Consultancy Summary
About the Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization working at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to make responsible business the new normal. We are building an alliance to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. We envision a world where people and nature thrive in harmony.
We work towards making responsible business the new normal through our certification program, tailored supply chain services, landscape and community work and advocacy.
For more information, please visit http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/about.
Background
The Rainforest Alliance has partnered with Nespreso and Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd to implement a project, Rwenzori Education, Livelihoods and Gender Project (FBK22S13AB) which has been awarded funding from the Dutch Government Agency RVO, Fund to Eradicate Child Labour.
The RvO fund requires all applicants to first complete local impact research, which includes in-depth research into child labor on site and within the business or businesses. This is referred to as Project A. The local impact research will be carried out in 3 subcounties in the District of Kasese southwestern Uganda. The study will also interface with stakeholders at the district and subcounty local governments as the respective indicators dictate. In the Rwenzori region, the area-based approach of creating Child Labor Free Zones (CLFZ) is proposed with gender specific economic resilience interventions and supply chain approaches. The subcounties selected have farmers who belong to the AAA and RA schemes.
Project A includes 5 result areas:
Stakeholder mapping and analysis conducted using a participatory approach and validation of findings.
Study on profile of target communities to assess the degree of child labour risks and frequency using the FBK mandatory indicators and other project specific indicators.
Identification of root causes of child labour, and of the impact that child labour has on children, with special attention given to how these root causes relate to (commercial) practices in the coffee sector.
Identification of company measures to prevent and mitigate child labour.
Drafting project B for the implementation of recovery activities.
Rainforest Alliance and its partners are therefore looking to contract a consultancy firm / consultant to conduct the local impact research for Project A – details of the requirements for the research can be found below.
Project A: Result Areas
Below is a description of the 5 project areas for the local impact research. The applying consultancy is asked to list and briefly describe the activities (and means of verification) envisioned per result area in order to collect high quality and accurate data.
Result 1: Stakeholder mapping and analysis conducted using a participatory approach led by local research partner.
Under result 1, Building on existing reports and resources, project partners will work with a local research partner to validate stakeholder analysis and mapping using a participatory approach. This will involve confirming key stakeholders and affected persons/groups (including children) in Kasese and in target communities that are involved in the coffee sector and those that can have an impact on and/or are affected by the occurrence/risks of child labour. The stakeholder mapping and analysis will identify stakeholders’ relation to the root causes, willingness to participate in the baseline study and potential resistance. This analysis will also map existing services provided by some of these actors and analyse its effectiveness, as well as evaluating gaps and opportunities in public policy and programs to address child labour, with a focus on access to education.
Sub-results & Activities
1.1 Local Research Partner Identified
1.1.1 Identify an appropriate research partner through a bidding process.
1.2 Desk research findings and tools drafted
1.2.1 Conduct study of existing literature and summary of key findings focused on Kasese and subcounties included in the project (disaggregating data by gender and age where available). Note: this study will also map existing school infrastructure, services and analyse its impact on access to education, as well as evaluating gaps and opportunities in public policy and programs to improve child well
1.2.2 Adapt research tools to the local context in Kasese, building on existing tools developed for FBK projects in Uganda and Nespresso's current programs in Uganda.
1.3 Stakeholders mapped and research tools tested
1.3.1 Map relevant stakeholders in Kasese to identify their main scopes around child labor and interest to participate in the project's surveys in Kasese. Note: stakeholders include but are not limited to participating farms in KCL's supply chain, local government institutions, coffee sector actors, community-based organisations, teachers, parents, children, institutions focused on child labor and gender, local businesses, labour unions, Religious and cultural institutions, non-governmental organisations and research institutes. Potential resistance from stakeholders will also be assessed.
1.3.2 Map relevant stakeholders in selected communities to identify their main scopes around child labor and interest to participate in the project's surveys. Identify representative sample from different communities /subcounties. Note: stakeholders include but are not limited to participating farms in KCL's supply chain, community-based organisations, teachers, parents, children. Stakeholder mapping will also involve profiling of farmers depending on the type of supply chain connecting them to the market (coop, intermediary with traceability, intermediary without traceability, estate).
Under stakeholder mapping and analysis, to conduct a service mapping in the targeted areas, incl:
Livelihood support
Income generation support
Economic support
Education (access to education, non-formal education, formal education)
Health (incl. mental health)
Protection
Psychosocial and counseling support
Legal support
Birth/civil registration support
Parenting support
Alternative care
Analysis, to include the # of existent community-based (e.g. child rights, child labour, child protection) committees existent in the project areas and the roles that they play (e.g. monitoring, identification, safe referrals of cases, remediation support, etc.).
To include (through a KAP survey) % of children, caregivers, community-based committees, community members, NN-KCL staff (e.g. agronomists) and local government officials responsible for (child) labour and child protection who demonstrate sufficient level of awareness on child rights, child labour and child protection risks and protective factors (ability to recognize major child protection risks, in particular linked with child labour, and ways to prevent / address them).
