Expression of Interest (EOI)

Supporting the roll-out of the Gender Equality Seal (GES) to SMEs.

Reference Number:83468667

Publication date: 03.07.2024

Introduction

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development; Good Governance; Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development; Digitalization and Digital Economy; and regional projects in the Great Lakes Region.

0 List of abbreviations

1. Context

The “Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment” (WEE) project is part of the Special Initiative (SI) “Decent Work for a Just Transition” of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), which is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH among others. Under the brand Invest for Jobs, the SI collaborates with the private sector to create jobs, improve working conditions and social protection in Rwanda. The WEE project was launched in January 2024 and is being implemented by GIZ Rwanda in cooperation with the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Industry. The WEE project aims to enhance the economic participation of women in Rwanda. It focuses on two main areas of activity: (1) improving working conditions for female employees and (2) improving economic and societal conditions for women-led companies. The project’s key success indicators are the creation of good jobs for women, the improvement of working conditions for women, and improved performance of women-led businesses.

The Skills Development for Economic Transformation (SD4T) project aims to create jobs and strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in the light manufacturing industry (e.g. furniture production, metal processing etc.) according to the principles of inclusivity, productivity and environmental sustainability. This will be achieved by following an integrated approach to employment promotion, consisting of 1) the promotion of technical and vocational education and training to enhance the quality of labour supply, 2) private sector development to raise labour demand, and 3) economic policy advice to improve the matching of labour supply and demand. A specific focus is placed on the economic empowerment of women. In this area, the project aims at the improvement of working conditions for women in the light manufacturing sector. SD4T was launched in January 2023 and is being implemented by GIZ Rwanda in cooperation with the Rwandan Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Rwandan Ministry of Education.

The Gender Equality Seal (GES) program was launched by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) in 2017 in partnership with the Private Sector Federation (PSF), UNDP and UN Women, to encourage both public and private organizations to create equitable working conditions for men and women. The Program helps organizations to do a self-assessment on how they stand on gender equality aspects, and it empowers organizations to address gender gaps. Organizations/companies that demonstrate progress in promoting a gender responsive work environment are certified with one of the 3 gender seal types: Gold, Silver, Bronze. The following areas are addressed: eliminating gender-based pay gaps, increasing women’s roles in decision-making, enhancing work-life balance, enhancing women’s/men’s access to non-traditional jobs, eradicating sexual harassment at work, and using inclusive, non-sexist communication. So far 54 companies, including several small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), have participated in the GES program. GMO is urging more companies to participate and efforts to scale-up the initiative of enrolling SMEs in GES program have begun.

To support GMO’s efforts of scaling up the GES program in the private sector, GIZ aims to increase the number of coaches, who are qualified to support SMEs acquire the gender equality seal. This should contribute to improved working conditions for women in the private sector as well as support SMEs professionalize their internal policies and distinguish themselves on (international) markets.

GIZ is seeking the support of a contractor to build the capacity of a new pool of GES coaches.

2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

1. Training of a pool of 10 new SME GES coaches
2. Accompaniment of 5 new coaches during the SME GES process

Details regarding Deliverable 1: Training a pool of 10 new SME GES coaches

The contractor is responsible for:

• Designing a comprehensive 5-day training curriculum for up to 10 future GES coaches, tailored to the context of Rwandan SMEs. The training should cover the entire GES process that coaches will guide SMEs through – from kick-off meetings to diagnostics to supporting the implementation of action plans as well as the specific topics of sexual misconduct, work-life balance and inclusive communication and how they can be approached in the workplace. The training should also cover the topic of the evaluation of SMEs for certification.
• Ensuring existing materials, handbooks and lessons learned on coaching SME on GES are considered and included in the training design.
• Ensuring the training is in line with GMO standards and requirements.
• Creation of interactive and informative training materials, including presentations, participant handouts, and interactive materials (e.g. case studies, role-playing scenarios, group exercises, etc.), to enhance understanding and practical application.
• Creation and implementation of pre- and post-knowledge test for participants. Participants will receive a certificate of participation from PSF.
• Delivery of the training program within a maximum of two months, with training sessions scheduled on non-consecutive days or at most two consecutive days, to allow sufficient time for absorption.
• Organization of venue and appropriate refreshments for 5 (non-consecutive) training days in Kigali for up to 12 participants (1 coffee/tea break and 1 lunch per training day).

Notes:

• The 10 future GES coaches will be selected by GIZ through an open call. They will possess strong foundational knowledge in gender equality, which should be considered in the design of the training program.

Details regarding Deliverable 2: Accompaniment of 5 new coaches during SME GES process

The contractor is responsible for:

• Accompaniment of 5 out of the 10 trained coaches during their first time coaching an SME in GES over the course of 6 months. Each individual process will include the following steps:
  • Kickoff: This includes assisting the coach in the preparation and facilitation of the kickoff meeting, in the delivery of information sessions to the SME, as well as in consulting the SME on the appointment of its Gender Equality committee.
  • SME analysis: This includes assisting the coach in collecting documentation required from the SME for the diagnostics phase, in the design and delivery of interviews of SME staff, as well as in analyzing company policies and practices and relevant governmental regulations.
  • Diagnostics report: This includes assisting the coach in data analysis, in the delivery of the diagnostics report (detailing findings and recommendations for the SME), in debriefing the SME on findings and recommendations, and in the development and filling out of the SME’s action plan.
  • Implementation support: This includes assisting the coach in guiding the SME during the implementation of its action plan. This can include a wide array of support activities, depending on the needs of the SME. Examples of support activities the coaches may need to implement are formulating HR policies (such as those addressing sexual harassment and pay gap issues), conducting training sessions on sexual harassment awareness for staff members, or providing advice on regulations on childcare in the workplace.
• Accompaniment of 5 out of the 10 trained coaches during their first time evaluating an SME in GES over the course of one month:
  • SME analysis: this involves assisting the coach in acquainting themselves with a new SME in a new role as evaluator and analyzing the implementation of its action plan.
  • Evaluation report: this involves assisting the coach in drafting a report (that meets all requirements for the GES certification decision) on the implementation of the SME’s action plan.
• Ensuring a quality learning experience for the coaches during the SME coaching and SME evaluation processes.
• Ensuring the coaching is in line with GMO standards and requirements.

