RWANDA
CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY CAPACITY
NEEDS OF LOCAL CSOs IN RWANDA
CIVIL SOCIETY PLATFORM TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY CAPACITY
NEEDS OF LOCAL CSOs IN RWANDA
1.
Background
Background
Rwanda’s
civil society is highly diverse with CSOs represented in such sectors as human
rights and democratic governance, social protection, HIV & AIDS, peace and
reconciliation, community development among others. CSO structures are
considered as relatively developed but they face limitation in terms of
diversity in membership and involvement of citizens in charity giving and
civil society is highly diverse with CSOs represented in such sectors as human
rights and democratic governance, social protection, HIV & AIDS, peace and
reconciliation, community development among others. CSO structures are
considered as relatively developed but they face limitation in terms of
diversity in membership and involvement of citizens in charity giving and
volunteer work. CSOs also exhibit huge disparities in internal capacities for
instance in programme design, monitoring and evaluation, financial management,
knowledge management, policy advocacy and gender mainstreaming. In addition,
urban-based CSOs with progressive leaders and sustainable resource base tend to
exhibit higher capacities as opposed to their rural counterparts.
The
weak capacities faced by CSOs limit their contribution to debate and advocacy
on issues of public interest. It also limits their possibilities to access
technical and financial assistance as well as raising resources internally.
They also have weak financial sustainability as evidenced by high level of
dependence on external funding. Few organizations have strategic plans with
clear sustainability strategies. Most of them lack the required institutional
capacities to deliver on their mandate. Except for international and a few
local NGOs, CSOs advocacy capacities are hampered by limited research skills,
limited citizen outreach and foreign languages barrier; hence the limited
engagement with the state on policy analysis, policy dialogue,
implementation and evaluation. At the local level, there is limited
understanding of the CSO mandate. This makes CSO engagement at local level less
effective. Consequently, CSOs are unable to effectively hold institutions
accountable, as well as meet social needs of the people.
weak capacities faced by CSOs limit their contribution to debate and advocacy
on issues of public interest. It also limits their possibilities to access
technical and financial assistance as well as raising resources internally.
They also have weak financial sustainability as evidenced by high level of
dependence on external funding. Few organizations have strategic plans with
clear sustainability strategies. Most of them lack the required institutional
capacities to deliver on their mandate. Except for international and a few
local NGOs, CSOs advocacy capacities are hampered by limited research skills,
limited citizen outreach and foreign languages barrier; hence the limited
engagement with the state on policy analysis, policy dialogue,
implementation and evaluation. At the local level, there is limited
understanding of the CSO mandate. This makes CSO engagement at local level less
effective. Consequently, CSOs are unable to effectively hold institutions
accountable, as well as meet social needs of the people.
A
CSO coordination mechanism has been established through the Rwanda Civil
Society Platform (RCSP), a non-profit making umbrella organization established
in 2004 with an objective to set up a platform for information sharing and
consultation between CSOs and their partners. The Platform is composed of 9
national umbrellas of NGOs and it has a total number of almost 1500 member
organizations. The idea of setting up this Platform came from various CSOs with
a desire to work together and to contribute to the integral development of the
country.
CSO coordination mechanism has been established through the Rwanda Civil
Society Platform (RCSP), a non-profit making umbrella organization established
in 2004 with an objective to set up a platform for information sharing and
consultation between CSOs and their partners. The Platform is composed of 9
national umbrellas of NGOs and it has a total number of almost 1500 member
organizations. The idea of setting up this Platform came from various CSOs with
a desire to work together and to contribute to the integral development of the
country.
In
a country geared towards democracy and accountable governance like Rwanda, the
RCSP and its members play a key role in coordinating the monitoring of
government policies and programs and in providing feedback to improve policy
formulation and implementation. RCSP main objectives are as follows: (i)
Promote solidarity and harmonious relations between the members of the CSOs;
(ii) Analyze the major challenges faced by the Rwandan population and adopt
common positions and strategies to address the challenges; (iii) Set up and
maintain an information system to enable CSOs to achieve their missions, acting
in close collaboration with all partners; (iv) Develop effective partnerships
at national, regional and international level; and (v) Provide strong representation
and advocacy for its members.
a country geared towards democracy and accountable governance like Rwanda, the
RCSP and its members play a key role in coordinating the monitoring of
government policies and programs and in providing feedback to improve policy
formulation and implementation. RCSP main objectives are as follows: (i)
Promote solidarity and harmonious relations between the members of the CSOs;
(ii) Analyze the major challenges faced by the Rwandan population and adopt
common positions and strategies to address the challenges; (iii) Set up and
maintain an information system to enable CSOs to achieve their missions, acting
in close collaboration with all partners; (iv) Develop effective partnerships
at national, regional and international level; and (v) Provide strong representation
and advocacy for its members.
