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1. Purpose and Background
Since 2014 five Austrian NGOs have subsequently implemented a consortium project, coordinated by HORIZONT3000 (Austrian Organisation for Development Cooperation), which aims at strengthening the capacities of selected East African partner organisations in policy dialogue engagement. The Consortium Project “CSOs and Policy Dialogue” strives towards contributing to a political environment in East Africa that is directed towards justice and equity by focusing on ways and methods that promote policies in the interest of marginalised populations and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. A number of CSOs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda (appr. 10) have been trained on approaches, methods and tools of engagement in policy dialogue, have elaborated policy dialogue strategies and have implemented initiatives for policy dialogue.
So far, a limited number of CSOs have benefitted from the project by accessing capacity development in the field of policy dialogue as well as funding to test, apply and consolidate methods and approaches to influence policy processes. The project addressed two major constraints to successful CSO engagement in policy dialogue: i) lack of capacities and ii) lack of resources. While these needs are (partially) met at the level of involved partner organisations for the time of the project, they are still existent in the region and are likely to persist to a certain extent even within targeted partner organisations, as policy dialogue is a complex and ever shifting field. This tendency is reinforced by shrinking spaces for civil society action trends in targeted countries.
A system analysis study (2021) looked closely into the system around policy dialogue and CSO capacity development in Kenya, one of the countries in the project region. The report highlighted the emerging issues stemming out of the overall analysis, as well as recommendations for the way forward to increase the will and/ or skill of stakeholders/ system actors to ensure capacity development in policy dialogue as well as funding from a long-term perspective. One of the recommendations of the study suggests to work with major players to set up communities of practices to facilitate interactions between different actors (practitioners and other stakeholders) that can play a role in developing capacities of CSOs for policy dialogue. To follow up on this specific recommendation in more detail, a feasibility study was commissioned. The feasibility study established that there is significant receptiveness among key players in the region for participation in a community of practice or some sort of network that facilitates such kind of learning.
Reference document (can be shared upon request):
- Acepis for HORIZONT3000 – Final Report (2021), “Developing CSOs Capacity for Public Policy Dialogue in Kenya – A System Analysis”
- Acepis for HORIZONT3000 – “Towards a Community of Practice (CoP) to Build Capacities of CSOs for Public Policy Dialogue in East Africa” (June 2022)
Following the recommendations of the feasibility study, Phase IV (2023-2025) of the project is initiating a facilitated process with interested actors, which include stakeholders from different areas and also CSOs from beyond the consortium. The objective is to establish a diverse forum which will allow actors in Eastern Africa, with a specific focus on Civil Society Organisations, to continue exchange around Policy Dialogue, once the consortium project will phase out in the current setting in East Africa and might transfer to include other geographic regions. Such a Community of Practice (CoP) (or a similar exchange platform) shall ensure medium-to long term sustainability of the Policy Dialogue Consortium project.
2. Objectives
The objective of the consultancy is to support the process of initiation of a Knowledge or Learning Network / Community of Practice for “CSO capacity development and knowledge exchange for Policy Dialogue” in Eastern Africa in the initial phase and the setting up of structures and Terms of Reference for participation, taking into account that the project funding will be only for a limited time and that the CoP should continue its work after project end.
3. Scope and Focus
The facilitation support is initially planned for one year as a pilot phase. A core facilitation team for the CoP from the participating organisations will be established and the process facilitator shall support them.
The facilitator should support the core facilitation team drawn from 2-3 partners of the current Policy Dialogue Consortium in order to:
- Facilitate the initial meetings of the CoP (invitations, communication)
- Support the organisation of a kick-start event for the CoP - preparation of a regional multi-stakeholder workshop (involving key actors identified in the feasibility study) to explore and discuss specific modalities for setting up the CoP as well as continuous interaction between members (incl. virtual spaces)
- Support the development of the terms of Reference for the CoP (including role definition of team and members)
- Support development of workplan and sustainability strategy for the first year of the CoP
- Identify potential other actors from Feasibility study and beyond
4. Methodology
The methodology including conceptual framework and approach as well as appropriate facilitation methods are to be suggested by the consultant, and subsequently fine-tuned and agreed with consortium partners.
5. Expected Deliverables
✓ Plan and facilitate initial meetings with CoP core facilitators
✓ Plan a multistakeholder Kick-off event for the establishment of a CoP Uganda (or Kenya)
✓ Support core facilitation team in organising meetings and kickstarting the CoP including stakeholders beyond the consortium
✓ Support the Development of a Workplan for the CoP
✓ Support the development of a sustainability strategy for the CoP
6. Timetable
The estimated timetable is envisaged as follows, to be finalised upon contract signature:
• Deadline for submission of offers - > 15th of September 2023
• Screening of offers, pos. interviews, contracting -> 30th September 2023
• Workplan: 10th of October 2023
• CoP Kickoff: tbc
7. Budget
The total budget should not exceed EUR 9.000 and needs to be in line with the suggested methodology and conceptual framework. This value must cover all costs relating to the assignment including fees, taxes, food, accommodation, office materials, insurances, travel costs etc..
8. Skills and Qualifications of Consultant(s)
The following skills and qualifications are considered as relevant:
• Experienced facilitator of participatory group processes (in the context of development cooperation projects),
• Experience and track record with capacity development, systemic approaches, networks, incl Community of Practice
• Experience in East Africa incl. knowledge of the political, social and economic framework conditions,
• Experience in working or collaborating with Civil Society Organisations,
• Overall knowledge in gender equality, Do No Harm approach
• Sector-specific knowledge on policy dialogue and advocacy.
More information under this link (pdf).
How to apply
The offer (in English) has to be submitted via Email to Ulrike Bey, Project Coordinator Policy Dialogue Consortium Project at HORIZONT3000 Vienna (Email: ulrike.bey@horizont3000.at ) until latest September 15th, 2023, 23:59 CET. HORIZONT3000 reserves the right to extend the deadline if the offers received by then do not meet the requirements.
Offers must include:
• the consultants’ CV(s), experiences and references,
• suggestion on the methodology, time and action plan and if necessary, suggestions and recommendations to the Terms of References,
• the number of working days designated to the assignment including daily rates,
• a detailed budget proposal, which has to be presented in EURO and must include all taxes, and other expenses (insurances etc.).
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