TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR

THE ASSESSMENT OF DSW KENYA’S BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF TRANSITIONING INTO A LOCAL NGO

• About DSW

Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) is a global development organisation that focuses on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history. We are committed to creating demand for and access to sexual and reproductive health information, services, supplies, and economic empowerment for young people. We achieve this by engaging in advocacy, capacity development, and reproductive health initiatives, empowering young people to lead healthy and self-determined lives.

• Background

DSW Kenya is one of the east African country offices of DSW alongside Tanzania and Ethiopia. In Uganda, DSW maintains a presence through a partner organisation Action 4 Health, a national organisation implementing programmes in Uganda with the support of DSW since 2015 when the Executive Board of DSW, selected Uganda as the pilot country office to initiate an independence process. The process led to DSW Uganda transforming into a local national organisation, Action 4 Health Uganda.

In 2019, DSW Kenya received support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to implement a three- year programme ‘Holistic Action Programme for Adolescents’ (HAPA). One of the result areas through this project is to strengthen DSW Kenya’s programme delivery capacity, operational procedures, processes, and governance.. As a deliverable, DSW Kenya seeks an external assessment to assess the benefits and disadvantages of potentially transitioning into a local NGO. The assessment report will be used to inform discussions by DSW board on the benefits and disadvantages of such a transition.

Through this process, DSW Kenya will interrogate its governance and management processes and competencies to determine its readiness and ability to start a transition process into an independent local organization. As part of DSW learning, close reference will be made to the lessons drawn from the Uganda experience.

• Purpose, objectives and scope of the assessment

This assessment will be undertaken within Q1-2021 with a deadline on 15^th of March 2021. The overall objective of this assessment is to inform DSW Germany and DSW Kenya Board and Management on whether DSW Kenya should transit into a local independent organisation.

Overall Objectives

Specific Objectives

1) To interrogate the benefits and disadvantages of transforming DSW Kenya to a local NGO

· Review the legal, structural and infrastructural prerequisites for a successful transition

· Review and document the processes undertaken by other NGOs towards becoming a local organisations, including A4H (UG)

· Document the lessons learnt and challenges faced by organisations that have already gone through such a process, including Action 4 Health Uganda, and how they were resolved

2) Conduct an analysis of the donor and funding landscape and trends

· How would this impact future resource mobilisation efforts of DSW Kenya

· Analyse the funding and donor landscape and identify funding trends, opportunities for DSW Kenya

3) To determine the management, governance and relevant capacities of the DSW Kenya board and general assembly to guide a potential transition to a local organization

· Review DSW Kenya’s governance and management processes alongside good practices to performing possible transition to an independent NGO

· Review the relationship between DSW Kenya board and its management staff

· Review the management capacities and strengths to lead an independent institution

Suggested main chapters for final report (structure):

1) Executive Summary

2) Introduction

3) Study Methodology

4) Going local; examples of localization by other NGOS (incl. A4HU), and the implications and benefits of each type, potential challenges, opportunities and disadvantages of transitioning in a local NGO

5) Donors’ Landscape in Kenya: Availability and Access to Funding

6) DSW Kenya’s governance and management capacities and challenges to guide a potential transition to a local organization

7) Conclusion

8) Recommendations to DSW board and DSW HO on the benefits and disadvantages of such a transition

• Assessment Phases

The breakdown below details the milestones or phases critical to the assignment:

Phase 1: Preparation, submission and presentation of the inception report to the leadership team (KEN Country Director, KEN country project staff & DSW GER Project Staff & HO Senior management team). The report should detail consultants understanding of the assignment and the proposed approach.

Phase 2: Development of Assessment tools, (Key Informant Interviews Guide, Interview guide & Questionnaire etc.) and discussion with DSW KEN CO CD & Project staff and DSW GER Project staff

Phase 3: Data Collection – Administer the assessment tools (interviews, document reviews) and preparation of the first draft of the report

Phase 4: Draft report shared with HAPA focal person at DSW Germany and DSW Kenya CO CD & Project staff for input and comments. DSW GER collates and shares team feedback with consultant

Phase 5: The consultant incorporates the feedback and presents report to (DSW GER staff, HO senior management team and Country Director and Country office project staff). DSW KEN and DSW GER provide final comments

Phase 6: The final report submitted to DSW Germany in both soft and hard copy.

• Methodology

The process will entail discussions and consultations with internal and external audiences as shall be agreed with the consultant. These will include but are not limited to;

(i) Members of DSW Kenya board and General Assembly.

(ii) Senior Management Team members from Kenya Country office and Head office;

(iii) Discussions with project staff at both Kenya Country Office and head Office

(iv) Selected organisations that have undergone an independence process including A4H Uganda

(v) Selected donor agencies

An in depth review of DSW Kenya’s governance and management processes, policies and practices will be undertaken. In addition, a critical review of reports from NGOs that have undertaken the independence journey.

• Tasks, deliverables and Timelines

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks;

· To follow the Assessment schedule (please see table below)

· The consultant shall present an inception report detailing the approach that will be used to be able to fulfill the objectives listed above followed by a discussion on the tools.

· Undertake a briefing session with the DSW Leadership team and the DSW Kenya board and General Assembly to discuss findings of the assessment.

· Prepare and submit final assessment report.

· Requirements

The successful applicant must;

● Hold an Advanced degree in International Development or Development Studies.

● Training in organisational development will be an added advantage.

● Demonstrate good understanding of the NGO working environment in Kenya and be conversant with the independence process of INGOs.

● Possess Excellent analytical and writing skills.

● Ability to work independently and deliver under tight deadlines.