1.3.3 Pilot research tools through initial Household (HH) surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to test research tools and further define sample area to participate in the baseline study.
1.4 Research tools finalised
1.4.1 Refine the research tools developed under 1.2.2 - the questionnaires for the household surveys, KIIs, and FGDs - based on pilot results in 1.3.3
Result 2: Study on profile of target communities to assess the degree of child labour risks and frequency using the FBK mandatory indicators and other project specific indicators.
Under Results 2 and 3, the team will take a landscape approach to assess the situation in target communities in Kasese, which will involve addressing any current research gaps on labour issues, income, prices, productivity, types of farmers, etc, as identified under Result 1. Special attention will be given to issues that affect access to education, gender, youth and other vulnerable groups.
Result 2 will focus on collecting data that will allow project to develop a profile of target communities and establish baseline values for FBK mandatory indicators and other project specific indicators through household surveys, KIIs and FGDs with farming families as well as labourers either on-site or off-site, with teachers and through reviewing statistics from the agencies of the Ministry of Education.
Include in your research on the actual occurrence of child labour the following elements:
- Age of the child
- Gender
- Working hours per week/day (boys vs. girls)
- Working tasks of children (boys vs. girls)
- Dangers associated with the tasks
- Impacts of the child’s work on its health
- Impacts of the child’s work on its education
- Household characteristics
Establish a baseline for the 2 mandatory indicators:
- # and % of children aged 5 until 17 engaged in child labour within geographical unit of the project (factory/ community/region), by gender and age
- # and % of children that face a high risk of child labour within the geographical unit of the project, by gender.
Sub-results & Activities
2.1 Baseline data collected from households
2.1.1 Conduct household surveys to collect quantitative data to establish a baseline for FBK mandatory indicators and other project indicators listed and have a profile of participating households.
2.2 Baseline data collected from schools
2.2.1 Conduct KIIs with head teachers and review statistics from the Ministry of Education agencies to collect quantitative and qualitative data on school attendance, attainment and progression to better understand the # and % of children in school, the availability of schools in target communities ( # of schools in a particular commmunity), ownership of the schools, the relevance and quality of education they are accessing. Organissations supporting schools and education generally, Where relevant, data on non-formal education will be collected and analysed.
2.3 Market analysis
2.3.1 Market analysis to identify market, employment and training opportunities.
Result 3: Identification of root causes of child labour. Determination of the link between the participating companies and child labour.
Based on findings from the review of existing literature and consultations under Result 1 and data collected under Result 2, working with the consultant we will conduct KIIs and FGDs with children (in and out of school), youth, parents, teachers, coffee traders/companies, women leaders, coffee farmers, workers, community leaders, and local government to gain in-depth knowledge of root causes of child labour and the impact that child labour has on children and their well being. This research will be structured to fill current gaps information gaps related to root causes, for example we will do a rapid household income analysis in project areas to identify the living income gap and develop a diagram of ultimate causes. Special attention will be given to how these root causes relate to (commercial) practices in the coffee sector. This will include an evaluation of the impact of coffee prices, coffee quality, productivity and quality improvements and other income generating activities on increasing household income in project areas in Kasese.
Sub-results & Activities
3.1 Root causes of child labour researched with key stakeholders
3.1.1 Conduct KIIs and FGDs with children (in and out of school), youth, parents, teachers, coffee traders/companies, women leaders, coffee farmers, (migrant) workers, community leaders, and local government, to collect qualitative data on practices, attitudes and knowledge about child labour, including their understanding of root causes and impact of child labour on children’s lives and rights and the different experiences of boys and girls. This will also look at patterns of inclusion/ exclusion of migrant families with regards to education and decent work.
These FGDs and KIIs will allow stakeholders and affected persons/groups to discuss in a safe environment the following issues:
Their role in relation to child labour;
Specific group(s) at risk of child labour, including their ethnic group, gender, education and employment status;
Identified cases of child labour in the coffee value chain, specifying the production phase in which children have been seen to engage in child labour;
Different contexts of coffee production; average household incomes
Root causes of child labour and what works to tackle these root causes;
Any issues with the education system;
Alternative opportunities for youth;
Management systems or policies to address child labour; and
Any other relevant issues that came up in the literature study.
3.2 Root causes of child labour & link with Uganda's coffee sector practices analysed
3.2.1 Evaluate the potential impact of purchasing practices, coffee prices and quality improvements on household income and wages as part of the assessment of the best strategies for coffee companies to tackle child labour. Note: this will be based on the data and information collected through desk research, HH surveys, KIIs, FGDs under 1.2.1, 2.1.1, 3.1.1.
3.3 Child labour risks in the supply chain of participating companies identified
3.3.1 Documental review of KCL's available information to manage and reduce child labor, including its supply and market chains' available documents.
