Consultancy Service for Conducting an Intersectional Gender Analysis of the Ethiopia Local Governance Project (ELGP) in Sidama Region

HELVETAS EthiopiaAdvisory & ConsultancyPosted 3h ago

Sidama, HawassaOn-siteContractSenior

About this role.

Terms of Reference (ToR): Consultancy Service for Conducting an Intersectional Gender Analysis of the Ethiopia Local Governance Project (ELGP) in Sidama Region

1. Background

The Ethiopia Local Governance Project (ELGP) is a three-year governance and accountability initiative to be implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in partnership with Sidama Development Association (SDA), Amhara Women Association (AWA), Wag Development Association (WDA), and Women Empowerment Action (WE-Action). The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is funding the action ELGP as part of International Partnerships Austria, and ADA’s Ethiopia Country Strategy 2025-2028 (Outcome 2). ELGP aims to improve local governance, people’s participation, accountability, and responsive service delivery. The project will be implemented across the Amhara and Sidama Regions.

A core principle of ELGP is the promotion of inclusive governance and meaningful participation of women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and other underserved or marginalised groups in local decision-making processes. The project recognises that inequalities in power, participation, representation, and access to resources, and services continue to limit women's and men’s (including young people and from and marginalised groups’) engagement in governance structures and public affairs. Despite policy commitments to gender equality in Ethiopia, preliminary assessments for the ELGP in the Amhara and Sidama regions indicate that socio-cultural norms, gender roles, and power relations continue to restrict women’s and underserved or marginalised groups’ (including men and young people) meaningful participation and leadership in local governance. Specifically, unequal access to resources, disproportionate household and care responsibilities, and institutional, economic, environmental, and political barriers limit their influence over community planning, budgeting, oversight, and service delivery. A deeper analysis of these context-specific dynamics is therefore required to inform evidence-based, gender-responsive, and socially inclusive project interventions. ELGP integrates ADA’s Gender Equality Policy three-pronged strategic approach, namely political/policy dialogue, gender mainstreaming, and gender equality in alignment with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III Objectives 1 and 3[1].

According to the OECD/DAC Gender Policy Marker, ELGP has been classified as a Gender Marker 1 (Gender Significant) project. ELGP includes specific interventions designed to address gender and inclusion barriers and inequalities, with affirmative actions that strengthen women's and marginalised groups’ participation (including men and young people), leadership, representation, alongside Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB), enhanced accountability mechanisms, and social norm transformation. To ensure these interventions are grounded in evidence and tailored to the Sidama context, the project is commissioning a comprehensive Intersectional Gender Analysis. Findings will directly inform implementation strategies, targeting approaches, indicator refinement, learning priorities, and adaptive management throughout the project period.

2. Purpose of the Intersectional Gender Analysis

The overall purpose of the Intersectional Gender Analysis is to establish an evidence base on the gender and inclusion dynamics, power relations, and exclusion mechanisms affecting women’s and men’s (including young people and from marginalised groups’) hereinafter women’s and men’s, meaningful participation, representation, and leadership in local governance and public service delivery within the ELGP intervention areas of the Sidama Region.

The findings and actionable recommendations will be used directly during the ELGP inception phase to refine implementation strategies, inform annual work planning, guide indicator target-setting, and support adaptive management. Specifically, the analysis will operationalise and strengthen ELGP’s core gender-focused interventions, including inclusive leadership and mentoring initiatives, pre-planning and council women's caucuses, GRB, inclusive community platforms, survivor-centered grievance redress mechanisms, and social norms transformation approaches

3. Objectives of the Intersectional Gender Analysis

The Intersectional Gender Analysis will pursue the following specific objectives:

Contextual & Multi-Level Analysis: Examine the social, cultural, economic, environmental, institutional, and political factors—including household decision-making, unpaid care burdens, resource access, and formal/informal power structures (such as Luwa and Songo)—that shape women’s and men’s participation and leadership across household, community, and institutional levels.
Intersectionality: Analyse how gender intersects with age, disability status, economic status, marital status, health status (including PLHIV), education, environment, and geographic location to identify which subgroups of women and men face the most exclusion.
Demand-Side Participation & Voice: Identify specific barriers and enabling factors affecting women’s and men’s engagement in Integrated Community-Based Participatory Planning (ICBPP), community/constituent platforms, consultation forums, Community Score Cards (CSCs), and community-based advocacy.
Supply-Side Responsiveness & Institutional Capacity: Assess the extent to which local councils, executive bodies, the five pro-poor service sectors, and local CSO/CBO partners promote or constrain gender equality, inclusive leadership, social inclusion, and GRB.
Safeguarding, Do-No-Harm & Risk Mitigation: Identify risks of gender-based discrimination, harassment, violence (GBV), or social backlash against women’s and men’s civic participation, and assess the accessibility, confidentiality, and survivor-centered referral capacity of local grievance redress mechanisms.
Social Norms & Male Engagement: Identify actionable entry points for positive social norms change, focusing on engaging spouses, religious leaders, and traditional elders to champion shared household responsibilities and more inclusive participation and leadership.
Operational Recommendations: Formulate a practical, time-bound GAP with concrete recommendations to guide gender-responsive implementation and monitoring across all ELGP outcomes, considering short-, mid- and long-term timeframes.

