RE-ADVERTISEMENT CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR A SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP A PRACTITIONERS’ TOOLKIT ON CIVIC SPACE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th, OCTOBER 2024 AT 15:00 EAT

EXPECTED START DATE: 18^TH OCTOBER, 2024

EXPECTED END DATE: 7^TH NOVEMBER, 2024  

 

1.0 Introduction

Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is a Kenyan Public Benefit Organization based in the Coast region of Kenya.  KECOSCE’s vision is a just, secure and progressive society.  This is achieved through our strategic pillars comprising, Inclusive Governance and Service delivery, Poverty Alleviation and Climate Resilience, fostering peaceful and Cohesive Societies, Health Water and Sanitization and Strengthening organizational sustainability. KECOSCE has its offices in Mombasa, Kilifi and Tana River Counties. Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) – Promoting Peaceful Co-existence, Good Governance and Suitable Social-economic Development

2.0 Background

KECOSCE is an implementing partner of Amkeni Wakenya (hereinafter Amkeni). Amkeni Wakenya is a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) project/facility that was established in 2008 to promote democratic governance through support to civil society mainly through capacity building, learning, knowledge management and grants making.   In line with the strategic focus of Amkeni, an agreement was signed between the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN) and the UNDP Kenya to support the implementation of the “Strengthening Civil Society and Citizen Voice for Realization of Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs in Kenya 2021-2024”. This project seeks to strengthen the role of civil society in making meaningful contributions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly promoting the ability of CSOs in holding governments and the private sector accountable for the realization of SDGs.

Kenya’s Civic space is the arena for exercising freedoms of association, assembly, and expression, is fundamental for the functioning of democracy and protecting human rights. These rights are enshrined in the Constitution and supported by various legal instruments. Civic space further includes the latitude that citizens and their formations (groups or associations) possess to hold government, State institutions and corporate actors accountable for their actions and omissions. An avenue where civil society in its diversity operates to play their roles and execute their mandates.

While Kenya’s legal framework provides robust protections for civic space, challenges persist in implementing and enforcing these rights. The government and other stakeholders must uphold the rule of law and respect human rights to ensure the vibrancy and sustainability of civic space. Some efforts by the government to protect civic space include the commencement for implementation of the country’s Public Benefits Organizations’ Act, 2013 in May 2024. The Act replaced the NGOs’ Coordination Act of 1990 and introduces a new legal, regulatory, and institutional environment for the sector.  KECOSCE supported the development of Kilifi County CSOs self-regulation framework in 2023 that is currently being implemented by CSOs in the County. Downloads – Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE)

3.0 Objective of this assignment: The overall of the objective is the development of a practitioners toolkit that will support promotion and protection of Civic Spaces.

4.0. Scope of the Consultancy: Assignment period (18^th October – 7^th November, 2024). The assignment will include the following tasks: :

• Desk review of relevant documents including reports of CSOs, media, research papers etc,
• Carry out key informant interviews with relevant actors in the sector and relevant state agencies
• Make Presentation of the draft report in a CSOs validation forum.
• Pre-test the draft toolkit with selected sector players and incorporate feedback.
• Draft toolkit and knowledge products MS PowerPoint presentation be included with the Final report and toolkit.
• Submission of final toolkit

5.0 Deliverables

1. Draft inception report;
2. Proposed methodology together with the calendar of activities, which should describe in detail the proposed methods to be used in the consultancy
3. Data sets to include: database of respondents included in the research together with contact details, quantitative data received through surveys/questionnaires, qualitative data received through interviews and focus groups (recordings/transcripts – in English/Kiswahili if available);
4. Draft toolkit and knowledge products
5. Final toolkit for practitioners’ toolkit that will support promotion and protection of Civic Spaces. (with stakeholders’ input).

