1.0 Background

The AECF is a leading development organization that supports innovative enterprises in the agribusiness and renewable energy sectors with the aim of reducing rural poverty, promoting climate-resilient communities, and creating jobs.

We catalyze the private sector by surfacing and commercializing new ideas, business models, and technologies designed to increase agricultural productivity, improve farmers’ incomes, expand access to clean energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve resilience to the effects of climate change. We finance high-risk businesses that struggle to access commercial funding; we are committed to working in frontier markets, fragile contexts, and high-risk economies where few mainstream financing institutions dare to go.

To date, we have supported over 576 businesses in 26 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, impacted more than 36 million lives, and created over 38,000 direct jobs.

AECF is headquartered in Kenya and has offices in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Nigeria, South Sudan, Benin, and Somalia.

2.0 About the Investing in Women in South Sudan programme

Investing in Women in South Sudan (IIW-SS) is a gender equality and economic inclusion initiative being implemented by AECF with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project aims to economically empower women smallholder farmers, shea nut collectors, beekeepers, entrepreneurs, and employees working in the agricultural and natural resource sectors, specifically in central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria states, and to address the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in the priority agricultural value chains in South Sudan.

National data shows a high prevalence of GBV in South Sudan, with over 34 % and 13.5 % of women reporting having experienced physical violence and sexual violence in a lifetime. South Sudan accounts for the second-highest GBV prevalence in the East African region, according to studies conducted by UNFPA, 20. The report also highlighted that Ruweng Administrative Area (43.1%), Warrap (39.7%), Eastern Equatoria (39.1%), Jonglei (39.1%), and Central Equatoria (38.6%) have the highest rates of physical violence in the country. GBV limits women’s wellbeing as well as effective and meaningful socio-economic participation. Currently, the global costs of SGBVH are estimated at $1.5 trillion, equivalent to 2% of global GDP.

Addressing GBVH in the agribusiness sector can have the following benefits:

• Provides a safe, healthy workplace that supports workers’ physical and emotional health and well-being.
• Increases financial benefits for companies through lower absenteeism, reduced staff turnover, and improved productivity.
• Increases agribusinesses’ ability to recruit and retain female workers who may be wary of GBVH risks, as well as to attract women into nontraditional roles.
• Strengthens companies’ reputations and helps companies and investors avoid financial and legal risks when allegations of GBVH arise.

Despite progress made in promoting gender inclusion, investee companies continue to face challenges in identifying, preventing, and responding to sexual and gender-based violence and harassment (SGBVH) in the workplace and within their business ecosystems. To address these gaps, AECF seeks to engage a qualified consultant to strengthen investees’ capacity to integrate safeguarding and SGBVH prevention mechanisms into their operations.

3.0 Rationale for the assignment

SGBVH remains a significant barrier to women’s economic participation in South Sudan. Many private sector actors lack a clear understanding of what constitutes workplace harassment, appropriate response procedures, and survivor-centered referral pathways. Furthermore, while most investees have gender policies in place, these policies often lack robust safeguarding measures and practical guidance for implementation.

AECF, therefore, seeks to engage a specialist to assess current gaps, provide tailored training, and build sustainable capacity among investees to prevent, identify, and respond effectively to SGBVH incidents, ensuring safer and more inclusive business environments.

3.1 Justification for the consultancy
This consultancy is critical to strengthening SGBVH identification, response processes, and providing practical solutions that businesses, in this case, investees, can adopt when addressing SGBVH. Recent assessments revealed that while companies have made progress in developing gender policies and action plans, their ability to operationalize these frameworks, particularly in managing workplace SGBVH, remains limited. This assignment will strengthen the private sector’s role in advancing safeguarding and safety at work and reinforce compliance with national and global best practices.

4.0 Objectives of the assignment

The overall objective is to strengthen investees’ capacity to promote gender-safe and inclusive workplaces by improving their understanding and management of SGBVH risks.

Specific objectives:

1. Conduct pre-training calls or visits to assess each investee’s SGBVH training needs.
2. Design and deliver contextualized training modules covering:
   • Understanding SGBVH within business environments.
   • Workplace safeguarding and prevention mechanisms.
   • Survivor-centered response and referral pathways.
   • Integration of SGBVH prevention into gender and HR policies.
   • Practical solutions in addressing SGBVH at the workplace.
3. Conduct post-training evaluations to assess knowledge retention and organizational uptake.
4. Provide recommendations for continuous improvement and integration of safeguarding practices into company systems to both the investees and for AECF’s gender mainstreaming for business toolkit.

