Terms of Reference (ToR) for Lesson Learning Consultant

Oct 23, 2024

1.  Background

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a non-profit and non-governmental civil society organization with more than 175 member organizations. CECOE was licensed by the F.D.R.E. Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) in 2019 with registration number 4748 under the Civil Society Organizations Proclamation 1113/2019. CECOE was established with the aim of enhancing and coordinating the role of Ethiopian CSOs in election observation, voter education, preventing electoral conflicts, and providing capacity building and support for its member organizations. CECOE is a committed member of the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN), African Election Observers Network (AfEONet), a pan-African coordinating platform, and a member of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM),  which connects regional networks and individual monitoring organizations across more than 88 countries worldwide. CECOE has a proven track record of success, having observed the 6th General Election of Ethiopia, the Sidama referendum, the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region referendum, the South Ethiopia referendum, and the referendum rerun in Wolaita Zone. CECOE has also been engaged in various advocacy activities, including advocating for electoral reforms, peacebuilding, and enhancing the participation of women in Ethiopian politics. Currently, CECOE is implementing the project titled “ Strengthening and promoting democratic processes and Peaceful Elections through Enhanced Engagement, capacity, and Awareness of Electoral Stakeholders”  which is funded by the Embassy of Ireland.

The political reform process in Ethiopia, initiated in 2018, resulted in significant legislative changes, including updates to electoral law and the re-establishment of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). NEBE organized the Sidama referendum in 2019 and the Sixth General Elections in mid-2021. However, conflicts in Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, and Afar severely impacted the 2021 elections, complicating the democratic reform process amid ongoing security challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the September 2021 elections, serious irregularities were reported in the Meskan and Mareko constituencies, including voter coercion and militia presence, leading to a decision for re-elections. Similar issues arose in the Muye Muluqe Constituency, prompting a recount due to discrepancies in voter numbers. In Jigjiga Town, coercion was reported, preventing observers from monitoring 13 constituencies, resulting in another re-election decision to ensure process integrity.

These cancellations left some seats in the Federal Parliament and Regional Councils vacant, highlighting NEBE’s challenges in ensuring a credible electoral process. In regions where the 2021 general elections didn’t take place due to security and logistical reasons and whose results were invalidated by the NEBE, specifically in the Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, Somali, and parts of Central Ethiopia, NEBE took the step of holding outstanding elections and re-runs for these areas on June 24, 2024.  CECOE, in line with its mandate to observe electoral processes, was engaged in the observation of the pre-election, election day, and post-election processes by coordinating its member organizations in Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, Central Ethiopia, and Somali regions.

Following its observation, CECOE has issued a preliminary statement and has prepared a final observation report summarizing the findings and recommendations of the observation. Driven by its commitment to gather lessons from its observation projects, CECOE is seeking to hire a consultant who will assess CECOE’s observation of the June 24, 2024, outstanding and reelections.

2.  Scope of Work:

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

  1. Workshop Design and Facilitation
    • Develop a detailed workshop agenda and methodology in consultation with CECOE
    • Facilitate a participatory workshop employing interactive methods to identify strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in CECOE’s election observation.
  2. Data Collection and Analysis
    • Conduct key informant interviews with CECOE staff, partners, zonal coordinators, and observers using a semi-structured approach.
    • Analyze interview transcripts, workshop outputs, and relevant documents to identify key lessons learned, considering contextual factors and emerging trends.
  3. Draft a comprehensive lesson-learned report
  4. Dissemination and Feedback
    • Present key findings and recommendations to CECOE in a debriefing session, facilitating discussion.
    • Incorporate CECOE’s feedback into the final report.

4. Deliverables

  • Detailed workshop agenda and methodology.
  • Facilitated lesson-learned workshop.
  • Comprehensive lesson learned report.

5. Timeline

The consultancy will be undertaken for 10 days.

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

  • MA or BA in political science, law, peace and security studies, or a related field.
  • Proven experience facilitating participatory workshops and conducting qualitative data analysis, ideally within election observation or similar contexts.
  • Strong understanding of election observation methodologies and best practices, including international standards and principles.
  • In-depth knowledge of the Ethiopian political context and electoral system.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Amharic.

7. Application Process

Interested consultants are invited to submit their applications including:

  • Business license.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience.
  • Technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology and work plan.
  • Financial proposal detailing consultancy fees and expenses.
  • Sample of previous works

Applications should be submitted electronically on or before October 30, 2024

8.  Contractual Arrangements:

The selected consultant will be contracted by CECOE for the duration of the consultancy. Payment will be made in installments upon satisfactory completion of deliverables as outlined in the agreed-upon contract.

