Technical Capacity Strengthening of F4B CSOs and Local Actors on Disability and Social Inclusion and Disability-Responsive Programming

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 by 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, inclusion and sustainable CSO engagement, F4B seeks to establish a national-level technical partnership with a qualified national CSO through a sub-granting arrangement.

Purpose of the Call

Amref Health Africa invites eligible national-level CSOs with demonstrated expertise in Disability and Social Inclusion programming, CSOs and local actor’s technical capacity strengthening and policy advocacy to submit Expressions of Interest.

The selected organization will serve as a national technical capacity-strengthening and advocacy partner, supporting F4B implementing CSOs and local actors to institutionalize disability inclusive programming while leading and coordinating strategic advocacy initiatives at national and regional levels to advance disability inclusion for FGM/C and child marriage elimination program and initiatives.

Key Areas of Engagement

The selected CSO will be expected to undertake two complementary areas of intervention.

A. Technical Capacity Strengthening and Inclusion

• Assess the institutional and technical capacities of F4B partner CSOs and local actors in disability and social inclusion and develop organization-specific improvement plans.
• Develop and implement tailored capacity-strengthening plans through training, mentoring, coaching and technical accompaniment.
• Support the integration of Disability and Social Inclusion principles into organizational policies, program design, implementation, safeguarding, monitoring and accountability mechanisms.
• Strengthen meaningful participation and representation of adolescent girls, young women, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
• Develop practical tools, guidance and learning materials to promote sustainable institutional capacity and inclusive programming.

B. Strategic Advocacy and Policy Engagement on Disability Inclusion

• Promote inclusive and gender-responsive policies, legal frameworks, service delivery and accountability mechanisms addressing harmful practices.
• Promote annual learning workshops to capture successful approaches, challenges, case examples and lessons from CSOs and communities and develop short learning products.
• Strengthen the advocacy capacity of F4B partner CSOs, including development of advocacy strategies, policy briefs, position papers and joint advocacy messages regarding disability inclusion.

Eligibility Criteria

Interested organizations should demonstrate:

• National CSOs, valid legal registration and authorization to operate in Ethiopia.
• Proven experience in disability inclusion, gender equality and rights-based programming.
• Demonstrated expertise in institutional capacity strengthening, mentoring and technical assistance to local CSOs and local actors.
• Strong track record in policy advocacy, coalition-building, stakeholder engagement and influencing policy and practice at national and regional levels.
• Relevant experience in FGM/C, child marriage, GBV, adolescent girls’ rights or SRHR programming.
• Established networks and working relationships with government institutions, CSO networks and relevant advocacy platforms.
• Adequate technical, financial, administrative and safeguarding systems to manage sub-grants effectively.in Capacity Strengthening of CSOs and local actors are particularly encouraged

Application Requirements

Interested organizations should submit:

• Organizational profile highlighting technical expertise, geographical coverage and relevant partnerships.
• Brief technical concept notes (maximum 3 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 Disability Inclusion and Capacity Strengthening for CSOs and local actors, advocacy, 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 approach to strengthening the technical and institutional capacities of F4B CSOs and local actors.
• Capacity Strengthening at Different Levels: Explain how the proposed intervention will strengthen disability inclusion at three levels: organizational level (policies, systems, and institutional practices), programme level (inclusive planning, implementation, monitoring, and service delivery), and individual level (knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies of CSO staff and local actors).
• Integration of Disability and Social Inclusion into F4B Programming: Describe practical approaches for mainstreaming disability inclusion across the four F4B programme pathways, with particular attention to the meaningful participation of adolescent girls and young women with disabilities in harmful practices prevention, protection, and response interventions.
• Proposed Activities and Expected Results: Outline the major capacity strengthening activities, anticipated outputs, and expected outcomes, including how improvements in CSO capacity and disability-responsive programming will be measured.
• Organizational and Technical Capacity: Present the organization’s relevant technical resources (guideline, tool, standards etc.), qualifications and experience of key personnel, and ability to deliver the proposed assignment effectively.
• Sustainability and Knowledge Transfer: Explain how the proposed intervention will ensure sustainable capacity development, institutionalization of disability-inclusive practices, and continued application of acquired knowledge and skills by F4B CSOs and local actors.
• Indicative Workplan Provide a proposed implementation timeline, key milestones, and indicative budget, including major cost categories and assumptions, where requested by the EOI.

The concept note should place particular emphasis on practical capacity strengthening rather than one-off training, demonstrating how the applicant will support F4B CSOs to progressively institutionalize disability inclusion and apply disability-responsive approaches in their programmes.

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