Corporate Social Responsibility Researcher

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world.

Introduction

Within the bigger picture of  Strengthening social cohesion by supporting local economies and social development initiatives especially for women and youth and enhancing industrial and labor relations in the Modjo Leather City, IRC(in partnership with PIN and Solidaridad) has been implementing a project supported by EUTF contributing  to the reduction of irregular migration from Ethiopia by creating greater economic and decent employment opportunities for young men and women through creating green jobs and social cohesion in Modjo leather city.

In Ethiopia, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not well understood by companies. Recent study on CSR of LLP sector revealed that firms’ learning social responsibility is at emergence stage with the state and foreign market pressure as key motivators

Tanneries do not have any solution to manage their solid waste. This waste could be valorised into new products but there is very limited knowledge and capacities in Ethiopia among leather actors and enablers. Tanneries also face many challenges to improve their manufacturing practices and to comply with the Environment standards. Moreover, conventional manufacturing practices have consequences on leather quality and access to better remunerated markets. Considering the very initial stage of leather waste management in Ethiopia (lack of technologies, technical skills, market), key stakeholders (LIDI, ELIA, etc) still consider leather solid waste valorisation as a pilot approach and do not expect that this sector could create many new jobs. Therefore, to foster job creation in Modjo, the action will also focus on the whole leather value chain, including leather goods and footwear production. Several factories are present in Modjo, but they face difficulties to recruit qualified staff. Modjo TVET college is under capacitated to provide quality trainings and do not have contacts with factories for apprenticeships schemes and job placement.

In response to alleviate the above problems, IRC and its implementing partners have planned to promote social cohesions through well-developed Corporate Social Responsibilities for private sector to support community development, facilitate economic (decent green employment for local population) and   support private sectors to meet environmental/sustainability standards.

Scope of Work:

 The  consultant researcher  will be responsible to conduct study  and  develop case studies regarding CSR implementation, identify key legal instrument (national and international) to support the implementation of CSR in Ethiopia or elsewhere with respect to the leather sector. The consultant will present the finding on the three-day workshops that is going to be prepared by the IRC.

The scope of this assignment is limited to the leather sector (including the tannery industries and other LLI) and thematically on corporate social responsibility (responsible business), doing desk review rather than including data collection and analysis from the field level from tanneries and communities affected by tanneries west. Geographically, the scope on Modjo leather town despite we are required to collect relevant inform information else ware in the country or global. The desk review research must answer the key questions which portrayed under sections methodology part.

 Major Responsibilities:

• To advise IRC with options and evidence for designing and implementation of CSR, focusing on improving social cohesion among tanneries, public sectors and local community institutions Under the supervision of the Recruitment Officer, and guidance, source for entry level positions and build connections in the local community for open vacancies.
• Robust information and expert opinion will be shared based on current research and evidence, to inform CSR programme design, strategy for the IRC Green jobs in the leather in Modjo, Ethiopia.
• Develop evidence/ case studies on CSR (opportunities, challenges and lesson learnt) (successful planning, implementation of CSR and the corresponding challenges of CSR implementation in Ethiopia and similar countries.)
• Create awareness about the importance of integrating long-term economic, environmental, and social aspects in the tanneries’ business strategies while maintaining global competitiveness and brand reputation
• to examine the CSR trends in the tanneries sector of Ethiopia by investigating the existing CSR practices and concerns in the selected tanneries.
• Present the case studies to the CSR workshop participants and solicit more information
• Agree with the workshop participants on the way forward regarding the planning and implementation of CSR in the project area
• Provide insights into the CSR whether IRC programming should or not, adopt further programming on CSR and if so, in which areas. Some of this will be useful to the policy team to inform a planned media brief for external communications and advocacy.
• Identify new areas of engagement will need to follow up with community consultations.

Qualification (Expected Profile of the Consultant/Researchers)

• The consultant (Team) is expected to hold the following qualifications to be deemed eligible for the role:
• The consultant(s) should have relevant academic qualifications and must be in possession of at least a master’s degree in one of the following: Business administration, social science, or any other relevant qualification
• The consultant(s) should have knowledge of designing and undertaking scientific and applied research.
• Proven experience of successfully undertaking such kind of high-profile assignment
• The consultant(s) should have proven experience of in the sphere of CSR development and implementation

• Knowledge of facilitation approaches and programming will be required
• Knowledge and experience in institutional development approaches including institutional capacity development.
• Be conversant with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Ethiopian Growth and Transformation Plan and other national level development programs and contemporary trends and concepts
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High proficiency in written and spoken English

• Familiarity with the cultural construction and community set up of the project areas.
• A demonstrated high level of professionalism and an ability to work independently and in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.

Response and Proposal Specification

Those interested in the consultancy firms must include in their application a detailed technical and financial proposal with the following components:

Technical

• Technical description of the assignment in line with the TORs
• Methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment
• Time and activity schedule

Financial

• Consultant’s daily rate excluding transport, Accommodation, and Meal costs will be covered by IRC, when the consultant/trainer is in-country, Ethiopia.

Organizational and Capacity Statement

• Relevant experience related to the assignment
• Contacts of organizations previously worked for
• Proven track record of conducting similar assignments on time

Consultant Researcher Profile

The consultant/ Researcher profile should be submitted in accordance with competency requirement stipulated above/below in the expected researcher profile