Terms of Reference to Conduct Best Practice and Documentation study for Sustainable Training for Employment Promotion (STEP) Project In Adama city and Addis Ababa city Project site

1.Background and Programme Context

1.1 About SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia

SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of the SOS Children’s Villages International Federation. The organization started its humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of its first Village in Mekelle, the Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, it has expanded its programmes to different regions including Amhara, Oromia, Somali, Harari, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, and South-Central Ethiopia regions. Through its unique family-based care model, the organization has provided a nurturing environment where children can flourish, grow, and realize their full potential. The programme also works with different youth empowerment initiatives, supporting young people to help them become productive and independent members of society. The family and community development programme has enabled many families in the communities to become sustainable and provide the necessary care for their children. Furthermore, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia also provides humanitarian assistance interventions in cases of natural and human-made disasters, when the livelihoods of families and communities are disrupted. SOS CVE collaborates and partners with like-minded organizations, community structures, government entities, and relevant all in advocating for the fulfilment of the rights and needs of vulnerable children, young people and families. 

SOS CV Ethiopia engages with a variety of community-managed organizations and local government authorities. It supports them in providing an enabling environment for the most vulnerable communities and families to access vital social services and protection whether in peaceful times or crises, to ensure care and protection for all children and youth living in their community

1.2 Description of the Project

The Rise & Help Project is a one-year initiative designed to empower young and marginalized change-makers by enabling them to engage in voluntary civic action without the burden of financial insecurity or dependence on family support or alternative income sources. The project was implemented to strengthen youth participation in civic and community development initiatives while promoting volunteerism, leadership, personal growth, and social responsibility.

The project directly supported 20 volunteers based in Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar, operating under both full-time and part-time volunteer modalities. Through financial and non-financial support mechanisms, capacity building, mentoring, and practical engagement opportunities, the project aimed to create an enabling environment for volunteers to contribute meaningfully to community development and social impact initiatives.

As the project reaches its completion, a terminal evaluation will be undertaken to assess its overall performance, achievements, effectiveness, impact, sustainability, and lessons learned. The evaluation findings will inform future youth engagement and volunteerism programming and provide accountability to stakeholders.

2. Rationale and Overall Purpose of Terminal Evaluation

The overall purpose of the terminal evaluation is to assess the extent to which the Rise & Help Project achieved its intended objectives and contributed to empowering young volunteers and marginalized changemakers.

Specifically, the evaluation will:

• Assess the relevance of the project's design and interventions.
• Measure the achievement of planned outputs and outcomes.
• Examine the effectiveness and efficiency of project implementation.
• Assess the project's contribution to volunteer empowerment and civic engagement.
• Determine the sustainability of outcomes beyond the project period.
• Identify key lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.
• Generate recommendations for future volunteer and youth empowerment initiatives.

3. Objectives of the Terminal Evaluation

The evaluation objectives should incorporate clear flow, avoid overlap, and align better with standard terminal evaluation criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, learning, and cross-cutting themes)

3.1 Overall Objectives

The evaluation will assess whether the project achieved its intended objectives and outcomes at the same time, examine the performance, results, sustainability, and contribution to volunteer development, while documenting lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations to inform future programming and organizational learning.

3.2 Specific Objectives are:

The specific objectives of the Terminal Evaluation are:

1.Assess the relevance of the project in addressing the needs and challenges faced by young and marginalized volunteers.

2.Determine the extent to which the project achieved its intended outputs and outcomes.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of financial and non-financial support provided to volunteers.

4.Assess the quality and effectiveness of project management, coordination, and implementation arrangements.

5.Examine the project's impact on volunteers' skills, confidence, leadership, civic participation, and employability.

6.Evaluate the sustainability of project achievements and benefits.

7. Document lessons learned and recommendations for future interventions.

3.3 Project Goal, Outcomes and Outputs

3.3.1. Project Goal:

3.3.1.1. Long term objective

Youth from disadvantaged backgrounds engage for a chosen global challenge thereby developing critical thinking, leadership, and organizational skills that can contribute to their societies and shape their future roles in society.