4. Scope of the Assignment

Geographic Coverage: The Intersectional Gender Analysis will be conducted only in the Sidama Region across the North and South Sidama Zones. Primary data collection will cover a representative sample of woredas and kebeles drawn from the project’s six target woredas (Malga, Gorche, Hawassa Zuria, Bursa, Teticha, and Hula) and 60 target kebeles.
Complementarity and Triangulation with Existing Studies: This study will complement the pre-existing Intersectional Gender Analysis from the Amhara region (ALGP+ previous project) alongside the concurrent Sidama Baseline Assessment and the Political Economy and Conflict Analysis (PEA). To avoid duplication and stakeholder fatigue, the consultant(s) will review, leverage, and triangulate secondary data and emerging findings from these assessments, focusing primary fieldwork strictly on filling analytical gaps related to gender norms, intersectional barriers, and institutional gender capacities in Sidama.
Thematic and Institutional Ecosystem: The assessment will cover both the demand and supply sides of the local governance ecosystem relevant to ELGP, encompassing: (i) community-level planning and priority-setting structures (ICBPP and community/constituent platforms); (ii) legislative and oversight bodies (Woreda and Kebele Councils and their Standing Committees); (iii) public service delivery and budgeting institutions (Woreda Finance/Plan Bureaus and the five pro-poor sectors: health, education, water, agriculture, and roads); (iv) formal and informal grievance redress mechanisms; and (v) civil society partners (SDA, the Sidama Action CSO Network, and local CBOs) etc.
Stakeholder Engagement: The study will engage a diverse, representative cross-section of stakeholders, including diverse women, men, young people, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women and men councillors, Woreda executives and sector service providers, traditional and religious leaders (Luwa and Songo representatives), and CSO/CBO leaders.

5. Key Analysis Questions

The analysis should address, but not be limited to, the following indicative questions (to be further elaborated and operationalised into detailed data collection tools by the consultant(s)) considering cultural and context sensitivity and adapting according to the type of interlocutor:

Individual Level

How do women and men with different background and status currently participate in community planning and local governance decision-making processes, and how do women and men perceive their actual influence over community priorities?
How do personal and practical factors—such as literacy, confidence, mobility, financial resources (wealth and livelihoods status) and daily time burdens/unpaid care work—facilitate or constrain women’s and men’s civic participation and leadership (including optimal scheduling for community meetings)?

Household and Community Level

How do household decision-making dynamics, spousal relations, and unequal rights to economic resources (such as land and livestock inheritance) affect women’s and men’s civic engagement?
What role do social norms and formal/informal community structures—including spouses, religious leaders, Luwa age-grade structures, Songo councils of elders, and Iddirs—play in either restricting or championing civic voice and inclusive leadership?
What are the potential risks of household/ domestic or community backlash, harassment, or gender-based violence (GBV) against women or men who assume public or leadership roles, who speak up against local influential people, religious leaders and executives and how can spousal engagement and familial dialogues mitigate these risks, drawing on existing examples and good practices?
How are the findings similar or different for women, men and their sub-groups?

Institutional Level

Who are the key formal and non formal institutions and actors, at different levels with directly or indirectly relevant mandates to support gender equality, rights and social inclusion and empowerment in all its dimensions across sectors.
To what extent are Woreda and Kebele Councils, executive bodies, and the five pro-poor service providers (health, education, water, agriculture, and roads) gender-responsive in their internal rules, procedures, budgeting, and service delivery standards?
What institutional barriers prevent women or men councillors, in particular from marginalized groups, from assuming leadership positions (e.g., in Standing Committees), and what specific support mechanisms are exist or are needed for them to effectively influence decisions?
What are the existing capacities and gaps of government and civil society actors—including Sidama Development Association (SDA), the Sidama Action CSO Network, and local/women-led CBOs—to advocate for gender equality and represent women’s and men’s real interests and priorities, independently, no matter the political affiliations of the women and men, and the institutions or actors working with them?
How effective (trusted, accessible, inclusive, coordinated, and survivor-centred) are local GBV services including protection, grievance redress and accountability mechanisms for women and men, including linkages to formal GBV referral pathways?
How are the findings similar or different for women, men and their sub-groups?

Structural Level

What regional and local policies, legal frameworks (such as the ICBPP and Administrative Procedure Proclamation [APP]), tax and licensing, and customary practices support or hinder gender equality and social inclusion in Sidama?
To what extent are woreda planning and budgeting processes responsive to women’s and men’s, practical and strategic priorities—including natural resource/climate resilience priorities—and what institutional mechanisms exist to track GRB allocations?
What strategic opportunities and risks exist for advancing gender-responsive and more inclusive governance, particularly in light of anticipated local council elections and social norm transformation initiatives?
How are the findings similar or different for women, men and their sub-groups?

