The Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Forum (ECSF), which was established in 2013, is a national umbrella of networks and consortia of civil society organizations. ECSF envisions: To see active civil society participation alongside effective, responsive and accountable governance in Ethiopia with active civil society participation. The mission of the Forum is enhancing constructive positive engagement and influence by doing research and advocating for the political development of the country- Ethiopia.
To realize its vision and mission, the ECSF is involved in various evidence-based advocacy actions particularly to expand the civic space and enhance positive citizen-state engagements at different levels.
Since its establishment in 2013, the ECSF has registered commendable achievements that contribute towards the opening and expanding space for the Civil Society Organization to operate substantially. The forum exerted unreserved effort for Better CSOs Space, and enabling environment for CSOs through institutional development of the CSOs sector. The Forum had made effective advocacy and lobby to reconsider the proclamation 621/2009, by organizing in-house consultation meetings with the high officials of the then government including: The Ministry of Federal and Pastoralist Development Affairs (MoFPDA), Prime Minister, Attorney General office and HoPR. After the general reform of the government, the ECSF has got a responsibility to ensure the full engagement of CSOs sector in the drafting process of the New CSOs law in close collaboration with The Legal and Justice Affairs Advisory Council established under FDRE Attorney General Office (AGO), since April 2018 Accordingly, the ECSF has accomplished a ground work, it had given the opportunity to own the the input collection process of the proclamation drafting at national level and in the entire regions, as well. Through consultation made within 9 regional states and Dire Dawa1 and Addis Ababa City administrations, whilst 1,060 participants engaged. It was the most successful and historic moment in the history of CSO in Ethiopia in which all many CSO representative reached in the drafting stage of proclamation that is the bottom up approach, whilst The Forum has played a vital and leading role. Moreover, the forum able to mobilize 500 participants representatives CSOs to take part in the public hearing Public hearing on the draft Proclamation, organized by standing committee of the HoPR. In collaboration with the ACSO, ECSF also achieved commendable results in organizing familiarization workshop in organizing 17 workshops for 1,676 representatives of CSOs, Gov’t Officials and other stakeholders on the new proclamation in all regions, AA, & DD City Administration. The Forum with the close consultation and joint action of ACSO and its key members played key roles in the preparation process of the major documents that meant to serve the Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Council [ECSOC].
Subsequently, the forum facilitated awareness creation programs on the relevant Laws, Code of Conduct, safeguarding, and etc., to abide with principles, standards, and laws in the operation of the CSOs. ECSF successfully had organized Familiarization training on Code of Conduct for 428 participants, and create awareness on 8 directives for more than 800 CSOs leaders drawn from individual CSOs and Consortia (Networks at national and all regions of the country.
Moreover, ECSF has positively influenced its members to engage in the National Agendas as priority area for the maximum benefit of the citizen. Regional consultation workshops were held on the role and mission of various regional actors, including regional CSO networks, in citizen state engagements, conflict resolution, peace building, and the approaching national conversation. It has also hosted regional advocacy workshops in six regions on the importance and level of participation of regional CSOs/their Networks in identifying and deciding on matters of interest, such as policy and government budget, and how legislation is formed, repealed, or changed. Another initiative was to establish a platform for regional CSOs to meet and learn from one another. To that aim, the Forum has organized two experience-sharing and learning workshops for CSO network leaders in order to foster networking and enragement. The experience sharing workshop allowed regional CSO networks to exchange their experiences and learn ways to promote active participation of CSOs in their particular regions in significant national agendas, policies, and law-making processes.
However, it is observed that, CSOs are still not in a position to play active role [take participation] in the national agendas might be due to the effect of the past proclamation, the lack of institutional strengths and socio-political volatility of the country, except small number of organizations who are engaged in the human right advocacy.
With the background of the importance of CSOs role in the policy and law formulation; and hence, this ToR is to employ a qualified consultant/firm to conduct a sample-based national survey (rapid assessment) on the role and level of engagement of CSOs and their regional networks in CSOs Law making process and key National Agendas namely- conflict resolution, peace building, and national dialogue
Objective of the Survey
The overall objective of the sample-based national survey is to assess the level of engagement of CSOs and their regional networks in the CSOs’ law-making process and key national agendas such as conflict resolution, peace building, and national dialogue.
The Specific Objectives of the survey include:
To identify the extent to which CSOs and their regional networks are engaged in the regional New CSOs’ regional proclamations making, adoption and ratification processes.
