Expression of Interest (EoI)

Consultancy for Gender Transformative and Safeguarding Training for Women Access to Finance" (GTSTAF) program.

Reference Number: 83487296

1. Context

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development, Good Governance, Climate, Energy and Sustainable Urban Development, Digitalization and Digital Economy, Mineral Governance, Peace and Security in the Great Lakes Region.

Rwanda has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, but barriers to women’s access to financial services persist, limiting their entrepreneurial potential. Women are less likely to borrow compared to men (especially from formal sources). In total, 69% of women borrow (compared to 71% of men). However, women are more likely than men to use borrowing as a risk management strategy in times of hardship, e.g. borrow money to cover living expenses (36% of women who borrowed, compared to 31% of men), medical expenses/emergencies (12% of women, compared to 10% of men) and emergencies other than medical (9% compared to 7% respectively). Men are more likely than women to borrow money for developmental reasons (such as business, farming equipment/expenses, livestock, education, and dwelling) with 48% and 38% respectively. In turn, 31% of women do not borrow, mainly because they are worried that they would not be able to service their debts; this may partially point to interest rates or knowledge on how credit works.

Therefore, services such as savings accounts, credits, and insurances are key and empower women to manage their finances, investing in businesses, and accumulate wealth. This, in return, nurtures entrepreneurship and enhances household management, leading to improved family well-being.

Financial inclusion plays a key role in narrowing the gender gap by providing women with the resources to succeed both personally and professionally. It also enables women to invest in education, healthcare, and businesses, fostering long-term economic growth. As women gain economic independence, they also acquire greater influence within their households and communities, further promoting gender equality. By integrating women into the financial system, societies can unlock untapped potential, driving overall growth and development.

In alignment with Rwanda’s goal of increasing women’s economic participation, GIZ, KCBF and BPR have partnered to facilitate access to finance for women-led SMEs. This partnership aims to empower 120 women-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) by providing the necessary tools and resources for accessing formal financing and increasing the availability of financial products tailored to their needs.

Despite the joint efforts, women entrepreneurs still face some challenges in relation to gender disparity in business, gender-based violence and other different social norms that impact women entrepreneurs’ access to, use of, and benefits from financial services. E.g.: Social norms that women should prioritize family over business, that they should rely on financial support from family over financial service providers, social norms that influence women entrepreneurs giving income earned to their partner or male household members etc.

In addition, women entrepreneurs often struggle to gain equal respect and decision-making power in their ventures. Family conflicts within entrepreneurial couples also create barriers, especially when clear boundaries between personal and professional roles are not established. Traditional gender stereotypes, which dictate expectations about the division of labor in business sometimes lead to misunderstandings and tensions between couples and hindering effective collaboration. Additionally, many women entrepreneurs face difficulties addressing intersectionality within their business ventures, as various aspects of their identity shape their entrepreneurial experiences and challenges. Another significant barrier is the lack of community support. Many communities do not fully recognize or provide the necessary resources, mentorship, and encouragement for women entrepreneurs, hence, a need to integrate the safeguarding concept in our work.

Safeguarding for Rwanda in the financial institution context, refers to creating an inclusive and supportive environment that ensures equal access to financial resources, opportunities, and protection from societal and cultural barriers. This involves empowering women by providing them with the necessary financial literacy, access to collateral alternatives, and removing biases in the financial sector. By fostering a culture of inclusivity, safeguarding promotes gender equality, enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive, confidently access finance, and fully participate in economic activities without fear of discrimination or systemic obstacles.

In the same vein, the GIZ Safeguards+Gender management system ensures that our projects are environmentally and socially sustainable. In the context of WEE project, this refers to creating an enabling environment that protects and supports women's economic empowerment by addressing barriers such as discrimination, unequal access to resources, and providing advocacy, education, and support systems that ensure women can freely and safely engage in economic activities.

