Mapping and Assessment of Engagement Platforms

Background

The Civil Society Support Program Phase 2 (CSSP2) is a capacity development programme designed to support the development of Ethiopia’s civil society to “contribute to inclusive and accountable governance; and an improved environment for the promotion and protection of the human rights of all Ethiopians”. To achieve this grand objective, the programme has identified three thematic areas (gender transformation, young people and citizen-state engagement) and has taken a human rights-based approach as its key strategic approach. In addition to funding local CSOs, the programme provides technical and capacity development support through various means. CSSP2 also works with relevant government stakeholders to build their capacity and create space and platforms for effective civic engagement and learnings.

CSSP2 is funded by the people of United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, and Norway. The programme is managed by the British Council, in consortium with Pact UK and Social Development Direct. The pogramme has established five regional Hubs -at Dessie, Dire Dawa, Assosa, Hawassa and Addis Ababa-reporting to the secretariat in Addis Ababa so as to provide closer support to CSOs. 

Engagement is one of the key work streams of the programme which aims to facilitate the creation and deepening of an enabling environment for the CSO sector, enhance collaboration between government and CSOs, and strengthen engagement platforms between citizens and state for access to equitable services, and the protection and promotion of human rights. Accordingly, CSSP2 adopts multidimensional, multitiered, contextualized, gendered , inclusive and adaptive strategic approaches. Among others, its citizen-state engagement strategic approach is anchored on the realization that meaningful and sustainable engagement will be realized when collaborative, co-creative , and influencing platforms are established; are institutionally well-resourced with the required technical expertise and operational capacity; adopt an iterative programming and policy influencing strategy capable of responding to developments in the socio-economic and political milieu; and are accessible to all citizens. As such, the programme aims to map, assess and analyze available engagement platforms at federal and regional levels. 

Purpose of Mapping and Assessment

The purpose of the call is to invite interested service providers with relevant qualification and experience to do a mapping and an assessment of the availability, strength and efficacy of regional and federal level engagement platforms. Engagement platforms are defined as formal or semi-formal, ad-hoc or regular, geographically and/or thematically organized consultation, collaboration, learning and/or influencing spheres whereby CSOs, non-state actors, citizens and/or government interact to identify common agenda/issues of public interest to (in) directly enhance participatory, accountable and transparent governance, and pursue other national development endeavors. Such platforms serve as mechanisms to facilitate multidirectional citizen-state engagement in pursuit of the common good. In tandem with CSSP2’s focus on building and deepening trust and confidence between government and CSOs, and strengthen citizen-state engagement fora, CSSP2 has found it imperative to map existing engagement platforms and assess their capacity for meaningful citizen empowerment. A comprehensive and nuanced understanding of such platforms is pivotal to inform CSSP2’s 

•  aim to support existing engagement platforms to be, strong, vibrant, gender transformative and inclusive spaces to advance the promotion and protection of human rights
• interest to support the creation of issue/thematic based engagement platforms capable of influencing positive institutional and behavioural transformation which advance the rights of citizens in general, and hard to reach/marginalized groups, in particular and 
• design collaborative learning and engagement forums aligned to CSSP2’s strategic thematic focus areas including peacebuilding and conflict management 

In view of achieving the aforementioned goals, the mapping and assessment of engagement platforms is expected to generate actionable analytical report providing insight on the following indicative areas;

• A politico-legal analysis of the operational context within which citizens, CSOs, government and other non-state actors engage/interact
• Pathways to engagement amongst CSOs, Government, citizens and other non-state actors in Ethiopia
• Profile of existing engagement platforms at the federal and regional level including forms of organization, ‘membership’ recruitment, retention and development modality, influencing strategies and thematic/sectoral focus  
• Assessment of existing engagement platforms vis-à-vis gender equality, disability and social inclusion (both inwards looking at the engagement platforms’ structure and operation modality, and outwards focusing on the services they render to the polity). 
• Assessment of existing engagement platforms vis-à-vis capacity and efficacy to enhance citizens’, CSOs’ and non-state actors’ power for active and meaningful participation in decision making process at local and federal administration tiers
• Assessment of existing engagement platforms vis-à-vis capacity and efficacy to enhance citizens’, CSOs’ and non-state actors’ power peacebuilding and conflict resolution. 
• Mechanisms of collaboration/coordination of these engagement platforms along with a stakeholder mapping, analysis and engagement framework 
• Comparative overview of engagement platforms at federal and regional level; platforms organized geographically and thematically; and other relevant comparable variables   SWOT analysis of existing engagement platforms. 
• Areas requiring intervention and support to either create or strengthen engagement platforms 

Role and Specific Tasks Of the Service Provider

The service provider(s) will have the following roles and specific tasks.

