Funding Opportunities

Request for Proposals: Clean Cooking Talent Research and Strategy

Background 

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) works with a global network of partners to build an inclusive industry that makes clean cooking accessible to the three billion people who live each day without it. Established in 2010, CCA is driving consumer demand, mobilizing investment to build a pipeline of scalable businesses, and fostering an enabling environment that allows the sector to thrive. Clean cooking transforms lives by improving health, protecting the climate and environment, empowering women, and helping consumers save time and money. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, CCA is working to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030. 

CCA seeks to make high-impact clean cooking solutions desirable, affordable, and accessible for consumers and viable for businesses to provide sustainably at scale. It supports companies that design, manufacture, distribute, and retail electric, biomass, ethanol, biogas, and LPG-based clean cooking solutions in addition to more efficient wood and charcoal cookstoves. It also supports technology innovation with the aim to commercialize new technologies such as highly energy-efficient electric cookers for off-grid/mini-grid communities. 

CCA recently led the development of a Clean Cooking Systems Strategy, engaging with stakeholders from across the clean cooking ecosystem and adjacent sectors to drive greater collaboration, transparency, and ambition toward the shared goal of universal access to clean cooking by 2030. The Clean Cooking Systems Strategy (“the Strategy”) is an ecosystem-wide blueprint to accelerate universal access to clean cooking solutions in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Net Zero 2050 agenda. The approach to developing the Strategy was based on the principle that transformative change can be achieved through building an inclusive, shared vision and action plan that reflects the needs and complexity of this vibrant ecosystem. Priority outcomes and action items have been identified to build momentum in a first phase of transformation, these have been selected on the basis that they can drive critical inflection points in the rate of progress, while also ensuring that access expands in an inclusive way and not simply as an afterthought.  

Underpinning the delivery of universal access to clean cooking and the Clean Cooking Systems Strategy is the need for the associated talent in the sector. CCA seeks to better understand the barriers and opportunities for growing and developing clean cooking talent in both the public and private sectors, the challenges stakeholders in the sector face in attracting and retaining talent and how CCA can create partnerships and initiatives to support ensuring the talent needs can be met.  

Objectives of the Talent Research and Strategy 

The overall objective of this assignment is to: 

Establish a clear talent strategy for the clean cooking sector, through identifying the needs, gaps in support and partnership potentials with a focus on Kenya and Ghana as CCA’s first Delivery Unit Network Countries.    

Four key areas of research are anticipated to enable this objective: 

1. The employment opportunities in clean cooking and the potential impact of clean cooking sector growth on current roles in the cooking ecosystem. 

• What are the roles available, how many and where are they located (urban/rural) at all levels across organizations.
• What is the impact of the clean cooking transition on livelihoods focused on the current cooking ecosystem including but not limited to charcoal and artisanal stove production with an understanding of the impact specifically on women and youth. 

2. Countries talent ecosystems, the education paths, and policies/plans for supporting talent, with a focus on Kenya and Ghana. 

• What are governments plans for policies, programs and initiatives for supporting and encouraging talent, especially for women and youth and any dedicated plans in these areas? Are country policies and talent generation systems causing blocks and bottlenecks to talent in clean cooking? 
• What is the educational ecosystem and opportunity in Kenya and Ghana, what are the gaps in skills required for energy access and climate change, including clean cooking? What is awareness of clean cooking, energy access and climate change during education? 
• What are the employment requirements from government  for different business models that impact expansion for clean cooking enterprises?  

3. The challenges for private and public stakeholders in clean cooking  in attracting and retaining talent, including across the range of maturity of those in the private sector. 

• Are their specific areas of work in clean cooking that are harder to attract talent?  
• Which skills do enterprises think are most lacking in existing national talent? 
• Do enterprises have their own talent development programs, and if so what skills do these cover? 
• What are the specific challenges for women and youth? Do female applicants tend to apply for specific roles (e.g. more research-oriented vs operational roles)?  
• What are the different challenges associated with talent across an enterprise’s lifetime from start-up through scaling? 
• What are the main reasons that talent is lost from the clean cooking sector, are there specific challenges by gender? 
• Does talent impact decisions for enterprises around expansion both in country and into new countries? 
• Who or what are they key influences on decisions and processes for attracting and retaining talent, I.e. government policies, investor requirements. 

