Consultancy: Political Economy Analysis for Conservation Impact: Mentorship Initiative at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Kenya

SCOPE OF WORKS
The objective of this consultancy is to design and implement a mentorship process, supporting teams from two landscapes to conduct and apply problem-driven PEA. It is anticipated that this consultancy would be part-time over the course of 10 months. The consultant(s) will be responsible for delivering the following proposed activities:

• Workshop with the respective teams to (a) articulate or home in on the specific challenge; (b) facilitate the team to produce a light-touch / rapid PEA of the challenge; and (c) design this into a theory of change and results framework in existing or new project work.
• To do this, it is suggested the consultant(s) begin with a kick-off workshop on-site (one per landscape) with teams to clarify any aspects of PEA approaches, refine / finalize a problem statement, and produce an approach and roadmap for the PEA.
• It is then suggested that the consultant(s) host two additional (virtual) quarterly workshops with teams: the first to validate PEA findings and develop / integrate findings into revisit the ToC, and identify monitoring approaches; the second to test assumptions, refresh PEA findings, and agree on any adaptations.
• We ask that the consultant(s) ensure there is time allocated as well for short, ad-hoc discussions to talk through challenges on an iterative basis if they emerge.
• The PEACI Framework can be found here: https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/tnrc-external-resource-strategic-framework-political-economy-analysis-for-conservation-impact-peaci
• At the end of the assignment, the consultant(s) will produce a summary articulating how the PEA was used in decision-making and implementation, mapping out challenges, and reflecting on benefits.
• Finally, the consultant(s) will support teams to organize and lead a presentation / webinar to the WWF network on the mentorship experience.

The activities above are a proposal, but via a brief inception, we would ask the consultant(s) to:

• Review WWF ́s PEA related documents.
• With the WWF Governance Practice and the two teams, produce a learning path for the PEA mentorship process and a work plan of activities and meetings that responds to offices' learning needs and priorities.

Key points to reflect upon in the scope of works:

• It is crucial that mentors provide support that enables offices to produce work themselves as much as possible within working sessions. This is not a training exercise, but does seek to help offices practically go through the PEA process and its application.
• The consultant(s) should maintain regular contact with teams to coordinate meetings, ensure the process is going as planned and should be flexible enough to be able to adapt to the timelines of the teams.
• We ask applicants to use and build on the PEACI framework as a guide, as teams will have familiarity with this tool.
• This process is as much about applying PEA as it is about doing such analysis. Although teams are eager and excited, a ‘light touch’ PEA (emphasis on analysis) that focuses on practical implementation is recommended. We ask that the consultant(s) be able to spend at least half of the allocated consultancy period supporting teams on incorporating findings into projects, programs or strategies.
• As mentioned, there will be two separate but concurrent processes: one for SOKNOT region that involves WWF-Tanzania and WWF-Kenya and one for XSP with WWF-Laos. Two staff members per team (4 in total) will have completed an in-depth PEA course between Feb-June 2024. These staff members will have facilitated during this period weekly sessions with the broader team to share learning. All team members not enrolled in the in-depth course will prior to the start of the mentorship take a concise self-paced PEACI course.
• The lessons learned from this process should be documented into a brief case study on use of PEA with recommendations made for future activities, supporting teams to map out how best to socialize this with the WWF network

DURATION & DELIVERABLES
This consultancy is to take place between June 2024 through April 2025.
We anticipate the consultant(s) will produce the deliverables listed here. Payment will be made based on deliverables, as proposed below, to be finalized and agreed during the inception:

• Deliverable Dates Percentage
• Co-created learning pathway and work plan June 2024 20%
• Roadmap for PEA August 2024 20%
• Completed PEA and ToC December 2024 20%
• Workshop Report March 2025 20%
• Final report & network presentation April 2025 20%
• This consultancy will be coordinated remotely and supervised by the Governance Practice.

KEY REQUIREMENTS
We invite applications from a single consultant or a small team that offer(s):

• At least seven years of leading and developing PEA.
• At least seven years of using PEA in designing and adapting projects or programs with experience and knowledge of adaptive management and project implementation - using PEA in practice on sector projects.
• Experience managing donor funded projects preferred, with practical understanding of project design, management, M&E cycles.
• Advanced degree in political or social science or a related field.
• Experience developing capacity strengthening activities on PEA.
• Experience in Kenya, Tanzania, and/or Laos desired.
• Experience in conservation and knowledge of challenges faced in the space, desirable.
• English language skills required