6.0 OBLIGATIONS OF PARTIES IN THE CONSULTANCY

6.1 Obligation of the consultant

1. Provide strategic leadership and guidance throughout the assignment;
2. Inform KECOSCE in a timely fashion on the progress made and any challenges encountered;
3. Conduct the consultancy according to the agreed plan, which will include also a calendar of activities; and
4. Submit the draft and final toolkit for supporting promotion and protection of Civic Spaces in Kenya on a timely basis as per the contract agreement.

 

6.2 Obligation of Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE)

1. Ensure the consultant is provided with the necessary and required resources;
2. Support the consultant with necessary background documents and information relevant for the work;
3. Facilitate the work of the consultant in accessing target groups where necessary;
4. Monitor the daily work of the consultant and bring to the attention of the consultant any concerns that may arise;

7.0 Reporting relationships

The Consultant will report to the Executive Director of Kenya Community Support Centre or the designated officer who shall be introduced to the consultancy on the contracting day

8.0 Required expertise and qualifications.

The Consultant should have the following qualifications and experiences:

• A post-graduate or equivalent qualification/ degree in Law, Social science, Sociology, Development Studies, Humanities or any other relevant discipline.
• Expert knowledge of civil society sector and its regulatory frameworks with at least 3 years of prior work experience in social development and human rights consultancy at the national level.
• Previous experience in developing similar toolkits
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to facilitate focus group discussions (FGDs), conduct expert interviews and work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in the Coast regional context for at least 3 years.
• Working knowledge in Kiswahili is an advantage.

 

8.1 Core Competencies:

1. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
2. Treats all people fairly without favoritism; and
3. Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

9.0 Language requirements Reports will be submitted in English, Times Roman Font 12

10.0 Timeline and expected outputs

This assignment will take a total of Fourteen (14) days spread from 30^th August, 2024 to 14^th October, 2024 towards the realization of the objective of this assignment.  The Consultant shall offer his/her services in close consultation with KECOSCE project team while keeping to the agreed deliverables as hereunder

No.	Deliverable/output	Deadline
1	Notification of Successful Consultant	16th OCTOBER, 2024
2	Inception meeting with the Consultant	18TH OCTOBER, 2024
3	Desk-based analysis: Review of documents and other sources of information	20th – 24th OCTOBER, 2024
7	Field work and data collection	25th –– 28th October, 2024
8	Validation Meeting with key stakeholders	4TH NOVEMBER, 2024
9	Draft toolkit and  Knowledge Products	4TH – 6TH NOVEMBER 2024
10	Final toolkit and knowledge products submitted	7TH November, 2024

 

11.0 Consultancy Fees

Consultancy fees will be paid as follows: –

1. 30% on delivery of inception report
2. 40% on presentation of draft toolkit
3. 30% on submission of final toolkit and final knowledge products

12.0 Application process

The consultant should submit a

1. A technical proposal and budget demonstrating understanding of the scope of work and detailed methodology for the study (maximum of five pages using Times Roman font size 11 and single line spacing).
2. The proposal should include timelines and the roles and capacity of the consultants
3. The timeline should detail the workflow from the project start date to the end date.
4. Applicants should also indicate the inclusion of a 5% tax on the budget.
5. Submit sample (s) of previous similar tasks conducted.
6. Submit CVs of principal consultant(s)

 

The application, written in English, should be submitted through email the subject matter as “EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – CONSULTANCY TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF A PRACTITIONERS’ TOOLKIT ON CIVIC SPACE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION”. Should be addressed to

Procurement

Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE)

P.O. BOX 42944-80100

MOMBASA

EMAIL: [email protected].

 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 15^th OCTOBER, 2024 AT 3:00P.M. EAT Late, incomplete or partial bids will be rejected.

 

13.0 DISCLAIMER  

KECOSCE reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals without any explanation whatsoever.  Due to high volumes of applications that may be received, should you not have received feedback on your application within one week of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. KECOSCE further reserves the right to withdraw any of our call at any time.

 

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