Call: Short-Term Consultancy for Gender Audit in CR WASH Activity

Call for application: Short Term Consultancy Service for Conducting Gender Audit within CR WASH Activity and  the WASH Sector in CR WASH Implementation regions

About RTI

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI’s Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG&R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&R will leverage RTI’s experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

SG&R’s Water portfolio has delivered innovative, breakthrough solutions in key development sectors globally, including water sector governance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, water resources management, community engagement, urban resilience, and institutional capacity building. 

1. Introduction

   1. Background to the Project

The USAID Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (CR-WASH) Activity is a five-year activity aimed at accelerating the expansion and sustainability of climate-resilient water services and the adoption of key hygiene and sanitation practices for underserved and vulnerable lowland areas in Afar, Oromia, Somali, and South Ethiopia regions. The Activity will achieve this through four complementary intermediate results (IRs):

1. Professionalize and expand climate-resilient water services.

2. Increase sustainable access to and use of sanitation and hygiene products and services, including menstrual health and hygiene.

3. Improve gender power dynamics.

4. Strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient water and sanitation services.

To improve the gender power dynamics in the WASH sector, especially in lowland areas, the CR WASH Activity  is committed to advancing gender equality and inclusivity in the WASH sector across its implementation regions. A gender audit is essential to evaluate the extent of gender mainstreaming, identify gaps, and enhance the participation and empowerment of women in WASH activities and institutions. This audit will assess CR WASH activities and the broader WASH sector to provide actionable insights for improving gender-responsive programming.

Objective of the gender audit:

The objectives of this gender audit are to:

1. Assess the integration of gender equality principles within CR WASH activities and the broader WASH sector at regional level and in five selected woredas (Babilie (Oromia), Millie, Jijiga, Shinile, Yabello, Hammer)
2. Evaluate the level of women’s participation in WASH-related decision-making and resource access in CR WASH implementation regions.
3. Identify structural, institutional, and cultural barriers to gender equality and propose strategies to overcome them.
4. Provide a comprehensive report with recommendations to enhance gender mainstreaming in CR WASH and the WASH sector.

Scope of Work

The consultancy firm will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Review relevant policies, strategies, and documents related to gender equality in CR WASH activities and the WASH sector.

2. Engage with key stakeholders, including WASHCO members, regional managers, and gender focal persons, through interviews and FGDs.

3. Conduct field visits to CR WASH implementation regions to collect primary data.

4. Assess institutional capacity, practices, and structures for gender mainstreaming.

5. Analyze collected data to produce evidence-based findings and recommendations.

6. Prepare and submit all deliverables as outlined in the key deliverables section

Key deliverables 

The consultant will deliver the following:

• Inception report with detailed methodology, work plan, and data collection tools tailored to CR WASH and WASH sector contexts.
• Data collection and analysis:  collection of qualitative and quantitative data through desk reviews, interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and surveys; and gender-disaggregated analysis to identify patterns and disparities.
• Draft gender audit report including findings on gender mainstreaming practices, gaps, and challenges within CR WASH and the WASH sector and preliminary recommendations for validation by CR WASH stakeholders.
• Validation Workshop facilitatedto present findings and gather stakeholder feedback in Adama for 40 participants (2 days venue and refreshment only).
• Final gender audit report thatincorporates feedback from the validation workshop and includes a roadmap for implementing the recommendations.

Duration: The consultancy is expected to last for 30 days, starting from January 17, 2025, and concluding by February 28, 2025. 

Deliverables and timeframe for submission

Anticipated outcomes

The gender audit is expected to yield the following outcomes:

1. Enhanced understanding of gender dynamics through a comprehensive analysis of the status of gender integration within CR WASH activities and the broader WASH sector in the implementation regions and identification of the roles, participation levels, and decision-making influence of women in WASH institutions, including WASHCOs.
   1. Identification structural, cultural, and institutional gaps and barriers hindering gender equality and women’s empowerment and document gender disparities in resource allocation, capacity-building opportunities, and leadership roles.
   2. Assessment of institutional practices through evaluation of the effectiveness of existing gender policies, strategies, and practices in CR WASH and the WASH sector and assessment of the institutional capacity for gender mainstreaming and responsiveness.
   3. Actionable and evidence-based recommendations to improve gender equality, increase women’s participation, and address identified gaps and a roadmap or action plan for implementing gender-sensitive interventions in CR WASH activities and the WASH sector.
   4. Capacity Building and Awareness to strengthened understanding of gender issues among CR WASH staff, WASHCO members, and other stakeholders through engagement during the audit process and increased institutional commitment to gender equality and inclusive practices.
   5. Enhanced accountability through establishment of a baseline for gender equality within CR WASH and the WASH sector to track future progress and strengthened accountability mechanisms for integrating gender into program activities and policies.

