Youth Advocates Empowerment, Youth-Led Policy Dialogue, Media Engagement and Strategic Communication

Background

Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia, in partnership with Plan International Ethiopia and local civil society organizations (CSOs), is implementing the Future4Binti (F4B) Program in Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. The program aims to contribute to the elimination of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage through strengthening girls’ agency, transforming harmful social norms, improving access to quality services, and promoting enabling policy, legal and accountability systems.

As part of its commitment to localization and strengthening youth-led policy dialogue and media engagement, F4B seeks to engage a qualified CSO through a national-level strategic partnership under its sub-granting scheme.

Purpose of the Call

Amref Health Africa invites eligible CSOs with demonstrated experience in youth led dialogue, youth engagement, media and communication to express their interest in partnering with the F4B Program.

The selected CSO will support and coordinate youth-led policy dialogue, policy and media engagement initiatives at national and regional levels to enhance youth and media capacities to influence youth policies and programs and promote collective action towards eliminating FGM/C, child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV).

Key Areas of Engagement

The selected CSO will be expected to:

• Youth-Led Advocacy Capacity Strengthening: Strengthen the capacities of youth-led CSOs and young advocates in policy analysis, advocacy planning, public speaking, parliamentary engagement and media advocacy.
• Enhance Media engagement: Coordinate national and regional media campaigns, public debates, social media engagement and advocacy communication to advance F4B policy priorities.
• Parliamentary and Government Engagement: Organize policy dialogues, public hearings and high-level advocacy forums connecting youth representatives with parliamentarians, regional councils and government decision-makers.
• Youth Participation and Policy Dialogue: Facilitate structured youth consultations and meaningful engagement of adolescent girls and young women in policy discussions and decision-making.
• Coalition Building: Strengthen collaboration among youth networks, CSOs, media and relevant stakeholders, and support follow-up on policy commitments and advocacy outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested organizations should demonstrate:

• National CSOs, valid legal registration and authorization to operate in Ethiopia.
• Proven experience in youth advocates empowerment and engagement, national parliament and regional council members engagement for policy dialogue, media and and communication.
• Demonstrated capacity to organize and facilitate national and regional dialogues and advocacy initiatives.
• Experience working with government institutions, parliamentarians, youth networks and CSO coalitions.
• Knowledge of FGM/C, child marriage, GBV, gender equality and adolescent girls’ rights.
• Adequate technical, organizational and financial capacity to manage sub-grants.

Application Requirements

Interested organizations are invited to submit:

• Organizational profile highlighting technical expertise, geographical coverage and relevant partnerships.
• Brief technical concept notes (maximum 4 pages) describing the proposed capacity-strengthening approaches for CSOs and local actors and advocacy.
• Evidence of similar assignments, including relevant achievements and experience.
• Valid registration certificate and relevant organizational credentials.
• Latest three audited financial statements, together with the corresponding management letters, as part of the submission package
• Indicative activities or workplan for one Year

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated based on technical expertise, demonstrated experience in youth led dialogue, youth engagement, media and communication, proposed methodology, organizational capacity, national and regional networks, sustainability and value for money.

Shortlisted organizations may undergo further technical assessments and organizational capacity due diligence before final selection.

Evaluation Criteria

Before technical evaluation, applicants should demonstrate that they:

• Are legally registered and authorized to operate in Ethiopia.
• Have no unresolved legal or compliance issues that would prevent engagement.
• Are willing and able to work with F4B implementing partners in Oromia, Amhara, Afar, and Somali regions, directly or through appropriate local arrangements.
• Demonstrate commitment to safeguarding, child protection, gender equality, and non-discrimination.

Contents of the Concept Note

The concept note should include, but not be limited to, the following key elements:

• Organizational Profile and Relevant Experience
• Understanding of the Assignment and Context: Demonstrate an understanding of disability and social inclusion challenges in Ethiopia, particularly the intersection of disability, gender inequality, FGM/C, and child, early and forced marriage.
• Proposed Technical Approach and Methodology: Describe the proposed strategies and approaches for facilitating youth-led policy dialogues, strengthening youth leadership, promoting meaningful youth participation, and engaging policymakers, media institutions, and other relevant stakeholders at national and regional levels.
• Youth Engagement and Capacity Strengthening: Explain how the organization intends to strengthen the capacities of young people, youth-led organizations, and youth networks to participate effectively in policy dialogues, advocacy initiatives, and decision-making processes, with particular attention to adolescent girls and young women.
• Media Engagement and Strategic Communication: Outline the proposed approaches for strengthening the capacities of media actors, promoting responsible reporting on harmful practices, amplifying youth voices, and using traditional and digital media platforms to influence public discourse and promote positive social norms.
• Proposed Activities and Expected Results: Present the major proposed interventions, expected outputs, and anticipated outcomes, including how the activities will contribute to youth empowerment, policy engagement, gender equality, and the prevention of FGM/C, child marriage, and GBV.
• Partnerships, Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Describe existing networks and proposed coordination mechanisms with youth-led organizations, government institutions, policymakers, media organizations, F4B implementing partners, and other relevant stakeholders at national and regional levels.
• Organizational and Technical Capacity: Highlight the organization’s technical expertise, qualified personnel, operational capacity, and institutional arrangements to effectively implement and coordinate the proposed interventions.
• Indicative Workplan Provide a proposed implementation timeline, key milestones, and indicative budget, including major cost categories and assumptions, where requested by the EOI.

Indicative EOI Timeline and Key Milestones

The EOI process will follow a clearly defined timeline to ensure transparency, fairness, and timely selection of qualified CSOs. The key milestones will include the publication of the EOI, deadline for submission of expressions of interest and concept notes, screening and technical evaluation of applications, shortlisting of qualified organizations, and anticipated notification of selection and award. Amref Health Africa reserves the right to adjust the timeline as necessary and will communicate any significant changes to applicants.

Amref Health Africa is committed to a transparent, competitive and inclusive selection process.