3.3.1.2. Short term objective 

provides young people with the opportunity to actively contribute to and drive positive change on issues that matter most to them in their local communities.

3.3.2 Project Outcomes & Outputs:

Outcomes:

1: Enhancement of access for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to engage in a civic activity of their choice, enabling them to contribute to their communities and shape their future roles.

2: Development and strengthening of participant's international and regional networks, fostering global and regional solidarity and cooperation.

3: Positive contribution by participants' civic engagement to their local communities through the civic activity of their choice.

4: Development of participants' new skills, including technical, vocational, and soft skills, influential for determining participants' future roles in society be it further education or employment.

3.4 Major evaluation /research questions

The commissioned consultant should list relevant and possible evaluation questions by referring to the project document and the project result framework and show the terminal evaluation questions during the inception report presentation.

4. Scope of the Terminal Evaluation and Project Targets

4.1. Geographic Scope

The terminal evaluation will be limited to the project participants who are 19 young adults. The project was being implemented in Addis Ababa and Bahirdar where 14 of them are from Addis Ababa and 5 are from Bahir Dar. The subcities where the Volunteers from Addis Ababa work at are Kirkos, Lideta, Kolfe Keranyo and Arada Sub Cities and the volunteers from Bahirdar worked at in Atse Tewodros, Gish Abay, Fasil and Tana Sub Cities.

4.2 Target Groups and Project Participants

The primary target groups are 19 young who were deployed across education, health, and social development institutions and the 12 Organizations who hosted these volunteers for one year.   

Table 1. Programme participants/project beneficiaries.

 5.  Terminal Evaluation Methodology

The consultant(s) must develop a strong data collection methodology for this terminal evaluation, ensuring the data's reliability and validity. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, is recommended to produce the highest quality and most credible evidence. This study will collect data, disaggregated by sex, age, and disability, for the indicators listed in the result framework (the RF will be annexed for the winner consultant). The chosen methodology must be sensitive to the local context and ensure that all respondents, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to participate in the baseline study. The terminal evaluation environment should be designed to provide safe and inclusive spaces that encourage all participants to respond freely, irrespective of gender, age, disability, origin, or religious beliefs. As far as possible, the consultant should disaggregate data by sex, age, and disability while collecting and analysing data. Furthermore, the consultant should also clearly explain which questions will be answered using which methods. The Consultant should also ensure that the survey and qualitative methods (such as focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview (KII) and group discussion) with participants and their host communities/organizations are representative of the project’s target groups and key stakeholders.

5.1 Sampling

The consultant is required to propose statistically sound sampling strategies to ensure representativeness. He/she is required to clearly state the sample size and the acceptable margin of error. The consultant will develop a detailed data analysis plan, outlining the statistical methods to be used for the quantitative data and the thematic analysis approach for the qualitative data. All data collection activities should be conducted following the highest ethical standards, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and the safety of all participants.

6. Work plan and Deliverables

6.1 Work Plan and Timetable

The terminal evaluation task is expected to be finalized within 30 days after the contractual agreement is signed. The consultant is expected to develop her/his detailed work plan based on the following table.

6.2 Deliverables

The commissioned external consultant must deliver the evaluation findings within 30 days of the contract signed. Based on the work plan, SOS Children’s Villages of project intervention programme locations expect the following deliverables:

• An inception report of 8 pages on the evaluation design, methodology, sampling frame, sampling technique, sample size, assessment tools and work plan
• Draft evaluation report.
• The consultant is expected to analyse the data and present findings (for both draft and final findings) in the intervention areas (Addis Ababa & Bahirdar sites).
• Final report - The findings of the evaluation report including an executive summary and data collection tools in both electronic and hardcopy formats, should be submitted.
• Raw data, which has been cleaned (both qualitative and quantitative, including original field notes for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, and recorded audio material), should be submitted with the report. SOS CVE will have sole ownership of all final data, and any findings shall only be shared or reproduced with the permission of SOS Children’s Village Ethiopia.

