Consultancy Service for Developing a Disability Inclusion Strategy for the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA)

Background

The Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) plays a central role in regulating, promoting, and enhancing the competitiveness of Ethiopia’s coffee and tea sectors. While ECTA has made significant strides in gender equality and value chain development, persons with disabilities (Persons with disabilities) remain underrepresented and underserved across the sector. The absence of a disability- inclusive framework limits the full participation of Persons with disabilities in production, processing, marketing, and governance.

Aligned with Ethiopia’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ECTA seeks to develop a comprehensive Disability Inclusion Strategy to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing for Persons with disabilities across the coffee value chain. Light for the World in partnership with the GIZ will be overseeing the disability inclusion strategy development process as part of its Creating Access for Everyone (CAFÉ) project implemented in Addis Ababa and Jima Zone of Oromia Regional State.

Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a Disability Inclusion Strategy for ECTA that:

• Identifies barriers to participation for persons with disabilities across the coffee and tea value chains.
• Proposes actionable strategies to mainstream disability inclusion in ECTA’s policies, programs, and operations.
• Aligns with existing gender and social inclusion strategies, particularly the Gender Equality Strategy of the Coffee, Tea and Spices Sector.
• Establishes a monitoring and evaluation framework for disability inclusion.

Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will be expected to:

Conduct a Situational Analysis:

• Review existing policies, strategies, and legal frameworks related to disability inclusion in Ethiopia.
• Assess the current status of disability inclusion within ECTA and across the coffee and tea value chains.
• Identify institutional, attitudinal, environmental, and communication barriers.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Conduct consultations with persons with disabilities, Disabled Persons Organizations (OPDs), cooperatives, unions, government agencies, and private sector actors.
• Ensure inclusive and participatory approaches in data collection and validation.

Strategy Development:

• Develop a vision, mission, and strategic objectives for disability inclusion in the sector.
• Propose interventions across key thematic areas: employment, accessibility, inclusive extension services, access to finance, inclusive infrastructure, and representation in governance.
• Integrate cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, and climate resilience.

 Implementation and M&E Framework:

• Propose an implementation roadmap with roles, responsibilities, timelines, and resource needs.
• Develop indicators and tools for monitoring and evaluating progress on disability inclusion.

Capacity Building Recommendations:

• Identify capacity gaps within ECTA and propose training and institutional strengthening measures.

Deliverables

• Inception Report with methodology, work plan, and stakeholder mapping.
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• Situational Analysis Report including findings from desk review and stakeholder consultations.
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• Draft Disability Inclusion Strategy with implementation and M&E frameworks.
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• Validation Workshop with key stakeholders.
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• Final Disability Inclusion Strategy Document incorporating feedback.
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• Presentation to ECTA Leadership and Partners.

Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 60 working days from the date of contract signing.

Required Qualifications

Lead Consultant / Team Leader:

• At least post graduate degree in Disability Studies, Social Inclusion, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in disability inclusion, social protection, or inclusive development, inclusive agricultural systems.
• Proven experience in strategy development and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with Ethiopia’s coffee and tea sectors is an asset.

Team Members (if applicable):

• Expertise in value chain development, gender and social inclusion, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience working with persons with disabilities and OPDs.

Evaluation Criteria for Selection and weight(%)

• Technical proposal (methodology, understanding of the assignment) : 35%
• Relevant experience and qualifications: 35%
• Financial proposal: 30%

Reporting and Supervision

The consultant(s) will report to the Head of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Unit at Light for the World and work closely with the Gender Mainstreaming Directorate and relevant technical departments of the ECTA.

Financial Proposal Requirements and Terms of Payment

The financial proposal should list itemized details of costs associated with the Evaluation. All proposed costs should be expressed in Ethiopian Birr and this proposal should be submitted in a separate sealed envelope. The consultant will be issued consultancy contracts and paid following LFTW financial rules and regulations. The payment will be on fixed terms with disbursements detailed below:

• The first payment of 30% advance of the total agreed contractual amount will be made immediately after the approval of the inception report and signing of the contract agreement based on LFTW financial regulations and procedures.
• The second payment of 30% of the total agreed contractual amount will be made immediately after the validation workshop and

• The 3rd payment of 40% will be made immediately upon the submission of the final draft (3 hard and soft copies) (i.e. Disability Inclusion Strategy Report) including the successful finalization of the validation workshop.

  Criteria for selecting the best offer

The consultancy firm shall provide technical and financial proposals including the following:

• Description of the consultants, incl. CVs of the suggested team members.
• The technical proposal will include an introduction, work, an understanding of the TOR, clear consultancy work objectives, scope of work, deliverables, methodologies, and approach, work plan, Team composition, Profile of consultancy firm, and other relevant information.
• A detailed approach and methodology for achieving the goal of the assignment.
• A detailed schedule incl. steps to be taken and responsibilities of team members.
• Statement of availability for conducting the assignment.
• Financial offer, incl. professional fees, incl. taxes, and incidentals.

Criteria

Technical Competence (based on CV, interview (if required)) : Weight 70% , Max. Point 100

Criteria a. Proposed Methodology : weight 25

Criteria b. Inclusivity and composition of the consulting team : Weight 10

Criteria c. Relevant Practical Experience and Qualifications in developing a similar strategy. : weight 35

Financial (Lower Offer/Offer*100) : weight  30%

Total Score : Technical Score * 70%+ Financial Score * 30%

How To Apply

Application procedure

Interested consultancy firm that meet the required qualifications, and experience should submit their technical and financial proposals within 3 days effective from the advertisement date of this TOR in person at the address mentioned below. their technical proposal &Financial proposal should be sealed by separate envelope ONE Original and ONE Copy enclosed in one outer Envelope by mentioning the title: “Financial Proposal-Original/Copy” & “Technical Proposal-Original/Copy “Light for the World may require proof of similar experience in the form of previous reports and/or references during the selection process.

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on Cumulative Analysis as per the following scenario:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. In this regard, the respective weight of the proposals are:

The financial proposal should be submitted in detail separately in local currency (ETB)

Technical proposals should include all components listed above.

The winner will be determined after completion of evaluation of both the Financial & Technical proposals, which will be done by the LFTW’s Bid evaluation committee, and automatically be notified. Biding documents submitted after the closure of the bid shall not be accepted.

Deadline for Submission

Interested bidders can submit their bid to the office from August 27th – September 3, 2025, during working hours.

Our Adress is:

Light for the World Addis Ababa, Kirkos Sub city, Woreda 01, Infront of Denbel City Center, Behind Oil Libia Gas Station on Bedesta Building Ground Floor Room # 001

Tel. +251 115580458, +251 115580707