ToR To conduct an assessment on the available legal and policy framework in response to conflict-induced sexual violence and SGBV at the national and regional levels

Background about NEWA

The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is a non-partisan, non-governmental national network established in 2003. Currently, NEWA has 50-member local associations and organizations working together for a strong advocacy voice for gender equality and women’s political, socio-economic, and legal advancement.

NEWA has a twofold goal:

1. To synchronize the of women’s associations into a cohesive collective effort, fostering synergy to achieve common goals for gender equality.
2. To launch robust public campaigns aimed at promoting, advocating for, and lobbying for women’s rights.
3. NEWA is guided by its Five-Year Strategic Plan, and research and evidence-based advocacy is one of the overarching and strategic objectives. NEWA has made significant strides in addressing the gender gap across the nation and amplifying women’s voices in collaboration with both local and international partners.

With the financial support from the UN Trust Fund, NEWA is implementing a project titled “Improving legal and service response to SGBV in conflict affected areas of Ethiopia.” 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 project is to be implemented at both national and regional levels, specifically in Amhara, Tigray and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. To effectively and efficiently implement and meet the set objectives and outcomes of this intervention, NEWA will engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders at all levels and phases.

This ToR is therefore prepared to call an expression of interest for consultant/s or firm to apply and provide the consultancy service.

Background

Ethiopia has experienced recurring conflicts and humanitarian crises across several regions, most notably in Tigray, Amhara, and Benishangul-Gumuz. These crises have had severe and far-reaching impacts on communities, with women and girls disproportionately affected. The prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), has increased significantly, leaving many survivors with lasting physical and psychological harm, while access to justice, healthcare, psychosocial, and legal services remains limited.

The disruption of essential systems and institutions has further compounded the vulnerability of affected populations. In many conflict-affected areas, protection and justice mechanisms are either weakened or inaccessible, resulting in inadequate survivor-centered support and limited accountability for perpetrators.

Sexual and gender-based violence, both during and after conflict, remains one of the most pressing human rights and protection concerns in Ethiopia. Although the Government of Ethiopia, along with regional authorities and other stakeholders, has established a number of legal and policy frameworks to prevent and respond to SGBV and CRSV, significant gaps persist in implementation, coordination, and accountability. These challenges continue to undermine the effectiveness of protection efforts and hinder access to justice for survivors.

The assessment will map the current frameworks, evaluate their effectiveness, and identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improved harmonization and coordination among key actors.

The findings of this assessment will serve as an evidence base for strengthening policy and institutional responses to SGBV and CRSV in Ethiopia. They will also provide actionable recommendations to support the development of comprehensive, survivor-centered, and coordinated approaches that enhance protection, access to justice, and the overall well-being of women and girls affected by conflict.

Purpose of the Assessment

The purpose of this assessment is to generate credible and evidence-based insights that inform policy and programmatic actions to strengthen Ethiopia’s response to conflict-induced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexual /gender-based violence (S/GBV). The assessment seeks to support the development of survivor-centered approaches, improve coordination among national and regional stakeholders, and enhance access to protection, justice, and comprehensive services for women and girls affected by conflict.

Objectives

Major objective

To assess and analyze the existing legal and policy frameworks addressing conflict-induced SGBV and CRSV at the national and regional levels in Ethiopia, in order to identify gaps, strengths, and opportunities for strengthening survivor-centered and coordinated responses at the federal level and across the three regions (Amhara, Tigray, and Benishangul-Gumuz)

Specific objectives

The specific objectives are:

• To review national and regional legal and policy frameworks related to the prevention and response to SGBV and CRSV, including their alignment with international standards and human rights principles.
• To evaluate the extent of implementation and effectiveness of existing frameworks, with attention to coordination between government institutions, civil society, and development partners.
• To identify institutional, structural, and operational gaps that limit the protection, prevention, and response mechanisms for survivors of SGBV and CRSV.
• To map key stakeholders and assess their roles, responsibilities, and coordination mechanisms in addressing conflict-induced SGBV and CRSV.
• To develop evidence-based recommendations for strengthening policy coherence, accountability, and institutional capacity to ensure sustainable, survivor-centered protection and justice systems.

Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will be responsible for the following tasks:

The consultant/firm will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of the legal and policy frameworks, institutional mechanisms, and service delivery systems addressing conflict-induced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) at national and regional levels in Ethiopia. The scope of the study will include the following major tasks:

• Map and assess the availability, accessibility, and functionality of SGBV and CRSV-related services at community, regional, and federal levels.
• Examine the integration of legal services within existing humanitarian coordination systems and institutional frameworks.
• Conduct a desk review of SGBV/CRSV related relevant international, regional and national laws, constitutions, gender policies, strategies, civile and criminal code, service delivery response mechanisms to SGBV survivors, women and girls, and relevant humanitarian and development frameworks.
• Review and analyze regional instruments, including protocols, declarations, and commitments by the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
• Conduct interviews with representatives from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Federal Police, and Courts.
• Engage with regional bureaus, Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), Women-Led Organizations (WLOs), INGOs, one-stop centers, shelters, and other relevant actors.
• Assess protection, prevention, referral pathways, coordination, and response mechanisms at both regional and federal levels.
• Evaluate both formal and informal systems, highlighting how they function during conflict and post-conflict situations.
• Examine systemic barriers to service delivery in conflict-affected settings, including mobility restrictions, damaged infrastructure, limited human resources, and operational challenges.
• Provide evidence-based, actionable recommendations for strengthening legal and policy frameworks, institutional coordination, and service delivery systems.
• Suggest measures to enhance survivor-centered approaches and ensure sustainable, accessible, and effective protection, prevention, and response mechanisms.

Methodology

The consultant(s)/firm shall be responsible for designing the assessment approach and methodology, including the mixed-methods design and the development of primary and secondary data collection tools. but not limited to, are suggested, including applying a conflict-sensitive, survivor-centered, and mixed-methods approach:

• Desk Review of national and regional policies, frameworks, and existing SGBV and CRGBV responses
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with service providers, humanitarian actors, and policymakers.
• In-depth interview or Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
• Quantitative data will be collected through structured surveys to complement and substantiate the qualitative findings.

Deliverables

The Consultant will deliver:

• Technical and financial proposals, and then the below after winning the bid.
• Inception Report (outlined methodology, data collection tools, sampling strategy, and work plan).
• Draft Assessment Report, including findings and preliminary analysis.
• Final Assessment Report, incorporating given inputs and comments, with actionable recommendations, annexes (data collection tools, stakeholders consulted, service maps)
• A minimum pf 3 Policy Brief (8–10 pages), summarizing key findings and policy recommendations, tailored for decision-makers and regional actors

1. Duration and Level of Effort

• The assignment is expected to be completed within three months and 15 days from the date of contract signing.

Reporting

The firm is expected to work closely and in consultation with the staff of NEWA to meet the objective of the assignment and shall report to the GBV program coordinator. All the reporting, data compilation, and organization shall be in the English language.

Required Qualifications and Experiences

Professional Qualification and Experience of the Consultant(s)

The consultant(s) or firm expressing interest for the Assessment has the following key Professional Qualification and Experience of the Consultant(s):

• The Consultant company must have a minimum of 7 years of proven experience in gender policy analysis, human right, or SGBV/CRSV related research/ assessment, familiar with the target study area and population (Tigray, Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz regions.)
• The consulting firm must have a team of experts, with genuine women’ representation, proven experience in conducting legal and policy, particularly with in regional context
• For the purposes of this study, the lead consultant is required to be a woman.
• Understanding of Ethiopia’s justice, health, psychosocial, and legal systems, and humanitarian coordination structures.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Knowledge of ethical research standards for working with GBV survivors.
• Research and assessment that have strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• The team must have strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Familiarity with the local context and language of the selected regions is preferred.
• Familiarity with international and regional gender and protection frameworks is essential.
• The team must have a minimum of MSc. /MA degree in the fields of Law, Gender Studies Peace and Security, Human rights, public policies, or other related fields
• The consultant has a proven track record of successfully conducting and managing similar activities and providing at least two testimonial letters.
• If a firm involves more than one expert, please provide description of the duties and responsibilities of teammates
• Excellent writing and facilitation skills in English and Amharic (knowledge of additional local languages an asset)
• Renewed license, VAT registration and TIN number.

NB. The consultants, as well as data collectors, and others who will be part of the assessment are also obliged to sign the safeguarding and child protection policy of NEWA, February 2020,