Project Officer/ Election Observation and Monitoring 

Oct 23, 2024

Background of CECOE

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a coalition of over 175 local civil society organizations engaged in democracy and electoral activities across Ethiopia. CECOE obtained a certificate of registration from the FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) in 2019 with the registration number 4748.  CECOE was established to coordinate civic engagement, increasing citizen participation in voter education, election observation, research, and advocacy with the view to bolstering long-term civil society engagement in Ethiopia’s electoral process in a sustainable manner.

Following its establishment, CECOE observed the Sidama referendum which laid the groundwork for significant projects during the 6th Ethiopian general elections, reshaping the role of Ethiopian CSOs in electoral processes. During the Sixth National and Regional Elections, CECOE deployed over 3,500 observers across nine regional states and two city administrations for the June and September 2021 elections, including the South West Ethiopia referendum. The Coalition also initiated a media monitoring project, tracking election-related information across seven media outlets, political party social media accounts, and CSOs. Moreover, CECOE coordinated voter education campaigns in various regions. In February 2023, CECOE successfully observed a referendum in six zones and five special woredas of SNNPR, deploying 434 stationary and 76 mobile observers. CECOE has also observed the outstanding and reelections of the Sixth General elections which were organized on June , 2024 in Benishangul, Afar, Central Ethiopia and Somali regions. Based on its observation findings, CECOE issues statements and final observation reports which are later on used to engage stakeholders in electoral reform activities, organizing forums, workshops, and producing policy briefs and advertisements.

Job Overview/ Summary

CECOE is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Election Observation and Monitoring Officer to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral and political processes. The successful candidate will be responsible for observing election procedures, monitoring compliance with electoral laws, and reporting findings to enhance the democratic process.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Observation and monitoring of electoral and political processes
    • Oversee and document electoral and political processes at a regional and national level
    • Ensure adherence to legal and procedural guidelines throughout the electoral and political processes.
  • Data Collection and Reporting
    • Gather and analyze data related to voter turnout, election irregularities, and procedural compliance.
    • Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations on findings for stakeholders.
  • Capacity building and stakeholder engagement
    • Collaborate with election officials, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to promote transparency and accountability.
    • Participate in briefings and debriefings to share observations and recommendations.
    • Assist in training volunteers and staff on political process monitoring techniques and best practices.
    • Provide guidance on ethical standards and reporting procedures.
  • Crisis management 
    • Identify and respond to potential issues or irregularities during the election process.
    • Recommend corrective actions to improve electoral practices.

Job  Requirements

  • BA, LLB, LLM degree in human rights, Constitutional law, Political Science, International Relations, Law, or other related fields.
  • At least 6 years of work experience for BA/LLB and  4 years experience for LLM or MA
  • Experience on election and related roles 
  • Proven experience in election monitoring, civil service, or a related area.
  • Strong analytical and observational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Knowledge of electoral laws and regulations is preferred.

Skills and Competencies Required

  • Strong attention to detail and critical thinking skills.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines under pressure.
  • Cultural sensitivity and the ability to work in diverse environments.

How to apply

Interested applicants should apply using this link 

When to apply 

Interested applicants should apply on or before October 31, 2024

CECOE strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Infographic Design

Oct 11, 2024

  1. Background

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a coalition of over 175 civil society organizations operating in all regional states and the two city administrations. CECOE was established in 2019 with the aim of augmenting and coordinating the role of Ethiopian CSOs in election observation, monitoring, voter education, and preventing post-electoral conflicts. CECOE has a proven track record of success, having observed the 6th General Election of Ethiopia, the Sidama referendum, the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region referendum, the South Ethiopia referendum, and the referendum rerun in Wolaita Zone. CECOE has also been engaged in various advocacy activities, including advocating for electoral reforms, peacebuilding, and enhancing the participation of women in Ethiopian politics.

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” as part of the project CECOE has developed civic education training manual. Drawing on the civic education materials of the second part of the manual, a graphic designer will prepare user-friendly and interactive materials representing the information contained in the manual in a graphic format designed to make the ideas easily understandable. The materials will be made readily available online on CECOE’s website and will serve as input for its social media civic education campaign. The target audience of the infographics is both the educators and the public. While the youth and the educated will have access to the infographics on the social media platforms, the educators will use the infographics to disseminate the civic education content to the grassroots community through face-to-face training and other outreach activities.

