Terms of Reference (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

Ethiopian   Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF

Strengthening Capacities, Independence and Credibility of Local and Grassroots CSOs as Actors of Good Governance and Development in Ethiopia

European Union – Civil Society Fund Plus Project

  June , 2025

Addis Ababa

1.  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.

Currently, the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum is implementing the EU-CSF Plus funded project in partnership with Christian Aid (CA) Ethiopia  on a project titled ‘Strengthening Capacities, Independence and Credibility of Local and Grassroots CSOs as Actors of Good Governance and Development in Ethiopia.’ The project aims to enhance the networking and collaborative capacities of grassroots and local Civil Society Organizations to exchange knowledge, form partnerships, and strengthening their collaborative networks towards their common agenda. The project also focuses on supporting CSOs in strengthening their collaborative capacities and establishment of new networks.

Therefore, Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum  is looking for experienced independent consultant in the area of conducting assessment on identifying challenges and existing opportunities for collaboration and explore possibilities for establishing new grassroots networks(in areas where they are currently lacking) in  TigrayCentral and Southern Ethiopia Regions and Addis Ababa city administrations.

2. OBJECTIVE AND   METHODOLOGY

                        2.1 Overall Objective

The primary objective of assessment is to identify challenges and existing opportunities for collaboration for existing  and explore possibilities for establishing new grassroots networks in  Tigray, Central Ethiopia Southern Ethiopia Regions and Addis Ababa city administration.

                    2.2 Specific Objectives

• Assess the existing CSO networks in target regions, focusing on identifying the challenges and opportunities for collaboration among grassroots CSOs Tigray region .
• Evaluate the existing collaborative capacities, networking arrangements, and partnerships within the local and grassroots CSO networks in Tigray region, regions.
• Assess the needs and areas of interventions for building new grassroot CSO networks in regions where such networks are currently lacking in  Addis Ababa, central and Southern regions.
• To assess and identify the capacity support to be provided to enhance the collaborative capacities of existing and emerging grassroots CSO networks in Addis Ababa, Tigray, central and Southern regions.
• Provide recommendations on strategies and approaches for strengthening existing networks and building new ones to enhance knowledge exchange, partnerships, and alignment with the government reform agenda

            2.3.Methodology

Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF),  requires a qualified consultant to collect reliable data using various methodologies including questionnaires, interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Desk Reviews and others. The consultant will validate findings(from the various stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental)  with appropriate sampling techniques and analyze data to produce a final report with actionable recommendations for collaboration in Tigray, as well as for establishing new grassroots networks in  Addis Ababa City administration,Central and Southern Ethiopia regions. ECSF expects a high-quality product to strengthen collaboration among existing CSOs and facilitate the establishment of new grassroots networks.

3.  SCOPE OF THE WORK

3.1 General

3.1.1    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 by focusing the following key  thematic  areas including:

                 3.1.1.1 Assessment of Existing CSO Networks

• A review of the existing local and grassroots CSO networks in Addis Ababa, Tigray, South Ethiopia and Central Ethiopia Regional States.
• Assess the collaborative capacities of these networks, including governance structures, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and engagement in advocacy and coalition-building.
• Identification of challenges faced by these networks in terms of governance, resource mobilization, and strategic engagement.
• Identification of opportunities for further collaboration among the existing networks and with other regional and national entities.

3.1.1.2 Assessment of Potential for Establishing New CSO Networks

• Assessment of potential CSO networks establishment in Addis Ababa, Central Ethiopia and Southern Ethiopia  regions, where grassroots CSO networks are currently lacking.
• Assess the interest, ownership, and momentum for establishing new networks in these target areas.
• Identification of the key stakeholders (CSOs, government bodies, community leaders) that should be engaged in network-building efforts
• Analysis of the local context, cultural factors, legal frameworks, and political environment that could impact the success and sustainability of new networks.

3.1.1.3 Identify Key Areas of Capacity Support to Strengthen CSO Network

• Provide a detailed analysis of capacity-building needs for existing and emerging networks
• Provide recommendations focusing on training and support in areas like coalition-building, networking, financial management, and sustainability planning.

3.1.1.4  Review of Legal and Statutory Requirements

• Explore the legal frameworks governing CSOs in Ethiopia, especially in the context of establishing new regional networks.
• Offer recommendations on the legalization process for networks and assist in identifying key statutory documents such as code of conduct, partnership agreements, memorandum, and financial management tools.

3.2. Specific Responsibilities of the Consulting Firm

The Consultant firm, in consultation with the Program Manager and technical staff of ECSF will carry out the following (not limited to the list) tasks:

1. Prepare and submit an inception report, such as  detailed work plan, conceptual and logical framework of the study and questionnaires as per the terms of reference.
2. Integrate comments and finalize the inception report, work plan, and questionnaires;
3. c) Prepare data collection tools(Key Informants Interview(KII), Focus Group Discussion(FGD) and other instruments – as necessary) and obtain client approval.
4. d) Undertake data collection activities
5. e) Undertake data cleaning, analysis and prepare draft assessment report to be submitted for client for review and comments;
6. f) Finalize assessment report, and attached annexes (quantitative data files, notes from all focus groups’ meetings/ key informants’ interviews, pictures, etc.);
7. g) Prepare presentation of a result for stakeholder validation and conduct debrief sessions.
8. h) Prepare and deliver the high quality final report by incorporating comments in hard and soft copies
9. i) Periodically report the progress of the task to the client

  4. MANAGEMENT AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Management

The  ECSF Program  Manager  shall be responsible for supervising this assignment in consultation with the Executive Director. Report will be made to the Eecutive Director and Program Manager . The Firm will also work very closely with any other Experts and stakeholders as appropriate. With the knowledge of ECSF, the consultant may consider incorporating other experts having the required skill and knowledge in the area for data analysis and other technical works.

4.2 Logistics

The client will provide to the consultant relevant information  when needed.  In addition to this the consultant is expected  to ensure designated qualified human resources for the proper  management of the assessment.

The total working days for this assignment are 4-6 weeks. The consulting firm  is expected to submit a detailed Works plan/ schedule of tasks in the Inception Report .

               4.3 . Required qualification and experiences:

4.3.1 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.

4.3.2 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.

             5 .  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 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.

      6.   Duration

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

        7.  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%

         8. Sealing and marking of Bids.

The bidder is expected to submit separately sealed Financial and technical proposals to

Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF) physical address, Bole Sub city, Woreda 03, around 22 Mazoria near Yohannes kitfo.

-Deadline for Proposals submission date July 23, 2025

Time and date for the submission: working weeks and working hours (2:30-11:30 local time).

The client has the right to cancel the bid, either fully or partially.