Thematic Sector

At Vision Quest, we recognize that access to safe water and sanitation is crucial for the health, economic prosperity, and overall well-being of communities. Despite the progress made, millions of Africans still lack access to these essential services, with 411 million people without safe water and nearly three-quarters without safely managed sanitation services. This challenge is exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, such as prolonged droughts that threaten both agricultural and household water supplies.

We offer holistic WASH services that focus on sustainable financing, infrastructure management, water resource management, and governance. Our market systems development and human rights-based approaches ensure that our solutions are not only effective but also equitable and inclusive. We understand the critical roles of different community members—men, women, and youth—in WASH, and we work to ensure that their involvement leads to lasting positive outcomes.

• Stakeholder analysis and advocacy for WASH financing
• Policy development and strategic leadership for national and county-level WASH strategies
• Development of market-based solutions and Public-Private Partnerships in the WASH sector
• Advisory services for complex evaluations and quality monitoring of WASH programs
• Community-led initiatives such as Total Sanitation exercises and disaster preparedness plans
• Hygiene training, awareness campaigns, and the design and construction of WASH infrastructure

Vision Quest has a proven history of delivering impactful WASH projects across Africa, from baseline surveys in Kenya’s arid regions to emergency response evaluations in South Sudan and Somalia. Our clients include renowned organizations such as the Millennium Water Alliance, Danish Refugee Council, World Vision International, and Action Contre la Faim.

At Vision Quest, we are dedicated to addressing the critical challenges of food security, livelihoods, and nutrition, ensuring that communities thrive in even the most challenging environments. Our expertise spans across a wide range of thematic areas, from maternal and child nutrition to community management of acute malnutrition, all aimed at promoting resilience and sustainable development.

We believe that achieving optimal nutrition requires an integrated approach that addresses the entire lifecycle—from mothers and infants to adolescents and older adults. Our programs focus on preventing undernutrition, combating diet-related diseases, and providing crucial support during emergencies. We work with our partners to implement strategies that are not only effective but also sustainable, ensuring long-term benefits for the communities we serve.

Vision Quest’s team of accredited public health and nutrition experts brings over 30 years of combined experience. We offer technical support in areas such as:

• Maternal and child nutrition
• Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)
• Infant and young child nutrition (IYCN)
• Micronutrient interventions
• HIV and nutrition, including Food by Prescription and PMTCT
• Nutrition in emergencies (NIE)
• Nutrition strategic planning and policy development
• Capacity development and nutrition surveillance systems

• Conducting nutrition surveys using SMART methodology
• Implementing nutrition coverage surveys (SQUEAC, SLEAK)
• Developing and executing costed action plans for nutrition
• Designing and evaluating nutrition programs and interventions
• Supporting organizations with strategic nutrition planning and policy development

Our extensive experience in nutrition and food security includes successful collaborations with leading organizations such as UNICEF, World Vision, USAID, and Action Contre la Faim. We have conducted evaluations, baseline and endline surveys, and provided strategic guidance on numerous nutrition-related projects across Africa.

We have supported various initiatives, including:

• End of Project Evaluations for World Vision in Somalia and South Sudan
• Capacity Development for UNICEF in Somalia
• Evaluation of Emergency Nutrition Support Programs for ACF and Mercy USA in Kenya and Somalia
• Implementation of nutrition interventions in collaboration with Catholic Relief Services and Johanniter International

By choosing Vision Quest as your partner, you gain access to a wealth of expertise and experience in nutrition, food security, and livelihoods. Together, we can create impactful solutions that enhance the well-being of communities, improve resilience, and drive sustainable development.

At Vision Quest, we are dedicated to advancing gender equality and social inclusion across Africa. Our specialized Gender team offers comprehensive research, strategy development, capacity strengthening, and technical advice to support organizations at every stage of their gender equality and social inclusion journey. We believe that true empowerment begins with understanding the unique challenges faced by women, men, girls, and boys, and addressing the social, cultural, and structural barriers that lead to inequality.