• Take part in inception meeting organized by CSSP2 management team
• Develop an inception report including conceptual framework, gendered methodological approach, and data collection tools with detailed and time bound action plan within 5 days of contract singing 
• Incorporate feedback provided by CSSP2 on inception report, data collection and analysis instruments, and action plan
• Conduct mapping and capacity assessment which covers all regions and the two city  administrations and the federal level
• Conduct engagement stakeholder mapping and analysis 
• Prepare draft report, recommendations, and action plan and submit to CSSP2 for feedback
• Conduct debriefing and input collection meeting with CSSP2 and key stakeholders
• Prepare and submit final report incorporating inputs from CSSP2 and key stakeholders
• Observe and adhere to CSSP2’s safeguarding protocols and procedures
• Adhere to the agreed methodologies, approaches of conducting the assessment, scope of the study as well as reporting schedules

Technical proposal 

The technical proposal should be sound with clear objectives, conceptual framework, methodological approach (including sampling methods, data collection tools, and analytical approach), stakeholder mapping and analysis framework; brief literature review and a work plan. The indicative work plan should show all days planned including travel dates and timeline for the different components of the work. 

Cost of the assignment (financial proposal/offer). 

This will account for 30% of the total selection criteria. The cost should be in Birr inclusive of all costs. Points to be considered during assessment of the financial offer include

Deliverables

The consulting firms/service providers are expected to prepare and submit the following: 

(1)  Inception report with data collection instruments and workplan 

(2) Draft mapping and assessment report with recommendations

(3)  Stakeholder mapping, analysis and management report

(4) Action plan for the recommendations identified through the assessment

(5)  Power Point presentations for the debriefing session

(6)  Final report incorporating all comments from CSSP2; 

Note: The final products of the assignment will be the property of CSSP2. 

Place and Duration of The Assessment 

The service provider can work from home when preparing the assessment plan and the draft and final reports. The debrief meeting will be in CSSP2 office or at a place designated by the CSSP2. The service provider is expected to collect primary data from informants including CSOs, government and non-state actors at the federal and regional level. The service providers are expected to complete the task within 25 days between Nov 2020 and 25 Dec 2020. 

Conflict of Interest

In order to ensure the impartiality of service providers, the service providers should be independent from the institutional structure of the Programme (CSSP2), CSOs getting support and other parties involved in CSSP2. Each service provider will be required to sign a declaration of conflict of interest. The selected service provider must demonstrate appropriate ethical conduct and must respect the confidentiality of the information and documents to which they will have access in the CSOs and CSSP2.

Safeguarding is an integral element of CSSP2’s structure and operational modality, and it has zero tolerance for abuse. CSSP2 believes that everyone has the responsibility to ensure that children, girls, women and adults at risk are safeguarded from any form of violence or abuse.

 Consultants are expected to sign safeguarding code of conduct. 

Coordination, Reporting and Liaison 

The service provider will be directly working with and reporting to the engagement and influence lead/DTL, who is responsible to liaison with the programme senior management team (SMT) of CSSP2, who in turn give overall guidance and direction.  

Job Requirements

Selection Procedure and Requirements

Selection of consulting firms/service providers will be based on the following criteria.

A. Relevant qualification and experience and technical proposal. This will account for 70% of the assessment score. Service providers/consulting firms shall fulfill the following competency , knowledge and skills requirements based on review of technical proposal and evidence provided 

• Substantive knowledge and understanding of civil society sector , CSOs’ operational context, and civil society-state relations 
• Proven track record in designing and conducting analysis that utilize gendered and participatory research methods 
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in conducting a gender, disability and social inclusive capacity assessment  
• Experience in conducting mixed research data collation and synthesis and ability to write a strong analytical and actionable report. 
• Ability to conceptualize and analyze problems and to identify key issues and underlying action oriented recommendation
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis for programmes 
• Experience in developing SMART action plans  Fluency in English and at least two local languages 
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English. 
• In case of group based applications (group of individuals, or consultancy firms),the service providers must clearly indicate key personnel included in the task and the team lead. In cases of group based applications, CSSP2 expects a gender balanced team. Core team members are expected to have: 
• At least eight years of relevant professional experience; 
• Demonstrated experience in doing similar assessments in CSO or other sector;
• Observe and adhere to the programme’s safeguarding protocols and procedures 
• Good command of report writing skill in English language. 
• Excellent analytical, coordination and management skills
• Good interpersonal skills and capacity to liaise with actors from various sectors 

Education     

A minimum of Master’s Degree in human rights, political science, development studies, public  administration, or other related social sciences is required. A thorough knowledge of civil society related issues, with particular emphasis on the context of civil society in Ethiopia is essential.  

How to Apply

Interested service providers are requested to submit all of the following requirements in a sealed envelope to be considered. 

1. Letter of Interest, 
2. Curriculum Vitae, 
3. Copies of diplomas, certificates and references of key personnel that may be requested before the contracting
4. Technical proposal;
5. Evidence of experience in undertaking similar assignment from funding agencies/donors;
6. Detailed cost of assignment (cost per materials and professional fee/day)*. 

Application closing date

Interested consulting firms/ service providers should submit the requirements mentioned under Section 9 above before 23 November 2020 either at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil or email selamawit.workineh@cssp2-et.org. You may also deliver it in a sealed envelope to CSSP2 Office located at Bole, Addis Ababa next to Bole mini | 6th floor on the SEVITA Building during working hours on or before 23 November 2020.

For registration and application, please visit https://in-tendhost.co.uk/britishcouncil/aspx/Home

For more information: contact CSSP2 Office: Telephone: +251(0)116153411

Note: The service providers are expected to possess equipment such as audio recorders, laptops and other equipment’s necessary for the assessment