CEHRO is enhancing the institutional and technical capacity of its member and partner organizations, particularly in the areas of advocacy communication, policy influence, and media engagement.

 Capacity Development Program for Local and Grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CDP-Lg CSOs)

የኢትዮጵያ የሰብዓዊ መብቶች ድርጅቶች ህብረት

(ኢሰመድህ)

Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations

(CEHRO) 

Call for Consultancy: Development of Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool and Analysis of CSO Digital Media Performance

June 2026

1. About CEHRO

The Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO) is a consortium of 27 Civil Society Organizations working in the areas of human rights, democracy, and sustainable peace in Ethiopia. Over the past eight years, CEHRO has been actively engaged in strengthening civic space and promoting an enabling environment for civil society organizations through coordinated advocacy, capacity development, and evidence-based policy engagement.

CEHRO serves as a national platform for human rights CSOs to collectively amplify their voices, engage policymakers, and advance rights-based discourse in Ethiopia. A core strategic priority of CEHRO is enhancing the institutional and technical capacity of its member and partner organizations, particularly in the areas of advocacy communication, policy influence, and media engagement.

Further information about CEHRO can be accessed at: https://cehro.org/

2. Context

Civil society organizations in Ethiopia play a critical role in advocating for human rights, democratic governance, and social accountability. However, CSOs, particularly those operating at grassroot level continue to face challenges in effectively utilizing digital and mainstream media as tools for advocacy and public engagement. These challenges are characterized by limited technical capacity in digital communication, inconsistent content production practices, weak audience engagement strategies, and insufficient understanding of media analytics and impact measurement. In addition, CSOs lack structured tools to systematically assess the effectiveness of their online communication efforts.

As a result, despite their important advocacy work, the visibility and influence of many CSOs in public discourse remain limited.

In response to these gaps, CEHRO, in partnership with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and with financial support from the European Union (EU), is implementing the project titled “Connecting the Links: Promoting CSOs–Media Collaboration for Advocacy Campaign” under the broader Capacity Development Program for Local and Grassroots Civil Society Organizations (CDP-LG CSOs).

Within this project, CEHRO seeks to strengthen the ability of CSOs to strategically use digital media platforms for advocacy and engagement. A key component of this effort is the development of a structured Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool and the systematic analysis of how selected CSOs are using digital media platforms to advance their organizational missions.

To this end, CEHRO intends to engage a qualified consultant to design the monitoring framework, conduct the analysis of selected CSOs, and prepare a comprehensive analytical report with actionable recommendations.

3. Objectives of the Assignment

3.1 General Objective

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a structured Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool and to conduct an in-depth analysis of the digital media engagement practices of selected CSOs to generate insights and recommendations for improving CSO communication and advocacy effectiveness.

3.2 Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• Develop a comprehensive Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool that defines key indicators for assessing CSO digital communication performance, including engagement, reach, content diversity, and audience interaction.
• Apply the developed tool to conduct a structured analysis of 30 selected CSOs under the CSO-Media platform, focusing on their use of digital media for advocacy and outreach.
• Generate recommendations aimed at strengthening CSO online visibility, engagement strategies, and advocacy effectiveness.
• Prepare a comprehensive analytical report summarizing findings and strategic guidance for CEHRO and partner CSOs.

4. Scope of Work

The consultancy will cover two interrelated components: (i) development of a monitoring tool, and (ii) application of the framework for CSO digital media analysis.

4.1 Development of Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool

The consultant will design a structured monitoring framework that will be used to assess CSO digital communication performance. The tool shall define clear indicators and measurement criteria for evaluating social media engagement and communication effectiveness. The assessment shall focus on the official and active digital media platforms maintained by each selected CSO. These may include platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Telegram, or other digital channels regularly used by the organization for communication and advocacy.

The tool is expected to capture key dimensions, including, but not limited to:

• Online presence and visibility of CSO digital platforms
• Where access is provided by selected CSOs, internal platform analytics such as reach, impressions and audience profile data and visibility of CSO content
• Levels of audience engagement (likes, shares, comments, reactions, views and visible interactions)
• Content diversity and thematic focus of CSO communication outputs
• Frequency and consistency of content publication
• Use of storytelling, advocacy messaging, and multimedia formats
• Indicators of influence and responsiveness in online spaces

Note: The tool shall be designed in a user-friendly format (e.g., Google-based tools or structured data collection templates) to allow systematic application during the analysis phase.