Gender equality is not just a goal—it’s a fundamental element for achieving social justice, economic growth, and poverty eradication. At Vision Quest, we take a cross-cutting approach to gender issues, ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into all aspects of our work, from micro-finance and natural resource management to local development and organizational support. We empower our clients to create environments where both women and men can thrive, ensuring that resources and responsibilities are equitably shared.

Our range of gender equality and social protection services includes:

• Gender and Social Analysis: We conduct in-depth analyses to understand the specific roles, constraints, and opportunities for women and men in different contexts, ensuring that interventions are both appropriate and effective.
• Gender Mainstreaming: We help organizations design and implement strategies that integrate gender considerations at every stage of their projects, from planning to evaluation.
• Capacity Building: We provide training and support to strengthen institutional capacities for gender equity, including gender audits, strategic planning, and policy development.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Our team offers expertise in designing gender-sensitive indicators, conducting impact assessments, and evaluating the effectiveness of gender-related programs.
• Research and Advocacy: We conduct research to uncover the root causes of gender inequality and advocate for policies that promote gender justice and empowerment.

With over 15 years of experience, Vision Quest has supported numerous organizations in implementing gender-focused initiatives across various sectors. Our work has spanned multiple countries, including Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Rwanda, where we have helped build inclusive communities and promote gender equality through strategic interventions and capacity building.

We have partnered with leading organizations such as USAID, UN Women, Save the Children, and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to advance gender equality and social protection. Some of our notable projects include:

• Gender Audits: Conducting country program gender audits for organizations like the Danish Refugee Council in Somalia to align their practices with gender policies.
• Capacity Development: Developing gender mainstreaming toolkits for UNDP Somalia and providing training for gender focal desks in government ministries.
• Impact Assessments: Evaluating the gender impacts of initiatives such as the Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund’s investment in renewable energy.

Join us in our mission to create inclusive, safe, and sustainable societies where gender equality is not just a vision but a reality. With Vision Quest as your partner, you can be confident that your gender and social protection initiatives will be informed by the latest research, grounded in best practices, and driven by a commitment to transformative change.

At Vision Quest, we recognize that education is the cornerstone of sustainable development and economic growth in Africa. Our mission is to enhance educational outcomes through innovative and evidence-based solutions that address the unique challenges faced by educational institutions, policymakers, and communities across the continent. We are committed to fostering human capital development at all levels—micro, meso, and macro—to drive lasting positive change.

• Crisis-Sensitive Planning
• Education Sector Planning
• Social Inequalities in Education
• Governance and Accountability in Education
• Financial Management and Budgeting for Education
• Higher Education Planning and Quality Assurance
• Resilience of Education Systems

• Development of Communication Strategies: We assist organizations in creating and refining communication strategies that align with their objectives and resonate with their target audiences.
• Stakeholder Engagement Plans: We develop formal strategies to communicate with project stakeholders, ensuring their support and involvement throughout the project lifecycle.
• Public Affairs and Advocacy: We craft compelling narratives and campaigns that help organizations navigate political and regulatory challenges while advocating for their causes.
• Market Assessments: We conduct thorough market assessments to understand the availability and satisfaction of goods and services, providing valuable insights for both private and public sector clients.
• Program-Wide Communications Strategy: We support the development and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies that enhance advocacy, visibility, and stakeholder engagement.
• Crisis Management: We help clients prepare for and respond to crises with strategies, processes, and tools that minimize the impact of negative news.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Management: We assist organizations in designing and implementing CSR programs that align with their values and contribute to their communities

At Vision Quest, we understand that effective conflict management and peacebuilding are essential for sustainable development in Africa. Our expertise lies in designing and delivering tailored interventions that address the root causes of conflict and promote peace and security across the continent. We work closely with local communities, governments, and international organizations to implement strategies that transform conflicts and foster long-term stability.

