Announcement of a Bid for Research Consultancy Service 47 views

ENDAN seeks to contract out a consultancy service for a research undertaking through a competitive bid process. The research is intended to assess the Role of Citizens with Disabilities in National Development and the Responsibilities expected of the Society in this respect.

Research Title: Assessment of the Role of Citizens with Disabilities in National      Development, and the Responsibilities expected of the Society from Disability Perspective

Organizational Profile

ENDAN was originally constituted in June 2004, upon the imitation of Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and International Labor Organization (ILO), with the name of National Disability Forum. In 2007, the Forum changed its name and became Ethiopian National Disability Action Network (ENDAN) and continued to work in the area.

ENDAN has re-registered and accorded legal personality again with its registry No. 1547 on July 31/2019, as per the new Civil Society Organizations’ proclamation No. 1113/2019,  Currently ENDAN has 26 member Civil Society organizations working in the area of disability and related issues. Membership to ENDAN is open to all civil society organizations whose majority of their beneficiaries are persons with disabilities.

Background

Globally, it is estimated that one in fifteen of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. According to this statistic, the number of people with disabilities on the planet exceeds one billion. Looking at their geographic distribution, 80 percent of them are found in developing nations, particularly in the Sub-Saharan region of the African continent. As a country located in this geographic area, Ethiopia is reported to have one of the highest disability prevalence rates in the sub-region. Accordingly, estimates indicate that persons with disabilities constitute 17.6 percent of its population.

The world over, persons with disabilities experience discrimination, exclusion and marginalization because of their impairments, although the degree may vary from one society to the other depending on socioeconomic determinants. The situation is generally much worse in developing societies for obvious reasons. In Ethiopia, studies and observation demonstrate that, by and large, the fate of persons with disabilities has historically been the denial of their rights, access and recognition by systems, institutions and communities. As a consequence, lack of socioeconomic and political participation and the resultant poverty continue to this day to be their lot in life. To illustrate, the educational, health and employment coverage of persons with disabilities, among other social services and economic sectors, are minimal, when compared with other people nationally or locally. In the case of girls and women with disabilities, the multidimensional impacts of gender and disability-induced discrimination and denial expose them disproportionately to extreme degrees of vulnerability, exclusion and violation of rights.

Thus, the long-persisting marginalization of persons with disabilities is visibly Widespread in the socioeconomic and political spheres of national endeavor. Such exclusionary practices are attributable, in large part, to the deep-rooted and widely prevalent negative social attitudes and customs towards disability. As a result of these barriers and the resulting challenges, the playing field has not been level for persons with disabilities to contribute their part to nation building processes to the fullest extent of their potentials.

However, despite the overwhelming difficulties they face, some have exhibited extraordinary resilience and talents through the achievement of remarkable success in various fields. Yet, although many may not have gained due recognition for what they have accomplished, they have still played their part in contribution to community development. In fact, in a more friendly and enabling environment, such cases of success demonstrate the potentials of persons with disabilities for even greater achievements of national interest.

In light of the foregoing, this TOR was written to serve as a guide for the conduct of a research undertaking intended to assess the role of citizens with disabilities in national development, and the responsibilities expected of the society from the disability perspective. As indicated in the research title, the central theme of the investigation revolves around the role that citizens with disabilities are able to play in nation building interventions. It also focuses on what should be done by way of removing the barriers, which prevent persons with disabilities from fully exercising their potentials and effectively participating in development endeavors. Thus, the research is expected to come up with results that inform public duty bearers and other stakeholders, with respect to empowering citizens with disabilities, for them to be able to perform their civic duties and exercise their rights like other citizens.

Purpose of the Research

A coalition of four disability entities/CSOs is currently implementing a collaborative project entitled “Disability Networks Partnering for an Inclusive Society in Ethiopia”. The project is funded by Civil Society Support Program Phase 2 (CSSP II). This research is to be undertaken as a separate activity that will contribute to the results of a range of other tasks that make up the project.

Based on The background information provided in the earlier section of the TOR, the research will be conducted to achieve the following overall and particular objectives.

Overall Objective

Produce, document and disseminate sound and firm evidences concerning citizens with disabilities, with respect to their role in national development, and what the society is expected to do in relation to this.

