Cordaid is an internationally operating value-based emergency relief and development organisation, working in and on fragility. We stand with those who are hit hardest by poverty and conflict. We support them in their struggle to move beyond survival and to fully participate in equitable and resilient societies.
Terms of Reference
TOR for Conducting analysis on gender and youth value chain and financial inclusion
Context and Background
Women and youth play a critical role in economic development of Rwanda, but they have often faced barriers to full participation in different value-chains. Besides the barriers to inclusion in the value-chains, these two segments still lag behind in financial inclusion in traditional financial systems. This has continued to hinder their potential in contribution to and benefiting from economic growth.
The Promoting Smallholder Agro-Export Competitiveness (PSAC) Project is a key initiative funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with co-financing from the Government of Rwanda, the Government of Spain, CORDAID, and Heifer International. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), led by the National Agriculture Export Board (NAEB), and is aimed at improving the income and livelihoods of rural communities through inclusive and sustainable agro-export value chains.
The project primarily targets smallholder farmers, aiming to enhance their participation in export-oriented value chains such as coffee, tea, and horticulture, while focusing on increasing climate-resilient production and facilitating market access. The initiative also focuses on addressing cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, youth employment, and climate adaptation.
To achieve the objectives of the PSAC Project, it is instrumental to conduct an analysis of gender and youth dynamics with-in the value chains the PSAC will engage in to better assess how women and youth can be better integrated in these value chains and more importantly increase their financial inclusion. The analysis is expected to provide insights into existing challenges, opportunities, and interventions that could better enhance the full economic participation of women and youth through value chain development and financial inclusion.
Objectives
The general objective for this assignment is to identify specific opportunities for women and youth to be involved in the targeted value chains and which level of the value chains most women and youth are likely to participate in. This includes the identification of new drivers of access to finance for women and youth.
Cordaid is seeking consultancy services to undertake gender and youth value chain and financial inclusion for PSAC project. The main objectives of the consultancy are to:
- Map and assess existing financial services and promotion interventions specifically designed to serve youth and women in our targeted areas and VCs. This will involve thoroughly analysing identified services and interventions, then recommend the best in each category to effectively meet needs of our target youth and women populations.
- Based on findings, Facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth effective participation in the VC (training on items such as production techniques, quality control, digital skills, etc).
- Based on findings, facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth inclusion in leadership (training on items such as leadership, decision making, business management, HR management, etc).
- Based on findings, Recommend and facilitate the implementation of intervention to enhance the access to finance services and products designed for youth and women, with the aim of adapting and expanding these offerings to meet the needs of women and youth beneficiaries in our targeted areas
The consultant is expected to deliver a comprehensive analysis with actionable recommendations for both policy and programmatic interventions that address gender and youth-specific barriers in the value chains and financial inclusion space.
Scope of Work
The consultant will undertake the following tasks:
|
# |
TASKs |
DESCRIPTION |
DELIVERABLES |
TIMELINE FOR DELIVERY |
|
1 |
Propose a customized approach and methodology |
Provide a detailed methodology and approach, outlining a clear roadmap for execution |
Inception Report |
7 days after the contract is signed |
|
2 |
Map and assess existing financial services and promotion interventions specifically designed to serve youth and women in our targeted areas and VCs |
Map and assess existing financial services and promotion interventions specifically designed to serve youth and women in our targeted areas and VCs. This will involve thoroughly analysing identified services and interventions, then recommend the best in each category to effectively meet needs of our target youth and women populations |
Assessment report |
30 days after contract is signed |
|
3 |
Facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth effective participation in the VC |
Based on findings, Facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth effective participation in the VC (training on items such as production techniques, quality control, digital skills, etc). Cordaid will provide logistics, and the consultant will facilitate the training. 1 Session per district for seven district. Each session will be attended by 15 youth and 15 women.
|
Training report |
15 days after the approval of the assessment report |
|
4 |
facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth inclusion in leadership |
Based on findings, facilitate the capacity building programs promoting women and youth inclusion in leadership (training on items such as leadership, decision making, business management, HR management, etc). Cordaid will provide logistics, and the consultant will facilitate the training. 1 Session per district for seven district. Each session will be attended by 15 youth and 15 women.
|
Training report |
15 days after the approval of the assessment report |
|
5 |
Facilitate the access to finance |
Based on findings, Recommend and facilitate the implementation of intervention to enhance the access to finance services and products designed for youth and women, with the aim of adapting and expanding these offerings to meet the needs of women and youth beneficiaries in our targeted areas. Coradaid will provide logistics, and the consultant will facilitate the training. 1 Session per district for seven districts. Each session will be attended by 15 youth and 15 women.
|
Training report |
15 days after the approval of the assessment report |
Description of expected Deliverables
- The consultant/team is
Inception Report: Outline of methodology, work plan, and timeline approved by key stakeholders and CORDAID.
Draft/Interim Report – with early analysis, findings and preliminary recommendations.
Final Report – a comprehensive report covering:
-
- The assessment of gender and youth roles in value chains
- The analysis of financial inclusion barriers and opportunities
- Concrete recommendations for enhancing gender and youth inclusion in value chains and improving access to financial services.
Training reports: Module, methodology, attendance, training outputs, photos and attendance lists
Methodology
The service provider is required to propose a customized approach and methodology for each task, ensuring alignment with the project’s objectives and desired outcomes. Each proposed methodology will be evaluated based on its feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with the project’s strategic goals and expectations.
Preferred service provider
The ideal service provider should possess the following expertise, supported by relevant certificates:
- Experience in conducting research and providing recommendations in the context of developing economies or regions.
- Familiarity with gender and youth empowerment programs, financial inclusion strategies, and value chain development.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector, and civil society.
Team composition
The proposed key experts for the assignment are detailed in the table below
|
# |
ROLE |
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE |
|
1 |
Team Leader |
|
|
2 |
Other Researchers and Trainers (At least six) |
|
Submission guidelines
The interested service provider should submit the following documents
- Administrative documents: Such as copies of registration certificates, Tax clearances etc.
- Technical proposal: The proposed structure of the technical proposal, along with a clear table of contents, is as follows:
- Profile of the service provider: Provide an overview that highlights your expertise and experience relevant to the task. This section aims to establish your credibility and suitability for the project. Limit this description to a maximum of one page.
- Background of the assignment: demonstrate the understanding of the assignment, the context, background, and relevance of the assignment.
- Objectives and scope: Clear statement of the assignment specific objectives, scope of work, including boundaries and deliverables.
- Methodology/Approach: A detailed explanation of the methods, techniques, and processes to be used in carrying out this assignment. This section should describe how the service provider intends to achieve the key expected results and deliverables of the assignment, using a well-justified approach and methods
- Work Plan/Timeline: .
- Team Composition: A description of the team members, their roles, qualifications, CVs, copies of degrees and certificates proving their work experience for key experts.
Financial proposal: detailing cost associated with the implementation of this assignment (Separately)
Evaluation criteria
Application will be evaluated based on:
- Administrative documents
- Proposed technical proposal with clear methodology (40%)
- Relevance experience and qualifications (30%)
- Cost effectiveness (30%)
Application should be submitted to apollinaire.nshimiyimana@cordaid.org , info@cordaid.org. by 31th March 2025 3:00 PM
Duration of the assignment
The assignment will start immediately after signing the contract and will be implemented according to the deliverable’s timeline.
Contact information
For further information or queries regarding the terms of reference please contact Jean de Dieu HAKIZIMANA at email: Jeandedieu.hakizimana@cordaid.org
Patrick BIRASA
Country Manager
CORDAID Rwanda
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