RE-ADVERTISE Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Establishment of Hybrid Community Development Associations (CDA) Consultancy Service

Background and Rationale 

The CORE Nutrition-Centric Humanitarian–Development–Peace (NC-HDP) Program, implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia in Moyale Woreda, seeks to strengthen resilience, economic empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable development systems at community level. The program operates across twelve Kebeles within Moyale Woreda and is designed not only to deliver direct services but also to establish durable local institutional structures capable of sustaining outcomes beyond the life of the project, which is scheduled to conclude in 2028.

As part of its institutional analysis, the CORE Program conducted a comprehensive Kebele-level stakeholder mapping exercise across all twelve target Kebeles. The mapping confirmed that each Kebele has a population base well above 1,000 residents, with several Kebeles exceeding 8,000 to 11,000 inhabitants. This demographic profile provides a strong foundation for establishing robust, membership-based community institutions capable of mobilizing a critical mass of individuals.

The mapping further revealed the presence of numerous community-based and NGO-supported groups, including Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs), multi-purpose cooperatives, credit and saving cooperatives, Cluster Level Associations (CLAs), youth groups, horticulture groups, honey production groups, livestock-based groups, income-generating activity (IGA) groups, and savings-based associations. In several Kebeles, WSHGs alone account for between 250 and 500 organized women members, structured in groups of approximately 25 individuals each.

Despite this vibrant landscape of grassroots organization, these structures currently operate in isolation and without a unified, legally recognized umbrella body that can collectively represent their interests. Many of these groups were established through NGO-supported initiatives and are vulnerable to project phase-outs, particularly as several external actors are expected to conclude their interventions by 2025. In addition, some cooperatives have been identified as weakly governed or non-functional, further highlighting the fragility of existing institutional arrangements.

The absence of an integrated, legally registered community-level institution creates significant risks for long-term sustainability. There is currently no consolidated platform capable of aggregating community voice, managing pooled financial resources, coordinating development efforts, or ensuring continuity of CORE-supported outcomes beyond 2028.

In response to this structural gap, the CORE Program intends to facilitate the establishment of Hybrid Community Development Associations (CDAs) in each of the twelve Kebeles. These CDAs will be legally registered under the Ethiopian CSO framework and will serve a dual mandate: as development associations providing representation and coordination functions, and as economically oriented institutions capable of managing membership-based financial resources and supporting community-driven economic initiatives.

To achieve these goals, the project will support the establishment and capacity of Community Development Associations, hereafter referred to as the Associations. These Associations will serve as inclusive, community‑led platforms designed to coordinate planning, oversee development priorities, promote nutrition‑sensitive solutions, and strengthen the overall Humanitarian–Development–Peace nexus at 12 kebeles in the woreda.

Each CDA is expected to enroll a minimum of 1,000 subscribed members drawn from existing community structures and direct CORE beneficiaries, as recorded in the Family Book. Over time, these associations will gradually assume selected coordination and operational functions currently supported by the CORE Program, forming a central pillar of the program’s exit and sustainability strategy.

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical leadership and facilitation support for the legal establishment, governance structuring, and financial governance template development of Hybrid Community Development Associations (CDAs) across the twelve target Kebeles of Moyale Woreda.

The consultant will work closely with the CORE field team and community stakeholders to ensure that the CDAs are legally compliant, institutionally sound, and equipped with foundational governance and financial templates that can be further strengthened during the program’s transition phase toward 2028.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for facilitating a structured and legally compliant process leading to the establishment of twelve Hybrid Community Development Associations. The assignment will begin with a review of the relevant Ethiopian CSO legal framework and registration requirements to determine the most appropriate legal formation pathway for the proposed CDAs. 

Building upon the findings of the stakeholder mapping exercise, the consultant will guide consultations in each Kebele to support the consolidation of existing community structures into a unified institutional framework. Particular attention will be given to integrating Women Self Help Groups, cooperatives, livelihood groups, and other organized associations into the membership structure of the new CDAs.

The consultant will draft a model constitution and bylaws framework suitable for adaptation across the twelve Kebeles. This framework will define the organizational structure of each CDA, including the General Assembly, Executive Board, thematic committees, and oversight mechanisms. Clear procedures for membership eligibility, elections, term limits, and decision-making processes will be articulated to promote transparency and accountability.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will submit the following deliverables within the two-months assignment period:

1. An inception report outlining methodology, work plan, and timeline during the first week of the assignment.
2. A Financial Governance and Internal Control Template Package by the second week.
3. Twelve fully established Associations by the third week, each with: 

   1. Validated founding membership

   2. Leadership structure

   3. Governance framework

   4. Registration or recognition documents

4. A validation workshop report documenting proceedings, feedback, and agreed adjustments and

5. A final consolidated technical report summarizing legal registration pathways, governance design, financial governance templates, and operational recommendations by the fourth week. This report will be reviewed and validated by the National Technical Team and HRP Department.

Duration and Duty Station

The consultancy will be conducted over a one-month period on a full-time basis. The consultant will be based primarily in Moyale Woreda and is expected to engage directly with community stakeholders across all twelve Kebeles.

Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report operationally to the NC-HDP Coordinator in Moyale for day-to-day coordination and field facilitation. All final deliverables will be subject to technical review and validation by the National Technical Team and HRP Department of SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree in Law, Governance, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related field. The consultant must demonstrate a minimum of seven years of professional experience in CSO registration, association development, cooperative strengthening, or community institutional design within Ethiopia.
• Strong knowledge of the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organization (ACSO) legal framework is essential. 
• Proven experience in developing governance structures and financial internal control templates for community-based organizations is highly desirable. 
• The consultant must possess strong facilitation skills and experience working in rural or pastoral contexts. 
• Fluency in Afaan Oromo and English is required.

How To Apply

Application Requirements

A. Technical Proposal

• Outline of the proposed approach, including methodology and understanding of the assignment
• Work plan with timeline and key deliverables

B. Financial Proposal

• Detailed, itemized budget (fees, logistics, data collection, etc.)
• All costs clearly justified
• Submitted as a separate document from the technical proposal

C. Team Profiles

• CVs of team members with relevant qualifications and experience
• Defined roles and responsibilities for each team member

D. References

• Contact details for at least three (3) recent, relevant references
• Include project title, organization, and completion date

E. Legal Address

• Valid Business License (E.C. 2017 Renewed License, Taxpayer Registration Certificate (TIN), and VAT Registration Certificate.
• Full legal name, physical address, and registration details
• Contact phone number and email

Submission Instructions

Address

Email address: [email protected]

Note: Technical and financial proposals must be submitted as separate PDF attachments