TERMS OF REFERENCE
NATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS (LEAD CONSULTANT AND GENDER
CONSULTANT) - ANALYTICAL STUDY OF GREEN GROWTH SECTOR AND ITS
POTENTIAL FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KENYA
Background
In 2011, climate change, both man-made and otherwise was shown to have a detrimental effect on
Kenya’s socio-economic development, placing major strains on natural resources, food security,
political stability, health and poverty. It is estimated that as of 2011, 3.7 million Kenyans were in
need of food, clean water and basic sanitation. The impact of drought on the economy between the
years 2008-11, was estimated at Ksh 986 billion, which reduced the economic growth rate to 2.8%
per annum. Furthermore, as electricity generation is heavily reliant on rainfall, lost productivity due
to inadequate power supply is estimated to have cost the economy in excess of Ksh 100 billion.
Floods have been responsible for the loss of lives, livelihoods as well as extensive damage to the
country’s infrastructure1. Kenya is principally dependent on traditional fuel sources with wood fuel
and other biomass accounting for 68% of total primary consumption, followed by petroleum and
electricity. The national electrification rate is 23%, with rural access to the grid being a mere 5 % and
urban access 50%2. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities remains limited, with
approximately 60% of Kenyans having access to improved water, the percentage for rural and urban
areas being 52 and 83 respectively. Improved sanitation coverage is merely 42 % in rural and 55 % in
urban areas.3
Kenya continues to suffer from high unemployment and this particularly affects women and the
youth. In 2011 a mere five percent (2.13 million) of Kenyans worked in formal employment, with
the large majority of those employed, working informally (9.3 million). Women and youth are
particularly represented in this sector, with a reported 83% of females being in informal employment
compared to 71% of males. What is imperative to note however, is that the majority of those
working informally are unable to generate adequate incomes and live in poor and vulnerable
conditions. It is estimated that 44% of Kenyans continue to live in poverty with the majority of poor
households being single, female headed households. The majority of the poor depend directly or
indirectly on natural resources for their livelihoods and 27.4% of the population is vulnerable to
poverty through for example the influence of external shocks such as natural disasters4.
The agricultural sector is Kenya’s main source of income and employment especially in rural areas.
Agriculture accounts for 28% of Kenya’s GDP, employing 75% of the national labour force. Over
80% of the Kenyan population live in the rural areas and derive their livelihoods from Agriculture.
Kenya’s informal sector makes up a significant section of the economy accounting for 77% of
employment. According to statistics over 60% of those working in the informal sector are youth
aged between 18-35 with 50% being women.5 Furthermore, climate change has a direct impact on
the majority of small holder and subsistence farmers who rely on 20% of arable land within the
country. It is also estimated that women own and operate at least half of all MSEs in Kenya, 85% of
which operate in the informal sector and two-thirds in rural areas6.
1
Kenya National Climate Change Action Plan.
Lighting Africa 2012, Policy Report Note; Kenya
3
http://kenya.usaid.gov/programs/water-and-sanitation
4
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (2013) Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) at a Glance, Country Briefing:Kenya
5
Institute of Economic Affairs (2012), The Budget Focus; Informal Sector and Taxation in Kenya, Issue No.29, Sept. 2012
6
IBID
2
The Green Economy
Due to its promise for offering an opportunity for addressing economic challenges and
environmental pressures the world is facing in the form of climate change; natural resource
depletion; loss of biodiversity; and rising inequality, the potential of the green economy has received
a great deal of attention and acceptance globally. There is no internationally agreed definition of
green economy. UNEP’s widely acknowledged definition of the green economy is “one that results in
improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.
In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially
inclusive”7. UNEP identifies ten sectors through which to work towards a greener economy: fisheries,
agriculture, energy supply, buildings, forestry, tourism, transport, waste, water and manufacturing &
industry. The green economy is seen as having great potential in securing more sustainable
development paths and is estimated to be worth more than $5trillion, currently employing more
than 30 million people globally, and is projected to grow at 3.7% per year over the coming years.
Kenya is party to a number of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Perhaps even more
importantly however, the Government of Kenya (GoK) has begun the effort of introducing and
implementing policies and initiatives that support the green economy agenda. The Constitution of
Kenya 2010 clearly brings forward the environmental objectives of the country by calling for
“sustainable exploitation, utilization, management and conservation of the environment and natural
resources” and Article 42 of the Bill of Rights states that “every person has the right to a clean and
healthy environment, which includes the right to have the environment protected for the benefit of
present and future generations. The country’s Vision 2030 envisions a country in which its citizens
can enjoy a high quality of life in a clean and secure environment. This overarching goal is given
significant importance under the Medium Term Plans.
