1. Background
Ethiopia has been undergoing significant political, social, and economic transformations in recent years. Amidst these changes, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) has become increasingly vital in fostering democratic values, promoting civic engagement, and ensuring that citizens are informed and active participants in the democratic process.
The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a coalition of over 175 local civil society organizations dedicated to enhancing democracy and electoral processes in Ethiopia. CECOE’s mission is to build a more democratic society through education, advocacy, and active participation in electoral and political processes. CECOE has been at the forefront of efforts to empower citizens, monitor elections, and advocate for transparent and accountable governance.
CECOE is currently implementing a project titled “Civic Education for Better Civic Engagement and Political Participation in Ethiopia.” This project is funded by the German Government and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH under the “Support to Good Governance (S2GG) in Ethiopia”
Civic education is essential for empowering citizens with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to participate effectively in democratic processes. It helps citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, the workings of government, and the importance of their involvement in public life. Given the diverse and multilingual nature of Ethiopia, it is crucial to develop civic education materials that are accessible and culturally relevant to all segments of the population.
CECOE recognizes the need for a comprehensive Civic Education Manual to support its member organizations in delivering effective civic education programs. This manual will serve as a key resource for trainers and educators, providing them with the tools and knowledge to educate citizens about democracy, governance, and civic participation. The development of the manual will draw on the National Election Board of Ethiopia’s Civic and Voter Education Manual, and the Malawi Guide to Civic Education: The NICE Experience, as well as findings from the needs assessment to be conducted. Additionally, the manual will be accompanied by a validation workshop and a Training of Trainers (ToT) program to ensure that CECOE member organizations are well-equipped to utilize the manual in their respective regions and communities. Following the finalization of the manual, CECOE will engage in the production of infographics and educational videos which will be used to run civic education social media campaigns.
2. Objective
The main objective of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive Civic Education Manual, conduct a validation workshop, and provide training for CECOE member organizations. These efforts aim to improve the quality of civic education materials and campaigns and enhance the capacity of citizens to actively participate in public and political life.
3. Scope of Work
The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
A. Development of Civic Education Manual
- Conduct a needs assessment to gather relevant information for the manual.
- Develop a two-part Civic Education Manual:
- Part One: A step-by-step training guide for civic educators.
- Part Two: Training materials for civic education campaigns.
- Collaborate with a graphics designer consultant to develop infographics based on the Civic Education Material.
B. Validation Workshop
- Plan and organize a one-day validation workshop in Addis Ababa.
- Collect feedback from the workshop participants and incorporate it into the final manual.
C. Training of CECOE Member Organizations
- Develop a 3-day Training of Trainers (ToT) program based on the manual.
- Conduct the ToT program for trainers nominated from 40 CECOE member organizations.
4. Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- Civic Education Manual:
- Draft version for validation.
- A final version incorporating feedback from the validation workshop.
- Validation Workshop:
- Workshop agenda and materials.
- Workshop report including feedback collected.
- Training of Trainers (ToT):
- Training agenda and materials.
- ToT program implementation report.
5. Duration
The consultancy is expected to complete the assignment within three months from the date of signing the contract.
6. Reporting
The Consultant will report to the CECOE project manager and provide regular updates on the progress of the assignment.
7. Qualifications
The ideal Consultant should possess the following qualifications:
- Academic qualification in human rights, political science, civic education, or a related field.
- Proven experience in developing educational materials, with a track record of producing high-quality materials.
- Knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional design.
- Familiarity with the political and civic context of Ethiopia and experience working with civil society organizations.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
- Experience in conducting training and workshops.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks effectively.
8. Submission of Proposals
Interested consultants are invited to submit their detailed technical and financial proposals, including:
- A cover letter
- CV
- Proposed methodology