CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – COMMUNITY ORGANIZED GROUPS

Visibilize4ClimateAction (V4CA) Project

1. Information to applicants

1.1 Introduction

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an international, non-profit research organization that envisions transforming lives in Africa through research. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population and health in Africa geared towards generating high-quality evidence to inform decision-making for an effective and sustainable response to the most critical challenges facing the continent.

APHRC in collaboration with the Center for International Forest Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), the University of Nairobi (UoN), PELUM Kenya, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Oxford University, and Loughborough University— along with the county governments of Laikipia, Laikipia, and Turkana and national government line ministries of health and climate change, among others, we will be undertaking a project titled: “Visibilizing Climate Change Impacts on Nutrition and Mental Health among Vulnerable Populations in East African Drylands” (Visibilize4ClimateAction Project), funded by Wellcome.

The Visibilize4ClimateAction project aims to make visible, through research, public and policy engagement, the impact of climate change on the nutritional status and mental health of vulnerable populations in the East African drylands (arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid zones), to catalyze context-specific climate policy and practice change at scale.

The focus of the call for expression is to engage the public on 1) the concept of climate change and its linkage with health for empowerment, 2) co-creation, and co-learning on climate adaptations and mitigation measures (such as agroecology, agroforestry, or rangeland management) in place for practice and policy action,  involving communities in Turkana (Turkana North and Kibish), Samburu (Samburu Central), and Laikipia (Dry Sub-Humid)  counties in Kenya, and the general public. We therefore seek to recruit Community Organized Groups (CoGs) working/operating specifically in Turkana North and Kibish, Samburu Central, and Laikipia West Sub Counties in Kenya, where public engagement will be undertaken.

Expected immediate outcomes of the project are (a) strengthened capacity of the Community Organized Groups (COGs) and a community of practice among community actors on public engagement, focusing on the intersection between food systems, climate change, and health (b) enhanced understanding of communities on the concepts of food systems and climate change, and the intersection between food systems, climate change and health c) co-creation and co-learning on adaptation or mitigation measures specifically agroecological, agroforestry and or rangeland management.

APHRC will provide capacity building for the select COGs on the concepts of climate change and climate action, food security, nutrition and health and their interlinkages; public engagement methods; project management; financial management, policy engagement, communication, and advocacy among other aspects. For greater effectiveness and sustainability of project activities, the project will also gradually undertake to establish a community of practice.

1.2 Project period

February 2024 – February 2027 (36 months)

1.3 Project implementation areas

East African Drylands of Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania with a deep dive in Kenya in Turkana, Samburu and Laikipia Counties.

1.4 Project implementation modality

The public engagement activities will be implemented through COGs based in the project’s focal counties of Turkana (Turkana North and Kibish), Samburu (Samburu Central), and Laikipia (Laikipia West).  Priority preference will be given to registered COGs operating as a non-governmental organization (NGO), a community-based organization (CBOs), a community radio station, or a self-help group. Additionally, preference will be given to COGs who have already worked with any of the visible partner’s initiatives. This call for proposals aims to receive applications from capable COGs interested in implementing the project activities around climate change adaptation and mitigation agroecology, agroforestry, and rangeland management in any project implementation areas and have the capacity for and prior experience in public engagement.

1.5 Application procedure

Step 1: Complete the Expression of Interest form provided in Appendix 1

Step 2: Fill the forms provided in Appendix 2, Appendix 3, and Appendix 4

Step 3: Complete the letter of submission using the template provided in Appendix 5

Step 4: Send electronic/soft copies of information provided in steps 1 to 3 above to consultancies@aphrc.org and copy eanono@aphrc.org and aritho@aphrc.org with the email subject: “Expression of Interest in the Visibilize4ClimateAction Project”

1.6 Eligibility criteria for expression of interest

Ideally, the applicant should meet the following criteria while submitting the EoI:

1. A COG is registered with the relevant authority at the national or county level.
2. Organization with core staff having field level experience in the specified targeted sub-county.
3. Track record of strong partnership with local communities, local authorities, and/or government agencies in previous activities.
4. Proven working experience in community-based interventions or promotion/outreach activities and other relevant activities related to food security and nutrition, climate change, and/or human health (including mental health), or closely related areas in the target counties.
5. Record of involving vulnerable and marginalized groups in previous organizational activities.
6. Demonstrated capacity and experience in any form of public engagement, e.g. engaging communities on agro-ecology, agroforestry, and rangeland management activities.
7. Previous engagement with Visibilize4ClimateAction project partners projects will be an added advantage.

Note: The applicants are encouraged to submit proof of each eligibility criteria.

1.7 COGs selection process

A multi-phased selection process will be employed which includes:

1. Submission of EoI by COGs
2. Verification and possible interview of the shortlisted COGs
3. Initial training of shortlisted COGs on Public Engagement; and
4. Submission of proposals by shortlisted COGs.

COGs who are successful at the end of the process will be allowed to amend their applications including proposed activities based on the training above and further training.

1.8 Funding and duration

Seed grants will be issued to successful COGs. The seed-grant amount is KES 500,000. The project’s duration is 18 months.

1.9 General Information

1. Templates to furnish the information required for this application are annexed to this call for EoIs as follows:

• Appendix 1: Expression of Interest form
• Appendix 2: Organizational profile and relevant experience
• Appendix 3: Description of the core staff of the organization
• Appendix 4: Organizational track record
• Appendix 5: Letter for EoI submission

1. The applicant may contact the project team for clarification of any issues related to the EoI, if required. All inquiries can be made in writing to Esther Anono at eanono@aphrc.org and  Alice Ritho at aritho@aphrc.org
2. The closing date for submission of EoI is 30^th January 2025. EoI’s submitted after the closing date will not be considered.
3. The result of the shortlisting will be communicated to qualified COGs within 4 weeks of EoI deadline. Depending on the number of applications, we may also communicate to the non-successful COGs. Otherwise, if you do not here from us by March 2025, you may consider your application unsuccessful.
4. Field verifications will be done only for the shortlisted COGs.
5. Failure to submit the necessary documents will disqualify the respective organization from the process.
6. The APHRC reserves all rights to cancel the EoIs process without giving any reasons whatsoever.

Word versions of Appendix 1- 5 can be accessed/downloaded from the links below.

Please download the document (Go to File and select Download from the options), fill and submit the documents as instructed in 1.5, step 4 above. Do not fill in the documents directly from the google sheets.

Appendix 1:  Link

Appendix 2:  Link

Appendix 3:  Link

Appendix 4:  Link

Appendix 5:  Link

Special Notice

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

Applicants are not required to make any payments to anyone during any stage of the

recruitment process.