To ensure that our project with BPR is socially sustainable, GIZ intends to contract a contractor to implement Gender Transformative and Safeguarding Training for Women Access to Finance" (GTSTAF) training, which focuses on challenging restrictive social norms, raising awareness about legal rights, engaging men as allies, and fostering more supportive community and financial structures. The training program aims to create an inclusive environment where women can thrive both personally and professionally, contributing to a sustainable ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.

This initiative will be implemented in four BPR branches operating in Kigali notably: BPF, MIC, Kimironko and Main Town targeting 120 WSMES, WSMEs male counterparts, and community leaders where these branches operate.  

GIZ through the WEE project, is seeking a contractor to develop training modules and conduct training as described in Chapter 2 below.

2. Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

1. Awareness raising and training of 120 women entrepreneurs
2. Training of 120 women entrepreneurs’ s husbands or other male family members on the “men engage” and positive masculinity concept
3. Training 30 community leaders including (community/village/ sectorleaders, women’s committee members, and other leaders) on creating a supportive community structure for WSMEs
4. Facilitating 2 sessions of community dialogue engaging 270 participants, including 120 women entrepreneurs, 120 women entrepreneurs’ s husbands or other male family members, and 30 community leaders as detailed above. This group will be divided into two groups of 135 each to ensure effective class management
5. Curriculum development& handout production 
6. Identification of training venues and preparing all logistics
7. M&E & documentation & reporting

Service Packages		Details on service package
1.Women entrepreneurs		Proposed topics (to be discussed with contractor): 1.Social Norms & Women’s Rights in Business Understanding societal norms, financial access, and legal protections for women entrepreneurs. 2. Promoting Gender Equality in Business Overcoming biases and ensuring equal opportunities for women in entrepreneurship. 3. Managing Loans and Family Pressure Teaching women how to safeguard business loans and avoid misuse due to family pressure. 4. Understanding & Addressing Sexual Harassment Educating women on recognizing, addressing, and reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. 5. Conflict Prevention & Resolution Enhancing communication skills and setting boundaries to prevent and resolve conflicts. Training format and responsibility: This training will be offered to 4 groups of 30 women each to be trained for 3 days each and will be facilitated by 2 trainers from Short-term expert pool 1 (Consultant “women empowerment trainers”). The Team Leader will be conducting visits to monitor how the training is conducted (Ref below # 7).
2.Men engage		Proposed topics (to be discussed with contractor): 1.Understanding Gender Equality in Business: Why It Matters 2.Challenging Biases: Recognizing and Overcoming Gender Stereotypes                         3.Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: Practical Ways to Be an Ally 4.Creating Respectful Environments: Promoting Safe and Inclusive Spaces Training format and responsibility: The training will be offered to 4 groups of 30 men each to be trained for 3 days each and will be facilitated by 2 trainers from Short-term consultant pool 2: “Men engagement trainers”. The Team Leader will be conducting visits to monitor how the training is conducted (Ref below # 7).
3.Community leaders training		Proposed topics (to be discussed with contractor): 1.Championing Gender Equality: Leading by Example in Your Community 2.Breaking Social Norms: Promoting Equal Opportunities for Women   3.Supporting Women Entrepreneurs: Building a Collaborative Ecosystem 4. Responsive Leadership: Creating Safe and Inclusive Spaces for Women Identification of participants: The contractor will collaborate with Branch managers and women entrepreneurs in the identification of community leaders or other opinion leaders who are close to the target women. Training format and responsibility: The training will be offered to 1 group of 30 leaders and participants to be trained for 3 days and will be facilitated by 2 trainers (1 trainer from each Expert Pool) together with the Team Leader to ensure quality training is offered.
4. Community dialogues		Proposed topics (to be discussed with the contractor) How can we challenge myths and biases that limit women in business? How can we strengthen financial literacy and resource management skills for women? How can men support women’s entrepreneurship and business growth? How can communities provide more support to women entrepreneurs? What are the key barriers to women’s success and how can we address them? How can we ensure women’s businesses become a source of joy rather than conflict between couples? Training format: Trainers will divide the total of 270 participants into two groups of 135 each to ensure effective class management. Each group will participate in the dialogue for one day and it will be facilitated by 2 trainers (one trainer from each Expert Pool) together with the Team Leader who will ensure that the right approach and methodologies are used during the community dialogue.
5. Curriculum Development, Handout production		The Team Leader and 2 trainers (one trainer from each Expert Pool) will develop training curriculum in English and make sure that these curricula are translated into Kinyarwanda. The experts will also make handouts for each training (4 handouts in total) and print enough copies to hand out to participants at the end of the training sessions.
6. Identification of training venues and preparing all logistics		The contractor will be responsible for procuring adequate venues for all sessions and all the programs shall be implemented in Kigali and for each training, a class shall be made of 30 people for easy class management.  This will be the responsibility of the Team Leader, except for the community dialogues where one class will bring together 135 participants at ago to allow fruitful discussions and resolutions.
7. Supervision of the trainings and PT		The Team Leader will dedicate these days for supervision, where he/she will be visiting the professional trainers on ground to see how the training is delivered and provide on spot support where need be.
8. M&E, Documentation and reporting		The Team Leader will conduct pre and post-test surveys to track the progress trainees made. They will also assess and report the changes after the program ends and provide M&E report to GIZ. All deliverables will be reviewed by GIZ.