6. Methodology

Overall Approach & Analytical Frameworks: The Intersectional Gender Analysis will adopt a participatory, mixed-methods, and intersectional approach to generate both analytical insights and actionable recommendations for ELGP implementation in the Sidama Region. The consultant is expected to propose a contextually grounded analytical framework that examines power relations, gender roles, and institutional rules across the household, community, institutional, and structural levels. Specifically, the analysis will apply the 5Cs Framework—examining Confidence, Care/childcare responsibilities, Constituency/candidate support, Cash/access to economic resources, and Culture/social norms—complemented by participatory time-use tools (such as 24-hour daily activity clocks to inform meeting schedules under Activity 1.1.4) and institutional gender analysis. Throughout, an intersectional lens will be applied to assess how gender interacts with age, disability status, economic status, marital status, health status (including PLHIV), education, exposure to violence, conflict, and/or environmental hazards, and rural/urban location to shape exclusion and leadership opportunities.
Desk Review & Synergy with Concurrent Inception Studies: The assignment will begin with a comprehensive desk review of relevant project, policy, and contextual documents. This includes the ELGP Project Document and Logframe. This includes noting gaps in contextual, institutional, actor, and harmonization analysis, to be included in the inception and final reports. Furthermore, the consultant(s) will review ADA’s Environmental, Gender, and Social Standards (EGSS) Checklist; national and Sidama regional legal/policy frameworks (including the ICBPP manual and APP); and lessons learned from the predecessor ALGP+ project (including the Amhara Intersectional Gender Analysis and Endline Evaluation) and the Sidama Preliminary Assessment. To avoid duplication and respondent fatigue during the inception phase, the consultant(s) will cross-reference with the Sidama Baseline Assessment and PEA, leveraging and triangulating available and emerging data rather than repeating baseline household surveys.
Primary Data Collection (Qualitative & Quantitative): Primary data collection across the sampled woredas and kebeles will combine qualitative and targeted quantitative methods:

Qualitative Methods: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), community consultations, direct observation of local governance processes, and short case studies. To ensure safe and open dialogue free from patriarchal or institutional intimidation, FGDs and consultations must include sex- and age-segregated sessions (e.g., women-only, female youth, and women councillors), keeping in mind that women are not a homogenous group and that there can also be power and influence dynamics between them. Additionally, mixed dialogues will be facilitated in Sidaamu Afoo by experienced female researchers.
Quantitative & Institutional Data: Rather than conducting a standalone household survey, quantitative analysis will draw on: (i) institutional and administrative data collected from Woreda/Kebele Councils, Standing Committees, Woreda Plan Offices, and the five pro-poor sector offices (tracking sex-, age-, and disability-disaggregated representation, leadership positions, and GRB allocations); and (ii) gender-specific indicator data generated in coordination with the ELGP Sidama Baseline Survey. At the same time, the consultant(s) will note relevant gaps in availability of relevant gender and inclusion statistics and data.

Ethical Standards, Safeguarding & Quality Assurance The methodology must systematically integrate Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA), gender-equality principles, disability inclusion (ensuring physical and communication accessibility for PWDs), conflict sensitivity, and Do-No-Harm principles across tool design, fieldwork, validation, and reporting. The consultant(s) must adhere to ethical research standards, HELVETAS’ Code of Conduct, Regulations on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH), mobbing and abuse of authority, Child Protection, and the ADA Data Protection/Privacy Notice—ensuring informed consent, strict confidentiality, data anonymisation, and safe referral preparedness (linking with the Bureau of WCSA should any GBV disclosures arise, without directly probing for personal trauma). Findings from secondary sources, institutional records, and primary qualitative and quantitative methods will be systematically triangulated to ensure analytical accuracy, validity, and operational utility.

7. Expected Deliverables and Timeline

The assignment comprises a total Level of Effort (LoE) of 30 working days spread across 40 calendar days from contract signing (including two 5-day review windows for HELVETAS and ADA). The consultancy will be implemented in four sequential phases:

Phase 1: Inception and Tool Design (7 Working Days) The consultant(s) will conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant project, policy, and contextual documents (including the ELGP Project Document, Logframe, ADA EGSS Checklist, ALGP+ Amhara Intersectional Gender Analysis, and emerging Sidama Baseline/PEA documents). Based on this review, the consultant will submit a draft Inception Report not more than 15 pages (excluding the annexes) outlining the methodology, analytical framework, sampling strategy, gender analysis matrix, detailed workplan, quality assurance/safeguarding protocols, and draft data collection tools and consent forms in English. HELVETAS and ADA will provide consolidated feedback within 5 days. The consultant(s) will then incorporate the feedback, finalise the Inception Report, and translate the approved tools and consent forms into Amharic and Sidaamu Afoo prior to field deployment.

Phase 2: Field Preparation and Data Collection (10 Working Days) Following approval of the Inception Report, the consultant(s) will train field researchers (including on Do-No-Harm, PSEAH, and ethical consent), pre-test the translated tools to ensure cultural and contextual clarity and sensitivity and undertake qualitative and institutional/quantitative data collection across the sampled Sidama woredas and kebeles. At the conclusion of fieldwork, the consultant will facilitate a brief Preliminary Findings Debriefing (PowerPoint presentation) with the ELGP team and Sidama Development Association (SDA) to validate initial observations and identify any analytical gaps requiring follow-up prior to drafting the report.

