ToR to Undertake Operational Research on Lobby and Advocacy towards Ensuring Food Security of Persons with Disabilities.

 Introduction

The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is a leading international Christian Organization with over 147 years of experience, active in over 30 countries, with over 200 projects working towards the vision of “Leprosy Defeated, Lives Transformed.”

In Ethiopia, TLM-Ethiopia is involved in leprosy, disability and socio-economic related activities. TLM seeks to empower Persons affected by Leprosy and Persons with Disabilities in Ethiopians to increase their capacity and dignity. The leprosy Mission International Ethiopia / TLMI-E / is one of the member of The Global TLM Fellowship which is registered with Charities and Society Agency on 29^th July 2013 with registration number 3097; and 2019 re-registered according to the revised Agency of Civil Society Organization. In collaboration with partners, TLMI-E has been intervening in different regions including Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Addis Ababa and other regions of Ethiopia.

 Context Background

TLMI-E in collaboration with its two local implementing partners (Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development-ECDD and Ethiopian National Associations of Persons Affected by Leprosy-ENAPAL) and consortium partner organizations namely the African Disability Forum, See You Foundation (Light for the World), the Leprosy Mission Netherlands, VNG International, and The Hague Academy for Local Governance is implementing a five year disability inclusion program named ‘We are Able!’. The project objective is to successfully influence laws, policies, practices and norms for improved food security for all through engagement with public authorities (formal and informal power holders), men, women, youth with disabilities and other excluded group through resilient and capable local CSOs,/DPOs in Ethiopia, in four woredas of East Hararghe zone in Oromia Regional State, Dire Dawa city administration, Harari regional state and three sub cities of Addis Ababa city administration. The project is designed with the objective of strengthening Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Organizations for Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in their lobby and advocacy for sustainable and inclusive access to basic resources, contributing to improved food security. To achieve its objective, the project will work through three strategically linked pathways-1) community mobilization, 2) CSO and OPDs capacity building and 3) engaging local authorities.

 To create sustainable and inclusive access to basic resources, evidence-based lobby and advocacy is deployed as a strategy. In line with pathway two Theory of Change (ToC) 2.2: CSOs/DPOs are capable to conduct effective lobby and advocacy and influence practices and norms for inclusive governance, research/assessment on lobby and advocacy towards ensuring food security would help to identify existing experience/approach and recommend tailored, practical and contextualized strategies to successfully influence the public authorities and amplify voices of persons with disabilities. Therefore, TLMI-E would like to invite a consultant with a required qualification, expertise, and experience to the research/assessment.

 Objective of the consultancy Work

The purpose of this research assignment is to conduct an assessment on Lobby and Advocacy towards Ensuring Food Security of PwDs in We Are Able intervention areas: East Hararghe, Harar, Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa. To conduct an analysis of disability-related proclamations and policies such as UNCRPD in order to highlight the various lobby and advocacy strategies that will be conducted to improve/ensure food security of persons with disabilities. The document will be used by Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Charities and Societies Organizations -CSO, consortium members and Volunteers engaged in promoting disability inclusive development initiatives. Some of key research questions to be addressed listed below. In consultation with the consultant, some questions might be modified and added.

• What are the lobby and strategy strategies and approaches used by OPDs and CSOs to improve/ensure food security of person with disabilities, and what results it brought?
• What are the major internationally ratified and national policy that placed to promote food security of persons with disabilities, what specific principles on food security and what progress made so far?
• Which groups (sex, disability type, leprosy and age) are particularly food insecure, vulnerable and/or marginalized, and why? Which groups food secure and active in lobby and advocacy initiatives for improved food security
• Which lobby and advocacy strategies and approaches (cognizant of socio-economic analysis of the area) would efficiently ensure food security of persons with disabilities with particular focus to entitlement to water and land?