The programs shall be implemented in Kigali and for each training, a class shall be made of 30 people for easy class management, except for the community dialogues where one class will bring together 135 participants at ago to allow fruitful discussions and resolutions.

GIZ shall hire the contractor for the anticipated contract term, from May 15^th – November 14^th, 2025.

Certain milestones, as laid out in the table below, are to be achieved during the contract term:

Milestones	Deadline
Kickoff meeting with GIZ and contractor	15.05.2025
Curriculum development and submission of draft before starting the training	23.05.2025
Trainings are implemented (signed participants lists for each training day in GIZ format are submitted).	15.10.2025
M&E & Documentation and reporting	31.10.2025
Final report to GIZ (maximum 10 pages excluding annexes)	31.10.2025

Period of assignment: from 15.05.2025 until 14.11.2025

3. Concept

In the tender, the tenderer is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed) are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept). In addition, the tenderer must describe the project management system for service provision.

Note: The numbers in parentheses correspond to the lines of the technical assessment grid.

Technical-methodological concept

Strategy (1.1): The tenderer is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender (see Chapter 1 Context) (1.1.1). Following this, the tenderer presents and justifies the explicit strategy with which it intends to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter 2 Tasks to be performed) (1.1.2).

The tenderer is required to describe the key processes for the services for which it is responsible and create an operational plan or schedule (1.4.1) that describes how the services according to Chapter 2 (Tasks to be performed by the contractor) are to be provided. In particular, the tenderer is required to describe the necessary work steps and, if applicable, take account of the milestones.

4. Personnel concept

The tenderer is required to provide personnel who are suited to filling the positions described, based on their CVs (see Chapter 7), the range of tasks involved and the required qualifications.

The tenderer must provide a clear overview of all proposed short-term experts and their individual qualifications.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points in the technical assessment.

Team leader – Senior Consultant 

Tasks of the team leader

• Overall responsibility for the advisory packages of the contractor (quality and deadlines)
• Coordinating and ensuring communication with GIZ, partners and others involved in the project
• Selecting, preparing, training and steering the experts/trainers assigned to perform the tasks given
• Monitoring and evaluation; regular reporting in accordance with deadlines
• Develop concept for “(GTSTAF)”training including financial sustainability model, mobilization plan and curriculum)
• Mobilize participants (create promotional materials and reach out to individual women entrepreneurs as per BPR selection)
• Make a recommendation list of trainers and reach out to the selected ones to assist the program participants with the training
• Implement program, including company engagement activities
• Produce and give out training handouts to trained participants
• Produce reports and documentation
• Selecting, preparing, training and steering the experts/trainers assigned to perform the tasks given
• Manages costs and expenditures, accounting processes and invoicing in line with the requirements of GIZ.
• Preparation and management of venues and associated logistics

