CharityVillage

INTRODUCTION

Mizizi is a non-profit organization that aims to enrich the lives of Kenyans and East Africans in Canada by connecting them to community, opportunity and prosperity. With an increasing population of Kenyans migrating to Canada, Mizizi seeks to address gaps in resources and community development faced by many new immigrants. 

While Mizizi was officially incorporated in 2024, our work dates back as far as 2004 when a group of Kenyans in Hamilton came together with one unifying goal of building community. Since then we have worked to provide our community with social events, skill-building workshops and resources. Our work currently focuses on the Greater Hamilton and Toronto area, however, as we step into this new chapter of our organization’s history, we are seeking out ways of strengthening our existing work and expanding our impact. 

Mizizi is issuing a Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) from qualified consultants and/or agencies to provide a community needs assessment. More information – including deliverables, budget, and selection criteria – can be found below.

We look forward to receiving your EOI on or before March 3rd, 2025 by 11:59 EST.

Thank you for considering.
 

PURPOSE OF THE REOI

The purpose of the REOI is to solicit interest from experienced consultants or firms specializing in community engagement, community development and community-based research with the ability to execute an effective needs assessment. This needs assessment will serve as a guiding document to inform Mizizi’s strategic development, specifically in shaping areas of focus for programs and services. The needs assessment should include the following components:

• Identify various platforms and avenues to engage a diverse population of Kenyans and East Africans in the Greater Hamilton and Toronto Area

• Conduct interviews, surveys and focus groups with key stakeholders

• Design a comprehensive report detailing findings, key needs and relevant recommendations

TIMELINE

The project will officially begin on March 17, 2025, and end on May 15th, 2025. The following is a full timeline breakdown for the project and the selection process.

*Short-listed candidates will be compensated for the labour of developing a proposal. 

BUDGET

Mizizi was awarded a grant for this project. We have a budget of $15,000 (inclusive of tax) for the needs assessment over the course of the project timeline.
 

EOI SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested consultants and agencies are required to submit a statement of interest (maximum 3 pages) that includes: 

1. Description of experience and organizational values related to this type of work, specifically:

   • Organizational/consultant profile and summary of history

   • Experience of the organization/consultant in similar areas with an emphasis on:

     • Conducting needs assessment in diverse communities with nuanced populations

     • Experience in community-based research

     • Experience designing and facilitating surveys, focus groups, and interviews

     • Experience summarizing qualitative and quantitative data into a comprehensive report

     • Experience with the subject matter (needs-based work)

   • Demonstrated commitment to engaging in a critical analysis, including but not limited to, anti-oppressive analysis, anti-racist analysis, and principles of inclusion and belonging

   • Demonstrated experience of past work in partnership with non-profits (especially those serving newcomers and/or marginalized communities), community-based organizations, and grassroots and community-led groups. 

2. Organizational experience and capacity to:

   • Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the engagement process and raw engagement session data

   • Work with East African, Kenyan, Black and/or African populations

SELECTION CRITERIA

Particular attention will be given to consultants/agencies that exhibit:

1. Comprehensive experience in conducting needs assessments, or similar work, for charitable or non-profit organizations.

2. Knowledge of the nuances of Kenyan, East African, African or Black communities in Canada, specifically considerate of the newcomer experience

3. Demonstration of values that align with Mizizi’s organizational values

4. Knowledge of critical approaches to conducting needs assessments, specifically centering anti-racism and anti-oppression

5. Flexibility, creativity and curiosity

SHORT-LIST SELECTION

EOIs will be reviewed and selected by the Mizizi Board of Directors. All applicants will be notified in writing of the decision. Successful short-listed applicants will provided with further instructions for proceeding with proposals and presentations. 

POINT-OF-CONTACT

All questions and correspondence should be directed to Susanne Nyaga, Board Chair, at susannenyaga@gmail.com.

All EOIs should be submitted to miziziinc@gmail.com with the subject line ‘Community Needs Assessment EOI’. 

EOIs will be accepted until March 3rd, 2025 by 11:59 PM EST.

Mizizi is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Mizizi encourages applications from equity-deserving groups including but not limited to individuals of Indigenous descent and African descent, as well as, all identities and self-expressions, persons with disabilities, members of racialized communities, and people of diverse faiths, creeds, cultures and origins.