Request for proposals for Provision Advocacy for Long-Term Financial Inclusion Sustainability Study Consultancy. Closing Date: 1 Jul 2025 Type: Consultancy Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages, in the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. DRC has been operational in Kenya since 2005 and one of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) largest implementing partners in refugee response. DRC is present in Garissa (Dadaab & Garissa), Turkana (Kakuma, Kalobeyei & Lodwar), Nairobi, Isiolo, Lamu, Marsabit and Mandera counties. Purpose of the Consultancy The Advocacy for Long-term Financial Inclusion Sustainability is to be carried out twice within the four-year implementation of the Swedish-funded Supporting Displacement-Affected Communities in Kenya with Entrepreneurship Development (SDACKED) project. The first study (baseline) is planned for the month of July 2025 and the second one (end-line) will be carried out in April 2026. It is preferred that the same consultancy firm is involved in both studies. The goal of this study is to demonstrate refugees positive contribution to the economy of Kenya. The study shall be conducted In Nairobi, targeting urban refugees. Background According to UNHCR, as of May 2025, Kenya was hosting 853,074 registered refugees and asylum seekers, with 114,280 residing in urban areas like Nairobi. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) through the SDACKED project, has been supporting micro-entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. This has been done through informal savings & loans structures known as Community Savings and Loans Associations (CSLAs) since 2015. While CSLAs offer initial financial support, many entrepreneurs struggle to access additional capital outside of these groups, hindering their growth due to financial and accessibility barriers. Despite these challenges, the Refugee Act 2021 offers potential for meaningful market participation and easier access to financial services with the recognition of Refugee Identity Cards as valid documentation. Banks however remain reluctant to finance displaced communities due to perceived risks. Beyond legal and banking hurdles, entrepreneurs face difficulties obtaining identification documents, lack knowledge on formal financing processes, do not have all the required KYC (Know Your Customer) documentation to open bank accounts and access financial products and services. To address these challenges, DRC is implementing a comprehensive approach to support entrepreneurs, enhance financial inclusion, and foster sustainable business growth. Partnering with the Swedish government, DRC is implementing the SDACKED project whose objective is the development of an inclusive entrepreneurship system across Kenya to support increased financial inclusion and inclusive economic participation of refugees and hosting communities. Objective of the Consultancy The consultant is expected to conduct Advocacy for Long-term Financial Inclusion Sustainability study with a focus on the contribution of urban refugee entrepreneurs to the economy of the areas where they reside and the general economy of Kenya. The specific objectives of the study are: To analyze the monthly business incomes of sample urban refugees and explore their contribution to the government tax revenues. To sample urban refugee entrepreneur households and evaluate their consumption patterns in line with payment of government taxes including value added tax. To evaluate the barriers and enablers to the contribution of urban refugees to the economy of Kenya. To assess the use and impact of loans acquired from financial institutions and CSLAs by the urban refugee entrepreneurs and how they translate to transformation of Kenyas economy. The general responsibilities of the consultant are: Review of SDACKED project documents and other secondary literature to guide in the preparation of an Inception Report. Preparation of data collection tools for review and feedback. Develop the advocacy data collection schedule and select respondents to participate in interviews. DRC shall provide support in identifying the relevant respondents as required by the consultant. Conduct data collection in line with data protection regulations and perform data quality checks to ensure its accuracy, validity and integrity. Conduct data cleaning, processing and analysis. Prepare, submit a draft report and other products for review and feedback. Validate findings with DRC i.e. preliminary presentation of the reports. Submit final report and annexes. Be available to conduct the end-line study on the last year of the project April 2026. Scope of Work and Methodology Scope of work including DRCs area of support The study will target refugees living within the 6 clusters of the project in Nairobi and its metropolitan areas: Kawangware, Kasarani A (Kasarani & Mwiki), Kasarani B (Githurai and surrounding areas), Kasarani C (Kayole and surrounding areas), Eastleigh and Kitengela. A representative sample of the urban refugees will be drawn from existing database of the SDACKED project, and shared with the consultant. The SDACKED Project Manager and the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability & Learning) team at the country from the Urban offices will be responsible for the overall coordination of the study with the consultant to ensure timely and quality output. DRC will provide relevant documentation and background information, approve data collection tools and report, participate as key informants, support in mobilizing urban refugees, provide consolidated feedback/guidance on draft reports and mobilization of SDACKED project stakeholders during the validation workshop. Tender Link : https://reliefweb.int/job/4159988/rfp-00346298-provision-advocacy-long-term-financial-inclusion-sustainability-study-consultancy
