Consultancy to Conduct a Feasibility Study for the Tuvuke Project Proposal

Location: Kilifi County – Sub-Counties of Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Magarini, Malindi Application Deadline : 26th August 2025 Contract Type: Individual Consultancy Working Language: English and Kiswahili (Knowledge of local Mijikenda dialects, added advantage) Expected Start Date: As soon as a suitable candidate is identified Contract Period : 20 working days 1.BACKGROUND Mangroves in Kenya, particularly in Kilifi are under severe threat due to logging, pollution, and climate impacts such as sea level rise. According to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA, 2021) and UNEP (2019), the degradation of mangroves reduces fish stocks, increases coastal vulnerability, and undermines livelihoods. The UNEP (2019) “Blue Economy Assessment” identifies mangroves as undervalued yet critical assets for biodiversity, coastal protection, and carbon sequestration. Kenya’s mangroves store three to five times more carbon per hectare than most tropical forests and buffer coastal communities against storm surges and erosion. Yet they are disappearing fast: national analyses estimate an average loss of ≈ 0.7 % of mangrove cover every year—with peri-urban creeks recording annual losses of 2–5% ( https://climate.co.ke/challenges-and-solutions-for-safeguarding-kenyas-mangroves ). Kilifi County is a microcosm of that crisis. While the county holds roughly 8,536 ha (≈14 %) of Kenya’s mangroves, recent ROAM assessments show 40 % of that area is already degraded and in need of active rehabilitation. Causes include unsustainable fuel-wood extraction, illegal timber, pollution from upstream settlements, and rising sea levels. The National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan (2017-2027) recognizes these threats but acknowledges persistent implementation gaps in community engagement, market incentives and enforcement. Socio-economic pressures magnify ecological stress, youth unemployment along the Coast topping 35 % (KNBS 2020), far above the national average, limiting alternatives to resource extraction. Women and persons with disabilities face additional barriers to skills, finance and land tenure. Climate change–driven sea-level rise, saline intrusion and disease-vector expansion (e.g. malaria, dengue) further undermine livelihoods, as confirmed by AFOSI–Stanford field studies on mangrove-linked health risks. Meanwhile, promising blue-green value chains—honey, seaweed, community ecotourism, blue-carbon credits remain fragmented and under-capitalized. Youth in coastal Kenya face over 35% unemployment (KNBS, 2020), exacerbated by limited access to training, finance, and markets. Environmental degradation reduces natural resource-based livelihoods, creating a cycle of poverty and ecological stress. Health vulnerabilities like malaria dengue and recently Chikungunya linked to stagnant water in degraded ecosystems also persist. AFOSI and Stanford research (2023) confirm the role of mangrove-linked ecosystems in disease vector control through environmental management. Despite the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan (2017), implementation gaps remain, particularly in community engagement and enterprise integration. There is limited understanding and exploitation of blue carbon markets. Mangrove ecosystem value chains (e.g., honey, seaweed, tourism) remain fragmented, informal, and under-leveraged. However, the enabling environment is improving. Kenya’s Blue Economy Implementation Plan (2020-2030), the Climate Change Act (2016), Kilifi County CIDP (2023-2027) and emerging voluntary carbon market guidelines all promote nature-based solutions and green jobs. The TUVUKE project is being designed by a consortium comprising of 3 partners and is positioned to translate these policy aspirations into community-level impact by integrating ecosystem restoration, enterprise development and digital innovation. 1.1 ABOUT THE PROPOSED PROJECT The TUVUKE Project is a proposed gender and disability inclusive initiative, which subject to funding, will be designed to economically empower vulnerable youth (16-35) to restore coastal ecosystems while strengthening sustainable blue-green livelihoods in Kilifi County. The goal of the project is to strengthen inclusive climate-resilient coastal communities in Kilifi County by empowering vulnerable youth (16-35) to drive mangrove restoration, enhance income and job creation and sustainable blue-green economies through harnessing nature-based solutions, digital innovation, and inclusive finance to combat environmental degradation while creating equitable livelihoods. 1.2. OBJECTIVE AND TASKS OF THE CONSULTANCY a) Purpose of the Consultancy The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a feasibility study which will provide empirical evidence critical for the development of a project proposal. b) Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant Review of the approved concept note to familiarise with the proposed project ideas. Undertake a desk review for secondary data on the subject matter with focus on political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal factors critical for the success of the project design and implementation. Conduct in-depth discussions with the consortium members for a deeper understanding of the project. Engage with organizations currently implementing mangrove restoration initiatives in Kilifi County to identify any programmatic similarities, gaps and highlight potential synergies that can be leveraged across the project. Evaluate the technical viability and sustainability of the proposed project both in terms of its design and scope and the use of the proposed technologies and innovations. Evaluate the financial viability and feasibility of the proposed project. Carry out field data collection, analysis and report writing aligning with donor priorities. Undertake sector specific stakeholders mapping and analysis. Prepare and present a detailed report of the findings and recommendations aligning with donor priorities. 