CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

CT2023-09 Gender Balance in the Renewable Energy Sector

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

Chwarae Teg’s vision is a fairer Wales where women achieve and prosper. We have been working with women, businesses, educators and decision-makers since 1992 to tackle the barriers that prevent women from reaching their full potential. Chwarae Teg’s work is focused around three main objectives; women in the economy; women at risk and women represented. Through our programme delivery, research and influencing work we aim to ensure that women achieve and prosper across all sectors and at all levels in the economy, are visible and influential across all sectors of the economy, society and in public life, and are empowered to achieve their potential, regardless of their background, social status, or geographic location.

Chwarae Teg is the leading expert on gender equality in Wales and works with influencers and decision makers to deliver lasting change, shaping the debate to empower women to achieve their potential. Research is a key part of Chwarae Teg’s work to build the evidence-base, spark debate and develop practical recommendations for change.

In this research project we would like to explore women’s representation and experience in the renewable energy sector. The forecasted growth in the sector as we tackle the climate emergency will see significant investment from government and industry and new employment and training opportunities. To ensure that our transition to a green economy is a just one, we must ensure that women are able to take advantage of these new opportunities.

Our labour market is still segregated on the basis of gender. Women continue to be under-represented in senior positions in many sectors and are much less likely to be working in sectors traditionally seen as “male”, including STEM sectors. STEM occupations remain heavily dominated by men, a situation that, without intervention, will likely continue to be replicated in the renewable energy sector.

This research aims to understand women’s representation within the renewable energy sector, explore the experiences of those working in the sector and identify the necessary enabling factors to ensure that women are able to enter, remain and progress within the renewable energy sector.

The main objective of this research is to understand the current picture of women’s representation among the renewable energy sector in Wales and the enabling factors for ensuring gender balance in the sector moving forward.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=134298.

The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.

Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

The main objective of this research is to understand the current picture of women’s representation among the renewable energy sector in Wales and the enabling factors for ensuring gender balance in the sector moving forward.

4. Research Questions

The main research questions for this project are:

• What is the representation of women in the renewable energy sector in Wales?

• What are women’s experiences working in the renewable energy sector in Wales?

• What can be done to better support women to enter, remain and progress in the renewable energy sector in Wales?

Consideration should be given to:

• Any occupational segregation evident within the renewable energy sector, i.e., women’s representation in senior positions and in STEM and technical roles

• Women’s representation in the pipeline for renewable energy careers (GCSE, A Level, HE, FE and apprenticeships)

• The diversity of women working within renewable energy

5. Research Methods

We anticipate this project making use of secondary data analysis and primary data collection from sector leaders and women working in renewable energy.

While not being prescriptive, we suggest the following methods be used:

• Desk-based analysis of existing data and evidence to explore the representation of women in renewable energy, including in the pipeline (i.e., women in education and training in relevant subject areas)

• Structured interviews with sector leaders operating in Wales to explore their perceptions of the representation of women, the barriers that women encounter and the enabling factors for improving women’s representation at all levels and occupations.

• Structured interviews or focus group with women working in renewable energy to understand their experiences and identify barriers and opportunities.

We are happy to accept proposals that differ from the above suggested methods, as long as the proposal meets the aims and objectives of the project.

6. Audience and use of research findings

The main audience for this research will be policy-makers, industry and educators. Welsh Government and the Senedd will be key institutions with whom the research will be shared, along with leading employers and representative bodies in renewable energy.

The research will also inform Chwarae Teg’s policy and influencing work, project delivery and campaigns.

The findings will be shared with a wide range of stakeholders, with differing levels of understanding of the renewable energy sector, so it’s imperative that the findings are presented in an accessible way, using plain English and clear data visualisation.

7. Research budget, publication and timescale

The budget for this research is up to £10,000 (inclusive of VAT).

A detailed timeline for delivery will be agreed at inception but will need to meet the following deadline for submission of a final report – December 2023.

Proposals should clearly set out how the research aims and objectives will be met, proposed methods and an indicative delivery schedule.

We do not expect the final report to be translated into Welsh. Any translation carried out during the delivery of the project would need to be covered within the bid and the agreed budget.

8. Bid scoring and contract award.

All bids will be accessed against set criteria taking consideration of quality and cost. Scoring

will be weighted 70% towards quality and 30% towards value for money. Quality will be assessed based on criteria related to suitability of proposed research methods and understanding of project’s stated aims and objectives.

Value for money will consider whether the proposal meets the stated budget, and the feasibility of the proposed activities within the stated costs.

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

Please see full Invitation to tender brief.

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

N/a

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

(WA Ref:134298)

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice