Short-Term CSO Resources Mobilization Junior Expert – ICE Ethiopia
Accounting and Finance, Economics, Social Sciences and Community
ICE Ethiopia
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The European Union’s (EU) support to civil society stems from its conviction that a genuinely independent, pluralistic and vibrant civil society is central to the country’s development and stability, to ensuring democracy and human rights, building inclusive societies and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The EU-supported Civil Society Fund Phase III (CSF III) started implementation in December 2018. International Consulting Expertise (ICE) and its consortium members (INTRAC UK, FCG Sweden and CIDEAL Foundation of Spain) have been commissioned by the EU to establish a Technical Assistance Unit (TAU) to support the implementation of CSF III. The overall objective of CSF III is to increase the contribution of citizens and CSOs in the development and democratization process of the country. It intends to strengthen the engagement of CSOs in Ethiopia by going beyond their usual role of service provision and seeks to enhance their intermediary role between state bodies and citizens.
Whilst the main means of pursuing CSF III’s objectives is the provision of large and direct grants (of which 27 have been signed to date), the programme also implements non-grant support interventions, especially in relation to capacity-building. As part of the non-grant component, advice and training will be provided on developing Resource Mobilisation (RM) strategies that explore alternative methods to mobilise resources, both domestic and foreign.
In view of the above, the TAU is seeking the services of a Junior resource mobilization Expert on a short-term basis to work with a Senior Expert in delivering assignments towards improving the resource mobilization capacities of CSOs. The TORs below outline the objectives, scope
OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Overall objective
The overall objective of this assignment is to contribute to the strengthened overall capacity of CSOs.
Specific objective
The specific objective of this assignment is to improve Resource Mobilisation capacities of CSOs.
SCOPE OF THE WORK
In achieving the objectives stipulated above, this assignment will include the following elements in chronological order:
Conduct an assessment of the resource mobilization strategies and practices deployed by CSOs in Ethiopia and estimate the relative importance of each source of funding or other resources made available.
The assessment will include a review of secondary sources and focus group discussions with a representative sample of local CSOs and networks/consortiums with different thematic, target beneficiary and geographic interests. In addition, the Expert will design appropriate tools for this assessment and any other data collection methods deemed necessary. Current best practice examples should be identified for use under point (4) below. The research should also attempt to identify the level of funding gaps experienced by the sector and its different sub-sectors.
ii. Identify potential Resource Mobilization opportunities and strategies for CSOs (at national, regional and global levels and from multiple sources) that could contribute to filling the gaps currently experienced.
Developing from the findings under point (1) above, the experts will review the current funding landscape within Ethiopia and internationally (largely as a desk top / online exercise) to identify potential alternative development resources for local CSOs. This should include grants (in the form of cash, goods and services) from bi-laterals, multi-laterals, vertical funds, private voluntary agencies, INGOs, private corporations and foundations, etc. Key trends in funding and other resource mobilisation opportunities should also be identified. In each case the means of accessing the potential assistance and the main conditionalities should be described. The information collected from the review should be presented in a format that will allow CSOs to explore potential funding opportunities relative to their areas of interest, and that will allow the TAU (and thereafter the ECSOC) to keep the register / database up to date and make available for reference by the civil society.
iii. Undertake a rapid assessment of the capacity needs of a sample of local CSOs / networks in relation to optimising existing sources of resources / strategies and exploiting currently untapped or alternative sources..
This assessment will identify the skills and competencies needed to maximise the efficiency of currently deployed resource mobilisation strategies and adopt new strategies targeting alternative streams of funding and other support (goods, services, technical assistance, capacity building, etc). This will inform the design of the training programme. This may be undertaken simultaneously with the first assessment (under i above), but presented as a separate deliverable.
iv. Formulate a Resources Mobilisation Strategy for the Ethiopian Civil Society Organisations’ Council (ECSOC)
This activity will be undertaken in a participatory manner with ECSOC’s secretariat and EXCOM members. The details of the approach will be agreed with the Executive Director during the Inception Phase, and should be accommodated within the days made available for the ECSOC component under this assignment. The strategy should take cognisance of the emergent Strategic Plan for the Council. As well as being a stand-alone deliverable, the strategy can also be used as a model for training with other CSOs.
v. On the basis of (iii) above, develop and deliver a training programme for CSOs on Resources Mobilization, and support the development of participating CSOs’ Resource Mobilization strategies
The training programme will be provided for up to 50 CSOs benefitting from CSF III grants (as lead and partner organizations), and will be delivered in two rounds (each with a duration of 3 days). It will present the findings of the other phases of the assignment, will include a presentation of some key examples of current good practice and detail the steps. tools and methods needed for effective resource mobilization. The training materials developed will be introduced to participants in the form of a manual, designed to address the specific skills needed for key areas of resource mobilization. Participants will also be guided on the development of appropriate organization specific fund-raising strategies that will explore alternative methods to mobilize domestic resources and access additional resources from overseas, leading to the creation of a more diversified resource base for each. It is anticipated that participants will have the skills to develop resource mobilization strategies based on the templates provided and the model Resources Mobilization Strategy formulated under (iv) with ECSOC, thereafter.
LOGISTICS AND TIMEFRAME
Location
The operational base for the Resources Mobilization Experts will be the TAU’s office in Addis Ababa. At the commencement of the assignment, the Experts will be provided with relevant materials and an induction on specific TAU procedures they have to apply during their assignment.
Start date and period of implementation
The estimated start date shall be 28 March 2022, or as close thereto as possible. The total maximum days required for this assignment is set at 28 working days.
Junior Resources Mobilization Expert
Minimum required qualifications and skills:
- At least a University degree in Economics, Finance, Development, Social Sciences or related fields
- At least 4 years of working experience as a CSO specialist, with at least 2 assignments conducted in Ethiopia on resource mobilization
- Up to date knowledge of resource mobilization steps, methods and strategies and sources of funding for Ethiopian CSOs
- Familiarity with the civil society context in Ethiopia
- Familiarity with current legislation governing the operations of CSOs in Ethiopia
- Previous experience in delivering training to CSOs
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, facilitation and presentation skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic.
Preferred qualifications and skills:
- Experience of working in CSO resource mobilization strategies in sub-Saharan Africa assignments
- Experience of working in or with CSOs
- Work experience with civil society support programmes.