Qualifications of the team leader

• Education/training (2.1.1): University degree in social sciences, gender studies, Business Administration or related fields
• Language (2.1.2): C2-level language proficiency in English; C2-level language proficiency in Kinyarwanda
• General professional experience (2.1.3): 10 years of professional experience in the gender transformative approaches or related sector
• Specific professional experience (2.1.4): 5 years of experience in conducting gender transformative trainings; 1 reference project developing quality training content on gender and safeguarding aspects; 1 reference project on inclusive access to finance.
• Leadership/management experience (2.1.5): 3 years of management/leadership experience as project team leader or manager in a company
• Development cooperation experience (2.1.7): 4 years of experience working in projects funded by international donors

Short-term consultant pool 1: “Women empowerment trainers” with minimum 2, maximum 3 experts

For the technical assessment, an average of the qualifications of all specified members of the expert pool is calculated. Please send a CV for each pool member (see below Chapter 7 Requirements on the format of the bid) for the assessment.

Tasks of the short-term expert pool

• Support the team leader with the concept development, implementation, engagement and M&E
• Developing training modules for individuals, households/communities and bankers on women empowerment, women’s rights, community engagement for women empowerment, safeguarding, and other related topics.
• Providing trainings and provide handouts to trainees
• Assessing trainees through conducting pre-test and post-test surveys

Qualifications of the short-term expert pool

Members of short-term expert pool 1 must be female.

• Education/training (2.6.1): University degree in Gender studies, Social Sciences, Education studies or related fields; Professional trainer certificate
• Language (2.6.2): C1-level language proficiency in English, C2-level language proficiency in Kinyarwanda
• General professional experience (2.6.3): 5 years of professional experience in Gender programming; thereof 4 years of experience in women empowerment approaches.
• Specific professional experience (2.6.4): 4 years of experience in developing training modules and coaching of individuals and groups on gender transformation; 1 reference project working with financial institutions

Short-term consultant pool 2: “Men engagement trainers” with minimum 2, maximum 3 Experts

For the technical assessment, an average of the qualifications of all specified members of the expert pool is calculated. Please send a CV for each pool member (see below Chapter 7 Requirements on the format of the bid) for the assessment.

Tasks of the short-term expert pool

• Support the team leader with the concept development, implementation, engagement and M&E
• Developing training modules for individuals, households/communities and bankers on male champions for gender equality, positive masculinity, safeguarding, and other related topics.
• Providing trainings and provide handouts to trainees
• Assessing trainees through conducting pre-test and post-test surveys

Qualifications of the short-term expert pool

Members of short-term expert pool 1 must be male.

• Education/training (2.7.1): University degree in Gender studies, Social Sciences, Education studies or related fields; Professional trainer certificate
• Language (2.7.2): C1-level language proficiency in English, C2-level language proficiency in Kinyarwanda
• General professional experience (2.7.3): 5 years of professional experience in Gender programing; thereof 4 years of experience in men engagement approaches.
• Specific professional experience (2.7.4): 4 years of experience in developing training modules and coaching of individuals and groups on gender transformation; 1 reference project working with financial institutions

Soft skills of Team members

In addition to their specialist qualifications, the following qualifications are required of team members:

• Flexibility and constructive attitude in face of changing circumstances
• Excellent communication skills
• Collaborative working style
• Efficient partner- and client-focused working methods

5. Costing requirements

All business travel must be approved in advance by GIZ staff in writing. The amounts below for travel expenses and other costs are compulsory and non-negotiable. 