3.3.2 Conduct an analysis of vulnerability and participation of children in the coffee harvest season (Oct-February 2023) in farms, and its supply and market chains.
3.4 Local impact assessment report completed and verified
3.4.1 The consultant will review and analyse data and findings from the local impact assessment and write report.
3.4.2 The consultant will organise workshop with key stakeholders to verify findings from local impact assessment
Result 4: Identification of company measures to prevent child labour
The consultant will assess companies' due diligence processes in place to address child labour. The assessment will include an analysis of companies' grievance mechanisms, KPIs on child labour, monitoring systems, responsible teams within the company, allocated budget, annual plans and targets, as well as collaboration with other value chain partners. We will identify the strengths and weaknesses of these systems if they are being effectively implemented and complied with. This will show to what extent strategies to overcome current child labour problems can make use of these existing management systems. Having mapped existing initiatives by service providers (non-governmental organizations mainly) working on child labor issues and its root causes under Result 1, we will identify to what extent these initiatives could be linked with companies measures to prevent and mitigate child labour.
Based on findings from internal company assessments and field research conducted under Result 3, recommendations will be developed on how to improve Due Diligence systems of participating companies
Sub-results & Activities
4.1 Internal company assessments completed
4.1.1 Conduct KIIs with key representatives of Nespresso and KCL to better understand existing due diligence processes in place to address child labour, how these are implemented and what impact they have had to date. The assessment will include an analysis of companies' grievance mechanisms, KPIs on child labour, monitoring systems, responsible teams within the company, allocated budget, annual plans and targets, as well as collaboration with other value chain partners. Lessons from this assessment will feed into the development of recommendations for companies to strengthen their due diligence processes under 4.2.
This assessment will also study the overlap and differences between the Due Diligence systems of KCL and Nespresso Coffee.
4.2 Recommendations for companies developed
4.2.1 Identify how findings from internal company assessments and field research conducted under Result 3 can be incorporated into internal practices of participating companies, such as Nespresso’s risk assessment, procedures for global coffee sourcing and purchasing practices, KCL’s risk assessments, and any other activities to tackle child labour and promote opportunities for children from ethnic minorities.
Result 5: Drafting project B for the implementation of recovery activities.
Under Result 5, consultant will engage with key stakeholders in the landscape to discuss possible interventions in Project B, based on the research findings from Project A. Because this is a landscape approach, it will be essential to ensure project team maintains all stakeholder involvement and commitment to address root causes. Agreed interventions will be captured in a proposal for the implementation of recovery activities in Project B, which, if approved, would be implemented in 2023-2026.
Sub-results & Activities
5.1 Project B Proposal developed and submitted
5.1.1. Consultant will organise the presentation of & discussion about findings from impact study with local government officials and relevant local stakeholders within the landscape, to jointly agree on proposed activities to remediate and prevent child labour as part of Project B.
5.1.2 The consultant will develop proposal for Project B, based on findings from local impact assessment and consultations with key stakeholders in the landscape, especially with the aim to address the identified root causes and make use of existing management systems and service provision initiatives that are effective.
5.1.3 Finalise and submit final proposal for Project B
The consultant is required to complete a final report including findings, analysis and recommendations.
General Terms and Conditions for Request for Proposal
Proposals and/or any additional information received after the submission time and date are subject to rejection by The Rainforest Alliance. Incomplete proposals may be rejected by RA at its discretion.
The Rainforest Alliance reserves the right to request additional information at any time during the procurement process.
RA is at liberty to make multiple or no selections as part of the proposal process. RA also reserves the right to cancel the procurement.
All proposal costs shall be borne by the applicant and will not be reimbursed by RA.
Timeline
Data collection for the Local Impact Assessment should be planned during the period March 2023 - April 2023.
The study should be designed to produce high quality data in a relatively short time frame.
Selection Criteria
The Consultant or Consultant Firm should have demonstrated success in:
Conducting research in human rights issues within supply chains in East Africa (Uganda in particular is preferred.
Have a good understanding and experience on child labour issues in supply chains.
Have experience in designing and or executing studies of this nature in rural communities especially in Uganda
Understand the dynamics and drivers of child labour issues, the sensitivity and intricacies as it relates to supply chain and community actors.
Designing response interventions against child labour.
Experience in research on similar topics in Uganda
Good understanding of the coffee sector
Proposals over EUR 30,000 will receive 0 points for cost effectiveness.
We welcome proposals by Ugandan research and development consulting firms with expertise in coffee and social topics.
Proposal Process and Format
Please send proposals and any additional questions to Rashida Nakabuga rnakabuga@ra.org by the 10th March 2023
Your proposal should contain the following:
Project team
Technical proposal detailing your study design and timeline
List of previous experience, including links to previous similar work. It should also detail your experience working with ethnic minorities and/or indigenous communities in Guatemala and language skills of your team.
Financial proposal: Please provide a detailed budget in Euros outlining all costs incurred to carry out the Local Impact research.