Consultancy for a Gender-Responsive Policy Analysis on Environmental Management, Climate Change Adaptation & the Sustainable Blue Economy

BackgroundThe Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature (ReSea) project is a multi-country initiative implemented across Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Comoros. The project aims to regenerate coastal and marine ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, promote inclusive governance, and advance sustainable blue economy opportunities for coastal communities through gender-responsive and nature-based approaches.Supported financially by Global Affairs Canada and led regionally by Mission Inclusion in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ReSea is implemented in partnership with local women’s rights organizations, civil society groups, community networks, research institutions, and government agencies. In Kenya, the project is implemented in Kilifi County, where GROOTS Kenya serves as the Feminist Organization partner responsible for strengthening Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), fostering community leadership, gender responsive Nature Based Solutions, and supporting women-led climate and marine governance.ReSea adopts an integrated programming model that includes:* Gender-responsive and inclusive governance of marine and coastal resources * Nature-based solutions (NbS) such as mangrove restoration. Women and youth-led blue economy entrepreneurship incubation * Strengthening of community structures, including BMUs, CFAs, and grassroots movement-building * Climate risk awareness and adaptation supportThis approach recognizes that women and youth are not only disproportionately affected by climate and environmental degradation but are also central to sustainable restoration and economic transformation in coastal landscapes.Local Context and Need for Policy AnalysisAcross Kilifi, communities depend heavily on marine ecosystems for fishing, mangrove restoration, eco-tourism, marine litter management, and small-scale trade. However, evidence gathered through capacity needs assessment, outcome harvesting, and Key Informant Interviews under the ReSea project highlights widespread challenges, including:* Increased climate variability has prolonged droughts, ocean warming, and unpredictable rainfall * Declining fish stocks and degradation of marine habitats * Barriers to accessing fishing licenses, equipment, markets, and climate information * Dominance of male-controlled value chains and exploitative practices (e.g., “sex-for-fish”) * Restrictive cultural and religious norms limit women’s mobility and participation * Weak enforcement of environmental and fisheries policies * Low representation of women and youth in marine governance structuresDespite the existence of multiple policy frameworks governing fisheries, the blue economy, environmental management, and climate resilience, these frameworks often lack gender responsiveness, intersectionality, and community-grounded implementation.The ReSea project, therefore, requires a comprehensive, actionable, gender-responsive policy analysis to guide programming, capacity strengthening, and advocacy across local and national stakeholders.2. Purpose of the AssignmentThe purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a gender-responsive, intersectional, and inclusive policy analysis of the environmental management, climate change adaptation, and blue economy sectors in Kenya—specifically focusing on Kilifi.The analysis will inform ReSea’s advocacy, training, governance strengthening, and entrepreneurship support to ensure women, youth, and marginalized communities can effectively participate in, benefit from, and shape sustainable coastal and marine development.3. Scope of WorkThe consultant will undertake the following core tasks:A. Policy Mapping & ReviewIdentify, compile, and analyze existing policies, legal frameworks, strategies, and regulations relevant to:* Marine and coastal resource governance * Fisheries management (including BMU Regulations and Fisheries Act) * Marine conservation (MPAs, LMMAs) * Environmental protection and natural resource management * Climate change adaptation and resilience * Blue economy development * Gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusionOutputs:* Annotated inventory of policies reviewed * A matrix showing mandates, gaps, overlaps, and relevance to women, youth, Persons with disabilities, marginalized, and indigenous coastal communities.B. GESI Responsiveness AssessmentAssess the degree to which these policy frameworks:* Recognize the differential vulnerabilities of women, youth, and marginalized groups * Address barriers to resource access, licensing, benefit sharing, decision-making, ownership, and markets * Consider unpaid care work, safety concerns, GBV risks, and social norms * Support equitable participation in governance structures at both local and national levels, such as BMUs and CFAs * Respond to climate impacts documented through ReSea community consultations * Integrate intersectionality, gender-disaggregated data, or GBA+ principlesC. Structural & Institutional Barriers AnalysisIdentify broader structural, institutional, and policy-level barriers that sit outside individual and organizational capacities and shape the enabling environment for gender-responsive, inclusive, and climate-resilient blue economy governance:* Regulatory barriers: licensing complexity, enforcement inconsistencies * Economic barriers: lack of capital, credit restrictions (including Islamic finance constraints), equipment scarcity * Social/cultural barriers: gender norms restricting women’s mobility and roles * Institutional barriers: elite capture, weak accountability, limited public participation * Climate-related constraints: declining fish stocks, rising temperatures, extreme weather * Market barriers: dealer-controlled value chains, lack of cold storage, limited access to markets, and value additionD. Recommendations for Strengthening Policies and SystemsDevelop specific, actionable recommendations to:* Improve gender and youth responsiveness in national and county policies * Strengthen inclusive governance mechanisms (BMUs, CFAs, ward committees) * Simplify regulations and increase transparency in licensing and marine access * Support women and youth-led climate-smart blue economy enterprises * Enhance coordination among government actors, CSOs, and communities * Integrate climate adaptation into livelihood and marine governance frameworks * Build enabling environments for equitable benefit-sharingRecommendations should be practical, implementable, and linked to clear actors (county government, national ministries, ReSea partners).4. MethodologyThe consultant will use a combination of:* Policy and legislative desk review * Key Informant Interviews with government, MPAs, LMMAs, civil society, private sector, and community user groups. * Virtual or in-person stakeholder consultations in Kilifi * Application of GBA+, feminist, and intersectional frameworks * Comparative analysis with regional and global best practicesAll methodologies must be gender-responsive, culturally appropriate, and ethically sound.5. Deliverables1. Inception Report 2. Policy Mapping Matrix 3. Draft Policy Analysis Report 4. Actionable Recommendations & Advocacy Framework 5. Stakeholder Validation Workshop 6. Final Policy Analysis Report (with executive summary, infographics, and annexes)6. Duration of the AssignmentThe consultancy will run for a maximum of 25 days, inclusive of analysis, validation, and revisions.7. Required Qualifications* Advanced degree in public policy, gender studies, environmental governance, marine science, or related fields * Minimum 7 years of experience in policy research, gender analysis, or blue economy governance * Proven expertise in intersectional GESI integration * Experience working with coastal communities in Kenya or similar contexts * Strong analytical and technical writing skills * Ability to produce high-quality, practical recommendationsHOW TO APPLYApplicants are required to submit a technical proposal outlining the methodology, work-plan and timelines and a financial proposal indicating the proposed fees to [email protected] by 20th February 2026.