Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultant

Invitation to Apply – Consultancy Engagement CONSULTANCY TITLE: Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Consultant CATEGORY : Professional Consultant LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya, Remote DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT:50 days from 01/03/2026 to 31/05/2026. EMAIL SUBJECT LINE : Consultancy – Gender and Social Inclusion Expert Background Population Council- Kenya (PC Kenya), a non-profit organization registered in Kenya, is leading an inter-regional consortium of Function-Oriented Impact Partner Organizations (IPOs) that comprises ThinkPlace Kenya, Le Barometre, and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) (the IPO). The IPO supports Mastercard Foundation’s Impact Strategy by conducting impact measurement and evaluation activities, in addition to supporting program design and learnings across the Foundation’s four program platforms, namely, the Pan-Africa Program (PANA), Education and Transitions (E&T), Strategic Partnerships and Innovations (SP&I), and Higher Education Collaboratives and Strategic Initiatives (HECSI). The geographic scope of programs supported by the Foundation cuts across 35 countries in Africa. The IPO supports the Foundation and its partners through: Impact Technical Delivery , which includes supporting robust monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) processes that entail assessing the progress of programs in advancing the Foundation's charitable goals of financial inclusion and youth education, as well as achieving set targets across the various programmatic platforms. Program Support , that entails supporting the development of strategies tailored to the unique needs of the Foundation’s partners and program participants through extensive evidence reviews, needs assessments, and participatory design methods to ensure interventions are designed to achieve impact in line with specific platform strategies and the Foundation’s charitable purpose. Cross-cutting Support , which entails supporting field building and communications activities through training and knowledge sharing and reflection to promote adoption of best practices. The IPO will provide technical support to the Foundation and its implementing partners on strategies that integrate gender, equity, diversity and inclusivity (GEDI) in MEL work. The IPO will specifically work with the Foundation’s Impact Team to integrate GEDI principles and measurement indicators into programs’ theories of change (TOCs), implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programs. Scope of Work PC Kenya is seeking the services of a professional consultant to provide guidance to the IPO, the Foundation and its implementing partners on the integration of gender equality and social inclusion principles and measurement indicators into the design and evaluation of programs across various platforms (PANA, E&T, SP&I and HECSI). Reporting to the IPO Senior Management Team (SMT), the consultant will work with the IPO to perform the following tasks: Provide thought leadership on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles, frameworks and measurement approaches, including theoretical and practical application in program design and evaluation; Develop guidelines and tools for integrating gender equality and social inclusion (gender, youth engagement, disability inclusion, refugee and displaced persons, and safeguarding) into program design, implementation, and evaluations across different platforms (PANA, E&T, SP&I); Conduct training of IPO staff, the Foundation’s Impact Team, and the Foundation’s implementing partners on integration of the guidelines and tools in program design, implementation and evaluation upon approval by the Foundation; Contribute to sense-making of insights generated from the integration of gender equality and social inclusion guidelines and tools in the design and evaluation of programs supported by the Foundation; Maintain the highest ethical standards when handling any information provided by the IPO or the Foundation, including ensuring security and maintaining confidentiality of the information; and Participate in meetings with IPO consortium partners as needed to clarify any issues pertaining to the engagement. Key deliverables Key deliverables of this assignment include: Guidelines and tools for integrating gender equality and social inclusion in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs supported by the Foundation. Training materials (slides, modules) and reports on gender principles, frameworks and measurement approaches. Periodic work progress reports as agreed with the IPO A summary of key tasks, deliverables and projected due dates are outlined below : Activity 1.Inception meeting with the IPO to align on expectations Deliverable : Inception meeting report/notes Projected due date: March 6, 2026 Activity 2: Preparation of detailed workplan for delivering on the assignment Deliverable: Detailed workplan Projected due date: March 15, 2026 Activity 3. Identification and synthesis of key gender equality and social inclusion principles, frameworks and measurement approaches relevant for designing, implementing and evaluating programs supported by the Foundation Deliverable: Synthesis report Projected due date: March 22, 2026 Activity 4 :Development of guidelines and tools for integrating gender equality and social inclusion in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs supported by the Foundation Deliverable : Draft guidelines and tools Projected due date :April 3, 2026 Activity 5: Validation of the guidelines and tools with IPO staff, Foundation Impact Team, and Foundation implementing partners Deliverable :Revised guidelines and tools Projected due date :April 15, 2026 Activity 6 :Training of IPO staff, Foundation Impact Team and Foundation implementing partners on application of the guidelines and tools Deliverable: Training materials (slides/modules) Projected due date: April 30, 2026 Activity 7: Providing input on insights generated from applying the guidelines and tools in the design and evaluation of programs supported by the Foundation Deliverable: Short brief on recommendations for best practices Projected due date :May 31, 2026 Qualifications and Experience The consultant should have the following minimum qualifications: Advanced degree in social science, gender equality and social inclusion studies, developmental studies, human rights studies or related field. Minimum 5 years prior experience designing, implementing or providing technical support on gender equality and social inclusion for programs. Experience facilitating training on gender, equality, diversity or inclusion for program teams. Excellent diplomatic, representational, problem-solving, management, and interpersonal skills. Excellent written and oral communications skills in English, including quality writing and presentation skills; ability to communicate in French is desirable. High sense of attention to details and ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams across Africa. Experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or in Africa. Travel The consultant may be expected to travel with all travel costs covered directly by PC-Kenya. Compensation The compensation will be based on the existing consultancy rates for the IPO-supported activities. Payment Terms Payments shall be output-based and made within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of a valid invoice and the PC-Kenya's written approval of the corresponding deliverable. No payment shall be made for outputs not approved as satisfactory by PC-Kenya. Submission of Applications Interested candidates should submit the following documents. Curriculum vitae or profile highlighting the relevant qualifications and experience. At least two (2) references from similar consultancy assignments. Technical proposal (maximum 6 pages) outlining understanding of the assignment, proposed approach, methodology, and work plan. Financial proposal indicating daily or lumpsum rate in USD. The rates should be inclusive of applicable taxes. Evaluation Criteria Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology. Relevant technical experience and qualifications. Quality of similar assignments completed (samples or references). Financial proposal (cost competitiveness). Population Council - Kenya (PC - Kenya) seeks to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable and marginalized populations in East Africa and other countries in the region. We support the design, testing, and scale-up of interventions on sexual reproductive health and rights, develop sustainable programme solutions that respond to girls’ educational needs and build their social, economic, and health assets; reduce HIV transmission; prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence; assess various service-integration models; and strengthen evidence for programmes related to unintended pregnancy. We are seeking an individual to fill the position described. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and will be required to present a valid Police Clearance Certificate. Population Council - Kenya provides equal opportunity; it does not discriminate against any person regarding age, colour, national origin, disability, political belief, religion, marital status, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Decisions on employment are based on an individual’s qualifications as related to the position for which they are being considered. The Council especially encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to women, people with disabilities, youths, and those from communities with the most to gain from expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services and information. Population Council - Kenya is international in the composition of its board of trustees and its staff, as well as in the nature and deployment of its activities.