6.3. Report criteria

The reporting criteria of the terminal evaluation shall be in line with the SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia Result Based Project Management (RBPM) toolkit and should be shared with the winner consultant along with the data review process and/or for the preparation of the inception report.

CALL FOR CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Shared Space, Shared Futures (3SF): Advancing Social Cohesion and Civic Participation in Post-Conflict Ethiopia

Chura Abugida Kene–Tibebawi Mahiber (CAKTM), on behalf of the Shared Space, Shared Futures (3SF) project consortium, invites qualified individual consultants, teams of consultants and consulting firms to submit competitive technical and financial proposals for the assignment described below.

1. Background

CAKTM, in partnership with consortium partners, is implementing the Shared Space, Shared Futures (3SF) project to promote social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and inclusive civic participation in conflict-affected communities across Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Somali regions of Ethiopia.

The project seeks to strengthen constructive relationships among communities and relevant stakeholders, support locally grounded peacebuilding practices and expand meaningful civic participation, particularly for women, young people, persons with disabilities and other groups that may face barriers to participation.

To establish an evidence base for implementation, monitoring, learning and advocacy, CAKTM seeks an independent consultant or consulting team to conduct a Baseline Assessment and Local Peace and Civic Space Practices Study in eight selected bordering woredas. The assignment is expected to generate credible, context-sensitive findings and practical recommendations.

2. Purpose and Objectives

The overall purpose is to establish baseline benchmarks for relevant 3SF project indicators and generate an evidence-based analysis of local peacebuilding practices, social cohesion, civic participation and civic-space conditions in the project intervention areas.

• Establish baseline values for relevant project indicators, with appropriate disaggregation by sex, age, disability and geographical location, where feasible and ethically appropriate.
• Analyze local conflict dynamics, community relationships, peacebuilding mechanisms, civic participation and citizen authority engagement.
• Document local peace practices, shared histories, cultural ties and social and economic linkages that may contribute to peaceful coexistence.
• Identify opportunities, barriers and risks affecting civic participation and the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
• Assess relevant civic-space conditions, including opportunities and constraints affecting association, expression, participation and engagement, using a context-sensitive and non-partisan approach.
• Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen project implementation, peacebuilding, social cohesion, civic engagement, monitoring and advocacy.

3. Scope of Work and Geographical Coverage

The assignment will cover eight selected bordering woredas across Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Somali regions. CAKTM will communicate the selected woreda list and relevant project documentation to the successful consultant during inception, subject to applicable security and access considerations.

• Review project documents, indicator definitions, policies, strategies, previous assessments and credible secondary sources.
• Develop a stakeholder map covering community structures, civil society actors, local institutions, women’s and youth groups, persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Refine research questions, sampling, tools and analysis in consultation with CAKTM and consortium partners.
• Conduct field-based data collection in the eight selected woredas, subject to safe and approved access.
• Analyze findings across locations and stakeholder groups, identifying common patterns and contextual differences.
• Present preliminary findings for validation and incorporate evidence-based feedback into the final reports.

4. Methodology and Minimum Data Collection Expectations

The original project scope anticipates a qualitative approach consisting of 24 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), three per woreda; 40 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), five per woreda; and a desk review. Applicants should explain how these methods will answer the study questions and produce credible evidence.

The call also requires baseline indicator values and a clean quantitative dataset. Applicants must therefore explicitly explain whether a quantitative component is necessary to measure the relevant indicators. Where proposed, the technical proposal must specify the sample, sampling method, tools and analysis approach. Any additional quantitative survey beyond the stated qualitative minimum must be justified and separately costed. The final design will be agreed with CAKTM during inception.

• Desk review and evidence-mapping framework.
• Sampling strategy, respondent categories and selection criteria.
• FGD and KII guides aligned with the project objectives and indicators.
• Conflict and context analysis and civic-space assessment frameworks.
• Gender, age, disability and social inclusion approaches.
• Data quality assurance, triangulation and transparent analysis.
• Fieldwork plan covering team composition, language capacity, supervision and logistics.
• Explanation of limitations, access constraints and mitigation measures.

