SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all.

 In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets, and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximizing positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence, and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org   

Project Brief

The project Sustainable Energy for Smallholder Farmers (SEFFA) in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda supports smallholder farmers in accessing and using renewable energy to improve their livelihoods and increase their resilience to climate change. In the agricultural sector, the project focuses on the dairy and horticulture value chains, to increase production, reduce post-harvest losses and improve processing, while also contributing to GHG emissions reduction. The project therefore promotes productive use of energy (PUE) through interventions to enhance the distribution and use of solar-powered technologies and energy services for irrigation, cooling, and drying. The project is supported by the IKEA Foundation’s partnership with Energising Development (EnDev) and implemented by SNV and GIZ.

In Kenya, SNV employs a market-based approach to intervene on both the supply and demand side and provide support to the private sector to enhance the distribution and use of solar-powered pumping and cooling technologies in Kenya. The project has been providing support to (i) strengthen the distribution and uptake of solar-powered pumping through a results-based financing (RBF) facility. (ii) To pilot solar-powered cooling and irrigation through an Innovation Fund. These efforts aim to promote business models using solar energy, ultimately providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions for smallholder farming households and related agri-businesses, with special focus given to women and young people in rural areas.

The project seeks to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. Increased access to PUE technologies for smallholder farmers through viable business cases
2. Capacitated local actors ensure the operation of PUE technologies
3. Businesses mainstreaming PUE technology provide sustainable energy services to smallholder farmers and their livelihoods.

Scope of Work

The evaluation will only focus on SNV’s SEFFA project implementation in Kenya and cover the entire project duration from its inception in April 2021 to its planned completion in June 2024. The main objective is the production of four separate, high-quality knowledge products that capture lessons learnt for the SEFFA project. The knowledge products are divided into four topics, namely:

1. Business cases - The SEFFA project aimed to generate increased access to Productive Use of Energy (PUE) technologies and energy services for smallholder farmers through viable business cases. Several business cases were tested during the project implementation period, including those proven and scalable, as well as those that were not successful.
2. Technology Demonstrations - The project used demonstration sites to assess the viability of business cases. These sites piloted new technologies or installed established technologies to generate demand among end-users.
3. Financing models (Innovative Finance & RBF) - Two financing models were employed: a results-based financing (RBF) facility and an Innovation Fund (IF). The RBF facility aimed to scale solar-powered irrigation in Kenya, while the IF supported the piloting of nascent PUE technologies and innovations.
4. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) & Demand Activation - Behaviour change communication activities varied and included demo sites, exposure visits, and awareness-raising events. These activities aimed to create awareness, acceptance, and demand for PUE technologies.

These four topics are interconnected, and to avoid overlap each knowledge product must tell a clear and defined story that stands alone while complementing the other three. Equal attention should be paid to project successes and failures.

The target audience for all four knowledge products is external, i.e. development actors, donors, investors, farmers, and entrepreneurs in the renewable energy space. The documents should therefore be engaging and easy to understand by an external reader.

Methodology

The consultant will develop a methodology for the assignment, which will be discussed and approved by the SEFFA project team before the start. The consultant will not be required to undertake primary data collection but will instead use existing documents and data to generate the knowledge products. It's important to note that alongside this consultancy, SNV is conducting the final project evaluation. The consultant will work closely with the evaluation team to integrate these insights into the knowledge products.

The methodology will include a desk study to review key project documents, reports, and relevant literature, aiming to understand the project's context, objectives, implementation approach, progress and results. This will involve examining documentation on business cases, market studies, external verification reports, and final assessment reports. The project will provide the required data and information to inform the development of the knowledge products. Based on the desk study and analysis, the consultant will develop knowledge products, including best practices, lessons learned, and stakeholder recommendations.

SNV will provide the brand guides for the SEFFA Project which the consultant must adhere to. The proposed methodology will be refined during the inception phase based on discussions with the project team. The final methodology will be included in the inception report for approval by SNV.

