REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Conducting Gender Analysis in Tanzania

Program Name	Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU)
Sectors	Gender, Health and Nutrition, Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL)
Program Goal	Improve and sustain nutrition outcomes for the poorest and most marginalized women, adolescent girls, and children in Bahi and Itigi districts in Tanzania and Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Nabilatuk districts in Uganda through comprehensive and integrated nutrition-specific and nutrition-determining strategies targeting individuals, communities, health service providers, and the broader health system.
Implementing Partners	Sustainable Environment Management Action – SEMA
Location (country region/s)	Tanzania (Itigi and Bahi districts)
Program period to be covered	March 2023 – March 2028
Funding Agency	Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Responsible ACF HQ	Action Against Hunger – Canada
Consultancy Period	September to December 2024

 

BACKGROUND

Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organization committed to ending world hunger. We work to save the lives of malnourished children and provide communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. The organization operates in over 45 countries, responding to emergencies and implementing long-term programs to combat hunger and malnutrition. Our mission extends beyond immediate relief; we work tirelessly to ensure access to safe water, promote food security, and empower communities to build resilience against future crises. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to gender equality and social justice, empowering women, girls, and marginalized groups to participate fully in decision-making processes that affect their lives. Through innovative programs and partnerships, we aim to transform communities by addressing gender-based inequalities, promoting sustainable nutrition outcomes, and fostering inclusive development practices in the power of collaboration and innovation to create a world where no one suffers from hunger or malnutrition.

Project Background

The five years (March 2023 to March 2028) Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Action Against Hunger, KAWUO and SEMA, aims to enhance and sustain nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable groups: women, adolescent girls, and children in Bahi and Itigi districts in Tanzania, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit and Moroto districts in Uganda.

The GENTU project employs comprehensive strategies designed to address both immediate nutritional needs and the underlying factors influencing nutrition in these communities. This includes targeted interventions aimed at individuals, communities, health service providers, and the broader health system. Recognizing the significant impact of gender disparities on nutrition access and health outcomes, the project adopts a holistic, gender-transformative approach aimed not only to address immediate nutritional challenges but also to dismantle entrenched gender norms and power imbalances that perpetuate inequalities. Aiming to empower women and girls, to engage male allies in promoting gender equality, and to advocate for policies that support inclusive nutrition strategies, GENTU seeks to foster long-term resilience and equitable development.

To make such an impact, the program focuses on three interconnected intermediate outcomes; (Intermediate Outcome 1100) Improved gender-transformative nutrition practices among pregnant and lactating women, children under 5, and adolescent girls in target districts; (Intermediate Outcome 1200) Strengthened delivery and utilization of quality genderequitable integrated nutrition and health services for the poorest and most marginalized, especially women, adolescent girls, and children in target districts; and (Intermediate Outcome 1300) Improved coordination and effectiveness of gender-focused NGOs and government stakeholders to provide community-based, nutrition-specific initiatives for women, adolescent girls, and children in target districts.

Intermediate Outcome 1100 will contribute to community members’ empowerment, particularly PLW and adolescent girls, to adopt optimal nutrition practices, including those related to gender-responsive MIYCAN and management of malnutrition. Malnutrition will also be tackled in part by improving gender-responsive WASH practices and by scaling up women’s capacity for nutrition-sensitive agriculture. These nutrition supporting practices will be adopted at both the household and community level with the support of local power holders including husbands, fathers, and community and religious leaders, leading to improvements in the nutrition outcomes of PLW and adolescents, as well as their U5 children.

Intermediate Outcome 1200 will improve nutrition among target beneficiaries by strengthening the quality and delivery of equitable health and nutrition services in an integrated fashion. The project’s emphasis on improved integration between nutrition-specific interventions and primary health care is based on evidence that integration has been associated with improvements in early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, night blindness as a result of vitamin A supplementation, and recovery from and reduced relapse of children with SAM and MAM. In addition, intermediate outcome 1200 will see more women, children, and adolescents utilizing health services and receiving nutrition-related treatments due to the removal of gender and age-based barriers.

