ToR for Revision of Advocacy and Communication Strategy -at CARD Ethiopia

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Revision of Advocacy and Communication Strategy

Background and Rationale

• Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, for not profit organization registered in Ethiopia under the revised Civil Societies Law 1113/2019 with registry number 4307. CARD acquired its legal personality on 24 July 2019, aspiring to see Ethiopia where human rights are respected and democratic culture is flourished. CARD has been working with a mission of advancing a conducive civic, media, and digital space to the respect of human rights and the promotion of democratic culture.

  CARD currently has an approved Communication Strategy that guides its internal and external communication efforts. However, the organization recognizes the need to revise this strategy to respond to evolving contexts, priorities, and stakeholder expectations. In particular, there is a need to integrate a structured Advocacy component that clearly defines advocacy goals, targets, messages, and approaches aligned with the organization’s mandate and programs.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this assignment is to revise the existing Communication Strategy and develop an integrated Advocacy component, resulting in a comprehensive, practical, and results-oriented Advocacy and Communication Strategy.

Objectives

• The revised Advocacy and Communication Strategy will serve as a unified framework to enhance the organization’s visibility, influence policy and practice, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and amplify evidence-based messaging at local, national, and international levels.

  The specific objectives of the assignment are to:

• Review and assess the existing Communication Strategy
• Identify gaps, strengths, and areas for improvement
• Design and integrate a clear Advocacy framework aligned with organizational goals
• Ensure coherence between communication, advocacy, and programmatic priorities
• Strengthen messaging, audiences, channels, and implementation mechanisms
• Produce a user-friendly and actionable Advocacy and Communication Strategy

Scope of Work

The consultant(s) will undertake the following key tasks:

• Review the existing Communication Strategy and relevant organizational documents
• Analyze internal and external communication and advocacy context
• Identify priority advocacy issues, objectives, targets, and stakeholders
• Revise and strengthen communication objectives, audiences, messages, and channels
• Develop an integrated Advocacy framework, including approaches, tools, and risks
• Facilitate consultations with management, staff, and key stakeholders
• Prepare and finalize the revised Advocacy and Communication Strategy

Deliverables

The consultant(s) will deliver:

• Inception report with methodology and work plan
• Review and gap analysis of the existing Communication Strategy
• Draft revised Advocacy and Communication Strategy
• Validation workshop with CARD senior management team
• Final Advocacy and Communication Strategy
• Duration of the Assignment

Timeline: the consultant is expected to complete the tasks outlined in this TOR within a 30 days up on signing of contract agreement.

Reports to: CARD Head of Programs

Payment Schedule

The total consultancy fee will be paid into three installments:

• 10% upon submission and approval of the inception report
• 50% upon submission and approval of the draft report
• 40% upon acceptance of the final report.

Upon receipt of the first installment payment, the consultant(s) shall submit a bank guarantee letter equivalent to the advance payment amount, issued by a recognized financial institution.

Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality

• All documents and data collected in the process of the consultancy will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate the consultancy assignment. Information to which the consultant shall receive access to shall at all times be treated as the property of CARD and shall not be disclosed except where express permission has been granted or until sufficient time (as determined by CARD) has elapsed after the adoption of the strategic plan document.

Termination of the Contract

• CARD will terminate the contract, if the consulting firm commits a breach in the performance or observance of its obligation under this ToR. The consultant/firm shall be notified in written form within a week prior to the termination of the agreement.

Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant(s) should have:

• Advanced degree in Communications, Advocacy, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related fields
• Proven experience in developing or revising advocacy and communication strategies
• Strong understanding of policy advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications
• Experience working with NGOs/CSOs or development organizations is an asset
• Good communication skills.

Documents to be submitted by the consultancy firm/individual

• The consulting firm/team of consultants will submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to CARD, including the following documents:
• Technical and financial proposal
• Technical proposal: A concept note including the approach, methodology and work plan, flowchart and timeline of activities (maximum 4 pages).
• CV of proposed team
• Financial proposal: Detailed budget breakdown including taxes.

Detail of the organization/firm

• Organization profile with relevant experiences
• A copy of company/firm registration
• A copy of Tax clearance certificate
• VAT/PAN registration
• Any other relevant documents