ToR to Prepare and disseminate policy briefs on selected thematic issues on the on the selected thematic issues of vulnerable women in Amhara region, Bahir dar

Job Description

Background of the donor and implementing partner

 UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. Established in October 2012, the UN Women  Country Office for Ethiopia works in close collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia through the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA) ,and other relevant Ministries and entities and CSOs,   the private sector, the UN Country Team, development partners and Women Rights Organizations   to advance the women’s national agenda, promote women’s empowerment and gender equality under the framework of its key thematic focus areas.

Ethiopian Centre for Development (ECD): ECD is a local NGO that was founded in 2004 and was recognised by the Ethiopian government as a local non-profit organisation (Register no. 1186). ECD aims to create better conditions and to improve access to opportunities for marginalised and impoverished children, young people and women, which will lead to an improvement in the livelihoods of everyone in the community. The goal of Ethiopian Centre for Development is to offer children living in poverty and young people who have been displaced, especially girls, better prospects for the future through education, training and the provision of financial support. Ethiopian Center for Development has been implementing an urban youth programme in Addis Ababa and will continue to do so, but due to the displacement effects of the northern Ethiopian crisis, a changed focus will be on the humanitarian needs of urban refugees in Addis Ababa. The program will work with the most vulnerable communities in the areas including refugees, IDPs and host communities depending on the context and needs. The program will provide humanitarian assistance to meet critical needs, while enhancing resilience and social cohesion within communities.

Background of the project

Ethiopia has signed and ratified various international and regional women rights legal and developmental frameworks which plead for a national effort for formulating national laws and policies which supports the rights and advantages of women in various positions. In addition to the legal procedures, the political and developmental environment has also created an enabling environment for the flourishing of civil society organizations that are mainly targeting women, especially of vulnerable and marginalized women to advocate their rights and benefits. Gender equality and women empowerment has been the center of the national effort for gender mainstreaming both at the governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

In spite of all the legal, political and developmental efforts made by the various gender actors in the country, the life of women has not yet been escaped from vulnerability.  Mostly women who are engaged in various informal working force, IDPs, rural women, refugee women and girls, victims and survivors of violence  has been given much less attention by those national political and legal efforts.

The Amhara national regional state is currently has become the destination for many of such underrated segments of the society. Even though there are numerous civil society organizations operating within the region, the voice of the target groups/the vulnerable women have not yet been addressed and represented in the decision making process and reflected through any policy outputs. One of the reasons for such under development of these efforts is the limited capacity of civil actors to advocate for the problem they stand for.

Like other developing countries, in Ethiopia, where women account about 49.8% of the total population, women are less participated and represented in leadership and decision making across socio-economic and political life.  In addition, women are also found being tapped in the chains of vulnerability and victimizations which requires significant actions of advocacy at higher level.  

 General Objective:

Outcome 1. A comprehensive national policy framework on GEWE in place and effectively implemented through strengthened accountability and monitoring mechanisms and enhanced engagement of women’s rights organizations

Output 1.1. Women’s rights organizations have strengthened capacity to influence gender- responsive policy and decision-making processes

Background and Introduction:

Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD), hereinafter referred to as "the Organization," is seeking the services of a qualified consultant or consultancy firm to prepare and disseminate policy briefs focusing on selected thematic issues affecting vulnerable women in Amhara Region, Bahirdar. The policy briefs will serve as advocacy tools to raise awareness, influence policy change, and promote the rights and well-being of vulnerable women.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The primary objectives of this consultancy are as follows:

• To review rapporteur’s minute from the policy dialogue conducted on selected thematic issues affecting vulnerable women prior to the consultation work
• To prepare high-quality policy briefs summarizing the findings from the policy dialogue, highlighting key recommendations, and providing evidence-based solutions.
•  To develop a dissemination strategy for the policy briefs, targeting relevant stakeholders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and the general public.
• To contribute to the empowerment and advancement of vulnerable women by promoting informed decision-making and policy change.

Scope of Work:

The consultant(s) will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of minutes prepared by a rapporteur during the policy dialogue on the selected thematic issues.
• Analyse and synthesize information to identify key findings, challenges, and potential solutions.
•  Develop clear and concise policy briefs (3 documents)
• Engage with stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations, to gather feedback on the policy briefs.
•  Create a dissemination plan outlining the target audience, channels, and timelines for sharing the policy briefs.

Deliverables:

• The consultant(s) should deliver the following key outputs:
• Policy briefs (3 documents) with clear recommendations.

• Dissemination plan.

Timeline:

• The consultancy is expected to be completed within a week including policy brief preparation, dissemination activities, and reporting.

Job Requirement

Qualifications and Expertise:

The consultant(s) should possess the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree or degree with equivalent experience in Gender Development, Social Sciences, Development Study’s, or comparable.
• Proven experience in conducting research and policy analysis, with a focus on gender and women's issues.
• Knowledge of the issues facing vulnerable women, including but not limited to, economic empowerment, healthcare, education, and social protection.
• Experience in developing and disseminating policy briefs and advocacy materials.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with relevant national and international policies and frameworks related to gender equality and women's rights.