TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR GENDER INCLUSION & PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURE YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE FUTURE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE(YEFFA)

PROJECT TITTLE: UNLOCKING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE OF RWANDA

Background

The above project is implemented by Empower Rwanda a Women-led Non-Governmental Organization, as one of the consortium partners implementing this project. Each Consortium Partner has its distinct role in the implementation of this project. The project aims strengthening agri-food system and create 300,000 dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for youth (70% of them women) The value chains supported are horticulture mainly chillies &avocado, poultry. The project shall be implemented in the whole of Eastern Province of Rwanda.

The consortium partners implementing this project are: YEAN which provides of technical training, promote technology for the horticulture value chain as well as provision of extension services with aim of job creation, Akazi Kanoze for youth aspiration, foundation business skilling for youth startups and establishment of youth saving groups. ABUSOL provides technical training, promoting technology for the poultry value chain and supporting beneficiaries (project participants) exploit market development for the poultry products with aim of job creation. Another partner implementing this project is ADC which provides Business Development service to SMES and youth groups for job creation as well as link trained youth to business opportunities (finance and markets) and last RYAF which is leading mobilization and screening of the beneficiaries as well as the collaboration in organizing engagements for voice, inclusion, and advocacy on challenges that youth face. All these key implementation pathways need to involve gender so that it is mainstreamed across all the work the project encompasses and this is ER’s role in YEFFA.

The project seeks to create impact in improved sustainable agricultural productivity for competitiveness by youth farmers, equitable Access to increased Market opportunities, deepened Financial inclusion for the youth, improved coordination and a strengthened entrepreneurship ecosystem for the youth as well as co-ordinated agriculture sector players and strengthened voice of young people.

Empower Rwanda was established and officially registered in Rwanda to support women and youth for an impactful change to create a sustainable development for themselves and their communities to have a social economic transformation that would unleash development to empower a just society free from violence of any form. ER works with stakeholders to eliminate all forms of discrimination promoting equity and equality through a provision of a broad array of vital support services.

Rationale

It’s in this regard that the above project is being implemented to close these key social and economic challenges to steer Youth entrepreneurship for the future of food and agriculture (YEFFA project). It is estimated that 78% of Rwanda’s population is under the age of 35. This large and growing youth population presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the country. The annual unemployment rate stands at 20.5% with the unemployment rate being higher among females (23.7%) than among males (17.9%) and higher among youth (25.6%) than among adults (17.1%). Additionally, agriculture employs over 65% of Rwanda’s population and out of these 79.1% are women making them key producers for the agriculture market economy. These statistics shape national interventions in terms of employment creation. YEFFA seeks to support the youth more so young women to be the key unleashing potential upon which agriculture can be a key source of growth and development championed by the youth.

Some of the factors responsible for inequality of productive agriculture resources that hinders employment opportunities for the youth, women and other marginalized people in the agriculture sector include limited employable skills, limited access to finance and land, weak supply chains knowledge of opportunities, traditional cultural gender norms and exclusion from policy dialogues and opportunities hindering participation to deter their contributions.

Purpose of the Baseline Survey

The baseline study is intended to provide the status of gender dynamics in the agriculture sector in Eastern province of Rwanda, and how gender plays out to job employment for women as well as provide data on social, economic and environmental data at the beginning of the project and how these are responsible for job creation and participation for women in the agriculture sector value chains. Key aspects to be considered are financial resilience, including through BDS and access to capital as well as participation in agriculture markets. Also, capacity in entrepreneurship ecosystem and inclusion are key to be considered and how women in agriculture seek these opportunities for economic growth.

The survey will measure key indicators related to the above and will provide information base that will serve as benchmark against which change and progress will be assessed against ER milestones. The successful applicant will internally discuss which of these are a priority for YEFFA as well as for relevant consortium partners.

