TOR - Impact of Clean Energy Projects in Kajiado County

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Oxfam is an international confederation of 21 organizations working in over 60 countries worldwide seeking to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice around the world. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the world, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partners, public and private sector institutions alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty and inequality.

Oxfam has been active in Kenya since 1963 and has worked with partners in long-term development and humanitarian programs and has actively engaged in advocacy and influencing for better governance and equitable access to public services. Read more about Oxfam from https://kenya.oxfam.org/.

Energy, particularly fossil fuels, contribute significantly to climate change, yet at the same time is vital for human development. The rapidly accelerating global clean energy transition offers various opportunities and co-benefits for communities and workers, both overseas and at home, such as new jobs, affordable and secure energy access, better health, reduced deforestation, etc. A fast and just clean energy transition could simultaneously mitigate the climate crisis and reduce energy poverty and inequality. But the transition also poses big risks and threats to communities and workers. An unjust, extractive transition will entrench existing injustices, generate resistance and slow the transition. Oxfam is seeking to promote a just, equitable, inclusive and people-centred clean energy transition through different initiatives. The objectives include:

1. Raising awareness of the need for a JET
2. Influencing governments and private sector policy and practice
3. Testing, modelling, sharing scaling just and transformative solutions. This work could be greatly strengthened by learning from practical examples of just and transformative policies and practices.

It is against this premise that Oxfam in Kenya, with the support of Oxfam Great Britain, is undertaking research in Kajiado County whose purpose is to influence a radical shift in the implementation of clean energy projects to generate shared prosperity with communities and workers. The research will generate a compelling body of evidence that documents the impact of the clean energy interventions with an objective of informing policies and practices of governments, investors, and companies within the energy sector towards shared prosperity.

AUDIENCE AND USE
The research findings will be used internally by Oxfam to inform strategies that will be used to influence policies and practices in relation to a Just Energy Transition in Kenya. The findings will also be used to engage key stakeholders including government and private investors, companies, and civil society working within the Energy sector and the public to adopt just, equitable, inclusive and people-centred clean energy transition interventions including policies and practices, and document key lessons emerging from these interventions.

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the research is to assess and generate evidence on the impact of clean energy interventions in Kajiado County that will be used to inform strategies to influence relevant policy and practices in relation to clean energy. The specific objectives are:

1. Mapping out clean energy projects in Kajiado County.
2. Understanding the impacts, both negative and positive, that the projects have had in the target communities.
3. Documenting lessons learned from the implementation of these projects.
4. Providing recommendations on how the findings can be used to influence relevant energy policies and interventions in the country.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The research questions identified below will provide the structure and ground the analysis of the final report of this research.

RQ.1
Design: To what extent does the design of the solution fit/not fit with pre-identified JET principles/assessment framework (to be jointly developed)?

• Speed/effectiveness - how effective was the solution in reducing emissions?
• What co-benefits were generated over what time frame?
• What were the case study costs?
• What was the time scale?

RQ.2
Just Transition principles - to what extent does the design of the solution fit the pre-identified JET principles/assessment framework (to be jointly developed)?

• Recognition of existing inequalities, rights, knowledge: Were existing knowledge, rights and (intersectional) injustices and inequalities of affected/participating groups identified?
• People-centred and inclusive: Was there meaningful and fair social dialogue with, and consultation of, affected people and their organisations?
• Equitable design for shared prosperity: Does the design and implementation of the energy policy or programme ensure a fair distribution of responsibility, capabilities, cost and benefit from the project?
• Remedy and restoration: Were harms mitigated and remedy provided for any unavoidable harms?
• Transformative: To what extent does the solution tackle the structural causes of the climate crisis or an unjust transition?

RQ.3
Contextual Conditions Finance and Policy Framework
How was the solution funded? By what sources and types of finance? What were the terms and conditions?

FRAMEWORK AND APPROACH
The Framework is as highlighted above. The research questions identified in this ToR will inform the research; however, this will be refined further jointly with the consultant(s) when the research is commissioned to ensure it responds to the context and needs of the communities and stakeholders involved.

GENDER
Gender and intersectional feminist approaches are central to this research to understand inequality in the context of clean energy transition. These approaches aim to understand how multiple forces work together and interact to reinforce conditions of inequality and social exclusion.

RESEARCH METHODS
The main methodological approach will be participatory and will include literature reviews, policy analysis and primary data collection based on qualitative research methods.

RESEARCH PRODUCTS/DELIVERABLES
The primary research product will be a research report. Spin-off products from the research will include popular briefs, infographics and visual products that will facilitate the dissemination of the findings of the research.

TIMELINES
ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS
DATE DUE
1. Start research process: 27th January 2025
2. First draft of Research Report: 28th February 2025
3. Final Draft Submitted: 15th March 2025
4. All raw data should be submitted to Oxfam in Kenya Offices in Nairobi for reference and future use: 15th March 2025
5. Summary of Key findings in the form of Data Infographics format or in a format agreed upon by the consulting team: 15th March 2025

DOCUMENTATION
The written report will be:

• Produced in English language and using accessible and concise language.
• The report format and text shall be in A4 paper size and a legible Arial 12 font size.
• The report should not exceed 25 pages (excluding references and annexes).

RESEARCH ETHICS
The Secondary Data collection of the research should pose no ethical or security risks. The use of primary data will always carry some risk. To mitigate these risks, consultants will be asked to comply with Oxfam's non-staff code of conduct guidelines and protocols as well as safeguarding protocols.

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
The overall supervisors of this assignment will be the Natural Resources programme team with support from the M.E.A.L Advisor.

TAX AND VAT ARRANGEMENTS
Oxfam in Kenya will deduct withholding tax from the consultancy fees which will be in conformity with the prevailing government rates.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION
All documents, data and information accessed will be treated as confidential and used solely to create visibility for the project.

BID REQUIREMENTS
Interested and qualified consultants are invited to submit their expressions of interest, which should include the following:

• A suitability statement, including commitment to availability for the entire assignment.
• Information demonstrating specific experience of the consultant relevant to the assignment including the scope and scale of similar assignments.
• A detailed financial proposal showing a clear breakdown of the costs including all the chargeable taxes.
• Sample similar works done in the recent past.

PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANCY TEAM
The consultancy can include different team members. Key competencies of the team include:

• Strong experience designing and leading research pieces particularly focusing on the Care Economy.
• Experience utilizing feminist MEAL principles and practices.
• Ability to facilitate and relate to stakeholders at multiple levels and in diverse contexts.
• Proven ability to conduct comprehensive policy analysis.
• Proven ability to engage in qualitative data analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English.
• Good spoken and written communication skills in Kiswahili and English.
• Proven experience of using participatory methods for data collection and analysis in programme evaluation.
• Sensitivity to cultural and historical contexts in the data collection and analysis process.

ADHERENCE TO OXFAM PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
Once hired, the consultant(s) shall operate under the principles governing Oxfam ways of working including adherence to policies and procedures of Oxfam.

How to apply:
Oxfam Kenya invites individuals who meet the criteria to submit Expression of Interest that clearly articulates the consultant(s) understanding of the terms of reference, methodology for executing the work including key deliverables and tentative budget should and clearly indicate, "a consultancy to undertake an Impact of clean energy projects in Kajiado county." Expression of Interests shall be sent to kpconsultancyservices@oxfam.org.uk, no later than close of business on 31 January 2025. Only applicants who qualify will be contacted.