Terms of Reference to Explore the Impacts of Agro ecology on Reducing Women’s Labor Burden in Land Restoration and Food Production

1. Background

In Rwanda, where agriculture employs over 70% of the population and is central to rural livelihoods and national food security, women form the majority of the agricultural workforce and play a crucial role in sustaining the sector. Despite their vital contributions, they bear a disproportionate share of labor, especially in land restoration and food production, while also shouldering unpaid care work, which limits their opportunities for income generation and capacity building.

Their tasks are often physically demanding and time-consuming, including manual weeding, carrying water and firewood, tilling soil with basic tools, and post-harvest processing. Agro ecology has recently emerged as a sustainable and promising alternative to conventional farming, with practices such as composting, mulching, agroforestry, intercropping, and organic soil regeneration offering potential to address Rwanda’s challenges of land scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change. These techniques not only improve soil fertility and crop diversity but also reduce the physical and time burdens placed on women by minimizing the need for intensive labor and external inputs.

Rwanda Climate Change and Development Network (RCCDN) promotes agro ecology as a sustainable approach to agriculture that enhances biodiversity, food sovereignty, and resilience to climate change. While agro ecology holds promise in improving agricultural sustainability, its potential in reducing the labor burden for women, especially in land restoration and food production remains underexplored.

Given that women are central to smallholder farming systems yet disproportionately burdened with labor-intensive agricultural tasks, this study seeks to assess whether and how agro ecological practices alleviate their workload, improve working conditions, and enhance livelihood outcomes.

It is in this regard, RCCDN is seeking a consultant who will Explore the Impacts of Agro ecology on Reducing Women’s Labor Burden in Land Restoration and Food Production.

2. Objective

This consultancy aims to assess the impacts of agroecology on reducing the labor burden for women, particularly in the areas of land restoration and food production, and to provide evidence-based recommendations for gender-responsive agro ecological programming and policy.

3. Scope of Work

The assignment will cover the following key areas:

1. Review existing literature on agroecology and women’s labor in agriculture, with a focus on land restoration and food systems.
2. Conduct fieldwork in selected Rulindo, Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts to collect qualitative and quantitative data from women farmers engaged in agroecological practices.
3. Assess how agro ecological practices (e.g., composting, mulching, agroforestry, reduced tillage, use of indigenous seeds) affect women’s time, workload, and physical labor.
4. Analyze gender roles and division of labor before and after the adoption of agroecological practices.
5. Identify challenges and opportunities related to women's participation in agroecology-based land restoration and food production.
6. Develop actionable recommendations for stakeholders, including RCCDN, NGOs, and government institutions, to make agro ecology more labor-sensitive and inclusive for women.

4. Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report: including a detailed methodology, data collection tools, sampling strategy, gender-sensitive indicators, and a clear work plan.
2. Literature Review Summary: Capturing existing evidence and knowledge gaps on the intersection of agroecology, women’s labor, and sustainable land and food systems.
3. Draft Analytical Report – presenting findings from fieldwork, with analysis based on the following key indicators:
   1. Time saved in farming or land restoration due to agroecological practices.
   2. Reduction in physical drudgery, such as less time spent weeding, carrying water, or performing repetitive tasks.
   3. Improved access to agroecological tools, practices, land, and knowledge by women.
   4. Productivity and income changes linked to agroecological interventions.
   5. Shifts in women’s decision-making power within households and communities.
4. Final Report: A comprehensive and refined version of the research report incorporating with actionable and gender-responsive recommendations, and and policy recommendations to promote inclusive and labour-sensitive agroecology for women.

5. Required Qualifications and Experience

The Consultant must be knowledgeable in matters of climate change, environmental conservation,

• University degree in Agriculture, Rural Development, Environmental engineering, or other related fields.
• The consultant should be a member of a relevant professional body in Rwanda.
• Knowledge of participatory research methods
• Strong writing and analytical skills
• Proven experience in gender analysis,
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner.

6. Timeframe

The consultancy will be conducted in 30 days, starting from the date of contract signing. The timeline includes drafting and final submission.

8. Languages

The document will be produced in English

9. Application Process

Interested consultants are requested to submit the following documents:

• A detailed CV
• A cover letter outlining the consultant’s experience addressed to RCCDN coordinator
• Detailed financial proposal and approach to the consultancy
• List previous relevant work or research performed (if available)

Interested candidates are invited to bring their application document, to RCCDN Head Officer located in Kicukiro District, Kagarama Sector, Muyange Cell, not later than Friday, 30^th June 2025 at 4:00pm The proposal will be evaluated first and candidate who shall pass both the technical stage and financial evaluation will be notified.

9. Evaluation Criteria

The consultant will be selected based on a combination of technical and financial criteria. The evaluation, will focus on the clarity and relevance of the proposed methodology, the consultant’s understanding of the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining, the quality of the work plan, and the consultant’s experience and qualifications. The appropriateness of data collection methods and the professionalism of previous work will also be considered.

The financial proposal will assess the cost-effectiveness of the proposal, alignment with the assignment’s scope and timeline, and the detailed breakdown of costs.

10. Safeguarding Programme Participants: Program/Project right holders, PWD, Children & Adults

RCCDN respects the intrinsic dignity of every person, celebrates differences and aims to create relationships of mutual respect wherein the rights and dignity of every person are respected. The Network is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment and the code of conduct, which outlines the expected behaviors and the responsibility of all staff, board members, consultants and other organizational representatives. RCCDN is committed to promoting transparency, gender equality, and inclusivity in all its engagements.