Position: Expert to conduct a mapping of CSOs in Ethiopia 
Project:  European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES)- European Response to Electoral Cycle Support in Ethiopia II 
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contract Type: Consultancy
Duration: 3 months
Application Deadline: 03rd  of September 2025

About ECES and EURECS II

ECES is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit private foundation headquartered in Brussels with a global remit. ECES promotes sustainable democratic development through the provision of advisory services, operational support and management of large projects in the electoral and democracy assistance field. ECES works with all electoral stakeholders, including electoral management bodies, civil society organizations involved in voter education and election observation, political parties, parliaments, media, security forces, religious groups and legal institutions confronted with electoral disputes resolution

The European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) is implementing the second phase of the European Response to Electoral Cycle Support (EURECS II) in Ethiopia. This project aims to contribute to inclusive, transparent, and credible electoral processes, and strengthen the capacities of electoral stakeholders.

Position Summary

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a vital role in electoral processes—ranging from voter education, civic engagement, and election observation, to advocating for inclusive participation and electoral reforms. In Ethiopia, the CSO landscape has evolved significantly, especially following legal reforms such as the 2019 Proclamation on Civil Society Organizations. However, a comprehensive understanding of the active CSOs, their capacities, geographical reach, thematic focus, and engagement in electoral activities remains limited. This mapping exercise aims to fill that gap and inform strategies for future collaboration and support.

Key Responsibilities:

• To identify and categorize CSOs engaged or capable of engaging in the electoral process across Ethiopia.

• To assess their operational capacities, geographical presence, thematic areas of work, and past contributions.

• To analyze enabling and limiting factors affecting CSO participation in electoral processes.

• To recommend strategies for strengthening CSO engagement in future electoral cycles.

Scope of work

The expert will be responsible for the following:

• Document Review: Review relevant laws, policies, and prior mappings or studies on CSOs in Ethiopia.

• Design Mapping Tool: Develop a structured tool to capture CSO profiles, including thematic focus (e.g., voter education, observation, and inclusion), geographic coverage, registration status, and operational capacity.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Conduct interviews and consultations with key informants, including CSOs, the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), donors, and development partners.

• Data Collection: Administer the mapping tool (online, in-person, or via phone) to a representative sample of CSOs at national and regional levels.

• Data Analysis: Analyze CSO strengths, gaps, challenges, and opportunities in relation to the electoral process.

• Validation Workshop: Present preliminary findings for stakeholder feedback.

• Final Mapping Report: Deliver a comprehensive report with annexed directory/database of mapped CSOs.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in Law, political science, social field; any other field which prove the qualification of the candidate to conduct this study.

• A proven experience in conducting studies example of past studies conducted could be requested. 

• Demonstrated experience in managing legal reform, access to justice, governance, or rule-of-law programs.

• Knowledge on Ethiopian Law on inclusivity.

• Familiarity with international donor-funded project frameworks.

• Excellent communication, planning, and coordination skills.

• Ability to perform effectively under high pressure, hardship conditions and long working hours.

• Proven planning, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Attention to detail and results orientation.

• Sound judgment and political sensitivity.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.

• Knowledge of Amharic is mandatory.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their CV and a motivation letter to recruitment@eces.eu by 03rd   of September 2025. Please mention Expert in CSO mapping  – EURECS II" in the subject line of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.