Background on Tearfund

Who we are: We are a Christian organization partnering with the local church wherever possible to see change in the lives of those in greatest economic need. We believe poverty is caused by broken relationships with God, others, the environment and ourselves, and working to see those relationships restored is key to how we work. We want to see change that is economic, material, environmental and spiritual.

Project Overview

As part of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MOFA) political agenda of strengthening civil society under the Power of Voices policy framework, JISRA (Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action), an interfaith partnership will promote Freedom of Religion of Belief (FoRB) in Oromia, Amhara, and SNNPR regional states, and Finfinne Zuria Woreda and Addis Ababa City Administration, Ethiopia. The partnership is an interfaith consortium comprising Tearfund, Faith to Action Network and with local partners. The JISRA partnership includes Catholic, Islamic, Protestant, interreligious and secular partners and local partners. Through the program, the partnership aims to: 

• Strengthen the voice of religious actors in civil society and in nurturing civic space
• Leverage religious actors’ constructive role in high level advocacy
•  Build on the consortium’s extensive FoRB experience and best practices
• Specifically focus on women and youth
• The baseline study will take a mixed method approach, combining desk review, survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

Baseline Goal

 In view of its mandate, the JISRA Ethiopia Consortium led by Tearfund Ethiopia needs a comprehensive baseline assessment to acquire facts on awareness and perception of what the JISRA program will be doing in Ethiopia. The information will be used to reinforce the Monitoring and Evaluation framework of JISRA program and to measure the results of the program. Basically, the aim of the baseline is to collect key data to inform implementation and subsequent monitoring and evaluation of the program.

Baseline objectives

1. Determine pre-program conditions against which future changes can be measured by establishing the baseline conditions for the indicators listed in the results framework and through a more qualitative description of the current dynamics as they affect FORB within the project areas.
2. Provide input on the validity of the three pathways of change and their interactions with each other, as described the Theory of Change, based on the findings from the study
3. Provide recommendations on adjusting program strategies based on findings from the study
4.  Feed the knowledge and learning agenda for the program, to support evidence-based advocacy 
5. Support accountability objectives vis-à-vis target groups, identified stakeholders and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the donor
6. To draw information that will assist the program team to develop appropriate and timely messaging and advocacy campaigns.

Timeframe and Deliverables

 The period of this consultancy is a maximum of 30 days. This consultancy needs to start from August 16 to September 14, 2021 with an estimated timeframe of 30 days, including survey tool preparation, travel, and training of partner staff who are supporting the data collection and can be a combination of in-country and home-based working days and can be also non-continuous.

The baseline consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

1.  Baseline assessment work plan and inception report completed within the first three days and consist of the assignment as agreed upon by the program team. S/he will coordinate with the partners’ teams who will assist in the field.
2.  Design of baseline assessment tools, sample household survey and FGD questions (based on thematic indicators and Light Wheel domains). Survey questions should be piloted to ensure the language is appropriate and understandable.
3. First Draft of baseline report covering the data analysis.
4. Final Baseline Report: The report should be in English, 20 pages (excluding annexes), and consist of:

• Executive Summary
• Description of the baseline methodology and process
• Context analysis and risk analysis for the program
• Findings with regards to the baseline research questions (see above)
• Data analysis
• Set targets for baseline values
• Power analysis and capacity assessment of the consortium
• Conflict analysis and gender mainstreaming.
• Baseline on the national advocacy strategy and knowledge programs
• Conclusion and recommendations
• List of abbreviations
• Annexes

For more details and application click the link

Job Requirements

Consultant Expertise 

• A legally registered and renewed consultancy license with relevant credentials
•  Minimum 8-10 years applied experience in research and Design, Monitoring & Evaluation and baseline study experience in peacebuilding projects
• Minimum of post-graduate level degree in law, conflict studies, human rights, religious studies, gender studies, social anthropology, political science, demography, social sciences or any other field relevant to the ToR requirements. PhD. preferred
• Professional experience in the area of Freedom of Religion and Beliefs (FoRBs), peace building in intergroup conflict, conflict resolution, and Interreligious tolerance, peace and security, human rights, gender, youth and/or development preferably in Oromia, Amhara, Sidama and SNNPR regional states
• Knowledge and skills on advocacy and engagements of state authorities change
• Proven quantitative and qualitative research and analytical skills (candidates should provide a copy of baseline/evaluation reports produced)
• Knowledge of logical and results frameworks
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Strong background in participatory design, monitoring and evaluation methodologies
• Knowledge of the use of peace and conflict assessment tools, behavior change communications and media
• Work experience in aforementioned regions in Ethiopia
• Fluent in English and Amharic

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application to tearfund.ethiopia@tearfund.org no later than 07 August 2021. 

1. Cover letter: A letter addressing the baseline study criterion and indicating availability during the proposed baseline study timeframe (maximum 2 sides of A4)
2. CVs for the consultant(s) who will undertake the baseline study, detailing relevant experience (maximum 4 sides of A4 )
3. Technical Proposal for the baseline study: which addresses the attached TOR. This should include the consultant’s (or consultants’) understanding of the TOR and its objectives; the proposed methodology and analytical framework (linked to the baseline research questions); work plan/schedule, main risks and how these will be mitigated (maximum 6 sides of A4)
4. Financial Proposal: The financial proposal shall specify a lump sum amount breaking down the professional fee and associated cost for each deliverable, and travel-related costs. Prices quoted should be inclusive of all costs and taxes and must be expressed in Ethiopian Birr
5. Two examples of similar baseline study reports written by the applicant. If these were co-authored, then please include a description of the role of the named Consultant. preferably in the areas of peacebuilding and interreligious relationships

NB: Application with missing required documents will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.