Phase 3: Data Analysis and Draft Report Preparation (8 Working Days) The consultant(s) will clean, transcribe, and triangulate the qualitative and quantitative data collected from primary and secondary sources to prepare a comprehensive Draft Intersectional Gender Analysis Report with short-, mid-, and long-term Action Plan recommendations. The report will include:

Executive Summary;
Methodology and Limitations;
Context, Policy, and Institutional Analysis;
Multi-Level Intersectional Gender Findings (Individual, Household/Community, Institutional, and Structural levels);
Safeguarding, Backlash, and GBV Risk Analysis (aligned with the ADA EGSS Checklist);
Strategic Implications and recommendations for improving ELGP Flagship Interventions (Mentor–Mentee initiative, Women's Caucuses, Spousal Dialogues, GRB tracking, and ICBPP/CSC platforms);
Proposed refinements and target benchmarks for ELGP gender-responsive indicators; and
A draft Operational GAP Matrix outlining concrete actions, responsible actors, budget/resource considerations, and timelines mapped to ELGP Outputs.

HELVETAS and ADA will review the draft report and provide consolidated feedback within 5 days.

Phase 4: Validation Workshop and Finalisation (5 Working Days) The consultant(s) will prepare a summary presentation and facilitate a one-day Validation Workshop in Sidama to present the draft findings and validate the Intersectional GAP with HELVETAS, SDA, government stakeholders (Regional/Woreda Councils, Plan Bureau, WCSA, and pro-poor sectors), and community/CSO representatives. Incorporating feedback from the workshop and the written review, the consultant will submit the final Gender Analysis package:

Final Intersectional Gender Analysis Report (maximum 25 pages excluding annexes, incorporating the validated Operational GAP Matrix and Indicator Recommendations) in both editable Word and PDF formats.
Standalone Operational GAP & Indicator Matrix in editable Word/Excel format, detailing specific actions, target adjustments, responsible stakeholders, and implementation timelines across ELGP’s 3 outcomes.
Concise Intersectional Gender Analysis Brief (maximum 8 pages) summarising the methodology, key findings, conclusions, and strategic recommendations, in both Word and PDF formats (plus the PowerPoint slide deck used for validation).
Hard Copies: Two (2) bound and signed hard copies each of the Final Report and the 8-page Brief.
Finalised Research Instruments: All final data collection tools, field guides, and informed consent forms in English, Amharic, and Sidaamu Afoo.
Anonymised Datasets and Transcripts: All cleaned quantitative/institutional datasets, qualitative interview and FGD transcripts, coding frameworks, analysis files, and digital metadata (e.g., Kobo Toolbox exports). In strict compliance with ethical standards and the ADA Privacy Notice, all datasets and transcripts must be fully anonymised/de-identified prior to handover to protect respondent confidentiality.

8. Reporting and Management Arrangements

The consultancy will be managed by HELVETAS Ethiopia under the ELGP project. The ELGP MEAL Officer will serve as the primary focal person for technical coordination, quality assurance, review of deliverables, and stakeholder engagement. The consultant(s) will work closely with the ELGP team and SDA throughout the assignment.

9. Payment Modality

Payments for this consultancy will be made upon satisfactory completion and approval of the agreed deliverables by HELVETAS, as follows:

20% of the total contract amount shall be paid upon submission and approval of the Inception Report, including the detailed methodology, work plan, data collection tools, and inception presentation.
30% of the total contract amount shall be paid upon submission and approval of the Draft Gender Analysis Report.
The remaining 50% of the total contract amount shall be paid upon submission and acceptance of all final deliverables, including the Final Intersectional Gender Analysis, Executive Summary, cleaned datasets and data collection tools, and incorporation of all comments and feedback provided by HELVETAS and relevant stakeholders.

HELVETAS shall deduct the applicable withholding tax from all payments in accordance with the tax laws and regulations of Ethiopia.

[1] https://ada.cdn.kontainer.com/cdn-static/66062f94/CPEIB9gpgRSn/policy-document-gender-equality-2024-2030.pdf

Skills and expertise.

Report WritingQuantitative Data AnalysisQualitative ResearchStakeholder Engagement

How to apply.

Apply in person at the company office with your CV and supporting documents.

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Terms of Reference (TOR) Procurement of Accessible Information and Communication Materials

Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disability (FEAPD)Addis Ababa21h ago

Terms of Reference (TOR) Procurement of Accessible Information and Communication Materials

Background

The Ethiopian Federation of Persons with Disabilities (FEAPD) is an umbrella organization committed to promoting the rights, inclusion, participation, and empowerment of persons with disabilities in Ethiopia. The Federation works with member organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), government institutions, development partners, and other stakeholders to advance disability-inclusive policies and practices.

The We Can Work Project aims to promote the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in employment and the world of work by strengthening access to information, advocacy, awareness, and disability-inclusive policies and practices.

