 4th September 2024 at 5 PM. The applications should include:
- A cover letter (max 1 page) outlining suitability for the assignment.
- A technical proposal (max 8 pages) outlining understanding of the TORs, proposed methodology, work plan, and relevant experience
- A financial proposal (max 1 page) detailing the cost in Kenya Shillings, including professional and logistical costs
- A sample baseline survey report from a recent assignment.
- List of referees.