  • Scope of Work
  • Understanding Project Requirements:
  • Collaborate with the team to understand the objectives, target audience, and key messages to be conveyed through the infographic.
  • Review and understand part of the civic education manual that needs to be visually represented.
  • Design and Layout:
  • Design clear, engaging, and visually appealing infographics based on the approved concept and provided content.
  • Ensure the design aligns with the organization’s brand guidelines, including colors, fonts, and overall style.
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Maintain effective and timely communication with CECOE to understand requirements, clarify any ambiguities, and provide progress updates.
  • Collaborate with the CECOE’s team, including subject matter experts, to ensure the accuracy of the design.
  • Deliverable
  • Final Infographic Design:
  • The completed, high-quality infographic in a preferred format (e.g., JPEG, PNG, PDF), ready for distribution or publishing.
  • Design should be optimized for both digital use (social media, websites) and print formats if required.
  • Qualifications and Experience
  • Strong proficiency in graphic design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or other relevant tools.
  • Solid understanding of design principles, including color theory, typography, layout, and composition.
  • Demonstrated ability to convert complex data and information into clear, visually engaging infographics.
  • MA or BA in academic qualification in communications, journalism, architecture or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years experience producing charts, graphs, and other visual representations of data with a track record of producing high-quality materials.
  • Timeline

The Infographic Design is expected to be completed within a total of 25 working days, starting from the commencement date.

  • Proposal Submission
  • A strong portfolio showcasing previous infographic designs or similar visual communication work.
  • Technical proposal
  • Financial Proposal
  • Business license
  • References from previous clients, if available.
  • Confidentiality

The Infographic Design is expected to maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose any information related to the project or its content to any third parties.

  • Ownership of Work

Upon completion and payment, all Infographic Design documents and related materials will become the property of CECOE

Translator

Oct 11, 2024

  1. Background

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a coalition of over 175 civil society organizations operating in all regional states and the two city administrations. CECOE was established in 2019 with the aim of augmenting and coordinating the role of Ethiopian CSOs in election observation, monitoring, voter education, and preventing post-electoral conflicts. CECOE has a proven track record of success, having observed the 6th General Election of Ethiopia, the Sidama referendum, the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region referendum, the South Ethiopia referendum, and the referendum rerun in Wolaita Zone. CECOE has also been engaged in various advocacy activities, including advocating for electoral reforms, peacebuilding, and enhancing the participation of women in Ethiopian politics.

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” as part of the project CECOE has developed civic education training manual. CECOE recognizes the importance of reaching diverse communities across Ethiopia.

To achieve this, CECOE will hire translators to translate the second part of the manual, which focuses on the civic education content, from English into five local languages (Amharic, Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Afar, and Somali). The translated manuals will serve as valuable resources for civic education activities at the grassroots level to be conducted by CECOE, its member organizations, and other interested stakeholders. By reaching communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds, CECOE will contribute to strengthening democracy in Ethiopia.

  • Scope of Work
  • Translation
  • Translate written documents from English to Amharic, Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Afar, and Somali languages with accuracy, attention to detail, and maintaining the intended meaning.
  • Ensure the translated contents are culturally appropriate and free from grammatical errors.
  • Adapt the style and tone of the translation to the target audience while retaining the integrity of the original text.
  • Provide accurate and timely translations within the agreed-upon deadlines.
  • Proofreading and Editing
  • Review and proofread translated documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to quality standards.
  • Edit and revise translated content to improve readability and clarity.
  • Collaborate with CECOE to address any feedback or concerns related to the translated content.
  • Communication and Collaboration
  • Maintain effective and timely communication with CECOE to understand requirements, clarify any ambiguities, and provide progress updates.
  • Collaborate with the CECOE’s team, including subject matter experts, to ensure accurate and contextually appropriate translations.
  • Deliverables
  • Five Translated documents in the agreed format in five languages (Amharic, Af. Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Af. Afar and Af. Somali)
  • Proofread and edit translations, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and adherence to the project objectives.
  • Timely communication and updates on the progress of translation tasks.
  • Qualifications and Experience
  • Proficiency in Amharic, English, Af. Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Af. Afar, and Af. Somali languages.
  • Proven experience in translating documents in Amharic, English Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Afar, and Somali languages
  • Demonstrated experience in translating, editing, proofreading human rights, civic education, voter education manuals
  • Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain the integrity of the original text.
  • MA or BA in academic qualification in language studies, political science, law, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years experience in translating documents in Amharic, English Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Afar, and Somali languages with a track record of producing high-quality materials.
  • Any relevant certifications or degrees in translation or language studies.
  • Timeline

The project is expected to be completed within a total of 25 working days, starting from the commencement date. The following milestones and deadlines will apply:

