Call for Consultant to Provide Capacity Building Training on Project and Grant Management for NEWA and Partner Organizations’ Staff

1. Background about NEWA

The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is a non-partisan, non-governmental national network established in 2003, bringing together over 53 member organizations working across Ethiopia to advance gender equality and the rights of women and girls.

NEWA serves as a national platform that coordinates, advocates, and strengthens the collective voice of women’s organizations. Its work focuses on policy advocacy, institutional strengthening, and promoting the socio-economic and political empowerment of women.

As part of its mandate, NEWA is implementing programs aimed at strengthening prevention and response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), particularly in conflict-affected and vulnerable contexts.

With support from the UN Trust Fund, NEWA has been implementing project on Improving legal and service response to SGBV in conflict affected areas of Ethiopia, the project has been implementing at national and regional level especially in conflict-affected areas. These interventions require strong internal systems, effective. It is designed to enhance the implementation of legislation, policies, national action plans, service standards, and accountability systems to prevent and end SGBV in Ethiopia.

The complexity of GBV programming requires strong, adaptive, and accountable project and grant management systems that ensure ethical and survivor-centered approaches, effective coordination, compliance with donor standards, and measurable results.

This assignment is designed to strengthen capacities, systems, and learning practices, including Outcome Harvesting.

2. Background of the Assignment

Effective project and grant management is critical for strengthening program quality, accountability, and impact. Gaps remain in results-based planning, MEL systems, donor compliance, and outcome tracking.

3. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen the knowledge, practical skills and competencies of NEWA and its partners staff in effective , gender responsive, and result oriented project and grant management

4. Objectives

4.1. General Objective

• To strengthen institutional and individual capacities for effective GBV program implementation.

4.2. Specific Objectives

• To strengthen project cycle management (PCM) in GBV contexts
• To strengthen skills in project planning, implementation, and monitoring
• To strengthen knowledge on grant management and donor compliance requirements
• To strengthen financial management/ accountability
• To strengthen documentation, reporting, and communication practices
• To strengthen RBM (Results-Based Management))
• To strengthen Outcome harvesting application
• To strengthen coordination and accountability

5. Expected Outcome of the Assignment

The training is expected to result in improved knowledge and skills of NEWA staffs and its partners in project and grant management, leading to:

• Better quality project design and implementation
• Improved compliance with donor requirements
• Strengthened financial and narrative reporting
• Strengthened coordination and accountability among partner organizations.

6. Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct pre and post test analysis
• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum and materials
• Deliver a three-day training for NEWA and partner staff which will be held Addis Ababa
• Cover key training topics, including but not limited to:
• Project Cycle Management (PCM): Understanding the full project lifecycle, from identification and design to implementation, monitoring, and closure
• Logical Framework (Log-frame) Development: Designing results-based log-frames, including objectives, indicators, means of verification, and assumptions
• Work Planning and Budgeting: Developing realistic work plans, activity schedules, and aligning budgets with project outputs and timelines
• Grant Management and Donor Compliance: Understanding grant agreements, donor requirements, compliance standards, and reporting obligations
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL): Tracking project performance using indicators, data collection methods, and preparing quality narrative reports
• Financial Management for Projects: Basic financial principles, budget tracking, cost control, and coordination between program and finance teams
• Risk Management and Accountability: Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks, and ensuring accountability, transparency, and safeguarding standards
• Outcome harvesting
• Apply participatory and practical training approaches (case studies, group work, exercises)
• Facilitate discussions and experience sharing
• Provide training materials and tools for future use
• Prepare and submit a training report

7. Methodology

The consultant is expected to apply an interactive and practical training approach, including:

• Presentations
• Group discussions
• Case studies and real-life examples
• Practical exercises and simulations
• Experience sharing sessions

The training should be participatory, inclusive, and tailored to the context of NEWA.

8. Key Deliverables

The consultant/firm is expected to deliver:

1. Inception Report (training approach, agenda, and work plan, schedule)
2. Training curriculum and materials
3. Delivery of a three-day training
4. Pre- and post-training assessment tools
5. Training report including key outcomes and recommendations
6. Soft copies of all training materials

9. Duration and Level of Effort

The assignment will be conducted over a short period, including preparation and delivery:

• Preparation: 3–5 days
• Training delivery: 3 days
• Reporting: 2 days

10. Training Logistics

• Location: Addis Ababa
• Training Period: May 13 to May 15
• Participants: NEWA and its partners staff (program, finance, M&E, management)
• Training size: 20–25 participants
• Language: English (with contextual explanation as needed)

11. Reporting

The consultant/firm will report directly to the assigned NEWA program focal person.
All deliverables must be submitted in English.

12. Application Process

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• Cover letter
• Technical proposal (approach, methodology, timeline)
• Financial proposal (in ETB)
• CV(s) of key personnel
• Relevant experience and sample trainings
• Renewed license, VAT registration, and TIN

Required Qualifications

The consultant/firm should meet the following requirements:

• Educational Qualification: Advanced degree (MA/MSc or higher) in Project Management, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, or other relevant fields
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of proven experience in project and grant management, preferably within donor-funded programs. Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering capacity development trainings, particularly for NGOs or civil society organizations
• Technical Competence: Strong knowledge of Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Results-Based Management (RBM). Proven expertise in log-frame development, planning, budgeting, and reporting. In-depth understanding of donor regulations and compliance frameworks (e.g., UN agencies, INGOs, bilateral donors). Practical experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems
• Sector Experience: Experience working with NGOs, networks, or civil society organizations, preferably in gender, development, or humanitarian sectors. Familiarity with the Ethiopian operational and institutional context is highly desirable
• Core Competencies: Excellent facilitation, training, and adult learning skills. Strong analytical and problem-solving ability. Excellent communication and report writing skills in English and ability to deliver interactive, practical, and results-oriented trainings

Added Advantage:

• Prior experience working with women’s rights organizations or GBV-related programs
• Experience in conflict-sensitive and gender-responsive programming
• Female lead consultant or gender-balanced team is encouraged
• Teams with diverse expertise