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 the national level in Ethiopia. GTF was established by the family and friends of Reverend Gudina Tumsa to carry on his vision through rendering holistic service to the marginalized communities in Ethiopia. The foundation was formed in 1992 and started delivering development services in 1994. The foundation has implemented different projects in nine regional states of Ethiopia.

GTF envisions 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, production of 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 focuses on influencing regional decision makers towards evidence-based, effective, and responsive policy formulation and implementation.

Recently, GTF has commenced the implementation of a project titled “Healthcare and Livelihood Improvement Advocacy Project in Oromia and Somali (HaLIAPOS)” with the funding secured from the Gates Foundation (GF). The project is implemented in Oromia and Somali regional states over 3 years, from January 2024 to December 2026, in collaboration with the two regional states. GTF has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the respective Presidents’ Offices of the Oromia and the Somali regions to guide the implementation of the project activities in the 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 project management, policy analysis, and data analysis who are working as a team. The activities of the project are enormous, and hence it requires external experts/consultants to undertake studies and research on identified topical issues. One of these studies to be outsourced is entitled, “The Financial Services Ecosystem: Roles and Contributions of Stakeholders towards ensuring Financial Inclusion in Oromia.”

2.     Introduction to the assignment

In rural Oromia, smallholder farmers and pastoralists, particularly female-headed households and youth, continue to face significant challenges, foremost among them limited access to and usage of financial services from formal financial institutions. In urban areas, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in job creation and income generation; however, their growth is similarly constrained by inadequate access to essential financial services.

According to the Global Findex Database (2025) 49 percent of adults (aged 15 and above) in Ethiopia own an account at a formal financial institution. Baseline findings from the HALIAPO project conducted by GTF indicate that Oromia performs below the national average. This gap is attributed to several factors, including the region’s large rural population living far from bank branches, significant demand for Sharia-compliant financial services among Muslim communities, and generally low levels of financial literacy.

Financial inclusion is a cross-cutting development priority that involves multiple stakeholders across sectors and population groups. Achieving meaningful financial inclusion, therefore, requires strong collaboration and coordination among all actors in the financial services ecosystem. Recognizing this, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) developed the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) II, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders operating within the ecosystem.

However, a 2025 baseline study conducted by GTF found that stakeholders are not effectively contributing their roles in advancing financial inclusion in Oromia. Stakeholders can be broadly categorized into supply-side and demand-side actors. Supply-side stakeholders are those who directly influence or provide the availability, accessibility, and usage of formal financial services. Demand-side stakeholders include both current users and non-users of these services. Together, these groups constitute the core of the financial services ecosystem examined in this study.

Against this backdrop, GTF intends to undertake a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the extent to which the financial services ecosystem in Oromia is fulfilling its responsibilities. The study also aims to identify the key factors hindering effective performance and propose practical, innovative measures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of stakeholders’ contributions to financial inclusion.

3.     Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to map the key stakeholders within the financial services ecosystem in Oromia and assess the extent to which they are fulfilling their mandated roles and responsibilities in promoting financial inclusion in the region.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Identify and map all stakeholders operating within the financial services ecosystem in Oromia.
2. Identify the individual and shared responsibilities of each stakeholder based on their legal and institutional mandates.
3. Evaluate the extent to which stakeholders are fulfilling their assigned roles in addressing the financial service needs of financially excluded populations.
4. Identify and analyze factors that influence stakeholders within the ecosystem to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

4. The Scope of the Study

The study will have the following scope: –

• The assessment will address both the supply and demand sides of the financial services ecosystem. On the supply side, it will examine financial institutions, financial regulators, and other legally mandated stakeholders. On the demand side, the study will focus on smallholder farmers, (agro)pastoralists, women, youth, the Muslim community, and urban SMEs.
• The study will review and analyze policies and regulatory frameworks relevant to stakeholders’ mandates in promoting the financial inclusion of underserved communities.
• The study will identify key stakeholders in the ecosystem and assess the extent to which they are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in advancing financial inclusion.
• The study will examine the degree of coordination and collaboration among stakeholders within the ecosystem toward achieving financial inclusion objectives.
• The study will analyze relevant country experiences to draw lessons on how different actors within financial services ecosystems effectively promote financial inclusion for underserved populations.
• The study will map and assess the availability, accessibility, and adoption of modern financial technologies within the ecosystem and their role in modernizing the delivery of financial products and services.
• The study will propose policy, institutional, and operational reforms or strategic measures to enhance stakeholders’ capacity to discharge their financial inclusion responsibilities in Oromia effectively.