5.1. Specification of inputs

Fee days	Number of experts	Number of days per expert	Total	Comments
Team Leader	1	32	32	Estimated break down of days: WP3: 3 days in total WP4: 2 days in total-WP5: 5 days in total WP7: 12 days in total WP8: 10 days in total
Short-term expert pool 1: Consultant “women empowerment trainers” with minimum 2, maximum 3 experts	2-3	N/A	25	Estimated break down of days: WP1: 12 days per consultant (24 days in total) WP3: 3 days in total WP4: 2 days in total-WP5: 8 days in total
Short-term expert pool 2: Consultant “men engagement trainers” with minimum 2, maximum 3 experts	2-3	N/A	25	Estimated break down of days: WP2: 12 days per consultant (24 days in total) WP3: 3 days in total WP4: 2 days in total WP5: 8 days in Total
Other costs	Number	Price (RWF)	Total (RWF)	Comments
Printing of handouts for participants	270 handouts	10,000 RWF	2,700,000 RWF	Against provision of evidence (i.e. commercial and EBM) invoice
Workshop costs (full-day conference package)	930	45,000 RWF	41,850,000 RWF	Against provision of evidence (i.e. commercial and EBM invoice from hotel stating all services, signed attendance list by participants). The budget contains the following costs: location, catering, pens and notebooks for participants, flipcharts and markers.
Flexible remuneration The contractually agreed individual rates and type of settlement (against evidence or lumpsum) may not be changed.	1	6,415,000RWF	6,415,000RWF	A budget of RWF 6,415,000 is foreseen for flexible remuneration. Please incorporate this budget into the price schedule. Use of the flexible remuneration item requires prior written approval from GIZ.

Please note that administrative work and any other overhead costs are to be included in the expert fee.

6. Requirements on the format of the tender

The structure of the tender must correspond to the structure of the ToR. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (Chapter 3) should be organized in accordance with the positively weighted criteria in the assessment grid (not with zero). The tender must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. It must be drawn up in English.

The complete tender must not exceed 7 pages (excluding CVs). If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment. External content (e.g. links to websites) will also not be considered.

The CVs of the personnel proposed in accordance with Chapter 4 of the ToRs must be submitted using the format specified in the terms and conditions for application. The CVs shall not exceed 3 pages each. They must clearly show the position and job the proposed person held in the reference project and for how long.

Please calculate your financial tender based exactly on the parameters specified in Chapter 5 Quantitative requirements. The contractor is not contractually entitled to use up the days, trips, workshops or budgets in full. The number of days, trips and workshops and the budgets will be contractually agreed as maximum limits. The specifications for pricing are defined in the price schedule.

7. Submission of the offer

Your EoI has to be submitted in 2 separated emails to RW_Quotation@giz.de until latest 05.05.2025:

The technical offerhas to be submitted in PDF format and as attachment to the email with the subject: 83487296-Technical offer.   Technical Proposal must include the following documents:

• Technical Proposal (technical proposal template must be used)
• Administrative documents: Company registration certificate (RDB), VAT registration certificate, Tax clearance certificate
• Completed form of “Self-declaration of eligibility for the award”
• Up to date CVs of proposed experts  
• 2 References of company  for the completed projects in Gender and/or Community Development

The financial offerhas to be submitted in PDF format and as attachment to the email with the subject: 83487296-Financial offer. The costs must be in RWF and VAT excluded (Price sheet must be used). 

If the emails exceed the default email size of 30MB, offers can be exceptionally submitted through https://filetransfer.giz.de/, as indicated. The subject of recipient notification must be edited to include the reference number above mentionned“ and the notification message must include the password to access the files.

Offers submitted through any other sharing platform, as google documents or similar will not be considered.

Without the subject mentioned, your offer may not be considered

Offers submitted in hard copy will not be considered.

GIZ reserves all rights.  

Annex:

• Annex 1 - Eligibility assessment grid
• Annex 2 - Self-declaration of eligibility
• Annex 3 – Technical Proposal Template
• Annex 4 - Technical assessment grid
• Annex 5 - Price sheet

 8. List of Abbreviation

WEE: Women’s Economic Empowerment

GIZ: Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

BMZ: Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development

SD4T: Skills Development for Economic Transformation

(GTSTAF): "Gender Transformative and Safeguarding Training for Women Access

 to Finance"

BPR : Banque Populaire du Rwanda

BPF: Banque Populaire Foundation

MSMEs: Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises.