Terms of Reference for “Expert Gender & Entrepreneurship” (Burundi)
Background
SPARK, together with BBIN, is developing a programme that aims to establish agribusiness incubators in rural areas in Burundi. The target group consists of (potential) agribusiness entrepreneurs, specifically women and youth. In order to ensure that women have equal chances of participation and to succeed, whilst at the same time finding the best approach to support women entrepreneurship, SPARK will be recruiting a gender & entrepreneurship expert. The expert will support the design of the programme and build capacity in the project team to implement and monitor.
Location
Home-based, Bujumbura, Burundi and some field visits in Burundi.
Objectives of programme
Project objectives
The objective of this programme is to increase food availability year-round and employment opportunities in rural regions of Burundi.
The following specific objectives are defined for this programme:
1) To develop and put in to place a network of agribusiness incubation centres in Burundi providing services for innovative agribusinesses start-ups and existing agribusinesses
2) To provide support to start-ups and existing agribusiness to innovate, grow and increase their production and develop new markets
Methodology
Agribusiness incubation is defined as a process which focuses on nurturing innovative early-stage agro-based enterprises that have high growth potential to become competitive businesses. The business incubation process is highly selective and pro-active.
An agribusiness incubation network will be developed, with at least six regional centres in Burundi, in particular those regions where the food insecurity and malnutrition risks are highest. These centres will specialize in developing specific value chains, supply chains, commodities or possibly entire sectors, as well as providing market access to small-scale farmers. The role of agribusiness incubators is to stimulate innovation and new firm entry. They do this first to demonstrate that new business models can operate profitably and that traditional, primary sector production, when complemented by organized value chains, can create sustainable wealth and new employment in rural space. Their additional role is to communicate this information to persons who may be interested in forming new businesses.
Target Group
The main target groups are:
- Subsistence farmers and smallholders who have a potential to become agribusiness entrepreneurs
- Existing businesses where opportunities for growth and upgrading exist (and to create jobs).
Within this target group, specific attention will be given to women and youth.
Expected results
1) Gender component(s) within the proposal developed
2) Gender strategy for the overall programme described
3) Data gathered and analyzed about women participation in businesses and employment, consequences, opportunities, special needs in the targeted areas (by project/office team but directed by expert)
4) Monitoring and evaluation protocol developed for gender component, including case studies for different gender mainstreaming approaches
5) Gender expertise/capacity building of project/office team
Project description
The consultant will provide partly home-based and partly on site technical assistance, including developing a gender strategy for the programme and specific gender components, as well as guidance on how to do a gender (field) assessment in the design phase of the programme, followed by coaching and training of the SPARK staff in Burundi to enable them to implement, monitor and evaluate the gender aspects of programme.
Project activities
- Review existing programme documents with a focus on women entrepreneurship
- Develop methodology for gender assessment/field visit in the target areas
- Develop overall gender strategy for the programme
- Advise on gender programming in other programmes managed by the SPARK Burundi office (esp. MFS2)
- Develop specific gender components in the programme
- Case studies for evaluation of gender components in the programme and other support for the gender elements in the monitoring protocol
- Train SPARK and BBIN staff on how to design and implement programmes in the field of gender & entrepreneurship
Requirements
One consultant during 10 days home-based and 10 days field based (Burundi) (total at least 20 days)
Qualifications
University degree in a relevant subject area
General experience
At least 10 years of experience in international development
Specific experience
At least 5 years of experience in gender & entrepreneurship programmes
Some knowledge about Burundi
Some understanding of the agribusiness sector
Fluency in English and preferably fluent in French
Organisation
The contract will be managed by SPARK Amsterdam and the SPARK country manager Burundi will be responsible for the daily management of the contract.
Payment
Interested experts/consultants are requested to submit their offer, including daily fee and budget, as well as a short description of the proposed methodology. SPARK will make the necessary travel and accommodation arrangements in Burundi.
Deliverables
1 gender strategy document on women & entrepreneurship for SPARK programmes (in Burundi)
1 project proposal revised and gender components added
At least 3 staff trained / coached on gender & entrepreneurship
3 case studies developed as part of M&E
For more information please contact Annelies van den Berg, CM SPARK Burundi by email:
Offers can be submitted until 2 August 2013 to