5. Ethics, Safeguarding and Conflict Sensitivity

The consultant must apply recognized ethical research standards and CAKTM’s applicable safeguarding and data-protection requirements throughout the assignment. At a minimum, the consultant/team must:

• Obtain informed and voluntary consent and explain the purpose, risks and intended use of information.
• Ensure participation is voluntary and participants may decline to answer or withdraw without consequence.
• Protect confidentiality and avoid collecting personally identifiable information unless strictly necessary, justified and approved.
• Anonymize notes and datasets before sharing them in reports or presentations; securely store and transfer research records.
• Avoid procedures that could expose participants to retaliation, stigma, distress or other harm.
• Use conflict-sensitive, inclusive and accessible approaches, including appropriate arrangements for women, youth and persons with disabilities.
• Train field researchers on safeguarding, confidentiality, referral boundaries and the Do No Harm principle.
• Obtain prior approval before recording interviews, taking photographs or collecting sensitive information.
• Immediately report safeguarding concerns or data-protection incidents through the agreed reporting channel.

The consultant must not promise assistance, legal protection or services outside the assignment. The study is not an investigation of individual allegations or a process for identifying alleged perpetrators.

6. Expected Deliverables

1. 1. Inception report: Refined understanding; research questions; indicator matrix; methodology and sampling; tools; ethical and safeguarding protocol; fieldwork plan; team composition; risk analysis; and detailed schedule.
2. 2. Final data collection tools: Approved FGD and KII guides, desk-review framework and, where a quantitative component is agreed, survey questionnaire and related tools.
3. 3. Fieldwork and data package: Anonymized qualitative notes/transcripts as agreed, completed data collection records and fieldwork summary; cleaned quantitative dataset and codebook only if quantitative collection is part of the approved methodology. No direct identifiers should be included.
4. 4. Draft Baseline Assessment Report: Methodology, baseline values for applicable project indicators, analysis, disaggregation where feasible, limitations, conclusions and recommendations, with an indicator matrix.
5. 5. Draft Local Peace and Civic Space Practices Study Report: Context-sensitive analysis of local peace practices, social cohesion, conflict dynamics, civic participation, civic-space conditions, inclusion barriers and practical recommendations.
6. 6. Validation and presentation: Presentation of preliminary findings to CAKTM and relevant consortium stakeholders, with a record of feedback and how it was addressed.
7. 7. Final reports: Final edited versions of both reports, incorporating agreed feedback, with executive summaries and recommendations suitable for programme management, learning and advocacy.

All deliverables must be submitted in editable electronic formats (Word and Excel, as applicable) and PDF. The consultant must hand over materials produced under the assignment in accordance with the consultancy agreement and confidentiality requirements.

7. Duration and Level of Effort

The assignment is expected to be completed within 25 working days from the date of signing the consultancy agreement. Applicants must submit a realistic work plan showing inception, desk review, tool development, fieldwork, analysis, validation and finalization. Assumptions about travel, access, security and regional logistics must be stated clearly in the technical and financial proposals.

INVITATION TO BID (Re-Advert) 

Right to Food Monitoring Assessment in Amhara Regional State: A Case Study in Tehuledere Woreda 

The Union of Ethiopian Women and Children Associations (UEWCA) is a women-led, non-governmental and non-political civil society organization working to promote and protect the rights and well-being of women, children and other vulnerable and marginalized groups in Ethiopia. 

UEWCA invites qualified and experienced consultants and consulting firms to submit technical and financial proposals to conduct a Right to Food Monitoring Assessment in Amhara Regional State, with an in-depth case study in Tehuledere Woreda, South Wollo Zone. The assessment applies the FAO Right to Food Monitoring and Assessment Framework, with structural indicators reviewed at national level and process and outcome indicators assessed at regional and Tehuledere levels.