Supervision and Reporting Arrangement 

The consultancy firm will closely work with CR WASH Gender Advisor on the day-today activities of the assignment and reports and CR WASH regional managers during data collection. 

Expected Experience and Qualifications

To ensure high-quality and comprehensive results, the firm selected to conduct the gender audit should meet the following qualifications and experience requirements:

Essential Requirements

1.         Copy of valid and renewed business license, TIN, and VAT registration certificate.

2.         Firm’s contact details: telephone number, email, and contact person’s name.

3.         Prices may be quoted in USD, but payment will be made in ETB according to the prevailing exchange rate on the payment request date.

General Qualifications

• Educational Background:
  • The firm must have a team with a strong educational foundation in gender studies, social sciences, development studies, or related fields. 
  • A Master’s degree or higher in relevant fields is preferred for the lead consultant(s).

Professional Experience

• Experience in Gender Audits:
  • The firm should have at least 5 years of experience conducting gender audits or similar assessments, especially in the development, WASH, or related sectors.
  • Proven track record of conducting gender assessments or audits for large-scale programs, organizations, or government initiatives.
• Experience in the WASH Sector:
  • Knowledge and prior experience in gender analysis within the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector or similar public services is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with gender-related issues in WASH, particularly regarding women’s participation, leadership, and access to resources.
• Experience in Data Collection and Analysis:
  • Proven experience in using both qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., interviews, focus group discussions, surveys) for data collection and analysis.
  • Expertise in gender-sensitive data collection methodologies and tools.
• Experience in Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Experience in conducting fieldwork, including interviews, consultations, and workshops with various stakeholders, such as local communities, government bodies, and WASH institutions.
  • Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including women, to ensure inclusivity in the audit process.

Skills and Competencies

• Gender Expertise:
  • In-depth understanding of gender equality and mainstreaming concepts and methodologies, especially in relation to development programs.
  • Familiarity with global, regional, and local gender equality frameworks and their application in sectoral programs, such as WASH.
• Capacity for Cultural Sensitivity:
  • Ability to conduct audits in diverse and culturally sensitive environments, particularly in the CR WASH regions.
  • Experience in developing culturally appropriate tools and strategies for gender analysis.
• Strong Reporting and Communication Skills:
  • Excellent analytical skills to produce clear, concise, and actionable audit reports.
  • Strong communication skills for presenting findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with Gender Action Plans:
  • Ability to develop practical and actionable gender integration strategies and recommendations that align with CR WASH’s objectives.
  • Experience in supporting organizations with the implementation of gender-responsive action plans.

Track Record and References

• Relevant Portfolio:
  • The firm should provide examples of previous gender audits, assessments, or evaluations conducted, including details of the methodologies used and the results achieved.
• Client References:
  • At least three references from previous clients that can speak to the firm’s experience and expertise in conducting gender audits or similar assessments in development contexts.

Capacity to Handle Multiple Stakeholders and Diverse Contexts

• Team Composition:
  • A multi-disciplinary team with experience in both gender and WASH programming, including experts in gender analysis, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and relevant sectoral knowledge (WASH).
• Experience with Multi-Stakeholder Coordination:
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders, including local authorities, community members, NGOs, and regional offices.

Language Proficiency

• Language Skills:
  • Fluency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages spoken in CR WASH implementation regions (e.g., Amharic, Afaan Oromo, Afar, Somali) is highly desirable to facilitate data collection and ensure inclusivity in consultations.

Ethical Standards and Confidentiality

• The firm must adhere to ethical standards for conducting gender audits, ensuring confidentiality and respectful engagement with communities and stakeholders throughout the process.

Submission Requirements:

Interested firms should submit: 

1. A technical proposal outlining their approach to the gender audit.
2. A financial proposal with a detailed budget breakdown.
3. A portfolio of relevant work and CVs of team members.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on Technical and financial evaluation.

The weights given to the technical and Financial Proposals are:

• Technical =80% , and

• Financial =20%

Applicants getting less than 40% out of 80% in the technical evaluation shall be rejected and the financial proposals of those consultants scoring 40% and above shall be considered.

RTI shall award the applicant that has the highest point in the total sum of results of the technical and financial evaluation.

Payment and Schedule 

The amount of the payment/daily rate of the assignment will be negotiated between the consultant and RTI International. The consultant will be paid the agreed total amount up on completion of the task and submitting the training report. Travel costs and accommodations for field works will be covered by the consultant. The selected firm will be paid based on the following installments:

How To Apply

Submission Deadline:

Submit a complete proposal in PDF format via email to procurement@cr-wash.org.  Include Gender Audit in the subject line of the submission. The application should be addressed to: Attention: Procurement Unit. All proposals must be submitted by January 12, 2025, at 5:30PM local time. Any proposal received after the deadline for submission shall be declared late and will be rejected.

Contact Information:

For any inquiries and submission of proposals, please contact – USAID CR WASH activity procurement at procurement@cr-wash.org.