Accessible information is essential to ensuring that persons with disabilities can understand their rights, participate in advocacy, and access employment-related opportunities. To address communication barriers, FEAPD seeks to engage qualified service providers to translate and produce disability-related policy and advocacy materials in accessible formats for persons with different disabilities.

Purpose of the TOR

The purpose of this TOR is to invite qualified and experienced service providers to submit competitive technical and financial proposals for translating, producing, and disseminating accessible information materials under the We Can Work Project.

The assignment will ensure that the UNCRPD, Ethiopian National Disability Policy/Act, African Disability Protocol (ADP), and advocacy workbook are made available in appropriate languages and accessible formats, in accordance with agreed quality standards and within 21 calendar days of contract signing.

Scope of Work

The assignment comprises the following four service domains. Interested bidders may apply for one or more domains, provided they demonstrate the relevant technical capacity, experience, and ability to meet the required delivery deadline.

Domain 1: Translation and Printing of Written Materials

The selected service provider shall:

Translate the UNCRPD, Ethiopian National Disability Policy/Act and ADP into Afaan Oromo, and Wolaitigna languages.
Ensure accuracy, consistency, cultural appropriateness, and clear use of disability-related terminology.
Conduct professional proofreading, editing, and language quality assurance.
Format and print the translated materials according to specifications agreed with FEAPD.
Submit the final printed materials and editable electronic files.

Domain 2: Audio Translation and Production

The selected service provider shall:

Produce audio versions of the UNCRPD, Ethiopian National Disability Policy/Act, ADP, and advocacy workbook in to Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and Wolaitigna.
Engage qualified speakers proficient in the respective languages.
Ensure clear pronunciation, appropriate narration, complete content coverage, and professional audio editing.
Provide final recordings in accessible digital formats, including MP3 or another format approved by FEAPD.
Submit all approved audio files for distribution and use.

Domain 3: Braille Transcription and Production

The selected service provider shall:

Transcribe the agreed source materials into accurate and readable Braille.
Apply recognized Braille transcription and formatting standards.
Ensure quality control through review by a competent Braille specialist.
Produce 100 copies of the agreed Braille materials.
Deliver the completed copies and relevant electronic files, where applicable.

Domain 4: Easy-to-Read, Tactile, and Large-Print Accessible Materials

The selected service provider shall:

Develop easy-to-read materials using clear language, simple sentence structures, logical layouts, and appropriate illustrations or symbols where useful.
Produce large-print materials with legible fonts, appropriate spacing, strong contrast, and accessible layouts.
Incorporate tactile features where required and appropriate to the intended users and agreed specifications.
Produce the agreed materials in Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and Wolaitigna.
Produce 100 copies per language, subject to confirmation of the final specifications and quantities by FEAPD.
Conduct accessibility and quality checks before final production and submission.

Expected Deliverables

The selected service provider(s) shall deliver:

An inception note and detailed work plan, including methodology, quality assurance procedures, and a schedule for completing the assignment within 14 calendar days.
Professionally translated, edited, and printed materials in Amharic, Afaan Oromo, and Wolaitigna.
Final audio versions of the specified policy and advocacy materials in the three languages.
One hundred copies of the agreed Braille materials.
Easy-to-read, large-print, and agreed tactile materials in the three languages, in the quantities approved by FEAPD.
Editable source files and final digital versions in appropriate formats.
A quality assurance report confirming accuracy, completeness, accessibility, and compliance with agreed specifications.
A final handover of all approved materials to FEAPD within the contractual deadline.

All deliverables shall be submitted for FEAPD's review and formal acceptance.

Assignment Duration and Schedule

The assignment shall be completed within 14 calendar days from contract signing.

Period	Activities
Days 1 – 2	Inception meeting, receipt of source documents, confirmation of specifications, and approval of the work plan
Days 3 – 11	Translation, audio recording, Braille transcription, and accessible-format development
Days 11 – 15	Editing, proofreading, audio quality checks, design finalization, and accessibility review
Days 16 – 20	Printing, production, corrections, and final quality assurance
Day 21	Final submission, inspection, acceptance, and handover

Bidders shall demonstrate their ability to undertake activities concurrently where necessary to meet the deadline.

Roles and Responsibilities

FEAPD shall:

Provide source documents and relevant project information.
Confirm language, quantity, design, and accessibility specifications.
Review submitted drafts and provide consolidated feedback.
Inspect and formally accept completed deliverables.
Process payments in accordance with the signed contract and applicable procedures.

The selected service provider(s) shall:

Provide qualified personnel and necessary production resources.
Maintain professional standards, accuracy, confidentiality, and accessibility.
Incorporate feedback and correct agreed deficiencies.
Comply with the approved work plan and 14-calendar-day deadline.
Obtain FEAPD's approval before making substantive changes to the source materials or agreed specifications.

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

All source documents and project information shall be treated as confidential. The selected service provider(s) shall not publish, distribute, or use FEAPD materials for other purposes without prior written authorization.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, final deliverables, editable files, and project-specific outputs produced under this assignment shall become the property of FEAPD upon completion and payment. The service provider(s) shall comply with applicable copyright, ethical, accessibility, and data protection requirements.

