Job Opportunity: For Consultancy Services to Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment of the Humanitarian and Development Situation of Persons with Disabilities position available at Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) in Shire, Tigray. Research and Development jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-profit organization. ECDD is committed to promoting the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities through policy advocacy and the mainstreaming of disability inclusion in service delivery, development programs, and humanitarian actions, in partnership with other organizations. Established in 2005 and reregistered by the Agency for Civil Society Organizations as a local CSO with a Certificate № 0321 under the Proclamation № 1113/2019, ECDD is dedicated to fostering disability disability-inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities in all their diversities exercise their human rights and have access to mainstream services and opportunities on an equal basis with others.

With the financial support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), under the lead of EMERGENCY and in partnership with CBM Italy, ECDD has recently started a new emergency project titled “SHIRE: Support for Health, Inclusion, and Rehabilitation Efforts.” This project aims to strengthen the Ethiopian health system by addressing critical gaps in rehabilitation and inclusion services for persons with disabilities in the Tigray region. Through a multidimensional approach encompassing inclusive healthcare practices, capacity building, cash-based assistance, and awareness-raising, the project seeks to improve access to comprehensive rehabilitation services, promote social inclusion, and enhance resilience to shocks caused by conflict and displacement.

In light of the challenges faced by persons with disabilities following the conflict in the Tigray region, ECDD intends to conduct a comprehensive assessment in Shire town to better understand their current situation in both humanitarian and development contexts.This assessment will gather both qualitative and quantitative data, which are essential for capturing the full scope of experiences, needs, and barriers faced by persons with disabilities and their representative Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs). Quantitative data will provide measurable insights into access to healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and social inclusion, while qualitative data will offer a deeper understanding of the systemic and social factors influencing their participation and well-being. Together, these data sets will inform evidence-based interventions and inclusive strategies that promote dignity, equity, and resilience for persons with disabilities in the target area.

The assessment will also evaluate the extent to which the rights of persons with disabilities are recognized and respected, and how effectively they are included in humanitarian and development responses. It will involve key stakeholders, including OPDs, IDP centers, Suhul Hospital, government entities, and other organizations operating in the area. 

Therefore, ECDD invites qualified and experienced consultants to submit Technical and Financial Proposals to undertake this important assessment in the Shire town of Tigray Region. 

General Objectives

To assess the current situation of persons with disabilities in Shire town, focusing on disability prevalence, gaps in disability-inclusion, and the extent to which disability is mainstreamed across humanitarian and development sectors, including health, education, livelihoods, and social inclusion, and to identify key challenges and propose feasible, evidence-based solutions.

Specific Objectives

Assessthe status of persons with disabilities in Shire town, including their access to essential services and opportunities in health (rehabilitation service), education, livelihoods, and social inclusion.

Identify the barriers and challenges persons with disabilities face in accessing humanitarian emergency response and development interventions .

Evaluate the level of awareness, capacity, and commitment among various sectors and stakeholders regarding disability inclusion in emergency and development efforts.

Analyze the role and effectiveness of OPDs in advocating for disability-inclusive interventions and supporting inclusive practices.

Capture reliable quantitative data on the number and distribution of persons with disabilities in Shire town, disaggregated by type of impairment, sex, age, IDP, and host community status, to inform disability-inclusive planning and resource allocation.

Recommend practical and evidence-based interventions to address the identified gaps and promote disability-inclusive, rights-based approaches for persons with disabilities in Shire town.

Methodology

The assessment will adopt a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation of persons with disabilities in Shire town.

  Quantitative Methods

Household Surveys: Structured questionnaires will be administered to a representative sample of persons with disabilities from both the host community and IDPs to gather data on demographics, disability prevalence, access to mainstream social services (health, education, livelihoods), and social inclusion.

Secondary Data Review: Collection and analysis of existing data from government offices, health facilities, IDP centers, schools, and OPDs to quantify service coverage and gaps. The desk review of secondary information should include a thorough review of the literature, reports, case studies, etc., regarding the status of persons with disabilities in Shire town, including their access to essential services and opportunities in health, including rehabilitation service, education, livelihoods, and social inclusion.

4.2. Qualitative Methods

Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conducted with stakeholders, including government officials, humanitarian actors, service providers, and OPD representatives, to explore perceptions, policies/laws, and practices related to disability inclusion.

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Held with persons with disabilities (disaggregated by type of impairment, gender, age, host community and displacement status) to capture lived experiences, challenges, and recommendations.

Observation and Site Visits: Visits to IDP center, health facilities, , schools, OPDs, , and livelihood programs to assess physical accessibility and disability-inclusive practices.

