Call for Expression of Interest – Community Organized Groups

Public Engagement Infrastructure Strengthening (PEIS) 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. Among the prime areas of focus in urban informal settlements is on food systems.

Between 2018 and 2021, APHRC undertook the ‘Public Engagement on the Right to Food Project’ in urban poor communities in Nairobi and Kisumu to stimulate dialogue on the connections between the right to food as stipulated in the Bill of Rights in the 2010 Kenya Constitution, and the lived experiences with food insecurity among urban poor populations as evidenced by research. APHRC worked with various Community Organized Groups (COGs) based in urban poor communities in Nairobi and Kisumu. This project established public engagement as a significant approach in influencing change communities.

Building on lessons learned and outcomes of the Public Engagement Project, we are now entering an exciting new phase of strategic significance – ‘Public Engagement Infrastructure Strengthening (PEIS) Phase’-. Our goal in this new phase is to strengthen APHRC’s (soft) infrastructure for public engagement, with a special focus on the intersection between food systems, climate change, and health. This aligns with APHRC’s vision for public engagement as a translational pathway to bridge research evidence to policy and social change, empowering communities to be partners in research and to be agents of change. This project builds on APHRC’s public engagement work, building the capacity and infrastructure of grassroots organizations to engage their communities for sustainability. The project is expected to lead to enhanced knowledge among grassroots organizations and communities on the intersection between food systems, climate change and health, and ultimately change in research practice and social change in communities. It is also expected to build on the (soft) infrastructure of grassroots organizations for public engagement as part of APHRC’s infrastructure.

Expected immediate outcomes of the project are (a) strengthened capacity of the 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.

Project activities will be implemented by APHRC in collaboration with a select number of qualified COGs. APHRC will provide capacity building for the select COGs on: the concepts of climate, food systems and health and their interlinkages, public engagement, project management, financial management, and 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 of COGs.

1.2 Project period

January 2024 to December 2025

1.3 Project implementation areas

• Nairobi County
• Kisumu County

1.4 Project implementation modality

In both Nairobi and Kisumu counties, the project activities will be implemented through COGs based and/or operating in urban poor settings in either of the counties. Priority preference will be given to registered COGs operating as: a non-governmental organization (NGO), a community-based organization, a community radio station, or a self-help group. Additionally, preference will be given to COGs who have already participated in the APHRC’s Right to Food Public Engagement Project highlighted above.

This call for proposals aims at receiving applications from capable COGs that are interested in carrying out the implementation of the project activities in any of the project implementation areas, and have 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 2 to 4 above 1 to consultancies@aphrc.org and copy dosogo@aphrc.org with the email subject: “Expression of Interest in the Public Engagement Infrastructure Strengthening Project”

1.6 Eligibility criteria for expression of interest

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

1. A COG registered with the relevant authority at national or county level.
2. Organization with core staff having at field level experience in at least one specified Nairobi or Kisumu informal settlement (slum).
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/or other relevant activities related to food systems, climate change or health, or closely related area of focus in a specified informal settlement (slum) in Nairobi or Kisumu.
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 food or health-related issues.
7. Previous engagement in APHRC’s public engagement 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, from May 2024 to October 2025.

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 core staff of the organization
• Appendix 4: Organizational track record
• Appendix 5: Letter for EoI submission

2. 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 David Osogo at dosogo@aphrc.org and  Felistus Mwalia at fmwalia@aphrc.org

3. The closing date for submission of EoI is 31^st March 2024. EoI’s submitted after the closing date will not be considered.

4. 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 May 2024, you may consider your application unsuccessful.

5. Field verifications will be done only for the shortlisted COGs.

6. Failure to submit the necessary documents will disqualify the respective organization from the process.

7. 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 below.

Please download the document, fill it in 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.