4. The current talent programs and initiatives focused on enabling SDG7 and growing talent in associated markets. 

• What are the current programs that clean cooking is already incorporated in that focus on talent? Are any of these programs specifically gender and youth focused? 
• What are the programs running adjacent that clean cooking could easily become part of? Both nationally and globally. 
• Who are the key stakeholders focusing on the talent needs that clean cooking has?

Scope of Work and Deliverables 

CCA is seeking a qualified firm to carry out this work in partnership with CCA, agreeing on a final list of learning questions to drive the research agenda and ensure critical alignment with other ongoing work at CCA to support co-creation of the delivery unit mandate in each country including through a interim report review with CCA to align on strategy. The interim report should also be used for alignment with key external stakeholders, to be confirmed with CCA.The applicant is also requested to provide review of CCA aligned work on understanding the employee journey and challenges, conducted as part of the CCA Women in Clean Cooking program. 

The successful applicant is anticipated to conduct research and mapping based on the agreed approach, drawing on publicly available information and interviews with clean cooking enterprises and aligned stakeholders to establish a clear strategic plan for supporting talent into and within the clean cooking sector that is complimentary to other ongoing initiatives. 

Deliverables  

• Deliverable 1: Inception Report aligning proposal with agreed learning questions and execution plan. 
• Deliverable 2: Interim Report covering key research areas to be discussed with CCA team for alignment on strategy, other CCA work and plans for final report.  
• Deliverable 3: Final report (building on interim report) on research findings and strategic plan, including a concise executive summary with key findings. Provided as both a word report and powerpoint presentation that can be utilised for external engagement. 

Unless specified all reporting is anticipated to be in word documents. 

Project Period of Performance 

This assignment will be performed between May 2023 – July 2023. All final deliverables must be submitted by July 31st, 2023. 

Technical Requirements 

Firms should have the following experience: 

• Understanding of the clean cooking sector and adjacent sectors. 
• Understanding of employment and education policies and ecosystems in Kenya and Ghana. 
• Experience collecting and analyzing data 
• Experience conducting research in the clean cooking and/or energy sector 
• Existing relationships with stakeholders, including enterprises, investors, corporates, and foundations engaged or interested in sustainable development and the clean cooking sector 
• Experience authoring innovative and strategic reports for development sector 

Timeline 

Budget 

A detailed budget in US Dollars must be submitted with the proposal. The budget should include both pre-tax and net of tax values. The budget should include direct costs (Personnel, Fringe Benefits, Travel, Sub-Agreements, Equipment, Supplies, etc.), as well as indirect costs (overhead). For indirect costs, please indicate a list of expenses covered by the indirect rate. For all direct cost, please include assumptions that were made to arrive at line item costs (e.g. 2 trips @ $1,500/trip = $3,000 or 20 staff hours @ $40/hour = $800). 

If a bid has a mathematical discrepancy, CCA may correct the discrepancy and notify the Consultant of the adjustment. In such circumstances, the Consultant may choose to withdraw their bid.  

The budget should not exceed USD 50,000 

Evaluation Process 

The Clean Cooking Alliance will review all written proposals and may request a phone or in-person interview and/or updated submission to address questions or provide clarification. CCA will use the following criteria in its evaluation. 

Intent and Disclaimer 

This RFP is made with the intent to identify a Consultant to deliver results as described in this RFP. UNF/the Clean Cooking Alliance will rely on the Consultant’s representations to be truthful and as described.  The Clean Cooking Alliance assumes it can be confident in the Consultant’s ability to deliver the product(s) and/or service(s) proposed in response to this RFP. 

If the Clean Cooking Alliance amends the RFP, copies of any such amendments will be sent to all respondents to the proposal. 

Proposal Guidelines and Requirements 

• This RFP is open to multiple partners and is a competitive process.
• Proposals received after 5 PM ET on March 12, 2023 will not be considered.
• The price provided should be in US dollars, and should contain both pre-tax and net of tax values. If the process excludes certain fees or charges, the applicant must provide a detailed list of excluded fees with a complete explanation of the nature of those fees.
• CCA prefers a single point of contact who manages deliverables. If the execution of work to be performed by the Consultant requires the hiring of sub-contractors, the Consultant must clearly state this in the proposal. Sub-contractors must be identified and the work they will perform must be defined. Subcontractors are subject to vetting and approval of UNF/CCA 
• CCA will not refuse a proposal based upon the use of subcontractors; however, we retain the right to refuse the sub-contractors you have selected.
• Provisions of this RFP and the contents of the successful responses are considered available for inclusion in final contractual obligations.

