Hand in Hand Eastern Africa
Job Description/Requirements
Reference No. HIHEA/029-2023/OP
Assignment: Development of a Waste Management and Circular Economy Strategy
Type of selection: Firm Only
Title of Piece of Work:
Managing waste in Kenya: Reducing poverty and improving local environment through circular economy and entrepreneurship
Duration of Assignment: 35days
1. Organisational Background:
Hand in Hand´s vision is that the people representing the Bottom of Pyramid have power, confidence and shared opportunities to raise themselves and their families out of poverty. Hand in Hand´s mission is to transform these people’s lives by empowering them to succeed as entrepreneurs and thereby have sustainable incomes.
Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA) has trained 400,000 (four hundred thousand) people and above 70% of them have launched sustainable microbusinesses. Some of the entrepreneurs are smallholder farmers trained to be resilient to the impacts of the climatic changes. Some are refugees trying to start new lives after escaping conflict. Some are people living in urban and peri-urban slums trained to start up their business through waste collection and circular economy. Many of them are women and youth starting to plan – for a sustainable social and economic future and environment. The focus for the waste management thematic area is to target 40% youth with overall women representation being 80%
The Hand in Hand modular training comprises of four key stages. Firstly, Self-Help Groups are created where the participants support each other, save together, and learn together. Next, business and skills training is provided that supports the members to make the most of their potential. Thirdly, the members are trained on how to access micro loans and the tools they need to get started. Lastly, we support the members to scale up their businesses to be able to reach bigger markets and stronger supply chains.
2. Hand in Hand Waste Management Programme
Kenya’s Vision 2030, the nation’s sustainable development blueprint, has set a goal of implementing an integrated waste management approach that delivers improved air and water quality, and better health for all; citizens in households, institutions, waste-pickers, aggregators, transporters, processors, as well as fence-line communities bordering waste dumps. The Vision 2030 also seeks to improve livelihoods and economic opportunities in poor communities and incentivize start-ups in waste collection and recycling enterprises.
The current poor state of solid waste management (SWM) and absence of collection and recycling resources is a major threat to public health and the environment 2 . Only a small fraction of the waste generated is collected. Nationwide, it is estimated that only 10 percent of waste generated is recycled or composted, even though there are significant international market opportunities for polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) s, HDPE (high density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene) and LDPE (low density polyethylene) and paper, as well as a potentially large domestic market for organic compost 3 . Organic waste is also important in animal feeds processing when in relation to breeding of insects like black soldier fly (BSF); well-endowed with proteins. As such, there is a need for proper and efficient waste management on county and local level, in which actors could play their roles in achieving the country’s vision by 2030.
Hand in Hand´s goal is to achieve improved environmental, social and economic sustainability in all programmes while creating enterprises and jobs for targeted members in contribution to the overall goal to fight poverty. Waste management is an essential thematic area with entrepreneurship opportunities and improved livelihoods for urban and semi-urban waste pickers who are representing the Bottom of the Pyramid. Hand in Hand has initiated and made good progress in implementing different waste management projects in urban areas in Kenya with a strong private sector engagement as key recyclers in the waste value chain, however a more ambitious approach is required to ensure sustainable waste management strategies and approaches, enhanced economic opportunities and improved resilience among our members. The organisation´s long-term vision is to promote sustainable enterprises while at the same time contributing to waste ecosystems in the entire country. Therefore, we need to strengthen our approach and capabilities in this thematic area.
Hand in Hand is currently implementing a 4-year project – Waves of Change (WoC) Ending in December 2023 at the Kenya coast to assist in achieving this vision by building resources, skills and tools we need to articulate waste management into our enterprise creation model.
The WoC project has introduced advocacy into our work, in that we will build the skills of grassroots actors as practitioners to articulate the change needed to improved public health, environment and livelihoods. The WoC project has facilitated spaces where these actors can influence local government and businesses to support that change. At the same time, the project has accelerated strong engagement of private sector actors (collectors, transporters, recyclers and so on) in the waste value chain. Another project dubbed – Waste to Profit has started still at the Kenyan coast to advance the same work for the next 4 years.
The strategy will:
● Equip Hand in Hand with clear strategic approaches for introducing waste management in target communities, including dedicated training tools that can be adapted to different contexts.
● Identify training needs along different value chain nodes and tools in practice, and assessing which aspects are most effective.
● Lay the groundwork for awareness raising and advocacy for community-based organisations representing Hand in Hand members, aiming to equip them to advocate for improved waste management.
The strategy should speak to Hand in Hand’s enterprise model that consistently safeguards environmental integration in addition to improving incomes. Success will lie in having the expertise to tailor waste management practices to our members, and in helping urban communities to build healthy circular economies. The strategy should also identify an expanded network of like-minded partners and private sector actors to leverage on for systemic change, and the ability to support effective grassroots advocacy and a clear plan on partnership engagement strategy in regards to waste management. Together, these achievements will make us exceptionally well positioned to replicate and scale our enhanced approach across Kenya.
3. Purpose of this assignment:
Hand in Hand is seeking for firm/institution with Technical Experts in Waste management to lead in formulation of a strategy that will equip the organisation with a clear and practical approach to integrate sustainable waste management practices in its projects and programmes. The objective of the assignment is to deliver the strategy, tools and identify institutional capacity necessary for Hand in Hand to achieve positive, long-term sustainable impact to establish and nurture enterprises in the waste management sector to be profitable, contribute to improved waste management and sustainability, and at the same time overcome gender-based barriers to our members.
The assignment is open to applications from firms only.
Key objectives include:
o Lead the development of key inputs (research, advice, and capacity) for the development of a Waste Management Strategy for Hand in Hand, via activities including desk and field research, strategy workshops, organisational audits and staff training in waste management.
o Ensure initial data and analysis feeds into the development of a working Hand in Hand model for waste management activities as well as a possible new waste management curriculum for Hand in Hand entrepreneurs.
o Advise Hand in Hand on how to tailor this strategy for implementation at scale and in different contexts and regions.
o Develop an implementation framework for the waste management strategy.
Key Activities
This assignment will be led by the firm’s Technical Expert/s with significant input and oversight from Hand in Hand EA and Hand in Hand Sweden. The work intertwine will feed into the overall objective of the projects of managing waste on local and country level in Kenya, contributing to reduced poverty and improving local environment through circular economy and entrepreneurship. The specific areas of the assignment are as detailed below.
Areas of Work
1. Scoping Work
Desk Research
Planning and training
workshops
Primary Research
Market Scan
Approximate No. of Working Days: 5 Days
Location: Remote
2. Strategy Development
Developing/underpinning a waste management theory of Change, Organisational capacity assessment and strategy formulation.
Packaging capacity building needs for HiH
Approximate No. of Working Days: 20 Days
Location: Nairobi and Field locations in Kenya – with a possibility of most of the engagements being virtual
3. Final editing of the strategy (with back & forth) and holding a validation meetings/workshop with HiH
Approximate No. of Working Days: 10 Days
Location: Remote (staggered)
Key Deliverables:
I. Scoping Study: The technical expert/s, working closely with Hand in Hand Eastern Africa and Hand in Hand Sweden, will lead this study. The technical experts will review Hand in Hand’s existing model and operational areas to identify the sub areas of waste management where Hand in Hand can deliver the greatest impact. The analysis should equally look at opportunities to introduce sustainable waste management focusing on different value chains where Hand in Hand members operate. The scoping study will include several sub-deliverables:
a) Desk Research: This initial research that will provide a background and an introductory chapter will seek to answer several questions:
➢ What streams of waste management and circular economy is/are existing and which one would fit the country and geographical locations context
➢ What structures and organisations promote or influence landscape and waste management approaches across Kenya, and in prospective implementation areas?Do women have decision-making roles in these organisations? What scope is there for engagement or partnership?
➢ Who are the key stakeholders and duty bearers in reference to waste management in the country, counties and the target locations?
➢ What constraints exist for proponents of waste management (policy, geographical etc. constraints)
➢ Which organisations and stakeholders beyond Hand in Hand’s existing network already support waste management and circular economies in Kenya? What approaches are they using, and what areas of partnership/collaboration do exist?
➢ What policy spaces and gaps exist and should be the organization’s contribution/role on the policy and policy advocacy space
b) Planning and Training Workshop: The technical experts will present findings from the desk research to the Hand in Hand team at a capacity building and strategy development workshop. The workshop will support greater institutional understanding of waste management, its gender implications, and the approaches that Hand in Hand seeks to apply.
c) Primary Research: Primary field research will take place in two operational areas – Mombasa and Nairobi, assessed as high potential for waste management projects by the Technical Experts and the Hand in Hand team. Research will rely on a participatory approach, charting resources and the current state of landscapes in target areas. The assessments will help us to understand the status quo and help in redesigning project interventions. Gender analysis will be a key component of the primary research, with a situational analysis mainstreamed into the primary fieldwork activities.
d) Market Scan: A market scan and waste value chain analysis will complement the primary field research. The scan will seek to identify high potential waste streams in different implementation areas and define the value chains thereof. The scan should also provide insights around the waste management that Hand in Hand members should focus on and highlight enterprise opportunities (for both individual entrepreneurs and CBOs) supporting waste management and circular economies.