Approach and Methodology

The baseline survey will be conducted in Rwanda's seven districts of the Eastern Province: Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma, Rwamagana, and Bugesera. The successful applicant will develop a detailed baseline design and methodology as part of their work plan, including a series of data collection instruments.

Data collection Methodology

The project intends to implement a participatory monitoring system based on an M&E Framework which was developed during the inception period of the project together with a team of consortium organizations. The baseline methodology is expected to review the M&E framework, as far as possible, and provide data for the project indicator targets which will allow comparability in the future. The project has a reporting online system that captures outcomes indicators outputs as well as milestones on a quarterly basis. This baseline will also seek to establish the successes the project will achieve over time since it started.

This assignment to be undertaken is expected to employ a variety of data collection and analysis techniques for both quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive baseline exercise. And this will likely include, at a minimum:

Surveys: Application of structured relevant survey questionnaires with a representative, random sample of target population to quantitatively assess outcomes. ER will have to be engaged so that this this is equitable in structure

Focus Group Discussions: With target groups and other stakeholders to assess implementation experiences and effectiveness, document challenges lessons learned, and develop recommendations for improvement (for both Quantitative and qualitative)

Key Informant Interviews: Consultations with local leaders, women led cooperatives or associations in the above value chains (if any) Financial institutions, other relevant actors/Organizations, key project stakeholders including consortium partners. guidance on appropriate stakeholders to engage during the exercise will be provided by Empower Rwanda.

Sampling

The project aims to collaborate with young women/Teen moms as well as consortium partners and youth in partnership with local government authorities and other development partners across seven districts of the Eastern Province: Nyagatare, Gatsibo, Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma, Rwamagana, and Bugesera. The successful applicant will propose representative sample size for the various targeted participant categories, to be agreed upon during the inception phase with Empower Rwanda.

Data analysis

Prior to the start of data collection, the evaluation team shall develop and present, for Empower Rwanda (ER) review and approval, a data analysis plans that details how: (1) qualitative data such as key informant, stakeholder, and beneficiary interviews and/or focus group discussions will be transcribed and analyzed; (2) quantitative data will be analyzed and presented. Whenever possible, data will be disaggregated and analyzed by age and sex.

Deliverables

The deliverables will include the following:

This assignment is to be done by a Consultant who will produce an inception report prior to the field work and this report will serve as a basis for making the consultancy contract.

• Develop and finalize (sample size calculation, development of sampling frame, survey design)
• Developsurvey 
• Programmingsurvey instrument in an appropriate software agree on with ER
• Developand finalize survey-training
• Traindata collectors, pre-test and survey instrument.
• Datacollection
• Enter,clean and analyze collected survey data.
• Draftsurvey report and integrate

Supervision & reporting arrangements

The Consultant will be supervised by and will directly report to the Country Director guided by the technical team at Empower Rwanda.

Profileofthe Consultant

The Assignment is to be conducted by an Individual Consultant. Interested consultants should meet the following minimum requirements;

• Master’sdegree holder with at least one degree in Development Studies, Business studies, Social Development and other related field.
• Havea minimum of 5 years’ experience in evaluating similar 
• Havingknowledge of key concepts on and skills on employment & entrepreneurship especially amongst women and Youth in Rwanda.

Selection Criteria

The selection of the consultant will be based on:

• Quality and relevance of the proposed approach and methodology
• Demonstrated experience and qualifications
• Clarity and feasibility of the proposed timeline and work plan
• Value for money as reflected in the financial proposal
• Physical proof of previous works
• Collect and review from previous customers (minimum 3 customers)

Disclaimer

ER reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, number of short-listed interested consultants (individual) the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice and reserves the rights to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

How to apply

ER invites eligible and interested Consultants to submit their applications by email on procurement@empowerwanda.org including a technical proposal, financial proposal, ,CVs mentioning the profile of consultant, before 5:00 PM, 30^th July 2024.

Done at Kigali on 23^th July 2024

KABATESI Olivia Promise

Country Director

Empower Rwanda