To identify the key challenges, and
To articulate key lessons and practices from the different level of engagements and participation of CSOs and their regional networks in the making of regional CSO laws.
Expected outcome
The assessment expected to reveals the extent and gaps CSOs and their regional networks engagement in the CSOs’ law-making process, and key national agendas [such as conflict resolution, peace building, and national dialogue]. It also would show the key challenges and key lessons, and practices for the necessary future interventions. Ultimately the assessment finding will provoke the CSOs and their regional networks to courageously and actively take part in the law making process and national agendas that affects the livelihood of their constituency and themselves too.
Scope. of the Work
Geographically, the assessment scope will cover three regional states of Ethiopia: Sidama, Somali and B. Gumuz. It is important to note that, the three regions have already endorsed their proclamation.
The ECSF will be responsible for facilitating entry-level communications with regional stakeholders to enable the consultant/firm to conduct the assessment in smooth technical and administrative environments. The key target groups of the assessment will be CSOs registered and/or working in the three target regions and their regional Networks. In fact, the individual CSOs may be either local or international organizations.
The consultant/firm will closely work with the ECSF under the guidance of a Focal Person assigned from the Organization. The consultant/firm will lead and guide the entire process of the assessment and the development of the report. This will include but not be limited to:
Conduct desk review of the relevant documents such as the CSOs proclamation/regional CSOs laws, minutes, proceedings, and other publications.
Determine and design appropriate techniques to the assessment that the ECSF could most effectively meet its aims in the business.
Prepare data collection tools, get approval from the ECSF, and utilize them accordingly.
Collect the necessary primary and secondary data.
Data processing, analysis and writing up of the assessment report.
Prepare and submit draft and final reports of the assessment.
Present major findings of the assessment during a validation workshop.
Finalize the assessment report and submit to the ECSF, both in print and electronic versions.
Methodology
The assessment will employ qualitative study, i.e. qualitative methods and instruments. The data collection techniques will include Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and open-ended questionnaires. These techniques will provide insights into the context and help explain the responses of the target groups, and the justifications behind their thoughts as well, which will then lead to further contextual understanding and analysis of issues.
However, the Consultant/firm may come up with alternative or complementary methodologies in the Technical Proposal or Inception Report beyond the ones stated in this ToR. Hence, those methods will be considered in the assessment process after discussion with and approval from the ECSF.
Key Deliverables of the Assignment
The following are key deliverables expected from the consultancy service:
a. Inception Report – in a manner that could provide the ECSF with the opportunity to affirm the objectives of the assessment, and verify the data collection instruments, methodologies, work plan, team management, etc. of the assignment. The report shall also contain the data collection tools for the approval of the ECSF.
b. The draft report of the assessment- this include an analysis of the findings, the methodology, the process, recommendations and other relevant sections. The final report incorporates inputs from the validation report. Hence the ECSF will get the opportunity to forward its reflections and inputs that will help the development of the final assessment report.
c. PowerPoint presentation of the major findings of the final assessment and present to participants during the validation workshop (after the draft report is accepted).
d. Final assessment report. The report will constitute the following major components:
Executive summary (concluding statements and recommendations).
Background, methodology, key findings and analysis of the assessment, and conclusion that answer the questions in the data collection tools against the specific objectives of the assessment.
Clear recommendations for future engagements and actions.
Annexure - supporting documents such as the ToR, data collection tools, field work recordings, consent form, minutes of meetings/discussions, list of reference materials, list of participants, etc.
Implementation period
The consultant/firm should accomplish the assignment in a maximum of 45 consecutive days as of the date of signing the contract. Study shall be accomplished before end of December 2023. Detail Action plan shall be presented by the Consultant as part of the inception report.
Job Requirement
Qualification of the Consultant/s
Master’s degree in the areas of Social science research, Law, Statistics, Economics, Management, or development studies.
At least 5 year of proven experience in conducting social science researches, demonstrated experience of conducting assessment in legal instruments and judiciary processes, undertaking assessments in development projects coordinated by civil societies; experience in accomplishing assessments employing qualitative methods.
Proven analytical and report writing skills.
Experience in the use of participatory assessments and national survey methodologies.
Demonstrable technical knowledge of the civil society sector and law making processes in the Ethiopian context and the philanthropic industry in the overall.