Intermediate Outcome 1300 will help to facilitate, concretize, and sustain the gains across intermediate outcomes 1100 and 1200 by strengthening community mechanisms to consistently provide effectively, coordinated multi-sector nutrition programs by empowering feminist CBOs through enhanced skills and platforms, to partner with governments to shape and deliver programs aligned with national multi-sectoral nutrition strategies.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT Scope and Objective

Action Against Hunger Tanzania is seeking a consultant to conduct a participatory gender analysis in Bahi and Itigi districts in Tanzania from September 2024 to December 2024 as part of the GENTU Project. The objectives of this gender analysis are to:

1. Identify primary gaps in the provision and uptake of gender-responsive health and nutrition services within the targeted communities of Bahi and Itigi districts.
2. Identify primary opportunities in the provision and uptake of gender-responsive health and nutrition services within the targeted communities of Bahi and Itigi districts.
3. Identify opportunities and ways to promote equitable sharing of domestic and caregiving responsibilities among households and communities in Bahi and Itigi districts.
4. Assess the underlying factors that influence priority behaviors identified as part of the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) strategy within the targeted communities.

The purposes of this gender analysis are to:

• Facilitate the early identification of any potential gaps or shortcomings in our current GENTU programming that could become obstacles to the fulfillment of set targets and outcomes and prevent gender transformation in the areas of intervention of the project.
• Facilitate the course correction and enhancement of diverse intervention strategies currently being implemented as part of the GENTU project towards a more gender transformative programmatic agenda in all sectors of interventions.
• Gain in-depth insights on contextually relevant information gaps to refine and strengthen the messaging, strategies and monitoring of SBC for the project.

The Consultant will work closely with ACF GENTU team to ensure alignment with project goals, integrate feedback, and refine approaches.

METHODOLOGY

The participatory gender analysis will be undertaken through a mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) approach. The key methods will include but are not limited to:

• A desk review of existing literature, reports and data to understand the context, and identified gaps.
• Develop all the relevant gender analysis tools
• Data compilation, analysis, report writing and feedback sessions.
• Methodology for selecting respondents.
• Develop and conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) involving the primary participants/beneficiaries of the project.
• Develop and conduct Key informant interviews (KIIs) involving the primary participants/beneficiaries of the project.

KEY OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

During the period from September to December 2024, the consultant conducting the participatory gender analysis in Tanzania (Bahi, Itigi districts) is expected to deliver the following key outputs:

• Inception Report with detailed plan outlining the methodology, gender analysis framework utilized, tools and timeline for conducting the gender analyses in the target districts
• Validation workshop event & report summarizing preliminary findings from data collection, compilation and analysis and main contents of draft gender analysis report.
• Draft Gender Analysis Report.
• Final Gender Analysis Report (in English) consolidating all findings, analysis, conclusions, and actionable recommendations.
• An Executive Summary of the Gender analysis.
• Facilitation of a dissemination workshop event to present final gender analysis report findings and actionable recommendations (audience, language and modalities to be determined at a later stage).

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

• At least 7 years of proven experience and expertise in conducting gender analyses (including in East Africa or similar contexts).
• A Masters’ Degree or equivalent in either Women & Gender Studies, Political Science, International Development etc.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Excellent knowledge and proven expertise in gender equality, women’s empowerment, gender transformative programming and SBC.
• Excellent knowledge of the existing links between gender inequality, Gender-Based Violence and Nutrition.
• Excellent knowledge of Nutrition as a Human Rights and Gender Justice Issue in integrated health systems programming.
• Knowledge of the Tanzanian health systems, community structures, and contexts related to health and nutrition services in rural settings.
• Familiarity with the socio-economic and cultural contexts of Singida and Dodoma regions in Tanzania is considered an asset.
• Excellent report writing and oral communication skills in English and Swahili is required.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including community members, local authorities, health service providers, and NGOs.
• Facilitation skills and the ability to manage the diversity of views in different cultural contexts are a requirement.
• Adherence to ethical standards in research and data collection related to Gender Based Violence (GBV), including informed consent, confidentiality, and sensitivity to cultural norms and practices.
• Ability to manage the available resources and adhere to timelines and deliverables ensuring timely completion of all project phases.
• Gender balance in the proposed team, at all levels, is highly recommended and should be striven for.

