Proposed function: Consultancy Services to Conduct Organizational Disability Audit

General information on the We Are Able! programme

VNG International is the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG). Being part of VNG, one of the oldest and strongest local government associations in the world, our roots in local government are deep. It is second nature for us to work at both the technical and political level of local government.

VNG International is implementing various programs in Ethiopia including We are Able! Program. The We are Able! programme strives at co-creating inclusive governance for access to basic resources that leaves no one behind. We are able! focuses on empowerment, amplifying voices and creating resilience among people (including men, women and youth) with disabilities (also referred to as PWDs) and other excluded groups, particularly those faced with food insecurity in areas of protracted crises. While PWDs are the core target group of the We are able! program, we create benefits for other excluded groups like vulnerable women, youth in general, marginalized ethnic groups and internally displaced persons (IDPs), as applicable per context. The programme, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is being implemented by a consortium consisting of ZOA, the African Disability Forum, SeeYou Foundation (Light for the World), the Leprosy Mission Netherlands, VNG International and The Hague Academy for Local Governance. The programme is implemented together with local partners in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

In Ethiopia, the We Are Able! programme operates in Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia (Dedar, Haromaya, Babile and Gursum Weredas), & Addis Ababa City Administration (Yeka, Gulele, Kolfe Keranio & Nifas Silk Lafto Sub Cities). 

VNG International will under this program focus on lobby and advocacy and will implement and coordinate the activities under Pathway III: ‘Strengthening Public Authorities’. For Pathway III, WaA! specifically targets Public Authorities (both technical + political staff), CSOs/OPDs and citizens. This Pathway includes a strong capacity development component (training, action learning, technical assistance, coaching, etc.), as well as community planning and budgeting.

As an entry point for capacity building of partner public authorities, VNGI has planned to conduct disability audit of the public authorities in We are Able! target areas. To this end, VNGI would like to invite a consultant with a required qualification, expertise, and experience to conduct the planned audit.

Aim of this assignment

The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to assess disability inclusion status of targeted public authorities in the We are Able! program implementation areas (Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia (Dedar, Haromaya, Babile and Gursum Weredas), & Addis Ababa City Administration (Yeka, Gulele, Kolfe Keranio & Nifas Silk Lafto Sub Cities).

Findings of the assessment will be used to provide technical support for the public authorities located in the We Are Able! program implementation areas to improve their disability inclusiveness

Activities to be performed 

• Use Disability Inclusion Score Card (DISC) and awareness assessment tool to conduct the disability audit
• Managing the data collection process, analyzing and interpreting the collected data
• Summarizing the key findings of the disability audit including strength and limitations of the audited organizations
• Prepare joint action plan with the public authorities to address the identified limitations

Outputs

• Inception report that includes methodology/tools and a clearly defined work schedule for the assignment;
• Draft disability audit report (with findings and joint action plans) for comments by VNGI team;
• Final report incorporating comments and inputs from VNGI team in soft and hard copies.

Reporting Requirements

• Inception report at the beginning of the assignment
• Draft report
• Final report at the end of the assignment

Period of the assignment

• 30 Calendar Days starting from the signing of a contract document.

Place of the assignment

• Dire Dawa, Harari, Oromia (Dedar, Haromaya, Babile and Gursum Weredas), & Addis Ababa City Administration (Yeka, Gulele, Kolfe Keranio & Nifas Silk Lafto Sub Cities)

Job Requirements

Required profile of the expert

• The lead consultant must have a MA degree or equivalent in special needs education
• The assessment team must be composed of professionals in food security and community development with a proven experience in disability issues
• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian policies, laws and guidelines related to disability inclusion
• Excellent written, and oral communication skills in Afaan Oromo, Amharic and English

How to Apply

Within 10 calendar days from the date of this announcement.

Potential individuals 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 e-mail to weareabelconsultancy@gmail.com or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope at VNGI Office, located in Yeka Sub-city, Woreda 09 Gurd Shola area, on Asmara Road across Century Mall, at Asier Building. For further information, contact Tel. 0967710937