4.2 Application of the Monitoring Tool and CSO Analysis

The consultant will apply the developed tool to assess 30 selected CSOs under the CSO Media CoP. The analysis will focus on identifying patterns, gaps, and opportunities in how these organizations use digital media platforms.

The assessment will include:

• Review of the official social media platforms and digital communication channels of the selected CSOs to assess their online presence, communication approaches, and utilization of digital platforms for advocacy and public engagement.
• Collection and analysis of relevant engagement and content data, including audience reach, interaction levels, posting frequency, content formats, and other performance indicators identified in the monitoring framework.
• A comparative analysis of the communication performance of the selected CSOs in order to identify common trends, strengths, gaps, and variations in digital engagement practices across organizations.
• Identifying effective communication practices, innovative approaches, and areas requiring improvement, and provide practical recommendations to strengthen digital visibility, audience engagement, and advocacy communication effectiveness.

5. Methodology

The consultant is expected to present a clear, and technically sound methodology for the assignment. The methodology should include the following elements:

5.1 Overall Approach

The consultant shall adopt a structured, phased approach that begins with tool development, followed by application, data analysis, and reporting. The approach should ensure logical consistency between indicators, data collection, and final recommendations.

5.2 Data Sources

Unless otherwise agreed during the inception phase, the digital media assessment shall cover approximately the previous one (1) year of publicly available communication and engagement data from the selected CSOs. Should there be a justified need to use a different review period due to the nature of a CSO’s communication activities or project requirements, this shall be discussed and agreed with CEHRO during the inception stage to ensure consistency across the assessment.

The assignment will rely primarily on digital and secondary data sources, including:

• CSO official social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, etc.)
• Publicly available digital content and engagement data
• Organizational communication outputs and campaigns
• Relevant project and contextual documents shared by CEHRO

5.3 Data Analysis Methods

The analysis should combine both quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate a comprehensive understanding of the digital communication practices and performance of the selected CSOs, including:

• Descriptive statistical analysis of key engagement indicators, such as audience reach, impressions, reactions, comments, shares, and other relevant metrics, in order to assess the overall performance and visibility of CSO communication efforts.
• Comparative performance analysis across the selected CSOs to identify variations in communication approaches, audience engagement levels, content effectiveness, and overall digital presence.
• Thematic analysis to examine the nature, quality, consistency, and relevance of content shared by CSOs, including the use of advocacy messaging, storytelling techniques, audience engagement approaches, and issue prioritization.
• Identification of recurring trends, common gaps, challenges, and emerging practices in CSO digital communication, with a view to generating practical recommendations for strengthening communication strategies and advocacy effectiveness.
• Assess the extent to which digital communication efforts support the organizations’ advocacy objectives, public engagement goals, and broader mission-related outcomes.
• Where relevant, triangulate findings from digital platform analysis with information obtained through consultations or interviews with selected CSO personnel to enhance the accuracy, contextual understanding, and interpretation of the results.

5.4 Quality Assurance

The consultant shall ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data through systematic cross-checking of digital sources, structured validation of indicators, and regular communication with CEHRO and the CSOs’ focal persons

5.5 Ethical Considerations

The consultancy must ensure ethical handling of publicly available organizational data. All analyses shall respect data privacy, organizational integrity, and responsible use of information. The consultant shall ensure that findings are presented in a non-biased, constructive, and professional manner.

6. Expected Tasks and Coordination

6.1 Responsibilities of CEHRO

CEHRO shall provide the necessary technical, coordination, and administrative support required for the successful implementation of the consultancy. Its responsibilities include:

• Provide the consultant with all relevant project documents, background materials, and existing communication resources necessary for the assignment.
• Confirm the final list of the 30 selected CSOs to be included in the assessment and communicate any relevant background information that may support the analysis.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between the consultant and the selected CSOs, including introducing the consultant to relevant focal persons where consultations or interviews are required.
• Support access, where available and appropriate, to relevant organizational information or digital analytics that may complement the assessment beyond publicly available data.
• Review all submitted deliverables in a timely manner, consolidate comments from relevant CEHRO staff, and provide coordinated technical feedback to the consultant throughout the assignment.
• Coordinate the validation of key deliverables, including the monitoring tool and analytical report, to ensure that they meet the objectives and quality standards of the assignment.
• Provide reasonable administrative or logistical support, where applicable, to facilitate the implementation of the consultancy.
• Process consultancy payments in accordance with the agreed contractual terms upon satisfactory submission and approval of the agreed deliverables.