The green economy in Kenya is seen as having great potential in ensuring economic growth in the
long run and as stated in a scoping study carried out by the Kenya Institute for Public Research and
Analysis (KIPRA 2012) Kenya should take advantage of the opportunities that arise from green
growth and effectively address challenges and barriers. A green economy approach would allow for
ensuring the sustainable consumption of natural resources, energy efficiency, whilst sustaining
economic growth and development.
The key sectors of the green economy in which Kenya has begun and continues its efforts are
renewable energy; promotion of sustainable production and consumption; pollution control and
waste management; sustainable production and consumption; environmental planning and
governance; and the restoration of forest ecosystems8. In the Kenyan context green economy
should be understood as economic activities and processes that are equitable and inclusive, but do
not compromise environmental sustainability.
It is important to note that the draft MTP II of the Government of Kenya brings forth that the
growth strategy of the country embraces measures to ensure a greener economy and that the
economy is put on a low carbon trajectory. Furthermore, the African Development Bank (AfDB) in
cooperation with UNEP, UNDP, WWF and ILO are supporting the Government in preparing a
Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan that should be completed by the end of 2013.
The potential for women entrepreneurs in the green economy
7
8
http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/AboutGEI/WhatisGEI/tabid/29784/Default.aspx
KIPRA (2012), Green Economy Scoping Study-Kenya
The green economy holds a great deal of potential for the Kenyan economy, particularly for women
entrepreneurs and provides opportunities for reducing poverty and inequality by improving incomes.
It has been estimated that the green economy would enable Kenya to achieve annual real GDP
growth of 5 percent as compared to 3.7 percent under a business as usual scenario by 2030 9.
There is ample evidence demonstrating the existing potential for job creation as a given economy
transitions to a more sustainable and green economy. For example, in Brazil, jobs related to
greening the construction, commercialization, maintenance and use of buildings grew from 6.3% to
7.3% in 2 years. In China, the green component of the fiscal stimulus started in 2008 was expected
to create upwards of 5.3 million direct and indirect jobs with other estimates predicting the creation
of 8 million jobs in the renewable energy sector over the next two decades. In essence, several
opportunities exist in the transition towards a green economy and can function as new growth
engines and lead to higher income and employment10.
This potential is especially important since when it comes to the effects of climate change, the poor,
particularly women and the vulnerable are the most affected and these effects are likely to exacerbate
existing inequalities. Women in Kenya have been observed to be disproportionately affected by
drought, for example, because pre-existing gender discrimination exposes them to higher rates of
poverty and insecurity and because of the extra socio-economic burden they have meeting the needs
of households, children, vulnerable and the elderly11.
According to the Ministry of Energy report on Gender and Climate change in Kenya (2007),
women, particularly in rural areas are the main producers and labor, and have in the past been
viewed as the destroyers of natural resources through their harvesting of biomass energy. They have
also been viewed as the victims of the ensuing energy crises and most recently are considered as
critical players in natural resource management12.
There are many opportunities within the green economy for income and employment generation
including, but not limited to, sectors such as agriculture in which women are the predominant
actors. Although the majority of women are involved in agricultural work, they only represent 23%
of formal wage employees in agriculture. Thus, whilst rural women contribute significantly to
agricultural production, they are excluded from formal employment13. Agriculture contributes
approximately one quarter of GDP annually but is increasingly under pressure due to increases in
population and extreme weather changes. Sustainable agriculture, water and waste management for
example provide an opportunity not only for mitigation to climate change but also adaptation in the
form of increased farm yields as well as access to international markets. Numerous studies have
shown that sustainable methods of farming increase yields and incomes. For instance, in a project
involving 1,000 farmers in South Nyanza, Kenya, increased crop yields by 2-4 tonnes per hectare
after an initial conversion to organic farming and in Thika, Kenya 30,000 smallholder farmers
increased their incomes by 50% within three years after switching to organic production.