CONTRACT MODALITIES

An Independent Service Contract from September to December 2024 with clear terms, responsibilities, and expectations between Action Against Hunger Tanzania and the consultant.

LOCATION

The consultancy is home-based except during the data collection phases. The consultant should be prepared to travel within the respective districts for data collection: Bahi and Itigi districts in Tanzania.

PAYMENT CONDITIONS

• 30% of the total fee upon signing the contract(s) or commencement of work, to cover initial planning and preparation.
• 30% upon successful completion of data collection phase, Validation workshop, submission of the draft gender analysis report for review and feedback
• 40% to be paid upon acceptance, approval of final gender analysis report which should incorporate all revisions or additional requirements stipulated in the contract(s) and delivery of each dissemination workshop.
• All payments will be made via bank transfer in the local currency, Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). Action Against Hunger Tanzania will be responsible for deducting all applicable taxes as per local regulations

LEGAL AND ETHICAL MATTERS

Based on the requirements and considerations outlined; a refined statement regarding legal and ethical matters for the consultancy agreement:

• Action Against Hunger retains ownership of all draft and final documentation related to this gender analysis. The consultants agree that these documents and any related publications will not be shared with any party other than Action Against Hunger without explicit written consent.
• Action Against Hunger is designated as the primary recipient of the two (2) gender analyses. However, they may share the results with specific groups, including donors, governmental partners, and coordination bodies as necessary for program coordination and reporting purposes.
• The consultants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest that could compromise the independence or impartiality of the gender analysis. This includes relationships with stakeholders or organizations that could influence the outcomes or perceptions of the evaluation.
• The consultant agrees to conduct gender analysis in accordance with ethical principles, respecting the dignity, rights, and confidentiality of all individuals involved. This includes adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards applicable to the consultancy.

APPLICATION PACKAGES AND PROCEDURES

Qualified and interested parties are welcome to submit a proposal for the gender analysis. Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

1. Letter of interest in submission of a proposal for the Gender Analysis (in the form of an email), to: tender@tz-actionagainsthunger.org by Sunday September 1^st  2024 at 23:59 EAT.
2. Detailed proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this Request for Proposals and including the following:
   • Proposed approach to conducting each gender analysis, including description of methodologies, tools, sample size and strategies for stakeholder engagement.
   • Proposed approaches to data analysis, in response to overall objectives.
   • A proposed timeframe detailing activities and schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart for all stages of each gender analysis process, include information/support required from Action Against Hunger.
   • Demonstrated previous experience in mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) and other qualifications.
   • Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member and indication of language skills of team members (if more than one).
3. A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study:
   • Itemized consultancy fee/costs
   • Currency of offer (should be submitted in Tanzanian Shilling)
   • Validity period of the offer from the date of submission.

1. Curriculum Vitae(s) of all proposed team members outlining relevant experience.
2. Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience.
3. A Consulting Firm profile (if applicable).

The proposal will be evaluated based on both technical (methodology) and financial (budget) aspects. The Contracting Authority selects the offer with the best value for money using an 80/20 weighting between technical quality and price.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted

Complete applications should be submitted electronically to tender@tzactionagainsthunger.org with the subject line: “GENTU GENDER ANALYSIS” no later than Sunday September 1^st , 2024, by 23:59 EAT.

RFQ/Tender Information and Attachments

For comprehensive information regarding this RFQ/tender, we invite you to download the attachments provided below. These documents contain all the necessary details, including specifications, requirements, and submission guidelines. Please review them carefully to ensure you have all the pertinent information needed to participate.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL TENDER NOTICE HERE