We take a participatory approach to conflict analysis, ensuring that all stakeholders are involved in identifying the challenges and opportunities for peace. Our services include conflict mapping, mediation and negotiation, strategic planning for work in conflict zones, and the development of conflict sensitivity tools. With over 15 years of experience, our team of experts is equipped to handle the complexities of conflict dynamics, providing solutions that are both context-specific and sustainable.

• Participatory Approaches to Conflict Analysis: Engaging communities and stakeholders in identifying conflict drivers and potential solutions.
• Policy Development: Crafting policies that support peacebuilding efforts and promote social cohesion.
• Strategic Planning: Developing comprehensive strategies for working in conflict zones, ensuring that interventions are conflict-sensitive and effective.
• Mediation and Negotiation: Facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties to achieve peaceful resolutions.
• Training of Trainers (ToT): Building local capacity through training programs that equip individuals with the skills needed for conflict management and peacebuilding.
• Monitoring and Appraisal: Assessing the effectiveness of peace interventions and providing recommendations for improvement.
• Conflict Sensitivity Tools: Developing tools that help organizations integrate conflict-sensitive approaches into their work.

• Participatory Research and Community Mapping in Somalia: Conducted for the Danish Refugee Council, this project focused on identifying insecurity hotspots and engaging women, youth, and minority groups in conflict-prone areas.
• Independent Monitoring of Humanitarian Assistance in Somalia: In partnership with Save the Children International, we monitored aid distribution in drought and conflict-affected regions, ensuring that assistance reached the most vulnerable populations.
• Post Impact Surveys for Armed Violence Reduction in Kenya: Conducted for Handicap International, this project aimed at improving community safety and fostering dialogue between affected communities and government stakeholders.

Join us in our mission to build peaceful and secure communities across Africa. By partnering with Vision Quest, you gain access to a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to promoting peace, preventing conflict, and ensuring sustainable development. Together, we can create lasting solutions that transform conflict into opportunities for growth and stability.

At Vision Quest, we recognize the critical role that agriculture plays in driving economic growth and improving the quality of life in Africa. Our mission is to enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable environmental practices, and build resilience to climate change across the continent. With over 15 years of experience, we provide innovative, data-driven solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by smallholder farmers, agricultural institutions, and rural communities.

We take a holistic approach to agriculture and environmental management, integrating conservation of natural resources, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable development practices. Our services are designed to align with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, and ensuring food security through resilient agricultural systems.

• Agricultural Information Systems: Developing and advising on information systems for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries to improve decision-making and productivity.
• Strategic Planning and Farm Management: Offering strategic planning, farm business planning, and management consulting to enhance agricultural operations and sustainability.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Implementing practices that help farmers adapt to climate change while improving productivity and sustainability.
• Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Conducting EIAs and environmental audits to ensure that agricultural projects are sustainable and compliant with environmental regulations.
• Soil and Water Conservation: Designing and implementing soil and water conservation systems to enhance agricultural productivity and protect natural resources.
• Gender-Responsive Agriculture: Providing advisory services to bridge the gender gap in agriculture and promote inclusivity at all stages of production.

• Feasibility Studies on Small-Scale Irrigation Projects: Conducted in Somalia for World Vision International to improve water management and agricultural productivity.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: Completed for various small-scale irrigation projects in Somalia to ensure sustainable agricultural development.
• Strategic Planning for the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife, and Tourism: Assisted CARE in developing a five-year strategic plan to promote environmental sustainability in Somalia.
• Gender-Responsive Agricultural Practices: Advised on gender-inclusive strategies to empower women farmers and improve agricultural outcomes.

Join us in our mission to create sustainable and resilient agricultural systems across Africa. By partnering with Vision Quest, you gain access to a team of experts dedicated to advancing agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship, and climate resilience. Together, we can drive meaningful change and build a sustainable future for generations to come.