The energy sector in Kenya also holds many opportunities for women entrepreneurs however, the
sector is currently not yet well developed and statistics on women owned enterprises within the
green sector do not readily exist. According to the Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP)
available data on the energy sector show that women commonly operate small businesses within the
cook stoves and briquette enterprises and mainly use manual methods for briquette production as
9
KIPRA (2012), Green Economy Scoping Study-Kenya
UNEP Briefing note on Green Economy and Employment
11
Adaptation climate change summary.
12
www.energia.org/kenya-gender-audit-report.pdf
13
UNDP Kenya (2012) Inclusive Economic Growth and Social Development Unit, Strategic Framework 2014-2018
10
opposed to mechanized processes14. These women-owned enterprises do not require a high level of
capital, and utilize low technology which affects their scalability as well as their ability to create
tangible employment. The solar and biogas enterprises are dominated by men. This is because solar
and biogas technology requires a higher investment to start and grow, of which women generally
lack access to15. Enterprises within the green sector in rural areas often work in isolation, and are
characterized by low production capacity. Furthermore, these enterprises are unable to grow as they
do not have the marketing experience, practical knowledge and human resource management
required.16
According to the GVEP, delivering a successful energy business, especially within rural areas is more
challenging as linkages to suppliers, customers and financial institutions are limited and this
combined with operating in isolated areas where consumer awareness and purchasing power are low,
contributes to the high failure rate of these enterprises.17
The solid business case for moving towards more sustainable methods of farming and energy use
are clear. For example, in Uganda, organic farm yield exports saw a significant increase between
2003 and 2008 totalling US $22.8 million18. Furthermore, through a commissioned study it was
shown that prices of organic pineapple, ginger and vanilla were 300%, 185 % and 150 % higher,
respectively, than those of conventional products. Through organic farming, Uganda has not only
gained economically, it has also made a significant contributed to mitigating climate change.19
It is therefore important that existing enterprises are given the necessary support but also more
effort must be focused on women’s diversification into other energy technologies such as solar,
biogas and recycling and these efforts should be focused on how these businesses can be scaled up
quickly to provide higher access to this technology at the community level but also in creating jobs.20
Additionally there is a need to support women entrepreneur’s start-ups and facilitate their entry into
the market. The successful transition to a green economy which will result in sustainable
development requires reforms that support economic transformation through capacity building,
reform of regulatory frameworks and improved financing mechanisms.
There is now a need to look further into the potential that the green economy provides for inclusive
growth and possible role of women entrepreneurs in this process. The study will allow for
identifying entry points for women entrepreneurs as well as barriers and challenges that currently
exist. Particularly important will be to look into the market potential of the green economy
specifically for Micro and Small Enterprises and women entrepreneurs. Furthermore the study will
provide recommendations and specific needs for interventions.
Given this background and the potential for the green economy to boost economic growth and
create employment and sustainable livelihoods in Kenya, it is essential that all relevant stakeholders
understand the policy and legal environment and whether it takes into account the challenges and
special considerations needed to ensure that both potential and current women entrepreneurs are
fully participating within the green economy. Additionally, it is important to understand the current
businesses that women are operating in within the green economy and whether these activities have
potential for scaling up and what particular challenges they face.
14
www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/gvepsexperiencewithworkingwithwomen.pdf
www.globalenvision.org/2012/10/17/can-kenyas-new-climate-center-pull-green-investors-africa
www.globalenvision.org/2012/10/17/can-kenyas-new-climate-center-pull-green-investors-africa
17
http://www.gvepinternational.org/site/default/files/gveps experience with working with women.pdf
18
Working towards sustainable development. Opportunities for decent work and social inclusion in a green economy. UNEP/ILO Report
19
Working towards sustainable development. Opportunities for decent work and social inclusion in a green economy. UNEP/ILO Report
20
http://www.gvepinternational.org/sites/default/files/gveps_experince_with_working_with_women.pdf
15
16
Objective
The main objective of this analytical study is to assess the potential for women entrepreneurs in the
green growth sector in Kenya to inform the development of appropriate programs and strategies
supporting and fostering women entrepreneurs in the sector.
Objectives include:
Market potential and entry opportunities for women entrepreneurs
1) Gain a comprehensive understanding of the market potential of the green economy
specifically for women–led micro and small enterprises. The analysis will cover the potential
and challenges of the different green growth sub-sectors. The analysis will include a detailed
description of the current market structures and dynamics.
2) Considering the heterogeneous nature of Kenya’s women-led MSE sector, analyse the
market potential for both well established, formal micro and small enterprises as well as for
informal/rural micro enterprises/women groups at the bottom of the pyramid.