II. Strategy Development
a) Theory of Change (ToC): The technical experts will facilitate development of a waste management ToC and propose ways of adapting the same to HiH EA’s current organizational Theory of Change. The ToC will guide HiH EA to articulate waste management programmes. The ToC will also provide the underlying framework for an organisational waste management strategy.
b) Organisational capacity assessment: This brief assessment, undertaken together with Hand in Hand should map relevant waste management knowledge and skills within Hand in Hand, and identify gaps that may act as barriers to enacting the waste management strategy once finalised. The assessment will include Hand in Hand Eastern Africa and should identify areas where future capacity development may be relevant both on organisational level as well as to the entrepreneurs participating in Hand in Hand waste management related projects and programmes.
c) Waste management and circular economy Strategy Document: The document should expand on the Theory of Change, presenting Hand in Hand’s implementation model for achieving change. The strategy will set out what Hand in Hand seeks to achieve in its waste management work, the organisational changes this will require, and the indicators of progress. The strategy will also set out a timeline and key actions for operationalising the strategy within the organisation. Finally, the strategy will set out Hand in Hand’s implementation model, presenting the diagnostic tools, training materials and practical applications that the organisation will rely on to achieve its waste management goals.
Profile of Technical Experts:
Hand in Hand requests that Technical Experts submit proposals responding to the Terms of Reference as outlined. We expect the Technical Expert to demonstrate excellent skills and experience according to the criteria below:
- Demonstrated expertise and record of accomplishment of waste management circular economy work through both programme implementation and research. Clear understanding of relevant techniques and approaches, as well as experience of training and capacity building in these areas, ideally in Sub Saharan Africa.
- Excellent record of accomplishment conducting scoping research, including designing a methodology, collecting data, providing detailed analysis and delivering actionable, practicable recommendations.
- Strong record of accomplishment conducting waste management and market analysis in an East African context, ideally across in both Kenya and Tanzania.
- Experience with participatory and mixed research methods, combining techniques and tools for quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
- Previous experience working with projects targeting grassroots entrepreneurs and enterprises, self-help groups, and financial institutions.
- Demonstrated experience of successfully advising on training approaches (curricula, training materials and practical capacity building) for waste management focused programmes. Previous experience providing Training of Trainer (ToTs) will also be essential.
- Proven experience of working alongside international and national teams within civil society organisations; NGOs, academic institutions, social enterprises, etc.
- Presence or ability and willingness to travel to and/or within Kenya. The project/assignment will be in Nairobi (reference point – could be remotely done for the bigger percentage of the time) with travel to Mombasa as shall be necessary.
- Fluency in verbal and written English, Kiswahili considered an advantage.
- Previous experience providing research for or designing waste management strategies or programmes will be an advantage.
4. Budget and Payment
The Technical Experts in their proposals will provide a combined detailed budget summary splitting the fees and expenses. The terms of payment will be agreed at the point of signing contract.
5. Anti-Corruption
Hand in Hand Eastern Africa strives to fight corrupt practices within its operations and the same is expected of its vendors, contractors and service providers. HiH EA staff are therefore prohibited from accepting any gift/s, consideration or benefit/s of any kind which may constitute illegal or corrupt practices, either directly or indirectly, as an inducement or reward for the award of a contract.
6. Ethical consideration and Safeguarding
HiH EA as an organization undertakes to create a safe environment for all those we serve, and to prevent any form of exploitation or abuse. We are committed to acting in the best interest of our member’ and any willing vendor, contractor or service provider is required to commit and comply with our position on safeguarding as stipulated in the organizations code of behaviors’.
How to apply
The consultancy firms are invited to submit proposals tailored to the outlined requirements, comprising of a technical proposal, financial proposal in Kenyan Shillings with clear costs, methodology plan, work plan, evidence of previous similar work and CVs for the suggested team. Deadline for submission of proposals is 8th December, 2023. These should be submitted via email to: [email protected] using the reference number as the email subject.
For more information about Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, please visit: https://handinhandea.org/
HIH EA does NOT condone any form of corrupt practices. Pease report complaints via toll free number 0800721347