2.DELIVERABLES The Consultant will have three deliverables: Inception Report (delineating the design and methods) Draft Feasibility Study/Organisational Capacity Assessment Report Final Feasibility Study Report/Organisational Capacity Assessment Report - no more than 30 pages. 3. METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH Structure of the study and guidelines: The Consultant will follow the format below in the design of the feasibility study and the development of the study report; the following questions should guide the design and report: Purpose and use of the feasibility study What is the project objective (outcome) that will be assessed for feasibility? How conducive is the context (sector, components, project regions) with regard to the projects’ objective? What additional questions should the feasibility study address concerning the design and implementation of the intended project? How does the feasibility study fit into the project plan in terms of shared learning? 2. Methodology What participatory methods, tools, and resources will be used for data collection and analysis? Which, and how many stakeholders will be involved? What are their backgrounds and interests? 3. Initial situation and problem analysis, on macro- meso- and micro-levels What current problems of the beneficiaries have been identified relevant to the proposed project? Which of the causes of these problems will be prioritised and addressed in the project? What existing local potential, structures (institutions, networks, umbrella organizations etc.) and social mechanisms can be built on? What gaps have been identified in the system? What are the other projects focusing on mangrove restoration in the target county/sub counties and neighbouring coastal counties? What are the potential synergies (e.g., in the areas of advocacy and policy) that the stakeholders could leverage on? What are the potential overlaps with other ongoing projects and how we can avoid them and/or deal with them. Are there any approaches or results from previous development measures? If yes, how can they be extended? What other circumstances, for example conflict dynamics, and gender and inclusion issues, that must be considered in the context of the project? 4. Local project partner in the partner country Which organisation(s) have been selected as local project partner(s), and why? Who suggested the idea for the project? How will the project improve the local project partner’s ownership? Do any formal agreements exist between the stakeholders? To what extent have existing agreements between stakeholders been formalised? Are the partners’ resources and strengths, both individually and at an organisational level, well understood? 5. Competences What relevant professional, methodological and political competencies, both at an individual and an organisational level, will be further developed? 6. Beneficiaries and other stakeholders (on a micro-, meso- and macro-level) How are the direct beneficiaries selected, and by whom? What criteria exist for selecting these beneficiaries? What is the composition of each beneficiaries? How homogeneous or heterogeneous are the beneficiaries with regard to factors such as gender, ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, language, and capacity, and to what extent must the project take this into account? What potential does each beneficiary have for self-help? How well are the beneficiaries equipped for self-help? How can local problem-solving capabilities be improved? Do the beneficiaries and other stakeholders have a common understanding of the problems, prioritising process and objectives of the project? Do the interests of other stakeholders align? Do any conflicts of interest exist? How strong is the various stakeholders’ support for the project, for example, in terms of their own contribution? In what ways might they influence the project? 7. Capacity Assessment of Local Partner Organizations What are the capacities of the two local partner organizations regarding safeguarding, child protection, gender and inclusion? What support is required to enhance Child safeguarding, protection and other related gender and inclusion dimensions of programming? The Consultant will use the following guiding questions (based on the OECD DAC evaluation criteria identified above) to assist in designing the content of the study. a. Relevance – To what extent is the planned project doing the right thing? Will the planned project approach address a key development problem or a significant developmental bottleneck in the partner country or region? Are the focus, priorities and objectives (approach) of the planned project clearly defined and aligned with the beneficiaries? To what extent do the intervention objectives and design