3) Gain an overview of current women entrepreneur businesses both in rural and urban areas
that work within the green economy sector.
4) Gather best practices from Kenya and internationally and provide an overview of what is
being done by different stakeholders in Kenya.
5) Identify potential entry points for women entrepreneurs within the sector as well as potential
for diversification into other technologies, considering the heterogeneous nature of the
women-led MSE sector.
6) The study will also look into the supply chains and existing and potential linkages between
MSEs and large companies, and recommend how these could be strengthened.
7) Identify specific areas within the green economy that hold high potential for women owned
businesses and MSEs i.e. Agriculture vs. Energy.
Institutional, regulatory and policy frameworks
8) The study also aims at gaining an understanding of the institutional, regulatory and policy
frameworks around the green economy in Kenya and whether these take into account the
specific needs and challenges that women entrepreneurs face. Additionally, the study will
explore whether policies and strategies socially inclusive taking into account income
generation opportunities for the poorest sections of the population.
Focus and Scope of Study
UNDP Kenya, in the framework of the GoK-UN Joint Programme on Gender Equality and
Women’ Empowerment, seeks a team of two national individual consultants to undertake an
analytical study on the Green Growth Sector and its potential for women entrepreneurs. The
proposed study should provide a comprehensive analysis of the green growth sector and the existing
policy frameworks in reference to Kenya, drawing on best practice examples and lessons learned
regionally and internationally and how women entrepreneurs in particular can take advantage of this
high growth sector.
Within the specified assignment of 40 working days, the team of two consultants will be responsible
for separate outputs both of which will contribute to the final report including observations. It is
expected that the two consultants will work closely together at all stages of the consultancy period.
The study is conducted for UNDP Kenya in the framework of the Joint Programme on Gender
Equality and Women’s Empowerment (JP-GEWE)21 and is intended to work as a background and
reference document informing programmes and initiatives in relation to green growth and women
entrepreneurs in Kenya. As such it should provide specific recommendations of approach for future
initiatives in the sector and needs for further research, as well as identify possible best practices that
could be replicated.
Lead Consultant Outputs:
The lead consultant will be responsible for
1) Leading the study, supervising the gender consultant and ensuring a high-quality output
(report)
2) Analysing the current market structures, dynamics and potential relating to the green
economy in Kenya, aggregated by different sectors.
3) Analysing the market potential as well as challenges for both well established, formal micro
and small enterprises as well as for informal/rural micro enterprises at the bottom of the
pyramid.
4) Providing an overview of green business activities Kenyan MSME entrepreneurs are
currently active in, including women-led MSMEs.
5) Gathering best practices from Kenya and internationally on MSME engagement in the green
growth sector.
6) Identifying potential entry points for women entrepreneurs within the sector as well as
potential for diversification into other technologies, considering the heterogeneous nature of
the women-led MSE sector.
7) Identifying existing and potential linkages between MSEs and large companies, and
recommend how these could be strengthened.
8) Considering MTP II priorities and identify current and planned government and other
strategies and programs on MSMEs in the green growth sector, in particular women-led
MSMEs.
Lead Consultant required competencies:
The suitable consultant is expected to meet the following minimum requirements
 A Master’s Degree in Environmental/Development Economics, Sustainable Development
and/or Climate Change Policy
 At least fifteen years of consultancy experience on environment, private sector development
research and policy analysis both in public and private sectors. Demonstrable evidence of
previous research assignment on the green growth sector and green economy, climate
change desirable. PhD Candidates with at least ten years’ experience will be considered.
 A sound understanding of national, regional and international sustainable development,
climate change and green growth financing arrangements, modalities and challenges;
 In-depth knowledge and understanding of international, regional and national private sector
development issues, policies, good practices and benchmarks;
 Demonstrable ability to work with and build relationships with stakeholders from diverse
backgrounds in private sector, civil society, public sector on complex issues of great national
importance.
21
Coordinating Agency: UN Women, Participating Agencies: ILO, IOM, OCHA, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO,UNFPA, UNHABITAT,
UNICEF, UN WOMEN, UNIDO,UNODC, WHO
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Highly developed skills in mobilisation and institutional development.
Highly developed analytical skills with ability to produce high quality analytical reports and
policy papers.
High organizational and facilitation skills and ability to handle complex tasks with tight
deadlines.
Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
The Gender consultant required outputs:
Under the supervision of the Lead Consultant, the Gender Consultant will be responsible for
1) Undertaking a rough stocktaking on the existing women entrepreneurs/women initiatives in
Kenya, by sub-sector and by geographic area.
2) Profiling of existing successful women entrepreneurs in the sector.
3) Identifying the challenges and entry barriers faced by by women entrepreneurs active in the
green economy.
4) Identifying potential income-generating activities for low-income women;
5) Carrying out an overview of the existing policies and strategies relating to the green economy
and whether these are socially inclusive and gender sensitive. Key strategies, which need to
be influenced in order to ensure more socially inclusive green growth strategies should also
be identified.
All recommendations of the gender consultant must feed into the final report and recommendations
of the lead consultant and will therefore require that both work together on a regular basis.
Gender Consultant required competencies:
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A Master’s Degree in Gender, Environmental/Development Economics, Business
Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship, or Natural Resources Management.
At least 10 years of consultancy experience on gender and the environment, in private sector
development research and policy analysis both in public and private sectors. Demonstrable
evidence of previous research assignment on the green growth sector and green economy,
climate change and its effect on women are an asset.
Demonstrated experience/expertise in gender mainstreaming.
A sound understanding of entrepreneurship and the specific needs and challenges that
women entrepreneur’s face and the strategies that can be utilized to harness and promote
women entrepreneurship.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of international, regional and national private sector
development issues, policies, good practices and benchmarks;
Demonstrable ability to work with and build relationships stakeholders from diverse
backgrounds in private sector, civil society, public sector on complex issues of great national
importance.
Highly developed skills in mobilisation and institutional development.
Highly developed analytical skills with ability to produce high quality analytical reports and
policy papers.
High organization and facilitation skills and ability to handle complex tasks with tight
deadlines.
Effective communication skills both written and verbal.
Outputs
The key output from this assignment will be a report on the green growth sector and its potential for
Kenyan women entrepreneurs, analyzing the market potential and entry opportunities for women
entrepreneurs, including
 Comprehensive description of market potential and challenges of green economy, with
special focus on women-led micro and small enterprises including description of current
market structures
 Analysis of market potential for both informal and formal MSE’s at all levels of pyramid
 Overview of current women entrepreneurs involved in green business in both rural and
urban areas
 Best practices from Kenya and abroad including overview of activities by stakeholders in
country
 Identification of entry points for women entrepreneurs as well as potential for diversification
into other technologies and scaling up activities
 Description of supply chains, identifying potential linkages and providing recommendations
for strengthening these linkages between MSEs and larger companies
 Specific areas within the green economy that hold high potential for women owned
businesses and MSEs.
 Providing account of relevant institutional, regulatory and policy frameworks in Kenya and
whether they are socially inclusive and the specific needs of women entrepreneurs are taken
into consideration.
List of outputs:
Output
Inception report including draft structure of final report
First draft of final report sent to UNDP for comments
Stakeholder consultation workshop
Incorporation of comments and finalisation of report. Report
delivered to UNDP
Stakeholder workshop (s)
Duration of Contract
40 working days for lead consultant and 30 working days for gender consultant over a period of 2
months
Reporting lines
The Consultants will work in direct collaboration with UNDP Kenya and directly liaise with UNDP
Kenya on a weekly basis
UNDP as hiring entity will ensure quality assurance.
 Duty Station
Nairobi
 Logistical Arrangements
Logistical arrangement for field visits outside of Nairobi shall be done by UNDP Kenya. The service
providers are expected to provide their own equipment and working space and will be responsible
for all other logistical arrangements including meeting and workshop coordination. Payment will
be done according to milestones agreed during contract signing.
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications which should include the
following:
1. UNDP Personal History Form (P11) which should include contacts of three referees
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae
3. Proposal for implementing the assignment
Please quote the following references on the subject line depending on the post you are applying
for:1. Lead Consultant – Analytical Study of Green Growth Sector
2. Gender Consultant – Analytical Study of Green Growth Sector
Applications should be emailed to consultants.ken@undp.org to reach us not later than Monday, 18
November 2013 at 2.00 P.M Kenya Time.
Please see the Terms of Reference, the P11 form, the Individual Contract Proposal form and the
Terms and Conditions of Individual Contracts by visiting the UNDP Kenya Website: http://www.ke.undp.org/content/kenya/en/home/operations/procurement