The
RCSP is planning to seek meaningful involvement in national level planning
processes through their participation in governance, local monitoring and
community mobilization activities. The RCSP therefore wishes to help build the
capacity of the local CSOs so that they can efficiently and effectively
contribute to the development of their respective working sectors in Rwanda and
to secure:
RCSP is planning to seek meaningful involvement in national level planning
processes through their participation in governance, local monitoring and
community mobilization activities. The RCSP therefore wishes to help build the
capacity of the local CSOs so that they can efficiently and effectively
contribute to the development of their respective working sectors in Rwanda and
to secure:
•
Increased communication, cooperation, strategic planning, and joint action
Increased communication, cooperation, strategic planning, and joint action
•
Increased interaction between CSO’s with emphasis on content and
complementarities
Increased interaction between CSO’s with emphasis on content and
complementarities
•
Joint monitoring & experience sharing to identify the appropriate CSOs
capacity building interventions.
Joint monitoring & experience sharing to identify the appropriate CSOs
capacity building interventions.
The
Development Partners Retreat meeting in February 2017 recommended conducting a
capacity needs assessment of local CSOs. It is against this backdrop that the
RCSP is intending to commission a survey to identify capacity needs of its
members.
Development Partners Retreat meeting in February 2017 recommended conducting a
capacity needs assessment of local CSOs. It is against this backdrop that the
RCSP is intending to commission a survey to identify capacity needs of its
members.
2.
Objective and Scope of work
Objective and Scope of work
Identify
and assess the capacities of local CSOs and RCSP to fully implement their
mandates. The findings will help the RCSP to develop capacity
strengthening interventions so that they can better inform evidence based
policy and strategy within multiple sectors and promote partnership with various
development actors.
and assess the capacities of local CSOs and RCSP to fully implement their
mandates. The findings will help the RCSP to develop capacity
strengthening interventions so that they can better inform evidence based
policy and strategy within multiple sectors and promote partnership with various
development actors.
Specific
Objectives
Objectives
•
Assess and determine the capacity needs of local CSOs particularly vis-à-vis
the need to inform planning, policy making and decision making at all levels:
Assess and determine the capacity needs of local CSOs particularly vis-à-vis
the need to inform planning, policy making and decision making at all levels:
- Review
the different accountability and coordination mechanisms and the CSOs
contribution - Evaluate
the RCSP institutional capacities within the current development framework - Identify
RCSP’s member’s intervention space, their mandates and their respective major
partners - Review
the established partnership frameworks and provide suitable
recommendations
•
Propose a sustainable mechanism to support local CSOs capacity development
Propose a sustainable mechanism to support local CSOs capacity development
- Identify
priority empowerment initiatives
Description
of required services and approach
of required services and approach
The
Consultant will perform the following tasks:
Consultant will perform the following tasks:
- Review
the mandate of RCSP umbrella organizations and their members; - Present
and analyze factors affecting CSOs and RCSP functioning in their
respective working/thematic sectors; - Carry-out
a gap analysis on a selected sample of local CSOs’ and RCSP structures,
mandate, personnel and funding, relevant to the effective implementation
of their respective mandates with the view to develop their capacity; - More
specifically, assess CSOs and RCSP capacity needs for improving their
visibility and functioning including their capacities to mobilize
resources; - Carry
out an analysis on the capacity of the CSOs and RCSP to mainstream gender,
human rights, and the Agenda 2030; - Assess
institutional strategy, business processes, human resource management, use
of information, equipment and communications technology in regard to the
mandate of CSOs and RCSP; - Assess
training needs and requirements of the local CSOs and RCSP to access
training and education opportunities; - Map
capacities, needed resources and strategies to empower RCSP; - Map
and assess the current CSOs and RCSP partnership framework and advise
thereof; - Using
the information gathered from the assessments and analysis, propose
capacity development strategy and plan for the RCSP and means of
implementation.
3.
Key deliverables
Key deliverables
- Inception
report:
The Consultant will prepare an inception report which details the
consultant understanding of the assessment and how the assessment will be
conducted. This is to ensure that the consultant and the key stakeholders
have a shared understanding of the assessment. The inception report will
include the assessment design, methodology, questions, data sources and
collection analysis tools, work plan and time frame, 3-5 days after
starting the assignment. - Draft
Assessment report: The consultant will prepare a
draft assessment report within 35 days after the commencement of the
assignment. The draft report will be submitted to the RCSP. RCSP will then
circulate for comments and inputs by all relevant stakeholders and call
for a validation meeting with relevant stakeholders including, among
others, representatives from RCSP umbrella organizations, RGB, development
partners working in the field. - Final
Assessment report: The final report which includes
the capacity gaps analysis, capacity development strategy and the action
plan prioritizing areas of collaboration, will be submitted to the RCSP
within 4 days after receiving the comments.