Format for Proposals 

Proposals must include applicant signature as well as a signed declaration form. Proposals must include the full legal name of applicant, as well as legal formation and ownership structure (e.g. incorporation certification, tax status and ID, etc.).  

Contracting and Compliance 

CCA will negotiate contract terms upon selection. A copy of the contract terms and conditions will be provided upon selection. All contracts are subject to review by the UN Foundation’s Business Services and Budget Reporting team. The project will start upon the complete execution of the contract. The contract will outline terms and conditions, scope, budget, and applicable flow down terms. Selected recipient(s) must comply with CCA, United Nations Foundation, and funder compliance requirements. The selected recipient(s) must also undergo detailed legal, financial, and commercial due diligence. 

Release 

The Consultant understands that the Clean Cooking Alliance has chosen to solicit an RFP for consulting services, and that the Consultant’s response does not guarantee that the Clean Cooking Alliance will enter into a new contract with the Consultant or continue any current contract(s) with the Consultant. 

The Consultant agrees that Clean Cooking Alliance may, at its sole discretion: 

• Amend or cancel the RFP, in whole or in part, at any time
• Extend the deadline for submitting responses
• Determine whether a response does or does not substantially comply with the requirements of the RFP
• Waive any minor irregularity, informality or nonconformance with the provisions or procedures of the RFP
• Negotiate with all Consultants UNF deems acceptable
• Issue multiple awards
• Photocopy the responses for evaluation/review

This RFP is not an offer to contract.  The Clean Cooking Alliance assumes no responsibility for Consultant’s cost to respond to this RFP. All responses become the property of the Clean Cooking Alliance 

The Consultant, by submitting a response to this RFP, waives all right to protest or seek any legal remedies whatsoever regarding any aspect of this RFP.  

The Consultant represents that it has responded to the RFP with complete honesty and accuracy. If facts provided in the Consultant’s response change, the Consultant agrees to supplement its response in writing with any deletions, additions, or changes within ten (10) days of the changes. The Consultant will do this, as necessary, throughout the selection process. 

The Consultant understands it may receive proprietary and confidential information from the Clean Cooking Alliance during the RFP process (“Confidential Information”).  The Consultant and CCA agree to not use Confidential Information for any purpose other than the Consultant’s participation in the RFP process, and to not reveal Confidential Information directly or indirectly to any other person, entity, or organization without the prior written consent of the other party. The Consultant and CCA further agree to exercise all reasonable precautions to maintain the proprietary and confidential nature of Confidential Information where it can best demonstrate its value and capacity to delivery ecosystem-wide, meaningful value.  

Grounds for Exclusion 

Material misrepresentations, including omissions, may disqualify the Consultant from a contract award. 

Submissions will be rejected in the Clean Cooking Alliance’s sole discretion if it finds that the Consultant has engaged in any illegal or corrupt practices in connection with the award. 

The Consultant will be excluded from participation for the reasons below. By submitting a proposal in response to the RFP, the Consultant confirms that none of the below circumstances apply: 

• The Consultant is bankrupt or being wound up, is having their affairs administered by the courts, has entered into an arrangement with creditors, has suspended business activities, is subject of proceedings concerning those matters, or is in any analogous situation arising from a similar procedure provided for in national legislation or regulations.
• The Consultant or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted of an offence concerning their professional conduct by a final judgment.
• The Consultant has been found guilty of grave professional misconduct; proven by any means which CCA can justify.
• The Consultant has not fulfilled obligations relating to the payment of social security contributions or taxes in accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which they are established, or within the United States of America, or those of the country where the contract is to be performed.
• The Consultant or persons having powers of representation, decision-making or control over them have been convicted for fraud, corruption, involvement in a criminal organization or money laundering by a final judgment.
• The Consultant makes use of child labor or forced labor and/or practice discrimination, and/or do not respect the right to freedom of association and the right to organize and engage in collective bargaining pursuant to the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Principal Point of Contact 

Rose Atkinson is the primary point of contact for this assignment. Please reach out to ratkinson@cleancooking.org email with any questions.   

Submission Details

Please submit any questions and/or proposal materials related to the Request for Proposals to ratkinson@cleancooking.org with the subject line “Proposals for Talent Strategy.”  

The deadline for submission is March 12, 2023, at 5 PM ET.