Terms of Reference (TOR)

To Study “The Role of Women’s Economic Organizations (SHG, Cooperatives, and Micro-Enterprises) on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Somali Regional State (SRS): Opportunities and Challenges”

1. Background

Gudina Tumsa Foundation (GTF) is a not-for-profit civil society organization registered with the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) with the mandate to operate at national level in Ethiopia. GTF was established by the family and friends of Reverend Gudina Tumsa with aims to carry on his vision through rendering holistic service to the marginalized communities in Ethiopia. The foundation was formed in 1992 and started development service delivery in 1994. The foundation has implemented different projects in nine regional states of Ethiopia.

GTF envisions seeing empowered communities that perceive themselves as capable human beings, equipped to actively engage in all aspects of human life. This is in line with the Reverend Gudina Tumsa’s own words stated below:

“… an integral human development, where the spiritual and physical needs are seen together is the only right approach to the development question in our society.”

GTF has developed and implemented different projects that promote the holistic development vision of the organization. The organization was formed to create a better world for those people who have been left behind and most vulnerable in our society to help them live with dignity and hope.

GTF engages in different thematic areas that are life changing. Accordingly, the foundation engages in the following program areas:

• Women and child support services whereby education, healthcare, and other essential services are provided to marginalized women and children,
• Education program focusing on building schools, productional materials and supplies, and teacher supports,
• Health, Water and Environment program focusing on promotion of health services and prevention of disease, WaSH (water, sanitation and hygiene), and environmental protection and conservation through planting trees, etc.
• Livelihood enhancement through different economic empowerment and job creation initiatives for women and youth.
• Policy Advocacy that focuses on influencing Regional Decision Makers towards evidence based, effective and responsive policy formulation and implementation

GTF is implementing a project titled “Healthcare and Livelihood Improvement Advocacy Project in Oromia and Somali (HaLIAPOS)” with the funding secured from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The project is implemented in Oromia and Somali regions for three years from January 2024 to December 2026 in collaboration with the two regional states. GTF has signed a Memorandum of understanding with the respective President Offices of the Oromia and the Somali regions to guide the implementation of the project activities in regions.

The Goal of the project is to contribute to the increased use of evidence and policy analysis by decision-makers leading to the adoption of policies broadly favorable to agricultural productivity, healthcare and nutrition, financial inclusion, and women’s economic empowerment.

The project employed competent experts in the area of project management, policy analysis and research who are working as a team. The activities of the project are enormous and recruitment and assignment of pertinent outside thematic experts/consultants is required to undertake studies and researches on identified topical issues.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

In the Somali Regional State (SRS), women often engage in informal and semi-formal economic groups such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperatives, and Micro-enterprises. These structures hold immense potential for advancing women’s economic empowerment, improving household incomes, and contributing to social cohesion. However, they face multiple challenges, including cultural barriers, limited access to finance, weak organizational capacity, and poor market linkages. This study seeks to generate evidence that will inform strategies to strengthen these women’s economic organizations and enhance their role in empowering women in SRS.

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive study on women’s economic organizations in the Somali Regional State, examining their forms, contributions, opportunities, and challenges, and to generate actionable insights for strengthening women’s economic empowerment through these organizations.

3. Objectives

          3.1 Overall Objective

To assess the role of women’s economic organizations (SHGs, cooperatives, and micro-enterprises) in enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the Somali Regional State, with a focus on opportunities and challenges.

           3.2 Specific Objectives

• To map and assess the forms and structures of women’s economic organizations in the Somali Regional State.
• To examine the contribution of these organizations to women’s economic empowerment, livelihoods, and decision-making power.
• To identify key opportunities that can be leveraged to strengthen women’s economic organizations.
• To analyze the challenges and barriers limiting the effectiveness and sustainability of women’s economic organizations.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for policy reform, institutional support, and program interventions to enhance women’s economic empowerment through collective economic structures.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will:

• Conduct a desk review of existing literature, policies, and strategies on women’s economic empowerment and collective economic organizations in Ethiopia, and specifically SRS.
• Map existing women’s economic organizations at the regional and selected zones/woredas of SRS.
• Collect primary data through surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs) with women leaders, members of SHGs, cooperatives, micro-enterprise owners, government officials, and other stakeholders.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations to strengthen policy and programmatic support to women’s economic organizations in SRS.

5. Methodology

The study will employ a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative techniques:

• Desk Review of existing policies, secondary sources, including government reports, NGO studies, and academic research.
• Quantitative Data Collection through structured surveys targeting women’s organizations.
• Qualitative Data Collection via FGDs and KIIs with stakeholders such as women leaders, cooperative agencies, Women and Children Affairs Bureau, financial institutions, local community leaders, and others.
• Analysis using both statistical and thematic approaches to triangulate findings and ensure validity.

The consultant is expected to propose a detailed methodology and sampling framework in their technical proposal.

6. Deliverables

The consultant/firm will provide the following outputs:

1. Inception Report – including Research methodology, data collection tools,  sampling framework, work plan, and team composition.
2. Draft Research Report – presenting preliminary findings for review.
3. Final Research Report – incorporating feedback, with an executive summary, key findings, and recommendations.
4. Policy Brief – a concise summary of findings and recommendations for policymakers.
5. Presentation of Findings – to GTF and regional stakeholders in Jigjiga.

7. Required Qualifications

The Applicants must have a professional team composition comprising the following fields of specialization and minimum qualifications:

• Lead Consultant (Principal Investigator): PhD in Economics, Developmental Studies, or related fields with 7 years of proven research experience in informal sector dynamics, multi-dimensional socio-economic factors, policy implications, economic empowerment pathways, or related areas.
• Gender expert: Master’s degree in Gender Studies or related field with 7 years of proven research experience in analyzing gender-specific vulnerabilities and empowerment issues.
• Policy Expert: Master’s degree in public policy, Law, or related field with 7 years of proven experience in analyzing and designing effective policies for informal-to-formal sector transitions, and related areas.
• Data Manager: Master’s degree in Statistics or related field with 7 years of proven experience in quantitative research and data management.
• Sociologist: Master’s degree in Sociology or related social science field with 7 years of relevant experience in analyzing social dynamics, informal labor relations, and community contexts.
• Proficiency in Somali and English is mandatory.

8. Timeline

The timeline to conduct this assessment will be 60 calendar days.

9. Evaluation

• The technical proposal: 70%
• Financial proposal: 30%

10. How to Apply

Potential consultants or consulting firms should submit their detailed technical and financial proposals, including:

1. Detailed CVs and valid experiences
2. A copy of their renewed business license
3. A copy of their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
4. A copy of their VAT Certificate

All application documents should be sent electronically to jobs@gtfound.org with the subject line “The Role of Women’s Economic Organizations in Somali”.

Submission Deadline: 25 November 2025, 4:30 p.m.

 For more information, please contact us at the following address:

• Email: teshome.b@gtfound.org 
• Tel: +251969355555

 Important Notes

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• GTF reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, in whole or in part, without providing any reason whatsoever.
• Late submissions will not be considered.