4.
Organizational arrangements
Organizational arrangements
The
RCSP will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of this
assignment and will make every reasonable effort to assist the consultant in
carrying out the assignment.
RCSP will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of this
assignment and will make every reasonable effort to assist the consultant in
carrying out the assignment.
The
RCSP will form a Steering Committee to oversee the execution of the assignment
that will include MINECOFIN, UNDP and other interested
stakeholders.
RCSP will form a Steering Committee to oversee the execution of the assignment
that will include MINECOFIN, UNDP and other interested
stakeholders.
The
RCSP will provide work space as requested by the consultant. However, the
consultant is expected to be self-sufficient and use their own computer,
printer and phone.
RCSP will provide work space as requested by the consultant. However, the
consultant is expected to be self-sufficient and use their own computer,
printer and phone.
5.
Duration of the assignment
Duration of the assignment
The
survey will be conducted for 40 workings days and will include:
survey will be conducted for 40 workings days and will include:
- Inception
report including the desk research, design of survey instruments and
sampling criteria, the methodology and work plan: 5 days - Field
work: Data collection and analysis and report writing: 20 days - Submission
of draft report and incorporation of comments: 10 days - Validation
meeting with stakeholders: 1 day - Finalization
of the report: 4 days
6.
Duty station
Duty station
The
duty station of the assignment will be Kigali, Rwanda, specifically the RCSP
Office. However, the consultant may be required to travel to sites outside
Kigali as appropriate.
duty station of the assignment will be Kigali, Rwanda, specifically the RCSP
Office. However, the consultant may be required to travel to sites outside
Kigali as appropriate.
7.
Consultant Profile
Consultant Profile
Any
interested Local Consultant must have:
interested Local Consultant must have:
- Advanced
Degree (Masters or higher) in social sciences, law, public policy,
political science, economics, or a closely related field; - At
least 7 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in policy
and institutional issues in the field of democratic governance; - At
least 3 years of proven experience in carrying similar surveys and
assignments;
- A
very good understanding of the Rwanda Civil Society landscape and
experience working with CSOs; - Good
command of English. Knowledge of other languages spoken in Rwanda is an
advantage (Note: the report shall be written in English)
•
Required Competencies: communication, analytical, organizing and
negotiating skills; good interpersonal skills; ability to produce clear and
concise reports
Required Competencies: communication, analytical, organizing and
negotiating skills; good interpersonal skills; ability to produce clear and
concise reports
8.
Evaluation criteria
Evaluation criteria
The
consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial
criteria (combined scoring method). Maximum score is 100% out of which
technical criteria equals 70% and financial criteria equals 30%.
consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial
criteria (combined scoring method). Maximum score is 100% out of which
technical criteria equals 70% and financial criteria equals 30%.
The
technical evaluation will include the following:
technical evaluation will include the following:
|
Criteria
|
Weight
|
Max.
point |
|
Advanced
Degree (Masters or higher) in social sciences, law, public policy, political science, economics, or a closely related field, in combination with equivalent relevant work experience |
15
|
15
|
|
At
least 7 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in policy and institutional issues in the field of democratic governance |
25
|
25
|
|
Sound
methodology to conduct the assessment |
30
|
30
|
|
At
least 3 years of experience in carrying out similar studies and assignments |
15
|
15
|
|
A
very good understanding of the Rwanda Civil Society landscape and experience working with CSOs |
10
|
10
|
|
Good
command of English; other languages an advantage |
5
|
5
|
|
Total
|
100%
|
100
|
9.
Application procedure
Application procedure
Qualified
and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should
contain the following:
and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should
contain the following:
- Personal
CV indicating education background/professional qualifications, all past
experience from similar assignments, as well as the contact details (email
and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional
references; - Brief
description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most
suitable for the assignment and a methodology, on how they will approach
and complete the assignment; - Financial
proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price,
supported by a breakdown of costs.
Applicants
are kindly requested to hand deliver their applications at the Front Desk of
Rwanda Civil Society Platform in Kicukiro district, Kigarama sector, kk31 ave
Kigali-Gikondo/ Rebero stone road house no 264.
are kindly requested to hand deliver their applications at the Front Desk of
Rwanda Civil Society Platform in Kicukiro district, Kigarama sector, kk31 ave
Kigali-Gikondo/ Rebero stone road house no 264.
Should
you need more information, please contact +250788359765 or send an email to rwandacsplatform@gmail.com
you need more information, please contact +250788359765 or send an email to rwandacsplatform@gmail.com
Application
documents shall be submitted not later than 15th November, 2017
at 4pm.
documents shall be submitted not later than 15th November, 2017
at 4pm.
Please
note that applications which do not meet the specified minimum requirements
will be rejected. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
note that applications which do not meet the specified minimum requirements
will be rejected. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