Specific Objectives

Identify success cases that objectively demonstrate the achievements of persons with disabilities in the face of enormous challenges;

• Analyze the interaction between impairments and barriers, which together prevent the all-round participation of persons with disabilities in society;
• Provide facts and evidences for the preparation of a policy brief on the public response to the situation of citizens with disabilities;
• Inform the presentations and deliberations during disability rights advocacy workshops and policy dialogues with government bodies and other actors;
• Contribute inputs to the preparation of a disability rights and inclusion advocacy manual and training material as a frame of reference.
• Assess the vulnerability of Person with disabilities to the impact of Covid 19, and public response to the situation, including the action taken by government bodies, the donor community and other concerned stakeholders
• Put forward specific and focused recommendations regarding interventions to empower citizens with disabilities for impactful socioeconomic and political participation.

Research Methodology

Basically, the assessment is a qualitative study. As a result, it will employ a range of methods that are appropriate or suitable for this type of research. In combination, the different methods employed should reinforce and complement the body of data generated. Yet, limited use of quantitative data is also suggested and required where appropriate, to add to the validity and weight of the results.

Thus, the methodology will mostly cover desk review, interviews, discussions and observations. Because of its appropriateness to the nature of the issue under assessment, case analysis will be adopted as a particular research method to investigate the stories and experiences of selected individuals with disabilities for their inspirational and exemplary qualities. Consultant perspectives are required regarding each research method in terms of relevance, application and approach.

The Scope of the Study

The assessment is intended to examine two core issues in connection with citizens with disabilities. The first one is the role they have to play in national development. This refers to their participation and contributions in a wide range of fields of activity, which covers the academic, technical and vocational sectors, entrepreneurship and innovation, as well as arts and sports, among others.

Secondly, the study seeks to assess society’s duties and responsibilities in addressing the disability issue. In the assessment of society’s response, disability and gender rights advocacy needs to be treated with special attention, because of its significance to promoting and maximizing the practice of disability and gender inclusion/mainstreaming.

With a view to gathering the necessary secondary information for the assessment, it is crucial to review available pertinent literature to capture documentary and anecdotal evidences of disability success stories. These may include but are not limited to research documents, news reports, published articles and archival materials.

For the generation of, a list of institutions will need to be prepared in order to help locate appropriate potential informants. Included among such institutions are organizations/associations of persons with disabilities, employer agencies, educational establishments and religious organizations. In addition, families/friends of individuals with disabilities, authors/publishers of documents and program producers/presenters of disability success stories may be used as referral/contact points to identify and approach relevant informants.

The incorporation of related international experience falls within the scope of the assessment, since such information is valuable as a background to the research report, to reinforce the results, and for the insights and implications it will provide to adapt lessons learned to the local setting. The above description of the scope of the study is by no means exhaustive. Hence, the consultant, based on professional expertise and discretion, may explore further sources of data as deemed proper and beneficial. Not least, the assessment should focus on the correlation between disability and COVID 19, with particular reference to its gender dimension, as indicated under specific objective bullet 6.

Expected Deliverables

Once the consultancy service has been awarded, the consultant is expected to submit the following deliverables to ENDAN as per mutually agreed action plan and timeline.

• An inception report that contains revised data collection instruments and a detailed activity breakdown and work schedule.
• First draft of the report in electronic format.
• The final study report in soft and hard copies as set out in the service contract.
• A policy brief based on the research documents.
• Data collection tools, recorded and transcribed materials and all written communications related to the research work.

Time Frame

The assessment study is planned to be undertaken within two months from the date of commencement. Deadlines for the completion of specific tasks within this fixed time range may be flexible. The consultant is required to submit an activity-based breakdown of this time line for the client’s approval and launch of the research undertaking.

The bottom line is that the research will be completed strictly within two months. The breakdown of the period to separate tasks will be managed based on mutual consensus with the consultant and close follow-up of the work by ENDAN

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• Second degree or above in fields of study most relevant to the thematic area/issue of the research work.
• Adequate research expertise and experience particularly on disability issues; and thorough knowledge of the subject matter.

Additional, Not Necessarily Mandatory

• Willing and able to communicate and publicize the research findings through various media outlets, including social media and other platforms.
• Having some specialization or a background in the development of policy briefs, advocacy and lobby, or media and communication.

Other Eligibility Criteria

• Valid and relevant work license
• Letters of recommendation from appropriate reference persons or institutions.