Development of ENAB Advocacy Strategy

Ethiopian National Association of the Blind (ENAB)

Rights, Inclusion, Empowerment and Strengthening (RISE) Program

Terms of Reference – Development of ENAB Advocacy Strategy

• Background:

The Ethiopian National Association of the Blind (ENAB), established in 1960, is the first disability-focused membership association in Ethiopia. With more than 17,000 active members and 31 branches across 7 regions and one administrative city, ENAB works to advance the rights, inclusion, and equal participation of blind and visually impaired Ethiopians.

Over the years, ENAB has been at the forefront of advocating for legislative reforms, inclusive services, and equitable access to education, employment, and community participation. As the organization grows and the national disability policy environment evolves, ENAB recognizes the need for a comprehensive, updated, and actionable Advocacy Strategy. This will guide the association’s efforts in influencing policies, strengthening branch-level advocacy, and ensuring that the voices of blind and visually impaired persons are effectively represented.

Background of the consultancy

ENAB has been implementing a wide range of advocacy activities over the past decades, including contributing to disability‑related legislation, engaging in national policy dialogues, supporting inclusive education initiatives, and promoting equal access to employment and public services. While these efforts have created meaningful visibility and contributed to important milestones, ENAB’s recent internal reviewas part of the RISE Program’s organizational development componentrevealed the need for a more structured, coordinated, and forward‑looking advocacy approach.

Currently, advocacy efforts across ENAB’s 31 branches vary in consistency, documentation, and alignment with national priorities. Many branches are actively engaging with local administrations, service providers, and community structures, but lack standardized tools, unified messaging, and a clear system for monitoring advocacy results. At the national level, ENAB is frequently consulted in policy discussions; however, the organization recognizes the need for stronger evidence generation, more strategic coalition‑building, and clearer positioning when engaging with duty bearers and stakeholders.

In addition, Ethiopia’s legal and policy landscape on disability inclusion is rapidly evolving, creating both opportunities and responsibilities for ENAB. The ratification of the UNCRPD, ongoing reforms in social protection, employment, accessibility standards, and education, as well as shifting donor priorities, make this an important moment for ENAB to refine its advocacy priorities and strengthen its internal coordination. The development of an Advocacy Strategy will therefore help ENAB:

• Translate its long-term vision into concrete policy influence goals
• Strengthen branch capacity and unify advocacy approaches nationwide
• Improve engagement with OPDs, government, civil society networks, and the media
• Prioritize issues faced by blind and visually impaired persons using evidence-based analysis
• Strengthen internal systems for planning, documenting, and communicating advocacy work

Through this assignment, ENAB aims to develop a practical, inclusive, and actionable strategy that not only reflects the needs of its members but also positions the association as a leading voice in disability rights advocacy in Ethiopia.

Desired Outcomes of the Assignment

The Advocacy Strategy should help ENAB become more organized and effective in promoting the rights and needs of blind and visually impaired persons. By the end of the assignment, ENAB should have a clear set of priority issues to focus on, both at the national and branch levels. The strategy should also offer simple and practical ways for staff and branches to plan, coordinate, and follow up on advocacy work so everyone is moving in the same direction. It should strengthen ENAB’s relationships with government offices, partners, and the media by showing who to work with and how. The strategy should provide easy‑to‑use messages that branches can share when talking to officials or the public. Finally, it should give ENAB a straightforward way to track what is working and what needs adjustment, so the organization can keep learning and improving its advocacy efforts.

Roles and Deliverables of the Consultant

The consultant will work closely with ENAB to help shape a practical and easy‑to‑use Advocacy Strategy. To achieve this, the consultant will:

1. Consult with ENAB leadership, staff, and selected branch representatives to understand current advocacy activities, challenges, and opportunities.

Deliverable: A short assessment summarizing ENAB’s existing advocacy efforts, strengths, and gaps.

2. Hold consultations with ENAB staff, branch representatives, members, and key partners.

Deliverable: A summary of the ideas, concerns, and priorities shared by stakeholders, including key issues ENAB should focus on.

3. Develop a clear and practical Advocacy Strategy.

Deliverable: A full strategy document that outlines priority advocacy issues, suggested approaches, key messages, important partners to engage with, and simple tools for planning and documenting advocacy activities.

4. Provide guidance on how ENAB can track progress and document advocacy results.

Deliverable: A basic and easy-to-follow framework that helps ENAB measure what is working and adjust when needed.

5. Present the draft strategy during a validation workshop and finalize the document.
Deliverables:

• A presentation of the draft strategy for feedback
• A final, polished Advocacy Strategy that incorporates inputs from ENAB leadership, branches, and partners

Timeframe

The consultancy is expected to take around 30 days /one month/ During this period, the consultant will hold consultations with ENAB leadership, staff,selected branch representatives,[1]and partners develop the draft strategy, and facilitate a validation workshop before finalizing the document. The exact schedule can be adjusted in agreement with ENAB, but the work is expected to begin as soon as the consultant is contracted and all preparations are in place.

Required Profile and Skills

The consultant should have demonstrated experience in advocacy work and a good understanding of disability rights. ENAB is looking for someone who has previously supported civil society organizations or membership-based associations in developing advocacy strategies or similar guidance documents.

The consultant should have strong skills in facilitation, consultation, and working with diverse groups, including leadership, staff, branches, and partners. Good knowledge of Ethiopia’s policy environment and government structures is important, as the work requires identifying key issues and opportunities for engagement.

The consultant should also have strong writing and communication skills to prepare a clear and practical strategy that is easy for ENAB to use. Experience in disability inclusion or working with organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) is an added advantage.