General Conditions

The TOR does not guarantee contract award to any bidder.
FEAPD reserves the right to verify submitted information and references.
FEAPD reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal in accordance with its procurement procedures.
Any clarification or amendment to this TOR shall be communicated through the official procurement process.
The successful bidder(s) shall enter into a formal contract with FEAPD before commencing the assignment.
FEAPD has the right to accept or reject the bid fully or partially.
Eligible bidders may obtain further information from FEAPD office on working hours
For further information please call 011 - 1553003 / 0994 - 236308

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TOR for Consultancy Call for Consultancy

Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO)Addis AbabaYesterday

Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO)

TOR for Consultancy Call for Consultancy: Endline Assessment of the Project “Connecting the Links: Promoting CSOs-Media Collaboration for an Advocacy Campaign”

Background of the Organization

The Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO) is a consortium of 27 civil society organizations working on human rights, democracy, and sustainable peace in Ethiopia. CEHRO works to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations, promote evidence-based advocacy, and contribute to an enabling environment for civil society through collaboration, coordination, and engagement with relevant stakeholders.

CEHRO’s strategic priorities focus on capacity development, policy advocacy, and the promotion of civic space. Through its work with member organizations and other stakeholders, CEHRO seeks to strengthen the role of civil society in promoting human rights, democratic governance, accountability, and sustainable peace in Ethiopia.

For further information, please visit https://cehro.org/.

Context and Project Background

Local and grassroots civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia face challenges in effectively engaging with media organizations to communicate their work, raise public awareness, and advance advocacy priorities. Limited organizational capacity, weak collaboration between CSOs and media, and challenges in accessing media platforms can constrain the visibility and influence of civil society initiatives, particularly those addressing human rights, democratic governance, and the concerns of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

In response to these challenges, CEHRO, in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and with financial support from the European Union under the Capacity Development Program for Local and Grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CDP-Lg CSOs), has been implementing the project titled “Connecting the Links: Promoting CSOs-Media Collaboration for an Advocacy Campaign.” The project focuses on strengthening collaboration between local and grassroots CSOs and media organizations to enhance advocacy, improve access to information, and promote public engagement in democratic processes.

The project targets the Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Oromia regions, alongside national-level stakeholders. It is intended to contribute to three key outcomes: enhanced engagement and capacity of local and grassroots CSOs in democratic processes and policy advocacy through media channels; increased access to information on democratic governance and CSO-sector legal and political reforms; and the achievement of context-driven policy or development reforms through CSO-media advocacy.

As the project approaches completion, CEHRO intends to conduct an endline assessment to measure the results achieved against the baseline, project targets, and logical framework. The assessment will examine changes in CSO capacity and media engagement, the effectiveness of CSO-media collaboration and coordination platforms, and the extent to which the project has contributed to its intended outcomes. It will also identify achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations to inform future programming and the sustainability of the results.

CEHRO is therefore seeking a qualified consultant to undertake the endline assessment and provide an evidence-based assessment of the project's overall performance and results.

Objectives

3.1 General Objective

To assess the results and overall performance of the project “Connecting the Links: Promoting CSOs-Media Collaboration for an Advocacy Campaign” by measuring progress against the baseline, project targets, and logical framework, and documenting the changes, lessons learned, and recommendations emerging from implementation.

3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

Measure changes in the capacity and engagement of local and grassroots CSOs in media relations, digital communication, democratic processes, and policy advocacy.
Assess the extent to which the project has strengthened collaboration between CSOs and media organizations, including through the four regional CoPs and the national-level CSO-Media platform.
Assess the extent to which CSO-media collaboration and media-based advocacy have contributed to local policy reforms, development initiatives, or other demonstrable advocacy outcomes.
Verify achievement of the project's outcome and output indicators against the approved logical framework, baseline values, and targets.
Identify the key factors that facilitated or constrained the achievement of results, including implementation challenges and contextual factors.
Document good practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for sustaining the results and informing future CSO-media collaboration and advocacy interventions.

Scope of Work

4.1 Geographic Focus

The assessment will cover the project’s four target regions: Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Oromia, as well as relevant national-level stakeholders and the national CSO-Media platform in Addis Ababa.

The consultant shall propose an appropriate sampling approach that captures the experiences of stakeholders across the four regions and the national-level platform.

4.2 Thematic Focus

The assessment will examine the results of CSO-media collaboration within the project’s focus areas, with particular attention to advocacy engagement, access to information, and policy or development changes. It will also consider the key factors that supported or constrained the achievement of these results.

4.3 Target Groups and Stakeholders

The assessment shall engage relevant project participants and stakeholders, including:

Local and grassroots CSOs participating in project activities across the four target regions.
Media organizations, journalists, and other media practitioners engaged through the project.
Members and representatives of the regional CSO-Media CoPs and the national-level CSO-Media platform.
Relevant government institutions and regulatory bodies engaged through project activities, where appropriate.
CEHRO project staff and other individuals with direct knowledge of project implementation and results.

