Terms of Reference for Undertaking Training on Constituency Building Programmatic and Institutional Support Department March, 2009 Addis Ababa Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 1
1. Introduction The NGO sector in Ethiopia has shown considerable growth over the last ten years and the number of NGOs is still accelerating. CRDA in its three years programme plan 2005-2007 has identified the issue of constituency as one of the key problem or the missing link in the development of NGO sector in Ethiopia that has also hindered sectoral transformation. It is believed that, organizing a training programme on Constituency building is one of the ways to create awareness and help member NGOs to involve in building strong constituency. Constituency means having actual supporters, groups or institutions that NGOs can confidently count on their support any time when they need it. Overall, constituency building could be enhanced when people have trust in an NGO and rally in support of the fulfillment of its mission based on the transparency and accountability of the NGO. The limited engagement that CSOs and NGOs have shown without seriously taking the issue of constituency building, seeking space for CSOs in the national development process would be not only controversial but also challenging in its won right. In order to advocate for reform on specific issues, people must first be able to analyze their situation and identify constraints and opportunities to address the need. Constituency Building and Community Empowerment are natural extensions of political consciousness because they result when people compare their own lives with others around them through community participation and critical analysis process. The identification of differences, realization of existing discrimination, and cause and effect analysis of the situation are the steps of building a critical constituency that can help to establish and maintain healthy organizational culture. Constituency building has emerged in the process of participatory situation analysis which brought forward issues like gender based discriminations, rights of women and need for social equity based development. Expanding education initiatives and promoting community participation have helped to empower the community and learn about its rights and potentials. The presence of donor organization or target groups of the project cannot measure the level of that NGO s constituency. Rather, the level can be measured by the number and quality of its members, number & commitment of volunteers, as well as a strong bondage with supporting groups and institutions are indicators of strong constituency. The importance of constituency building can be summarized as follows: It is constituency that lends legitimacy to an organization. Constituency is so basic to achieve strong and accountable NGOs. Constituency is fundamental for holding government accountable. Constituency is fundamental to NGO ability to advocate their causes. Constituency influences political and economic decision-making. Constituency is important for NGOs to carry out their mission. Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 2
Lack of concerned and powerful constituency is one of the key problems, many Ethiopian NGOs are facing. Therefore, the need for constituency building could emanate from: The growing interest of NGOs to move beyond charity and service delivery and engage in public policy influencing and advocacy; The fact that legitimacy and credibility of NGOs is often questioned by government officials; Absence of anyone around to come to their rescues even when the very existence of NGOs is threatened; The urgent need of NGOs to build a good image in the face of the general public; and Scarcity of documents/experience on constituency building of Ethiopian NGOs. In general, most NGOs are not yet adequately conscious of the importance of a constituency and the need for purposefully building it. NGOs also seriously lack the technical know-how and practical skill of how to build a concerned and powerful constituency or how to use that constituency to enhance their work. Overall Objective To enhance the role and impact of the CRDA member NGOs in fighting poverty as well as in deepening democracy and justice in the country through building well represented, more credible and accountable NGOs that collectively stand to voice and effectively advocate the interests and concerns of the poor and marginalized at all levels, and take active part in promoting civil society agenda in the arenas of policy formulation and decision making processes in the country. Specific Objectives of the Training To acquire and develop relevant knowledge and skill of NGOs on the and how constituency can be built. To understand the need and importance of building a constituency; To analyze and identify the key challenges, obstacles and constraint of constituency building; To encourage the NGO community to look at itself more seriously and critically and use viable strategies for building a strong and concerned constituency; and To identify and document best practices and failures in constituency building and facilitate experience sharing among Ethiopian NGOs. 2. Duties and Responsibilities of the Client CRDA is responsible for selecting and inviting the trainees, CRDA will cover the necessary accommodation of the trainees (refreshment and lunch), CRDA will prepare the venue, cover the cost of the hall rent and the training materials, Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 3
Coping and distribution of the approved notes/modules for all training participants. 3. Training Topics Key Concept on Civil Society and their roles Foundations of community empowerment and constituency building Key concepts of constituency and empowerment Participatory community planning and constituency building Opportunities and Challenge of community empowerment and constituency building Evaluating the implementation of community empowerment and constituency building Linking community empowerment with constituency building The importance of Constituency in NGOs activity Need for initiating a long-term Capacity Building project for Ethiopian NGOs on Constituency Building Roles and Responsibilities of NGOs in Constituency Building and Community Empowerment Voluntarism and Constituency NGOs perception in Constituency building and Community Empowerment Development and role of civil society; NGOs, CSOs Code of conduct, legitimacy and effectiveness; Exemplary partnership and net-working among civil society; Challenges and opportunities of the civil society in Ethiopia. Institutional Development of NGOs/CSOs Governance System of NGOs\CSOs Right Based Approach and Need Based Approach Importance of Constituency Building Factor Affecting Constituency Building Enhancing NGOs\CSOs Constituency Building ORGANIZATION AND METHODOLOGY Methodology The main feature of the training will be the participatory approach. Different teaching methods: discussion, lectures, case studies, summery of best practices experience sharing, role play, group discussion and presentation in plenary will be used. The programme will also be supported by various types of teaching aids such as film shows, slides, pictures, video camera, overhead and LCD projectors. Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 4
Organization Providing training for five days; Preparing and submitting work plan that indicates the specific training areas, objective, methods and approach and the appropriate resource person assigned as well as the identified group discussion areas, The consultant is expected to prepare full-fledged training materials for each session, Finally designing action plan as an exercise for the trainees and at the same time to summarize the whole lesson. Submit a detailed training report Date May 11-15, 2009 Venue: CRDA Training Center, Kaliti Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 5
Terms of Reference for the Consultants The consulting firm/team is expected to prepare the training programme in accordance with the background paper. Experience from within and other countries, if possible from Africa can be used to bring a common understanding of the role of Constituency/community within the organization. Relevant teaching experience of the trainer on the subject matter, and NGO experience of the firm are of paramount importance. 1. Facilitator/s based on the rational, objective and expected output of the training shall prepare a detailed training activity plan including topics and schedule as well as methodology. 2. Assign specialists as facilitator for each training topics proposed/ panel discussion. Facilitator/s should include Development Planner/ Micro Economist/Social Worker and lawyer. 3. The training has to focus on the practical aspect of Constituency Building in Ethiopia challenges, responsibility, accountability and experience and transparency issues should be supported by panel discussion, case studies, practical exercise, group work and plenary presentations, role plays, video and other teaching aids. 4. Prepare and submit camera ready (well organized) material on hard and electronic copy at least 10 days before the training date. 5. Submit a report on the overall progress of the training including an overall assessment of the workshop and: 6. Note Technical proposal that should include appraisal of the ToR and methodology to be applied Appraisal report or reaction to the background paper and the TOR provided Major training topics and their respective facilitators Teaching methodology supported by practical case studies form selected NGO works Profile of trainers (C.V.) A separate financial proposal Brief explanation about the firm and/or resource person with particular emphasis on previous experience on subject, facilitation skills and NGO works. CRDA will cover the cost of Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 6
Refreshments and lunch for workshop participants, panelist and facilitator/s Reproduction of workshop note/ materials Provision of stationary to participants Selm/BG/ToR/CB/2009 7