Terms of Reference (TOR)

Consultancy for the development of an Advocacy Charter

Organization: Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO)

Location: Remote/Ethiopia

Type: Consultancy

Duration: 4 weeks

1. Backgrounds

The Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations (CEHRO) is a Civil Society Organization registered under the Civil Society Organization (CSOs) Proclamation No. 1113/2011, Registration No. 3932. CEHRO is a Consortium of 32 CSOs working on Human Rights, Democracy, and sustainable peace.

CEHRO is committed to advancing the protection of civic space as its organizational priority as per its new Strategic Plan (2024–2028). As part of the ACHPR and UPR advocacy engagement in 2025, CEHRO aims to develop an Advocacy Charter for Civil Society Organizations that would serve as a guiding Framework outlining key positions, recommendations, and strategies for effective advocacy at the National, Regional, and Global levels.

It will also build the capacity of CSOs by clarifying procedures, requirements, and entry points for engaging with the ACHPR and the UPR Mechanisms.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultancy aims to:

1. Develop a comprehensive Advocacy Charter for CEHRO and its members.

2. Ensure the Charter reflects:

• National, regional, and international human rights commitments of the Government of Ethiopia, especially regarding Freedoms of Association, Assembly, and Civic Space issues.

• Clear guidance on CSO engagement at the National level. AU level (ACHPR) and UN level (UPR and Treaty mechanisms), including:

• The process and requirements for submitting shadow/alternative reports.

• Participation in the processes.

• Opportunities for advocacy at each level (e.g., written submissions, oral statements)

 3. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following activities:

3.1.  Desk Review

• Review Ethiopian government reports submitted to the ACHPR, UPR, and Treaty Mechanisms.

• Review CEHRO’s previous advocacy materials and strategies.

• Review concluding observations, recommendations from ACHPR, UPR, and Treaty mechanisms.

• Identify best practices in CSO advocacy within the National, Regional, and UN systems, with particular attention to the Ethiopian context.

• Consult relevant stakeholders to enrich the content of the charter.

3.2. Drafting the Advocacy Charter

Develop a draft Advocacy Charter including:

• Purpose and vision.

• Key advocacy priorities.

• Recommended advocacy strategies and approaches.

• Practical guidance on CSO engagement at the National. ACHPR UN human rights mechanisms:

• Timelines and procedures for shadow/alternative reports.

• Roles of the mechanisms, special mechanisms, and state reporting sessions.

3.3.  Validation and Finalization

• Present draft to CEHRO for review and feedback.

• Revise and finalize the Charter, incorporating feedback.

4.  Deliverables

• Draft Advocacy Charter (for review and feedback).

• Final Advocacy Charter (incorporating comments).

5. Job Requirements:

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Human Rights, International Relations, Law, or related fields.

• Experience: 5+ years

• Proven experience in advocacy strategy development and policy advocacy engagement.

• Strong knowledge of Ethiopian civic space, human rights landscape, and regional/international mechanisms (ACHPR, UN human rights mechanisms including UPR and treaty mechanisms).

• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.

• Experience in stakeholder consultation and facilitation.

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs on time.

 6.  Reporting

• The consultant will report to CEHRO’s Project Coordinator and collaborate closely throughout the consultancy.

7.  Payment and Contract Terms

• Payment and other contractual terms, including confidentiality and intellectual property rights, will be outlined in the consultancy agreement.

How to Apply:

8.  Application Process

Interested consultants should submit:

1.    CV highlighting relevant experience (not more than 2 pages).

2.    A brief technical proposal (max 3 pages) outlining methodology and approach and financial proposal separately.

3.    Sample of previous work or portfolio related to advocacy strategy/charter development.

4.    A separate financial proposal.

Deadline for Application: October 15, 2025.

Submit Applications via email: humanresources@cehro.org