TOR for Consultant to Conduct Assessment of collaborative capacities of existing networks and establishment of new networks’ inTigray, Central and Southern Ethiopia Regions and Addis Ababa City administration

BACKGROUND

The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF), established in May 2013, is a nonpartisan and independent national platform dedicated to promote and supporting civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ethiopia. Its mission is to create an enabling environment for effective CSOs engagement and to become a common platform for CSOs and their networks to address their shared issues to foster their networks, such as advocating for the enactment of the CSOs Proclamation No. 1113/2019. ECSF’s objectives include promoting effective participation of CSOs in national processes, enhancing their operational capabilities through training, and advocating for policies that support a vibrant civil society environment.

The Forum conducts various activities, including capacity-building workshops, establishing collaborative networks, and engaging in research and advocacy to address legal and operational challenges faced by CSOs. In addition, as a common platform and network of networks for CSOs in Ethiopia, ECSF primarily targets civil society organizations, grassroots movements, and community-based organizations, while also collaborating with government agencies, international NGOs, and donors to strengthen grassroots civil society sector and promote good governance, democratization, and human rights in Ethiopia.

Description of the assignment

The scope of this contract is to conduct an assessment to assess existing CSO networks in Tigray, Central Ethiopia and Southern Ethiopia Regions and Addis Ababa city administration, identify challenges and opportunities for collaboration, and explore possibilities for establishing new grassroots networks in areas where they are currently lacking.

In addition, the consulting firm is expected to consider data gatherings/ collections desk reviews including archival data, researches, proclamations, etc, to gather the relevant data from secondary sources. Based on the generated evidence on the networking practice, gaps and challenges sophisticated recommendations that will be used as a Supporting collaborative and establishing new networks

For More Information refer to this link:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l41V0xBKhZoOFTC1hM5KfTcuZxhOKHh8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112871499205828425147&rtpof=true&sd=true

Required qualification and experiences:

Professional Experience:

• The consultancy firm should be a multidisciplinary team which should have a mix of either of the following disciplines: law, Economics, statistics, Business Administration , Finance, management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Development studies, Project Management), Demography, other related areas of studies.
• The firm’s team lead of expert must possess an advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in either of the fields mentioned above and the rest of the assessment team should possess an academic qualification that complements the qualifications of the lead consultant/ team leader, such that ultimately the team comprises a mix of technical expertise and survey specialist with strong knowledge of statistical packages required to deliver on the ToR.
• The firm should have at least 3 years of solid work experience in conducting similar surveys related to civil society organizations (CSOs), networking, and capacity-building, and policy briefings.
• Demonstrated experience in working with grassroots and local CSOs in Ethiopia
• Strong understanding of the legal and regulatory environment for CSOs in Ethiopia.
• Proven ability to conduct assessments in diverse and remote regions.

Technical Skills Expected from the Team:

• Strong analytical and research skills, including qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to facilitate workshops and stakeholder consultations.

Deliverable

• The Consultant shall submit the following reports in English:
• Inception Report of maximum 5 pages to be produced within 5 days from the signing of the consultancy service agreement. The Client will review and share comments, if any, in writing and discuss these with the Consultant.
• Draft report of maximum 50 pages (main text, excluding annexes). It will present the detailed findings with a summary table. It should also include conclusions and recommendations. The report will include an Executive Summary and will explain how the assignment was conducted and clearly show how the Terms of Reference were fulfilled. The client will send its comments within one week after receipt of the Draft final report.
• A Final report with the same specifications as the draft, the final report shall incorporate any comment or feedback from the client on the draft report. The deadline for submission of the final report will be only seven days from the consultant receiving comments and feedback from the client. All raw data (quantitative data files, notes from all focus groups meetings/ key informants’ interviews, etc.) will be made into parts and parcels of the major document through
• annex. Two hard copies and an electronic copy of the full Final Report with annexes should be submitted.

Duration

• The total number of working days for the study will be 4-6 weeks from the date of signing the contract agreement.

Bid Evaluation Methods

• The client will makes evaluation of both technical and financial proposals bid as follow:
• Technical Proposal weight out of 100%= 70%
• Financial proposals weigth out of 100%= 30%