Map existing relevant organizations and institutions, identifying who is doing what, that could be directly or indirectly targeting persons with disabilities in humanitarian and development interventions in the Shire area. 

 Sources of Data

The data for this study will be collected from both primary and secondary sources. 

Primary data will be collected through interviews and structured questionnaires from persons with disabilities, leaders of OPDs, government stakeholders, and other organizations working in the area 

Secondary data will be collected from relevant publications, journal articles, reports, assessment reports, government publications, etc. 

 Sample Size

The sample will take into account Persons with Disabilities who will directly benefit from the project 

It will also include the project stakeholders, such as the office of Social Affairs and Rehabilitation, IDP sites, Health centers, Schools, Youth Affairs and/or Job Creation Office, Finance office, Office of Women Affairs, and the OPDs in Shire town. 

The consultant is expected to use scientific sampling techniques and tools to determine the study's total sample.

 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will be analyzed using statistical software to identify trends, gaps, and correlations.

Qualitative data will be thematically analyzed to extract insights on barriers, enablers, and stakeholder perspectives.

The consultant should utilize various analytical models, including the Tanahashi Model, to identify major barriers faced by persons with disabilities in accessing health services.

 Ethical Considerations

Informed consent will be obtained from all participants.

Data confidentiality and sensitivity to disability-related issues will be strictly maintained.

Inclusive and accessible communication methods will be used throughout the assessment.

The consultant is expected to propose a participatory, accessible, and inclusive data collection approach in consideration of the types of impairments of persons with disabilities.

Key Deliverables:

Inception Report: Outlining the proposed methodology, including research methods, sampling framework, data sources, procedures for data collection and analysis, and a draft table of contents.

Research Tools: All proposed data collection tools will be reviewed and approved by ECDD and its partners prior to fieldwork.

Draft Assessment Report: A preliminary version of the assessment report submitted for review and feedback.

Revised Draft: A second round of revisions may be requested by ECDD before final approval.

Final Report: A comprehensive final report incorporating all comments, submitted in soft (both PDF and editable Word formats) and in hard copies not later than 5 calendar days after receiving comments on the first draft from ECDD.

Supporting Materials: An electronic copy of all approved data collection tools and the complete study dataset. 

Selection Procedure and Requirements

• Selection of consulting firms will be based on technical competency, including but not limited to expertise and experience in the area of assessment  

• A realistic and feasible financial proposal will also determine the success of securing the consultancy offer.

• Familiarity with the social, political, and economic situation of the Tigray region and Shire town, and proven experience conducting similar works in the area will be considered.

Qualifications and Expertise Required

• The lead consultant must have at least a post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Business, Economics, Statistics, or related fields.

• The assessment team must be composed of professionals in humanitarian and development response initiatives with proven experience in disability issues

• Relevant professional experience in research and conducting similar assessments.

• Strong background and experience in data collection and analysis.

• Technical expertise in assessing issues related to the organizational system 

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

• The consultant must hold a valid professional license, a renewed registration certificate, and a business license with TIN and a renewed VAT registration certificate.

Selection Criteria

The Technical and Financial Proposals will account for 70% and 30% respectively of the selection criteria, broken down as follows:

1. Duration of the Assignment 

   • The first draft of the report shall be submitted to ECDD within 25 Calendar days starting from the signing of the agreement. Payment shall be made upon submission of deliverables as per the following milestones, and approval of the same by the ECDD.

   • The final work shall be delivered to ECDD in hard and soft copies not later than 5 consecutive days after receiving comments on the first draft from ECDD.

Mode of Payment

Time Schedule

The assessment work is expected to be completed within 25 calendar days. An itemized action plan indicating a description of activities in chronological sequence and dates for each activity should be submitted with the technical proposal

How To Apply

Potential individuals/organizations interested in assuming the assignment are requested to submit their renewed professional license, CV, technical and financial proposals with all the necessary documents via the following address within 10(Ten) calendar days from the date of this announcement through hr@ecdd-ethiopia.org. 

Alternatively, Documents may be hand-delivered in a sealed envelope to the ECDD Assistant HR, Admin and Logistics Manager, Mrs. Wessenenesh Girma. The ECDD Main Office is located around Beklobet, Infront of Global Hotel. Tel: 0114-165859.

Disclaimer:

ECDD is a disability-based organization committed to safeguarding all Children and Adults with and without disabilities. ECDD has zero tolerance for incidents of violence or abuse against children and adults at risk, including sexual exploitation or abuse, committed by employees, volunteers, consultants, or contractors working with us where development and humanitarian programs are implemented. ECDD also has Zero Tolerance for Corruption. Thus, ECDD expects everyone who works for it to respect its Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Corruption Policy, and other legal frameworks. Violations of the stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of the employment contract.