Deliverables

• Inception report: The consultant will prepare and submit an inception report which will include the final detailed scope of the work (content of the knowledge product), methodology (what and how the knowledge product will be prepared and detailed outlines for each knowledge product), milestones and deliverables, team composition and roles, work plan and budget. The inception report will be subject to formal approval by SNV.
• First drafts and final detailed versions of each knowledge product will include the following knowledge products:

• Business Cases: The deliverable should be a short document that provides an engaging overview of the tested business cases, explains the reasons for success or failure and provides insights into the conditions necessary for successful business cases.
• Technology Demonstrations: The deliverable should be a short learning document explaining how demonstration sites can be used to build or showcase a business case. It should highlight different examples of demonstration sites, lessons learned, and reflections on their success.
• Financing Models (Innovative Finance & RBF): The deliverable should be an evaluation of how the project's learnings correspond with the original assumptions made about both financial models. It should discuss how the learnings complement and challenge existing knowledge on RBF and innovation funds to develop and/or scale PUE business models.
• Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) & Demand Activation: The deliverable should be a brief describing the different BCC and demand activation approaches employed by the project. It should capture lessons learned, impact achieved, and make relevant comparisons
• All knowledge products are expected to include an introduction section which provides a summary of the document’s contents; this summary section should be easily transposed to a slide deck format which can be used for the further dissemination of the knowledge products produced.
• As the knowledge products are expected to be short and engaging, the use of relevant graphics (i.e. infographics, design layout, visuals, etc.) will be expected. The consultant is therefore expected to have skills in analysis, editing and graphics for this assignment.

Assignment Duration

This assignment is expected to take 6 weeks. All final documents including the final invoice must be delivered by 15th June 2024.

Application Requirements and Assessment Criteria

Technical evaluation will precede financial considerations. Interested consultants are requested to submit their proposals which should contain the following:

1. Technical Evaluation (70%)

• Interpretation and understanding of the terms of reference,
• Capability statement demonstrating qualifications (academic and professional) and relevant experience including profile/s of the consultant/team members that will be involved (CVs to be provided as an attachment to the proposal),
• The proposed methodology and approach to this assignment, include what and how the knowledge product will be prepared.
• At least three references of other clients for which similar review assignments were undertaken with contact information for each.
• Workplan outlining the major activities, key milestones, and time schedule,
• Proposed outline for each knowledge product

1. Financial proposal (30%)

Must include all costs and applicable taxes. The proposed budget should be in Kenya Shillings and should have sufficient detail to allow a detailed review of the proposed costs. Therefore, the financial proposal should at least contain:

• Professional fees - Budget lines for each proposed expert with the estimated time input and daily rates (including costs for analysis, editing and graphic design among others).
• Indirect activity costs (if any) – Please indicate the type of cost and purpose
• Proposed milestone-based schedule of payments.

A single or a team of consultants can apply for this consultancy. The consultant/s will have the responsibility for conducting the detailed analysis and developing the knowledge products Therefore, the consultant(s) must meet the following conditions:

• Applicants must be able to legally operate in Kenya. The selected consultant(s) will be subject to a brief due diligence process including tax compliance.
• This assignment is to be executed by a team of qualified experts (at least MSc level) with the requisite knowledge, skills, and experience including experience supporting organisations in the production of knowledge and communication products for publication
• Proven track record and experience in similar assignments (minimum 5 years of experience), including examples of previous work (include links or attachments).
• Knowledge and/or experience in the energy and/or agriculture sectors and good knowledge of gender mainstreaming approaches will be an added advantage. 
• Experience working with development projects and programmes including a track record of assignments
• Excellent analytical, report-writing, editing and graphical skills.
• A demonstrated high level of professionalism and ability to work independently and in compliance with deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Excellent spoken and written English.

In addition, the consultant(s) will agree to (a) comply with SNV’s Code of Conduct, (b) comply with data protection policies, (c) declare availability during the entire implementation period, (d) ensure the overall quality and timely delivery of the assignment, and (e.) declare any links to the project team or management or any other conflict of interest that would interfere with the independence of the evaluation.

How to apply;

Interested consultants (firm/individual) are required to submit the above-mentioned proposals (separate technical and financial proposals) no later than 10th May 2024, by clicking on “I'M INTERESTED” and uploading them with the subject line “Consultancy to undertake the development of knowledge products for the SEFFA Project in Kenya”. Late submissions will not be considered.

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