Analysis of Community Structures, Political and Clan Dynamics, Land Holdings and Rural Production Systems in Gwassi Division of Suba District, Nyanza

Green Forest Social Investment (GFSI) is a social development enterprise, currently in the process of re-structuring and re-orienting its economic and social development programs in Gwassi Division of Suba District, in Homa Bay County, as informed by a recently concluded Strategic Review and Context Analysis. The intention is to transform the existing program to increase its relevance to the people of Gwassi and to ensure that GFSI operates with a people-centred approach, and more effectively and sustainably, reaches its economic, social and environmental objectives.

Targeting the 50% of the population living below the poverty line and focusing on the youth, in line with existing government policy and vision 2030, GFSI intends principally to use rural production value chains to increase food security and generate income for social investment at the rural producer household level.

Purpose of Assignment Inform GFSI with regard to: Identification of potential partners, collaborators, implementers and influencers; Identifying and ensuring the proper targeting and selection of rural producer householder participants through proper assessment and analysis of their demographic, social and economic characteristics and their potential to engage in production. Utilization and strengthening community structures determined capable of providing entry to the communities and support to the approach Avoiding diversion of effort and resources by “gatekeepers” Enabling an equitable distribution of the initiative’s activities in relation to the diversity and geographical spread of clans

In view of the need for the initiative to have a thorough understanding, for Gwassi Division, of: Program stakeholders – their areas of interest, potential and capacity Community social, economic and development structures Politics and clan dynamics and the diversity and geographical spread of clans Land holdings, land tenure, land economy and rural production systems

The information gained is expected to inform the development of the GFSI Strategic Plan, the design of the GFSI programme for 2014-2018, and the approach to implementation.

Objectives of Assignment The overall objective of the assignment is to research and generate a comprehensive information and analysis in relation to GFSI stakeholders, community structures, politics and clan dynamics, and land and rural production systems. The assignment seeks to identify and profile opportunities for GFSI engagement with stakeholders, existing community structures and clans, informed by current land holdings, economy and rural production systems, in relation to engaging principally in rural production value chains for poor household food security and income generation.

Scope of Work for Assignment The consultant(s) will undertake, for the GFSI initiative in Gwassi, to:

Conduct a comprehensive assessment and analysis of stakeholders, building on previous reports (GFSI Stakeholders’ Analysis, 2011; Context Analysis, 2013) to identify key stakeholders, their activities and their potential to influence the realization of GFSI economic, social and environmental objectives, taking into account that economic development through the development, principally of rural production value chains, is the main driver selected to achieve the organisation’s stated objectives. Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations

Conduct a comprehensive assessment and analysis of community social, economic and development structures, building on previous reports, to identify, in relation to the 15 sub-locations of Gwassi Division, key community structures, and capacity and potential for engagement with GFSI, to facilitate access to the communities and support to the approach, taking into account that economic development through the development, principally of rural production value chains, is the main driver selected to achieve the organisation’s stated objectives. Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

Conduct a comprehensive assessment, analysis and interpretation of local politics and clan dynamics, in relation to the 15 sub-locations of Gwassi Division, to map the diversity, geographical spread and inter-relationships of clans, that will inform the selection of areas/villages for future programme roll and enable equitable distribution of GFSI activities in relation to clans. Additionally, the assessment should specifically include analysis, in relation to local politics and clan dynamics, of the 14 villages selected, through other criteria, for the Context Analysis study. Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

Conduct a comprehensive assessment and analysis of land holdings, land tenure, land economy and rural production systems in relation to the 15 sub-locations of Gwassi Division, that will inform decision making in relation to future program rural production value chain and food security interventions. Draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations

Time Period for Assignment The Assignment is expected to start from Monday 11th March 2013 and to occupy the consultant(s) for a period of 65 days (with completion by 15th May), with 1 day for orientation, collection of reports and discussion with GFSI staff, 60 days in the field in Gwassi, and 4 days for production of the zero draft report.

  Execution of the Assignment The consultant(s) should submit an inception report to GFSI incorporating a detailed work plan for the assignment and share with the GFSI management within one (1) week of receiving the ToR for the assignment. A participatory approach will be expected with maximum stakeholder participation and appropriate involvement of representatives of the program target groups at all stages and GFSI staff
All locations visited during the field work will be geo-referenced with a hand-held GPS device, and the data supplied as an annex to the report, and presented on an appropriate scale map or series of maps in the report.

GFSI Support for the Assignment GFSI will support the consultant(s) during the assignment with all necessary logistics, including a driver, 4-wheel drive vehicle, fuel and desk space. GFSI will also facilitate the consultant(s) accommodation and meals at the Kwethumbe and/or Magunga guesthouse accommodation (though accommodation and meals will be charged in line with GFSI policy).

Outcomes and Deliverables for the Assignment The consultant(s) should submit an inception report to GFSI (in hard and soft copy) incorporating a detailed work plan for the assignment and share with the GFSI management within one (1) week of receiving the ToR for the assignment. A comprehensive quality zero draft report (as both hard and electronic copy – latter in both MSWord and PDF formats) will be shared by the consultant(s) with the GFSI Senior Management Team by COB on 15th May 2013. Following the receipt of comments on the zero draft report from the GFSI Senior Management Team, the consultant(s) will submit, within a period of five days, a comprehensive quality final draft report (as both hard and electronic copy – latter in both MSWord and PDF formats). The final report presented will broadly adhere to the following format: Executive summary (covering major findings and recommendations) Background Description of the objectives of the assignment and execution methodology Findings and analysis Conclusions and recommendations Annexes covering: Terms of Reference, abbreviations, data collection formats and questionnaires, references, graphs, tables, maps and geo-referenced data, etc.).

Experience and Qualifications for the Assignment Consultant(s) employed on this assignment are expected to have the following attributes: Sociologist or anthropologist or background on social sciences with at least 3-5 years’ experience of conducting similar assignments, using participatory methodologies and a proven track record of excellence in field research, analysis and presentation of results Agricultural Scientist/Rural Development specialist with at least 3-5 years’ experience of conducting similar assignments and a sound knowledge of land economy and rural production systems in East Africa Demonstrated excellent research, data collection, analytical and report writing skills Ideally, a knowledge of the area concerned (Gwassi Division of Suba District) and language skills in Swahili and Luo.

How to apply:

Contact Information Interested and appropriately qualified consultants should prepare and submit to Green Forest Social Investment (GFSI) a technical and financial proposal for the assignment by Monday 25th February 2013. They should indicate their qualifications and experience together with a detailed execution plan. The proposals, CV and letter of motivation, as well as three (3) referees should be sent electronically toinfo@subagreenforest.com