adequately take into account the specific needs of the beneficiaries and any structural obstacles in the project region, partner/institution, or policy programs? Are the norms and standards of the approach compatible with those of the beneficiaries? Is the project designed to be conflict sensitive (Do No Harm Principle)? b. Coherence – how suitable is the intervention? How consistent are the planned activities with human rights principles (inclusion, participation), and any conventions or relevant standards/guidelines? To what extent do synergies and connections exist between the planned project and other interventions by the same stakeholder (organisation) and other stakeholders? What similarities or overlaps exist between the beneficiaries and projects implemented by other stakeholders in the same context? To what extent does the intervention add value and avoid duplication? c. Effectiveness – which project approach is best for achieving the objectives? Are the cause-and-effect relationships (including assumptions) plausible? What negative effects might arise? Is the chosen methodological approach suitable and sufficient for achieving the project objective? Are alternatives required? At what level (multi-level approach) do you anticipate implementing additional measures to increase effectiveness? How will changes be measured? What indicators (fields) are most suitable? d. Efficiency – is the proposed project’s planned use of funds a cost-effective method to achieve its objectives? To what extent can the planned measures be implemented with the envisaged funds and personnel in the proposed time period? To what extent can the envisaged spending be allocated cost-effectively, and are the investments, operating expenses and personnel in proportion to the intended goals? Impact (significance) – what contribution does the planned project make to achieving higher-level development policy impact? What particular contribution does the project objective (outcome) make to the overall objective (impact)? To what extent does the planned project build structures, set examples and have a broad impact? On what levels will norms or structures be changed? e. Sustainability – to what extent will the positive impact remain once the project has ended (without additional external funding)? How can the sustainability of the results and impact be ensured and strengthened (structurally, economically, socially and ecologically)? What long-term capacities will be established in the beneficiaries to enable them to continue the implemented measures independently? What positive changes (role behaviour, mechanisms, networks, etc) will be of long-term benefit to civil society? How can the digital components of the project (AI, drone-based surveillance, blockchain system) be sustained? How can this be ensured beyond the scope of the project? How can local resources be utilized by local technical experts, so the project avoids using international experts and supports and applies the national technical expertise? What personal risks for those implementing the project, or institutional or contextual risks, may influence the sustainability of the project? How can these be minimised? Finally, the Consultant will include in the feasibility assessment report answers to the following questions: Based on the main findings, and the evaluation according to the OCED DAC evaluation criteria, what concrete suggestions can be made or incorporated into the project concept in its specific context? What components, if any, are missing from the project concept to make the cause-effect relationships more coherent and to sustainably achieve the planned objectives? What planned components are not suitable or may have a negative impact, and for what reasons? Can the assumptions of cause-effect relationships be supported? What findings and project-relevant data from the study are suitable for inclusion in the project logic (impact matrix of the project proposal)? What are the recommendations for possible impact monitoring and data collection indicators. The study should clearly show what makes our project unique compared to the other projects 4. MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION The consultant will work in close collaboration with the project team led by the Grants Acquisition Manager and Programs & Sponsorship Director will oversee the work of the consultant. Day to day support will be provided by relevant staff from ChildFund Kenya and other consortium members. 5. QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS OF THE CONSULTANT(S) The following are the required Technical Skills, Qualifications and Experience of the consultant are: The lead consultant should hold a Postgraduate Degree in any of the following disciplines- Child Protection, Organizational Leadership and Development, Environmental Science, Marine Studies, Climate Change, Food Security and Livelihood, Youth Development, Entrepreneurship. Specific knowledge on ecology, conservation, resource management, or coastal development is added advantage. Proven experience in conducting Organizational Capacity Development, Feasibility Studies in Mangrove ecosystem conservation, youth and the green economy, blue economy and or other related technical content areas relevant to the study. Experience in conducting BMZ feasibility studies and proposal development guidelines will be an added advantage. Proven experience in participatory M&E, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods The consultant must reside in Kenya or have work permit to operate in Kenya. Strong report-writing, community engagement, project management, communication skills Strong conceptual, analytical and strategic capability. Fluency in written English is required. Fluency in the local language (Kiswahili) is highly preferred. Excellent presentation, and planning skills Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member is required Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams) Full time availability for the assignment between September - mid October 2025. Commitment to ChildFund’s values and willingness to abide by the Organisation’s Safeguarding Policy. 6. EVALUATION CRITERIA Consultant Qualification and Experience: The consultant (s) must have an advanced degree and working experience in any of the following, or related disciplines: Environmental Science, Marine Studies, Climate Change, Food Security and Livelihood, Youth Development, Entrepreneurship. Specific knowledge on ecology, conservation, resource management, or coastal development is added advantage- 40% Technical Performance: Over 10 years of experience in undertaking feasibility studies, needs assessments, research and evaluations related to mangrove ecosystems, youth development and livelihoods. Demonstrated experience in the use of participatory approaches, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods. Excellent analytical, organizational, presentation, report writing and interpersonal skills, experience of undertaking a BMZ assignment. - 50% Detailed implementation Schedule: Realistic timelines with clear milestones on how steps will be sequenced, corresponding targets for each step, and when each step will be achieved. Detailed budget inclusive of tax and logistical costs. (The Gant Chart will be enough) - 10% 7.TIMELINES Award and onboard the successful bidder as per the evaluation criteria – technical and budget: 2nd September 2025 Provide Inception report and preparation including fieldwork schedule: 8th September 2025 Finalising data instruments/tools, piloting data collection instruments, Data collection from sampled project respondents, Data Cleaning, Analysis and Synthesis and report writing: 10th -20th September 2025 Submission of first draft feasibility study report: 24th September 2025 Review and feedback of the first draft by the project team: 26th September 2025 Validation meeting on the findings to the stakeholders: 30nd September 2025 Submission of final report and a comprehensive logframe: 3rd October 2025 8.PAYMENT DETAILS Expected deliverables Instalment Payment Structure Inception report delineating the feasibility study design and methods and feasible workplan accepted by ChildFund Kenya- 30% Draft Feasibility Study Report accepted by ChildFund Kenya- 40% Final Feasibility Study Report (no more than 30 pages) accepted by ChildFund Kenya- 30% Processing and payment shall be made within 30 days of receipt of the invoice. 5% of the professional fees will be retained by ChildFund Kenya as withholding tax and a certificate for the same issued to the Consultant. 9.ETHICS AND SAFEGUARDING The Consultant will be expected to adhere to ChildFund International’s Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy which ensures that the rights of those participating in data collection or analysis are respected and protected. 10.APPLICATION PROCEDURES All applicants should submit the following documents: Technical proposal A summary of the consultant’s capability to meet the objectives of this consultancy as well as qualifications as outlined in this document. Resume of not more than 7 pages Share sample reports of previous work done relating to this Call for the consultancy and or work previously undertaken Detailed implementation Schedule Provide at least three reference contacts of previous organisations where you conducted similar evaluation, feasibility studies etc. Budget Proposal: Detailed budget, including consultant fees, travel, taxes and other costs. Statutory documents The applicant must also submit the documents mentioned below along with the proposal. Certificate of Registration (Firm) (if applicable) PIN/VAT Certificate and Valid Tax Clearance Certificate Company /Organization Profile (if applicable) Company CR12 form (if applicable) Certification as a Data Controller or Processor from the ODPC (if applicable) ChildFund Kenya is committed to a workplace culture that promotes diverse lived experiences , equity and inclusion in all its forms. Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only consultants who have been shortlisted will be contacted. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your interest in working with us.

All applications received by the submission date will be reviewed by a selection committee against the Terms of Reference. Applicants should submit documents through the email: [email protected] with the email subject marked with the title of “External Consultancy-Tuvuke Project Feasibility Study”. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a suitable candidate is identified. ChildFund Kenya reserves the right to withdraw the advert at any time once it finds a suitable candidate for the consultancy. Closing date for submission of complete applications is 28th August 2025. Only applicants with complete documents will go through the selection process.