Inclusion Consultant
We are hiring an Inclusion Consultant
About Spark Microgrants
Over the past 10 years, Spark Microgrants has been working towards raising vulnerable communities out of poverty, by empowering them to design and implement their own social impact projects. This has been done through Facilitating Collective Action Planning (FCAP), accompanied with giving them a microgrant to support their plans. At the core of the FCAP model is emphasis on inclusion of all participants within the community in FCAP activities. This is achieved through community members attending facilitated weekly village meetings where a space is created for them to design a community project, make collective decisions about it, and receive funds to implement it. They also receive technical support in order to equip them with the skills and expert knowledge to adequately carry out all these activities. In the context of the FCAP, inclusion has mostly been focused on gender i.e particularly tracking the attendance and participation of women in community meetings, project activities as well as holding leadership positions within the community.

From regular monitoring data, we have observed an average increase of 8% in women attendance, a 42% average increase in female participation and an average of 50% female leaders in communities. Additionally, qualitative studies have shown us that the main change that is experienced by women as a result of the FCAP is increased access to income and savings, followed by an increase in household assets. There has also been an increase in confidence and independence of women because they now have access to their own money.
These changes show us the impact that the model has had on women in particular. However, there is a need to expand the organization’s scope of defining minority groups. Furthermore, there is room to show how the loop is closed by getting a clearer understanding of how changes brought by the FCAP in the lives of women (individual level) in turn affect the overall development of the community. This will subsequently contribute to the conversation around the importance of including vulnerable groups in their community development - something this study aims to do.

As a team, we share a set of common values that shape ‘how’ we work. These are:
1. Facilitators. We don’t impose; we enable others to generate impact.
2. Community-driven. We are motivated by what is best for the community.
3. Process-centered. The how of what we do is just as important as the what.
4. Authentic. Our vision and values live in everything we do.
5. Dynamic. We seek opportunities and are willing to take risks to serve our community partners better.

Terms Of Reference And Scope Of Work
Objectives
Spark Microgrants is seeking an inclusion expert to help us articulate and understand the approach that is used to include the voices of marginalized groups in FCAP communities. This includes understanding the role that the inclusion of voices of marginalized groups plays towards the overall impact of the FCAP within Spark partner communities (or potential lack of). As well as ascertaining whether there is a need to adapt Spark’s current approach of routinely collecting both qualitative and quantitative data on marginalized groups. Specifically, Spark seeks a consultant to work closely with team members and address the following research questions:
1. How have the voices of marginalized groups (women, disabled people, elderly, etc.) been included in and impacted their communities?
a. Are the voices of marginalized groups included in decisions around the development of their community? If so, through what mechanisms/processes is this achieved?
b. How has the inclusion (or not) of the different groups affected the impact of the FCAP in communities?
2. Is there a need for including a specific inclusion module within Spark’s monitoring and evaluation process? If so, what would such a model look like?

Scope of work
1. Review of documentation and data analysis
o Review the documentation provided by Spark, summarizing the organization’s current approach to inclusion of vulnerable groups in the FCAP process. As part of this review, highlight the strengths and gaps of the current approach.
o Conduct a meta analysis on a set of data from our routine monitoring tools, as well as prior studies that have been conducted on the topic, and generate a simplified and easily understood report on the impact of the FCAP model on inclusion.
2. Based on the review and analysis, propose a model for assessing inclusion within the FCAP, and the impacts of inclusive decision making and leadership. This should be an interactive process with members of the Impact team, with an aspect of capacity building. Workshop sessions should cover best practices for collecting and analyzing inclusion metrics in the context of the FCAP, design/update of the data collection tools as well as training on them.

Methodology
Task 1: Review of documentation and Meta data analysis
• Desk review, based on material provided by Spark
• The consultant will need to participate in a community visit in order to get context and observe the FCAP in action
• Data analysis- Meta analysis of previous studies as well as the data set that will be provided

Task 2: Develop an improved model for measuring inclusion.
• Workshops- Inclusion specialist to facilitate capacity building workshops with members of the impact team covering best practices for collecting inclusion data, designing appropriate data collection tools as well as how to articulate these results to diverse audiences.
• Workshops will be held in person with members of the impact team and should be highly interactive. With a particular focus on discussing the design and utilization of current data collection tools.
Task 3: Final Report
• Consultant to submit a write up of the proposed holistic approach for collecting inclusion data, as well as a plan for piloting the proposed model.

Deliverables
1. A report that summarizes the current approach to collecting inclusion data
2. A meta analysis of our current data on inclusion, and existing evaluation reports on the inclusive effects of the model. Resulting in a clear and concise narrative of the impact of the FCAP model on women.
3. Approximately 2-3 interactive workshops facilitated by the consultant with identified members of the Spark Microgrants Impact team
4. A proposed module for collecting data on inclusion of minority groups in their community development activities, as well as the associated data collection tools
5. A report that summarizes the proposed approach, and a pilot designed for testing it in FCAP communities
6. A presentation of the results of this consultancy to key members of the Spark Microgrants team
Timeline
Activity Delivery date
Contract Signing 16th May

Submit an inception report including the following;
• An illustration of the different approaches that are used in the development space to collect data on inclusion of minority groups
• A specific plan for the meta analysis including specific analyses that will be done on the data set that will be provided
• A detailed plan and schedule for the workshops including topic outlines/content to be covered
• A detailed budget for the whole project 1st June

Consultant field visit Between 1st June and 22nd June
Submit a review of the current Spark approach to collecting data on inclusion, highlighting strengths and gaps 22nd June
Workshops completed: Workshops should include a background on the review of the current approach that the consultant carried out Between 27th June and 8th July
Meta analysis completed 13th July
Share a summary report that includes preliminary findings from the meta analysis and the proposed model 29th July
Based on feedback, write up the full report draft 12th August
Present key findings to key members of the Spark team 19th August
Based on feedback, write final report 31st August

Requirements/Who We Are Looking For:
Applications are welcomed from individuals, or teams, whether belonging to an organization or otherwise.
The following skills and experiences are essential criteria for all applicants:
• A very strong understanding of inclusion of marginalized groups within the development sector
• Very strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
• Experience in conducting and/or managing similar or comparable assignments (preferably within the Rwandan, Ugandan and/or Burundian context)
• Ability to to bring together inputs into clear and concise summaries or recommendations
• Knowledge of the Social Cohesion, Livelihoods, Civic Engagement and/or Social Accountability field(s) within international development

Why Work With Us:
• You will be joining a dynamic team that hails from ten countries around the world and is committed to our vision
• We want to hear your innovative ideas, your vision for the future, and your critical questions.
• We respect and value work-life balance and your need for downtime, vacation, and reflection.
• You will join a dynamic and growing organization with a clear pathway to learning and career advancement.

Other Information:
Position: Inclusion Consultant
Project: Inclusion of Marginalized Groups in Their Community Development
Location: Uganda or Rwanda
Application end date: Friday 6th May 2022, 1700 CAT

Submission Procedure
To apply, interested parties should submit a proposal of Expression of Interest to Spark Microgrants with the required information by following the this link: https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=41&source=aWQ9Ng%3D%3D
• Attach a brief cover letter (no more than two pages) demonstrating how you meet the criteria above
• Your proposal should have a draft work plan and an associated budget to include the daily rates of all individuals involved and a description of the roles they each play within the team.
• Include CVs for all individuals listed in the proposal
• Your proposal should have a maximum of two examples of previous work that demonstrates the skills or experience relevant to this assignment

Equal Opportunity
Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.