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Terms of Reference (TOR) for Baseline Study on the Status of Compliance of Public Infrastructure Development Processes With Applicable Environmental and Social Safeguards in Rwanda

Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda)

Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rwanda) is a non-governmental and non-profit organization whose mission is to promote good governance and fighting corruption through enhancing integrity values in the Rwandan society.

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P.O. Box. 6252 Kigali, Rwanda – Tel: (+250) 0788309583

Toll free: 2641 (to report cases of corruption) – Email: info@tirwanda.org

Website: www.tirwanda.org

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

BASELINE STUDY ON THE STATUS OF COMPLIANCE OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES WITH APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS IN RWANDA

1. Background and Context

The “Alliances and Partnerships for Evidence-led Environmental and Social Safeguarding Accountability (APESA)” — referred to in Kinyarwanda as “Ijwi Ryanjye mu Iterambere Rirambye” (INTERA) — is a 36-month action implemented by Transparency International Rwanda (TI-Rw) in partnership with Partnership for Transparency Fund (PTF) Europe. The Action aims to promote compliance with environmental and social safeguards (ESS) in public infrastructure development in Rwanda, which remains an under-addressed area, especially by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

To inform the design, targeting, implementation and policy engagement under APESA, a comprehensive baseline study is required. This study will assess the current level of compliance with applicable environmental and social safeguards in public infrastructure development across selected districts of Rwanda, identify gaps, and generate baseline data for monitoring and evaluation.

2. Objectives of the Baseline Study

Overall Objective:
To establish the baseline status of the implementation and compliance of public infrastructure development processes with environmental and social safeguards in Rwanda, especially in the 13 targeted districts, namely: Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Muhanga, Rwamagana, Rusizi, Gicumbi, Rulindo, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngoma, Gatsibo, Nyamasheke and Rustiro.

Specific Objectives:

  1. To map and analyze the policy, legal, institutional, and regulatory framework governing environmental and social safeguarding in Rwanda, especially as they apply to public infrastructure.
  2. To establish the level of openness and transparency in how government and donors govern environmental and social safeguarding during the planning, design, and execution of public infrastructure projects.
  3. To assess the level of knowledge and application of environmental and social safeguards by rights holders and local duty bearers in the planning, design, and implementation of public infrastructure development processes.
  4. To assess the current extent to which duty bearers subject themselves to accountability mechanisms for unmet environmental and social safeguarding obligations in public infrastructure development.

3. Scope of Work and Methodology

Geographic Scope:
The study will cover the 13 districts targeted by APESA, ensuring representation from different geographical, socio-economic and ecological zones in Rwanda. The targeted districts are: Nyarugenge and Kicukiro from the city of Kigali, Muhanga and Rwamagana representing the satellite cities, Rusizi representing the secondary cities, Gicumbi, Rulindo, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngoma, Rutsiro, Gatsibo and Nyamasheke selected out of 16 hardest poverty struck districts currently targeted by the pro poor basket fund, a multi donor infrastructure development project in the rural of Rwanda.

Thematic Scope:

  • Environmental and social safeguard measures in public infrastructure
  • Accountability mechanisms in project planning, design, and implementation
  • Community-level understanding and engagement with ESS
  • Institutional roles, capacities, and coordination

Methodology:
The study will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including:

  • Desk review of relevant laws, policies, standards, and existing assessments
  • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant government institutions (MOE, LODA, REMA, RGB, RTDA, WASAC, REG, etc.), and contractors
  • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members and citizen groups
  • Structured interviews/surveys with local leaders, CBOs, CSOs and infrastructure users
  • Observational visits to selected public infrastructure sites
  • Comparative analysis across sectors and districts

All tools and methodologies will be refined in collaboration with TI-Rw and PTF Europe and must be gender-sensitive, inclusive, and ethically sound.

4. Expected Deliverables

  1. Inception Report (within 2 weeks of contract signing):

Detailing methodology, tools, work plan and sampling framework

  1. Draft Baseline Report (within 2 months of data collection):

Including data analysis, key findings, district-level variations, challenges, and opportunities

  1. Validation Workshop (organized by TI-Rw with consultant support):

Presentation of findings to stakeholders for feedback

  1. Final Baseline Report (within 1 month after validation):

Revised based on stakeholder feedback

Must include an Executive Summary, policy and programming recommendations, and data baseline matrix aligned with APESA indicators which are aligned with the project objectives. Applicants will be required to consult the APESA project coordinator for further guidance on indicators to be measured for the baseline.

  1. Clean Data Set and Documentation:

All data collected (in usable format), tools used, consent forms, and relevant documentation

5. Duration and Timeline

The study is expected to last four (4) months from the date of contract signing, in line with the project implementation plan. The timeline will be broken down as follows:

Activity

Timeline

Contracting and on boarding

Week 1

Inception phase and approval of methodology

Weeks 2–3

Data collection and analysis

Weeks 4–10

Draft report submission

Week 11

Validation workshop

Week 12

Final report submission

Week 14–16

6. Institutional Arrangements and Coordination

The Team of consultants/firm will report directly to Transparency International Rwanda. TI-Rw, with support from PTF Europe, will provide oversight and coordination, including facilitating access to stakeholders, advisory and documentation. A technical reference group composed of representatives from TI-Rw, PTF Europe, and selected stakeholders will provide quality assurance throughout the process.

7. Consultant Qualifications and Experience

The assignment is open to the team of consultants or firms with the following profile:

  • Having in the team at minimum a proven master's degrees in social studies, environmental studies, or development studies.
  • Proven experience in conducting research or evaluations in environmental governance, infrastructure monitoring, or social safeguards, and baseline studies.
  • Expertise in public policy, environmental law, civil society engagement or infrastructure governance in Rwanda.
  • Strong understanding of participatory and rights-based research approaches.
  • Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda, both written and spoken.
  • Demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders including government, CSOs and local communities.
  • Experience in EU-funded project evaluations or baseline studies is an added advantage.

8. Ethical Considerations

The consultants/firm will be required to adhere to ethical research standards, including obtaining informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring data protection. A child and gender-sensitive approach must be applied throughout.

9. Budget and Payment Terms

A competitive budget should be submitted alongside the technical proposal, detailing all expected costs including logistics, personnel, data collection, and analysis. Payments will be made in tranches against agreed deliverables and timelines.

10. Submission of ProposalsInterested consultants/firms should submit the following:

  • Technical proposal outlining understanding, methodology, work plan, and qualifications
  • Financial proposal (in RWF) (In a separate file)
  • CVs of key personnel with live signed commitment letters clearly indicating their availability and acceptance of the assigned role in the group.
  • At least 2 samples of similar previous work

Interested consultants/firm are invited to submit their files by 08 th August 2025 either physically at TI-RW’s office located in Remera, near Grand Legacy Hotel, or through TI-RW’s email address info@tirwanda.org. Selected candidates will be invited at TI-RW Office for contract negotiation.

For further clarifications, do not hesitate to contact on +250788309563 during working hours.

Done in Kigali, on 18th /07/2025

Apollinaire Mupiganyi

Executive Director

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