Research Methodology

The exact methodology is to be determined by the research team, guided by TLMI-E. However, the following are suggested for consideration:

• Qualitative type of research methods to be conducted in all We Are Able Intervention areas. The research team is expected to propose methodology of intervention.
• Utilization of secondary data gathered through desk review, in addition to focus-group discussions, key informant interviews and close-ended questionnaires to gather primary data; and related relevant methods 

  Scope of Work

The Research team is expected to work in consultation with the TLMI-E team in designing, developing and implementing this research project. The following key components are envisioned:

Inception Report to include

• Design, development and finalization of the research methodology: In consultation with the TLMI-E team and with substantial input by the research consultants particularly on the field research methodologies to help build capacity on research methodologies, the research consultant will be expected to design a research methodology best suited to meet research objectives.
• Development of research protocol: The research team will develop a research protocol, including confidentiality form for the research, to facilitate the process of implementing the Project in an effective, culturally appropriate, gender-sensitive, and ethical manner. Literature Review: The research team is expected to divide the literature review amongst themselves with the research consultant reviewing all English written documents and the research consultants team providing a summary (in English) of all applicable documents. The Literature review should consider the following to be reviewed as related to lobby and advocacy ensuring food security of Person with disabilities and other excluded group: Research reports done by government, OPDs, civil- society, non-government and international organizations; Legal and policy documents including the National Youth Policy and the National Constitution; Latest survey data and issues on lobby and Advocacy from different media sources; relevant key global policy documents. Review and understanding of the  global and national context of  disability and disability inclusive development.
• Outline of Final Report: The research consultant will also produce the outline for the final report that will contain at least the following: Executive Summary of the research findings (max 5 pages; with reference to: Purpose of the research, methodology used, findings, recommendations), Background, Key findings, Recommendations and Annexes (District and gender, disability type, Tools used for KII, FGDs, survey instrument, List of stakeholders consulted/interviewed and sites visited, Confidential agreement signed by the respondents) 

Data analysis and Reporting: The research consultant will produce a first draft report including recommendations, based on the analysis of the data. To support the first draft, the researchers team will produce translated and transcribed notes of the FDGs, KIIs and Survey Instrument, including preliminary analysis of data collected.

Final report: the research consultant responsible producing the research final report in hard and soft copies

 Duration of the Assignment 

The assignment will be implemented within 30 Calendar Days starting from signing of a contract document. Payment shall be made upon submission of deliverables as per the following millstones, and approval of the same by TLMI-E.

 Logistic arrangement 

In order to properly implement the survey process logistic played a crucial role, as a result two vehicles will be rented for the survey purpose alone. One rented vehicle will support the research at East Hararghe, Dire Dawa and Harar and the remaining one vehicle will support the study at Addis Ababa target areas. All the accommodation and per diem of the data collectors and supervisors; and transport allowance for the interviewees (persons with disabilities) will be covered by the consultant. 

Mode Of Payment

Payment InstallmentDeliverablesPortion1^st Installment Upon signing the agreement and submission of a blueprint including work plan, methodology of the research process and content.30%2^nd Installment Upon submission and endorsement of a draft research report by TLMI-E and successful presentation in the validation/discussion meeting with the presence of all key stakeholders and partners.50%3^rd Installment Upon submission of final comprehensive research20%

Job Requirements

Required Qualification, Skills, and Experience

• The consultant must have a post graduate degree in Human Rights Law, Human right study, Special Need Education, Development study, MA in sociology and social work
• At least five years of demonstrated knowledge and experience in conducting research and assessments
• Strong knowledge and experience on contextualized lobby and advocacy strategies/approaches; particularly on persons with disabilities entitlements to basic resources: food, land and water for improved food security
• Have proven knowledge of and experience in implementing research methodologies including quantitative and qualitative data collection methods
• Strong understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities/UNCRPD, other international human rights instruments, disability related national policies, and laws
• Be fluent in Amharic and English language. Familiarity with other local languages considered as an asset
• Have proven experience working as part of a research team; experience of collaborations with International researchers/ international research projects an advantage

How to Apply

Until 28 November 2021 from the date advertisement.

Potential individuals/companies who are interested to assume the assignment are requested to submit their professional license, CV, technical and financial proposals with all the necessary documents via: job.tlmethiopia@gmail.com or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope to the TLMI-E Office – Mekanisa-Kore, around EFDRE War College, BWTC building second floor, on the ground floor there are two banks: Commercial Bank and the Dashen Bank. For further information, contact Tel . 0942555529 / 0113698621