The consultant shall propose a sampling strategy that ensures adequate representation of the different stakeholder groups and captures diverse experiences, including those of women and other underrepresented participants where feasible.

4.4 Indicator Verification

The consultant shall assess the project's results in line with the approved logical framework, including the following outcome and indicators and the outputs under each outcome indicator which will be shared upon contracting:

Outcome Indicator 1.1: Number of local and grassroots CSOs actively participating in at least two media-based policy advocacy campaigns.
Outcome Indicator 2.1: Percentage of members of the CSO-media CoPs and forums who report increased access to information on democratic governance and legal and political reforms.
Outcome Indicator 3.1: Number of local policy reforms or development initiatives influenced as a direct result of media-driven advocacy campaigns by grassroots CSOs.

The consultant shall use the approved logical framework and baseline assessment to verify the relevant baseline values and targets. Any discrepancies in indicator definitions, reported figures, or supporting evidence shall be clearly documented and discussed with CEHRO.

Methodology

The consultant shall propose a clear and practical methodology for conducting the endline assessment. The methodology should be appropriate to the project’s objectives, available baseline information, indicators, geographic coverage, and implementation context.

5.1 Overall Approach

The assessment shall use a results-oriented approach to compare endline findings against the baseline values and approved project targets. It should examine both the quantitative results achieved and the qualitative changes experienced by participating organizations and stakeholders.

Where comparable baseline data and endline data are available, the consultant shall identify and analyze changes over the project period. Where direct comparison is not possible, the consultant shall explain the limitations and use other available evidence to assess progress.

5.2 Data Sources

The assessment shall draw on primary and secondary data sources.

Primary data sources may include interviews, surveys, consultations, and discussions with participating CSOs, media representatives, CoP members, national platform participants, relevant stakeholders, and CEHRO project staff.

Secondary data sources shall include, as relevant:

The approved project proposal and logical framework.
The baseline assessment and mapping report.
Project progress and monitoring reports.
Training, coaching, mentorship, and dialogue documentation.
CoP and national platform meeting reports, attendance records, and action points.
Social media monitoring reports, media products, and available engagement data.
Advocacy documentation, policy dialogue reports, and evidence of policy or institutional responses.
Other relevant project records and supporting documents.

5.3 Data Collection Methods and Tools

The consultant shall develop appropriate data collection tools to measure the project's indicators and assess changes in the targeted outcomes. Methods may include:

Structured or semi-structured questionnaires for selected CSOs, media representatives, and platform members.
Key informant interviews with relevant project stakeholders and representatives of participating organizations.
Focus group discussions, where appropriate, to explore changes in collaboration, access to information, and advocacy practices.
Desk review and analysis of project records, baseline findings, media products, monitoring data, and documented advocacy outcomes.
Case examples illustrating changes in CSO-media collaboration, media engagement, or advocacy outcomes.

The tools shall be reviewed and agreed upon with CEHRO before data collection begins.

5.4 Sampling Techniques and Sample Frame

The consultant shall clearly explain the sampling method, sample size, respondent selection criteria, and distribution of respondents across the four regions and national-level stakeholders.

The sample should reflect the diversity of participating CSOs, media organizations, CoPs, and other relevant stakeholders. The consultant shall justify the proposed sample size and explain how the selected sample will support reliable assessment of the project’s results.

Where the baseline used a defined sample or respondent group, the consultant should seek to maintain comparability where feasible. Any changes in the sample, respondent coverage, or data collection approach should be documented.

5.5 Data Analysis

The consultant shall propose appropriate methods for quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

Quantitative analysis shall include the calculation of indicator values, achievement against targets, relevant percentages, and comparison with baseline values where comparable data are available.

Qualitative analysis shall identify recurring themes, stakeholder experiences, perceived changes, enabling factors, challenges, and lessons learned.

The analysis should provide a clear assessment of each relevant outcome and output indicator, supported by verifiable evidence. Findings should distinguish between activities completed, outputs delivered, outcomes observed, and broader changes to which the project may have contributed.

5.6 Data Quality Assurance

The consultant shall ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of collected data through appropriate measures, including:

Reviewing and aligning data collection tools with the approved logical framework and baseline indicators.
Checking collected data for completeness, consistency, and accuracy.
Triangulating information from different respondents and documentary sources.
Verifying reported achievements against available supporting evidence.
Discussing preliminary findings with CEHRO to clarify any factual discrepancies and obtain feedback before finalizing the report.

5.7 Ethical Considerations

The consultant shall adhere to appropriate ethical standards throughout the assessment. This includes obtaining informed consent, protecting the confidentiality of respondents, securing collected information, and ensuring that participation is voluntary.

Given the project's human rights and civic space context, the consultant shall take appropriate precautions to avoid exposing respondents or participating organizations to unnecessary risks. Sensitive information shall be handled carefully, and findings shall be presented in a manner that respects the safety, privacy, and dignity of participants.