Notes:

• Accompaniment means that the trained coaches will be charged with the complete delivery of the SME coaching and evaluation process. The contractor is responsible for providing advice and mentorship to the new coaches as well as in-depth support during selected steps where necessary and feasible within the contractor’s allocated days (see Chapter 5).
• The 5 out of 10 coaches that will be accompanied will be selected by GIZ and based on performance during the training.
• The 5 SME will be selected from GIZ’s network based on interest and commitment.
• The coaching and evaluation process for an SME must be conducted by two different coaches.

Required travel

• If necessary and approved by GIZ in advance, travel to districts outside of Kigali is possible in all service packages mentioned above.
• The contractor should plan for a total of 10 roundtrips (1 expert per travel), including 25 travel days and 15 overnights.

Timeline of main deliverables

The following main deliverables, as described in detail in the work packages above, are to be achieved by the contractor during the contract term:

Period of assignment: from 12.08.2024 until 09.12.2025.

3. Concept

In the tender, the tenderer is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed) are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept).

Note: The numbers in parentheses correspond to the lines of the technical assessment grid.

Technical-methodological concept

Strategy (1.1): The tenderer is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender (see Chapter 1 Context) (1.1.1). Following this, the tenderer presents and justifies the explicit strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter 2 Tasks to be performed) (1.1.2).

The tenderer is required to present the actors relevant for the services for which it is responsible and describe the cooperation (1.2) with them.

The tenderer is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create an operational plan or schedule (1.4.1) that describes how the services according to Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed by the contractor) are to be provided.

Project management of the contractor (1.6)

The tenderer is required to draw up a personnel assignment plan with explanatory notes that lists all the experts proposed in the tender; the plan includes information on assignment dates (duration and expert months) and locations of the individual members of the team complete with the allocation of work steps as set out in the schedule (1.6.2).

4. Personnel concept

The tenderer is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, on the basis of their CVs (see Chapter 6), the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points in the technical assessment.

Expert pool (min. 2, max. 3 experts)

Note on the assessment of the expert pool: an average score will be computed per criteria based on the CVs of all submitted experts.

Tasks of expert pool

• Timely and high-quality delivery of service packages.
• Day-to-day communication with target group (coaches).

Qualifications of expert pool

• Education/training (2.6.1): University degree in Social Sciences
• Language (2.6.2): C1-level language proficiency in English, C2-level language proficiency in Kinyarwanda
• General professional experience (2.6.3): 8 years of professional experience working in gender-equality sector.
• Specific professional experience (2.6.4): 4 years of experience providing organisational development support on gender equality, including to companies
• Development cooperation experience (2.6.6): 2 years of experience consulting or working for international development cooperation projects
• Other (2.6.7): 2 reference projects coaching companies on the gender equality seal, including 1 reference project coaching SME on the gender equality seal.

Soft skills of team members

In addition to their specialist qualifications, the following qualifications are required of team members:

• Flexibility and constructive attitude in face of changing circumstances
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative working style
• Efficient partner- and client-focused working methods

Female representation in the expert pool is strongly encouraged.

The tenderer must provide a clear overview of all proposed short-term experts and their individual qualifications.

5. Costing requirements

The bidder is required to include in the expert fee the costs for the provision of adequate working space, workstations, all required IT and telecommunication equipment. None of these costs shall be reimbursed under this contract.

All business travel must be approved in advance by GIZ staff in writing. The amounts below for travel expenses and other costs are compulsory and non-negotiable.

Specification of inputs

6. Requirements on the format of the tender

The structure of the tender must correspond to the structure of the ToRs. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (Chapter 3) should be organised in accordance with the positively weighted criteria in the assessment grid (not with zero). The tender must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. It must be drawn up in English.

The complete tender must not exceed 8 pages (excluding CVs). If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment. External content (e.g. links to websites) will also not be considered.

The CVs of the personnel proposed in accordance with Chapter 4 of the ToRs must be submitted using the format specified in the terms and conditions for application. The CVs shall not exceed 4 pages each. They must clearly show the position and job the proposed person held in the reference project and for how long.

Please calculate your financial tender based exactly on the parameters specified in Chapter 5 Quantitative requirements. The contractor is not contractually entitled to use up the days, trips, workshops or budgets in full. The number of days, trips and workshops and the budgets will be contractually agreed as maximum limits. The specifications for pricing are defined in the price schedule.

Annex / Attachments

Submission of offer: The Expression of Interest should contain the following:

A. Technical Proposal:

• A cover letter expressing your interest in this assignment
• Technical proposal with a brief description of why you would be considered as the most suitable for the assignment, relevant expertise, and a detailed, clear methodology, your approach to complete the assignment, template attached.
• Company registration certificate (RDB)
• VAT-Registration certificate
• Latest tax clearance certificate
• Proof of successful completion of related assignments.

B. Financial Proposal: The price per service category must contain all relevant costs supported by a breakdown of each cost. The costs must be in RWF and VAT

Please submit electronically your EoI (technical & Financial offer) in 2 separated emails and should be in PDF files to this email ONLY: RW_Quotation@giz.de until latest 16 July 2024

Please you must write on each email subject this sentence: 

83468667 Technical/financial offer, without this sentence, your offer may not be considered

Hard copies are not allowed this time

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