Consultancy Services required to Conduct ISSB Market Research Study in Laikipia- Habitat for Humanity Kenya

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Habitat for Humanity Kenya (HFHK) is among the 70 country affiliates of HFH International. In Kenya, we were registered in 1982 as Non-Governmental Organization, with the goal of enabling low-income families access decent and affordable shelter. In the last 40 years, HFHK has supported more than 56,000 families across 9 counties in Kenya through housing micro-finance and direct construction. We are currently operating in Laikipia, Homabay, Kisumu, Tana River and Machakos. Our Business Plan (2020-2025) has outlined four Programmatic Areas namely: Financing for owner-led construction; Settlement-Based Practice; Secure Land Tenure; Disaster Risk Reduction & Response (DR3). The goal of our Programmatic Area on Settlement Based Practice, is to see safe, resilient and healthy communities settled within quality housing and with access to basic services and infrastructure.

HFHK recognizes the role other actors in the market play in the provision of affordable shelter to low-income households in Kenya. To accomplish this, HFHK has been supporting market-driven access to housing finance products and non-financial services in Kenya. And strengthened communities through capacity building and financial management trainings.

Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSB) technology is one such technology that is gaining growing recognition in Kenya and East Africa. Compared with alternative such as fired bricks it lowers construction cost at comparable quality and is more suitable for a wide range of issues dramatically reducing the impact on environment (UN-HABITAT 2009). ISSB is one of the Appropriate Building Materials and Technologies (ABMT) that is cost –effective, safe, innovative environmentally friendly as well as acceptable to the climate, socio-economic conditions and natural resources of an area. It uses soil as its major ingredient.

Interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSBs) program for low-cost production for improved shelter is targeting established groups (accredited masons, women and youth groups) in Laikipia county with the aim to increase access and use of interlocking stabilized soil blocks in the rural and peri urban areas by establishing and strengthening sustainable and commercially viable supply and distribution of blocks for quality housing materials and more so environmentally friendly whereby it will act as a catalyst for their livehood and job creation. The project will increase access to the number of decent and affordable households built using the ISSB’s. The use of ISSB technology in housing projects has been promoted in Kenya as a means to address poverty, sustainable housing and housing affordability challenges facing many Kenyans. Building materials constitute nearly 70% of construction costs and while there exist alternative building materials that are environmentally friendly and locally available, uptake is still a huge obstacle. There is minimal dissemination and use of available technology caused by lack of demonstration and disincentives among communities, professionals, and businesses to use alternative building technology such as ISSBs

This research sought to establish the effectiveness of ISSB market as livelihood program, the existence and viability of the market through housing value chain players for reduced cost of shelter improvement in Laikipia County.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 Main Purpose

HFHK is aware that the uptake of interlocking soil blocks has not been very high in the Kenyan market. Therefore, the main purpose for this research shall be to undertake market research on ISSBs to understand the viability of the market, the factors affecting its uptake to inform the piloting of the component and understand the value proposition for low-income households in Laikipia county. This will confirm the training of 60 community members comprising of 20 masons, 20 youths, and 20 locals focusing mainly on women registered in a savings group. In addition, the researcher will develop ISSB business strategy to enhance promoting use of ISSB technology through construction of affordable houses, adoption of the technology and formation of ISSB production groups as an income generating project for business and as a path way for the owner led construction for members.

2.2 Specific Objectives;

• To determine the effectiveness and uptake of ISSB’s for construction of affordable housing in Laikipia county.
• To determine the viability of a market for ISSB’s to affirm and approve the production of ISSB’s for commercial and household consumption through construction of houses, schools and other facilities.
• To develop develop a business strategy/plan for ISSB as a livelihood opportunity in Laikipia county.
• To assess the capacity on job training (apprenticeship) for local fundis to gain experience through ISSB technology training course and house construction. (Fundi is a Swahili word for artisans).

SCOPE OF WORK

The Consultant will be expected to undertake the following assignments as part of the scope while undertaking the study:

• To assess the demand for ISSB within Laikipia County. This will include studying and documenting both desktop and literature review during the reseach.
• To assess the supply of ISSB within Laikipia (who is supplying, what quantity and at what cost).
• To find out on people’s perception of ISSB and how it affects demand and supply chain on use of ISSB on construction within the environs of Laikipia County.
• To Conduct ISSB market research and develop an ISSB business strategy.

Activities:

• To make constant use of research tools development, Data analysis and Reporting.
• Identification of local and opinion leaders for local livelihood opportunities research activity.
• To conduct mobilization of the study respondents and participants (demand side and supply side)
• To conduct market research and develop a business plan for ISSB as a livelihood opportunity in Laikipia.
• ISSB business strategy report review and analysis (Establish economic and matching value for the local set up)
• Conduct ISSB business plan awareness and livelihood opportunities workshop for Artisans/masons and social mobilizers. (Leaders of existing potential groups)
• Social mobilizers to disseminate information to respective groups and offer expression of interest

DELIVERABLES AND TIMING

The consultancy is expected to start working on the study on the 25th November 2022 for a duration of at least 1 month. Before carry out the assignment, the consultant is required to submit an inception report and defend the delivery plan through presentation to HFH Kenya management team as shall be scheduled by HFH Kenya during contracting of the assignment. The consultant is expected to work very closely with the HFH Kenya staff, Laikipia County government, Housing and Infrastructure departments when carrying out the study. The deliverables of this assignment are as follows;

1. Inception report describing in detail how the consultant plans to deliver the integrated market research survey,
2. Reconnaissance Report
3. Final Report
4. A business plan for ISSB as a livelihood opportunity

The consultant will also be required to deliver to HFH Kenya all study materials including and limited to:

• Soft copies of all data sets both quantitative and qualitative.
• Any other non-consumable documents/items that will be used in the course of the planned consultancy.

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

The potential Consultant should have the following qualifications;

• A Master or postgraduate degree in Building or engineering or Building economics.
• Must be registered by the Engineer Registration Board or BORAQS and preferably an active member of the AAK or EER or Other registration bodies recognized by Republic of Kenya.
• A consultancy firm with proof of previous record of conducting market research studies will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of adequate and affordable housing and the challenges inherent in the country and/or professional experience working in the sector.
• At least 10 years proven experience in conducting and interpreting hydrological/geophysical survey using diverse techniques
• Proven experience in Construction supervision and tender documentation.
• A reliable and effective analyst with extensive experience in conducting analyses and a proven record of delivering professional results
• Excellent computer skills and desirable skills in ArchiCAD/Revit/AutoCAD modelling software’s or any other design engine software.
• Excellent presentation and report writing skills.