Deliverables

The consultant shall submit the following deliverables:

Inception report: A concise report outlining the understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, document review plan, analytical approach, quality assurance measures, and work schedule.
Finalized data collection tools: Questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussion guides, and any indicator verification templates required for the assessment, finalized in consultation with CEHRO.
Draft endline assessment report: A comprehensive draft report presenting the methodology, findings, indicator-level results, comparison with baseline values and targets, assessment of outcomes, lessons learned, conclusions, and recommendations. The draft shall be submitted for CEHRO's review and feedback.
Final endline assessment report: A revised report incorporating CEHRO's consolidated feedback and providing a clear, evidence-based assessment of the project's performance and results.
Supporting data and documentation: Cleaned quantitative datasets and relevant qualitative data summaries, source references, and other agreed supporting documentation. The consultant shall submit the underlying data in an organized and usable format, subject to confidentiality and data protection requirements.

The final report shall include an executive summary, background, objectives, methodology, findings, indicator performance, conclusions, lessons learned, recommendations, and relevant annexes.

Expected Tasks and Coordination

7.1 Tasks of CEHRO

CEHRO shall:

Provide the consultant with the approved project proposal, logical framework, baseline report, monitoring reports, and other relevant project documentation.
Facilitate communication with project participants and relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.
Provide technical guidance and clarify project indicators, targets, and reporting requirements.
Review the inception report, data collection tools, preliminary findings, and draft report, and provide consolidated feedback.
Coordinate with the consultant on the assessment schedule and arrangements for stakeholder engagement.

7.2 Specific Tasks of the Consultant

The consultant shall:

Review the project proposal, logical framework, baseline report, monitoring records, and other relevant documents.
Develop an inception report and detailed assessment plan.
Design and finalize data collection tools aligned with the project's outcomes, outputs, and indicators.
Conduct stakeholder consultations and data collection across the four target regions and at the national level, using appropriate in-person or remote methods.
Analyze the collected data and compare endline findings with baseline values and project targets, where comparable data are available.
Verify reported achievements against supporting evidence and calculate indicator values accurately.
Identify factors contributing to or constraining the achievement of project results.
Present findings to CEHRO and incorporate the feedback received.
Prepare and submit the draft and final endline assessment reports and the presentation of major findings.
Submit the agreed datasets, indicator calculations, and supporting documentation while maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.

Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within 20 working days from the signing of the consultancy agreement, subject to an agreed schedule with CEHRO.

The proposed schedule is presented below and may be refined during the inception stage in consultation with CEHRO.

Description of main activities	Duration	Indicative schedule
Contract signing, briefing, and review of project documents	2 working days	Days 1-2
Development and submission of inception report and data collection tools	3 working days	Days 3-5
CEHRO review and finalization of methodology and tools	1 working day	Day 6
Data collection and stakeholder consultations	7 working days	Days 7-13
Data analysis, indicator verification, and preparation of preliminary findings	3 working days	Days 14-16
Presentation of preliminary findings and CEHRO feedback	1 working day	Day 17
Submission of draft endline assessment report	2 working days	Days 18-19
Incorporation of feedback and submission of final report and supporting documents	1 working day	Day 20

The consultant shall propose a detailed work schedule in the technical proposal and confirm the final submission dates with CEHRO upon contract signing.

ContractEntryOn-site

Negotiable

Salary

Negotiable

Apply by

Nov 2

RFP: Preparation of a Briefing Note on Enabling Systems and a Policy Brief for IRIF

Birrama Digital Commerce PLCAddis Ababa3d ago

Background

IRIF is a climate-resilient, AI-powered agricultural advisory solution being deployed by Birrama Digital Commerce PLC in partnership with Farm Africa, with funding from Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) and cost-share contributions. IRIF combines low-cost soil and micro-climate sensor capsules with satellite data and AI-generated advisories, delivered by SMS/USSD to smallholder farmers in Oromia Regional State, to improve irrigation decisions, input use and yields.

Objective

To produce two short, clear policy products: a briefing note on the enabling systems needed for digital climate-smart agriculture services such as IRIF, and a policy brief with recommendations for government and partners.

Scope of work

Briefing note (Knowledge Product 1). Four to six pages on the systems IRIF needs to work and scale: connectivity, data governance, extension linkages, financial inclusion and regulation.
Policy brief. Two to four pages with evidence-based recommendations aligned to the policy gaps found in the desk review.
Evidence. Use the desk review findings, IRIF project data and short stakeholder consultations arranged with Birrama.
Style. Plain language for senior decision-makers, with a clear message, evidence and recommended actions.
Layout. Print-ready layout following project visibility guidelines. Translation is procured separately.

Standards and expectations

Recommendations must be specific, realistic and linked to evidence.
Every claim has a source and statistics are checked before use.
Documents follow P4G and Birrama visibility guidelines and use accessible design.

Contract management and reporting

The successful applicant reports to the IRIF Project Manager at Birrama Digital Commerce PLC and attends regular progress meetings. A contract is signed with Birrama, and payment is made in instalments set out in the contract once Birrama accepts the completed work, less any tax required by Ethiopian law. All work products, data and materials belong to Birrama and the IRIF project. The applicant must keep project and farmer information confidential.

ContractSeniorOn-site

Negotiable

Salary

Negotiable

Apply by

Nov 5

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