1.     Background

In Rwanda, the framework for Civil Society Organization (CSO) accountability is built upon a robust legal and regulatory foundation. The Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) plays a central role in emphasizing CSOs' contributions to effective service delivery, policy development and reform, and citizen empowerment. While the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) is primarily responsible for coordinating civil society activities, CSOs are also mandated to hold both the public and private sectors accountable on various socio-economic issues.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Rwanda play a vital role in advancing gender equality and accountability through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and direct contribution to service delivery. Their efforts have contributed to policy reforms, improved access to resources, and the empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly women and girls. However, there remains a critical need for a structured framework to systematically promote gender equality and strengthen accountability mechanisms across the civil society sector.

According to a 2020 mapping study by the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP), data from the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) revealed that 1,508 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were operating across the country, including 1,335 national NGOs and faith-based organizations, and 173 international NGOs. This significant presence underscores the need for clear and structured guidelines to effectively promote gender mainstreaming and enhance gender accountability within the civil society sector.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) and the Private Sector Federation (PSF), have been implementing the Gender Equality Seal (GES) certification program. To date, more than 40 entities, including large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and public institutions have been certified. This program has made a significant contribution to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace as it provides a structured framework that enables participating organizations to assess their current gender-related practices, identify areas for improvement, and implement changes that foster more inclusive and equitable work environments. Additionally, the dimensions, standards, and benchmarks of the Gender Equality Seal have been integrated into the newly developed Rwanda Standards Board’s (RSB) Gender Equality Standard, RS 560: Gender Equality - Requirements for Promotion, Implementation, and Accountability.

Against this backdrop, UNDP intends to hire a national individual consultant to support the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO) to develop a comprehensive framework and define clear guidelines for promoting gender equality and gender accountability within civil society

organizations in Rwanda. The goal is to enhance organizational effectiveness and foster inclusive citizen participation.

2.     Objectives of the Consultancy Overall objective:

The overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive framework for gender accountability within Rwandan civil society, aimed at strengthening gender-responsive governance among CSOs. The framework will provide clear principles and guidelines for gender-responsive programming, strengthened transparency, promotion of inclusive participation, institutional capacity strengthening, and socio-economic transformation.

The framework to be developed will be used by both relevant regulatory institutions and CSOs themselves to advance gender equality. It will be informed by the dimensions of the national gender standard (RS 560:2023-Gender Equality: Requirements for Promotion, Implementation, and Accountability).

Specific objectives:

Specific objectives for this assignment include the following:

·       Assess existing gender accountability practices and gaps within Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Rwanda, including governance arrangements, programming, and service delivery

·       Define clear principles and standards that will guide CSOs in integrating gender equality and accountability across all levels of their operations, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation in civil society activities

·       Propose mechanisms and standards for institutionalizing gender accountability in civil society organizations, including the roles of regulatory bodies such as RGB, RCSP, GMO, and other stakeholders in oversight and enforcement

·       Promote inclusive participation and representation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in CSO governance and decision-making processes.

·       Align the framework with national and international gender equality standards, including the national gender standard RS 560:2023 as well as other national laws regulating CSOs in Rwanda.

 3.     Scope of work:

The Consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

·       Conduct a comprehensive review of relevant national policies, strategies, legal frameworks, and international commitments related to gender equality and civil society in Rwanda;

·       Conduct stakeholder consultations to gather inputs from key actors, including relevant CSOs, RCSP, RGB, GMO, PSF, development partners, and community organizations;