5.     Study Methodology

The consultant is expected to propose a contextually appropriate research design and methodology capable of achieving the stated study objectives. The methodology should integrate both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of the financial services ecosystem in Oromia.

The study will adopt a desk-based review to systematically examine the financial services ecosystem in Oromia, establishing a contextual and analytical foundation for the research. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) will be conducted with identified supply-side stakeholders, including financial institutions, regulators, and other mandated entities with specialized subject-matter expertise. At least one representative from each supply-side institution should be interviewed to capture institutional perspectives, mandates, and operational realities. Efforts should also be made to engage members of the regional financial inclusion task force, ensuring that all relevant actors are included in the qualitative inquiry.

A Demand-Side Survey will be administered targeting users of financial services. The survey sample should be representative of key population segments, including rural households (smallholder farmers, pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, women, youth, and the Muslim community) and urban SMEs. The survey should generate quantitative evidence on access to, usage of, preferences for, constraints on, and perceptions of financial services, as well as assess whether these population groups receive adequate support from the financial services ecosystem to effectively access and utilize these services.

A systematic Policy Mapping and Analysis will be undertaken to review and analyze policies, strategies, and institutional mandates governing financial inclusion in Ethiopia, including the National Financial Inclusion Strategy II (NFIS II). This analysis should evaluate the alignment between stakeholders’ current practices and their prescribed mandates and policy expectations.

The consultant should examine the roles of each stakeholder in relation to financial inclusion by comparing their actual performance against their legally and institutionally defined responsibilities, as well as their assigned roles under NFIS II. The study should assess the extent to which these roles are being fulfilled, identify performance gaps, and determine the degree of contribution of each stakeholder toward financial inclusion outcomes.

All components of the methodology must adhere to established scientific research standards, including a clearly defined sampling strategy, rigorously developed data collection instruments, transparent analytical procedures, and adherence to ethical research principles.

6.     Expected Deliverables

The following are the expected deliverables

• Inception report, which includes refined methodology and data collection tools;
• Progress report presentation;
• Draft study report;
• Presentation on the research findings at the validation workshop;
• Final study report in both hard & electronic copies;
• A policy brief; and
• Submission of all collected raw data in soft copy, including recorded audios/videos, photographs, and other relevant materials.

7.     Required Qualifications

The consultancy firm should comprise a team of professionals with the necessary expertise and experience to ensure the successful implementation of the study. The proposed team must, at a minimum, include:

• Lead Consultant (Principal Investigator): PhD in Economics, Finance and Banking, Business Management, or related fields with a minimum of 7 years of proven research experience in Financial Services, and related areas.
• Data Analyst/Manager: Master’s degree in Statistics or related field with 7 years of proven experience in quantitative research and data management
• Gender Expert: Master’s degree in Gender Studies or related field, with 7 years of proven research experience in gender analysis in financial services.
• Policy Analyst: Master’s degree in law or related fields with 7 years of proven experience in policy analysis.
• Proficiency in Afaan Oromo and English is mandatory

N.B.: Please do not apply if you do not meet all the criteria listed above.

8.     Timeframe

The assignment should be delivered within 60 days.

9.     Evaluation

The proposal will be generally evaluated from 100% as follows:

• 70% for technical proposal
• 30% for financial proposal

Below are some of the evaluation criteria:

• Understanding of the assignment
• Proposed methodology
• Relevant experience and qualifications of the consultant/team as attested by testimonials
• Technical soundness and feasibility of the work plan
• Alignment of the financial proposal to the methodology and cost-effectiveness

10.  How to apply

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

• Detailed CVs and valid experiences
• A copy of their renewed business license
• A copy of their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
• A copy of their VAT Certificate

All application documents should be sent electronically to jobs@gtfound.org with the subject line “Financial Services Ecosystem in Oromia” in PDF format.

Submission Deadline: December 25, 2025

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.