6.2. Responsibilities of the Consultant

The consultant shall be responsible for undertaking all technical aspects of the assignment, including:

• Reviewing relevant project documents, communication materials, and background information necessary to understand the objectives of the assignment and the broader CSO–Media platform.
• Developing a technically sound and user-friendly Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool, including indicators, assessment criteria, data collection templates, and guidance for application.
• Designing an appropriate methodology for data collection, analysis, validation, and reporting, ensuring that the proposed approach is aligned with the objectives of the assignment.
• Conducting digital media monitoring and assessment of the 25 selected CSOs using the approved monitoring framework and agreed methodology.
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing relevant quantitative and qualitative information from social media platforms and other relevant sources to support evidence-based findings.
• Engaging with selected CSO representatives, where necessary, to validate findings, obtain contextual information, and strengthen the overall quality of the analysis.
• Ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and confidentiality of information collected during the course of the assignment.
• Presenting preliminary findings and incorporating comments and feedback received from CEHRO during the validation and reporting process.
• Delivering all outputs within the agreed timeframe and according to the quality standards outlined in this Terms of Reference.

7. Deliverables
   • Inception report, including methodology, work plan, and proposed monitoring framework.
   • Draft Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool for CEHRO review.
   • Final Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool incorporating feedback.
   • Monitoring database and assessment data set covering the 25 selected CSOs.
   • Draft analytical report presenting preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations.
   • Final analytical report incorporating comments received from CEHRO.
   • Facilitate a brief orientation session for CEHRO staff and, where applicable, selected CSOs or relevant stakeholders on the purpose, structure, and practical application of the social media engagement monitoring tool to support its future use and institutionalization.
   • All raw data, assessment templates, and supporting materials used during the assignment.

8. Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 30 working days from the date of contract signing.

The indicative implementation schedule is outlined below.

Week 1

• Kick-off meeting with CEHRO and review of relevant project documents and background materials.
• Preparation and submission of the inception report, including the proposed methodology, work plan, and draft social media engagement monitoring tool.

Week 2

• Review and finalization of the monitoring tool based on CEHRO’s feedback.
• Commencement of digital media monitoring and collection of relevant data from the selected CSOs. Where necessary, consultations or interviews may be conducted with CSO representatives to validate findings and obtain additional contextual information.

Week 3

• Completion of the digital media assessment and analysis of findings.
• Preparation and submission of the draft analytical report for CEHRO’s review and feedback.

Week 4

• Incorporation of comments received from CEHRO and finalization of the analytical report.
• Submission of the final social media engagement monitoring tool, the final analytical report, and all supporting documentation.
• Facilitation of a brief orientation session for CEHRO staff and, where appropriate, selected CSOs or other relevant stakeholders on the application and future use of the social media engagement monitoring tool.

9. Qualifications and Experience

Education

An advanced degree in journalism and communication, media studies, digital communication, public relations, human rights, governance, or related fields.

Professional Experience

The consultant should have:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in media analysis, communication research, or digital advocacy
• Proven experience in social media analytics or communication monitoring
• Experience working with CSOs, or development organizations
• Strong background in data analysis and report writing

• Familiarity with Ethiopia’s civic space and CSO-media environment is an advantage

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and research skills
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Ability to translate data into practical recommendations
• High level of professionalism and attention to detail

10. Payment Terms

Payment shall be made in installments linked to deliverables as agreed in the consultancy contract. All contractual terms, including confidentiality and intellectual property rights, shall be governed by the final agreement between CEHRO and the consultant.

11. Application Process

Interested and qualified consultants are invited to submit their applications via email to humanresources@cehro.org with the subject line: “Consultancy on Social Media Engagement Monitoring Tool Development and CSO Digital Media Analysis” within 7 consecutive days of the publication of this call.

Applications should include:

• A maximum 2-page CV
• A technical proposal (maximum 3 pages) demonstrating understanding of the assignment and methodology
• A financial proposal with a detailed budget breakdown in ETB (including taxes)
• Copy of consultancy license and TIN certificate, where available.

Note

CEHRO is an equal opportunity organization. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.