  • Translation of documents in in all five languages (Amharic, English Oromiffa, Tigrigna, Afar, and Somali): Ten days
  • Proofread and edit translations: Ten days
  • Proposal Submission
  • Updated resume or CV highlighting relevant experience of each translator
  • Financial Proposal
  • Technical proposal
  • license
  • Samples of previous translation work
  • References from previous clients, if available.
  • Payment Terms

The translator will be compensated based on a per-page rate. The specific rate will be agreed upon during the selection process and will be documented in the contract. Payment will be made according to the following terms:

  • The translator will submit an invoice for the completed documents on a regular basis,
  • Payment will be processed within five working days of receiving a valid invoice.
  • The invoice should include a breakdown of the number of pages translated and the corresponding total amount.
  • Confidentiality

The translator is expected to maintain strict confidentiality and not disclose any information related to the project or its content to any third parties.

  • Ownership of Work

Upon completion and payment, all translated documents and related materials will become the property of CECOE

Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion Expert

Oct 11, 2024

About CECOE

The Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations for Elections (CECOE) is a coalition of 176 Ethiopian CSOs working in the area of elections, human rights and democracy. Since its establishment, CECOE has observed the 6th general Ethiopian elections, the Sidama and South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region referendums. Furthermore, the Coalition has been engaged in various advocacy and civic education activities. The I Vote digital voter education campaign which reached several million Ethiopians and an advocacy campaign to reform the electoral legal regime come at the forefront in this regard. 

The meaningful and full participation of women and marginalized groups in the political process is one of the important things necessary for making a fundamental change in Ethiopian politics. In this context, CECOE across its all project implementations aims to ensure the inclusion of gender perspective. The Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion Consultant will be serving as the lead for CECOE’s analysis and strategy development. This will involve the following tasks:

Currently CECOE in partnership with Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is implementing a project on enhancing the Participation of Women in Ethiopian Politics.

The scope of the assignment

The Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion Expert is expected to ensure the application of the gender mainstreaming and inclusion principles across CECOE’s projects. The Expert will contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of CECOE’s project activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Ensure timely and adequate implementation of activities according to the Project Document activity plans; this includes preparing a detailed work plan and performance monitoring plan to implement the gender mainstreaming components as per the Project Document and approved plans
  • Ensure links and synergy with other projects under the overall guidance of the Project Manager;
  • Review all concept notes and project documents prior to submission alongside the program team for donor approval to evaluate the application of the Gender and Inclusion concepts;
  • Provide support to CECOE’s other technical team in developing training materials and providing training;
  • Work closely with the program and M&E team to ensure that Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion targets, indicators, and learning are considered and captured on a regular basis;
  • Design and implement gender mainstreaming and inclusion strategy and activities at the organizational level;
  • Provide technical guidance, resources, and tools on integrating gender and inclusion in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of international development programs and activities.
  • Conduct gender analyses and assessments to identify gender gaps and develop strategies for addressing them.
  • Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of gender equality policies, guidelines, and frameworks.
  • Design and deliver training programs and workshops to enhance staff and stakeholder understanding of gender issues.
  • Support the development of gender-sensitive tools and resources to facilitate knowledge sharing and learning.
  • Conduct research on gender-related topics, analyze data, and generate evidence to inform decision-making.
  • Stay up to date with current trends, best practices, and emerging issues in the field of gender equality.
  • Develop and implement gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of interventions and track progress towards gender equality goals.
  • Provide regular reports on gender-related indicators and recommend corrective actions as needed.
  • Prepare high quality reports, technical resources, and other products and deliverables on topics related to gender and inclusive development, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
  • Maintain effective client relations and coordination.
  • Manage technical teams that deliver quality and timely products.
  • Review and prepare scopes of work for assignments.
  • Write high quality reports designed to effectively respond to client needs.
  • Review draft deliverables and provide constructive feedback.
  • Perform any other appropriate tasks assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications:

  • Master’s degree in gender studies, sociology, international development, or a related field required.
  • Minimum four years of experience in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion, evaluation and research, and program management required.
  • Experience working as a Gender Specialist or in a similar role, with a strong understanding of gender equality and women’s rights issues, including in-depth knowledge of gender analysis methodologies, gender mainstreaming, and gender-responsive programming.
  • Experience working on gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in the civil society sector is preferred.
  • Experience engaging with community groups, local CSOs, government organizations, and advocacy groups is advantageous.
  • Strong teamwork skills and commitment to collaborate with other staff.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team setting.
  • Creativity and enthusiasm to tackle new challenges.
  • Able and willing to undertake field travel when required.
  • Strong experience working with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
  • Strong English speaking and writing skills are required.

Working Condition

  • Based at CECOE Head office in Addis Ababa

Note

  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
  • Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Deadline: October 21, 2023