5.0 Scope of work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review all secondary research and resources provided by AECF, based on investee feedback.
2. Conduct assessment visits or calls with all IIW-SS investees to identify specific training needs and contextual barriers.
3. Develop training materials tailored to the South Sudanese private-sector context.
4. Facilitate interactive training sessions for investee company senior leadership and management, gender focal points, and other relevant staff.
5. Conduct post-training evaluation to measure impact and identify further capacity needs.
6. Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing processes, outcomes, and actionable recommendations.
7. Share all materials and tools with the AECF team.

6.0 Deliverables

Core indicators for measurement

1. % of investees with an operational SGBVH policy or safeguarding framework in place.
2. Number and % of investee staff trained on SGBVH prevention and safeguarding.
3. % of trained staff demonstrating improved knowledge of SGBVH prevention and response mechanisms.
4. % of investees with a functioning grievance or referral mechanism for SGBVH cases.
5. % of staff aware of where and how to report workplace SGBVH incidents.
6. Number of good practices or case examples documented showing improved workplace safety or gender responsiveness.
7. Number of tools, training materials, and resources developed and shared with the AECF team and investees to support ongoing learning and implementation.

The consultant will collect baseline and endline data for the indicators above using standardized tools (pre- and post-training assessments, interviews, and document reviews). Data will be disaggregated by sex, role, and investee and included in the final report with analysis and recommendations.

7.0 Duration

The consultancy is expected to run for 30 working days over two months, inclusive of investee interviews, training delivery, evaluation, and reporting.

8.0 Consultant qualifications

1. Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Human Rights, or Social Sciences.
2. Minimum of 7 years’ experience in SGBVH prevention, safeguarding, and gender capacity building.
3. Proven understanding and experience in engaging with the private sector and business in providing SGBVH-focused capacity building.
4. Strong facilitation and participatory training skills.
5. Demonstrated understanding of the South Sudan context and legal frameworks on GBV and workplace safety.
6. Proven experience working in fragile contexts.
7. Excellent report-writing and analytical skills.

9.0 Reporting and coordination

The consultant will report to the AECF Gender Manager and Gender Analyst, be closely monitored by the Senior Portfolio Officer under the IIW-SS Program, and work closely with investee focal points for coordination and logistical support.

10.0 Expected outcomes

1. Improved knowledge among investees on identifying and addressing SGBVH in workplaces.
2. Strengthened institutional safeguarding policies and referral mechanisms.
3. Increased capacity to integrate SGBVH prevention into gender and HR frameworks.
4. Enhanced protection and inclusion for women across IIW-SS investee operations.

11.0 Application process

Interested consultants should submit the following:

1. Technical proposal outlining understanding, methodology, and work plan.
2. Financial proposal (in USD) showing clearly the budgeted cost for the work to be conducted (to be submitted in a separate document from the technical proposal).
3. Curriculum Vitae(s) of the consultant(s) explaining why they are the most suitable for the work.
4. Relevant Experience – Two examples of similar assignments previously conducted.
5. Three professional references
6. Registration and other relevant statutory documents required (Copies of National Identification or valid Passport, Tax Registration Certificate, Tax Compliance Certificate).
7. The preferred format for the submission is PDF

12.0 Evaluation criteria

The AECF will form an evaluation committee that includes employees. The same standards of confidentiality will bind all members. The trainer/training provider should ensure they fully respond to all criteria to be comprehensively evaluated.

The AECF may request and receive clarification from any consultant when evaluating a proposal. The evaluation committee may invite some or all the consultants to appear before it to clarify their proposals. In such an event, the committee may consider such clarifications in evaluating proposals.

In determining the final selection of a qualified bidder, the technical quality of the proposal will be weighted at 80% based on the evaluation criteria. Only the financial proposal of those bidders who qualify technically will be opened. The financial proposal will be allocated a weighting of 20%, and the proposals will be ranked by total points scored.

The AECF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The AECF considers all interested candidates based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

• All clarifications and/or questions should be sent to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org by 15th December, 5 PM (EAT)
• The AECF invites qualified consultants/firms to send a proposal to aecfprocurement@aecfafrica.org clearly marked to read “Consultancy for Training IIW-SS Investees on SGBVH and Safeguarding” to receive no later than the 29^th  December 2025, 5.00 pm (EAT), addressed to: AECF, Procurement Department.

13.0 Disclaimer

AECF reserves the right to determine the structure of the process, the number of short-listed participants, the right to withdraw from the proposal process, the right to change this timetable at any time without notice, and the right to withdraw this tender at any time, without prior notice and without liability to compensate and/or reimburse any party.

The AECF does not charge an application fee for participation in the tender process and has not appointed any agents or intermediaries to facilitate applications. Applicants are advised to contact the AECF directly.