Background of the donor and implementing partner

Ethiopian Centre for Development : Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD), since March 2013, has been working to make it possible for the poor, particularly marginalized women, youth, and children, to have better life conditions and improved circumstances through enhanced access to quality education/training and capacity for self-sufficiency. With a particular focus on the needs of the marginalized, ECD has implemented various projects as an intervention to improve conditions for the better. The organization operates from its head office in Addis Ababa and its branch offices in South Ethiopia, Amhara, and Oromia Regions.

Children in Crossfire was founded in 1996 by Richard Moore. In 1972, as a 10-year-old boy, Richard was blinded by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Amazingly from childhood to the present day, he has accepted the loss of his sight without any feelings of anger, bitterness or resentment. Children in Crossfire is driven by its vision for a compassionate world where every child can reach his or her potential. For them, this is not a dream but something we can really make tangible through our work. It is essential that as they work for change, we also nurture compassion as the underpinning core value that drives people to take actions for a better world for all children.

Background of the project

In Ethiopia, despite its recognized importance, the ECE sectors struggle with persistent challenges that hinder equitable access and quality service delivery. A 2023 national-level assessment by the Ministry of Education highlights several systemic issues, including:

Limited Access: A significant proportion of children, especially those from economically disadvantaged households, are unable to access ECE programs, perpetuating educational inequalities.

Quality Disparities: ECE facilities vary widely in quality, with many lacking the requisite infrastructure, learning materials, and conducive environments necessary for effective education.

Teacher Capacity: There is an acute shortage of trained and qualified ECE professionals, leading to inconsistent delivery of education and care.

Community Awareness: Limited understanding of the importance of ECE among communities has resulted in the underutilization of available programs and services.

In Addis Ababa, these challenges are further magnified by rapid urbanization and the diverse socio-economic contexts of the city’s population. While urban settings generally offer better access to resources, disparities in infrastructure quality, teacher preparedness, and program affordability remain significant barriers. Additionally, the limited involvement of local communities and stakeholders in shaping ECE programs exacerbates the situation, underscoring the need for inclusive and participatory approaches to address these gaps.

The Pathways to Learning project aims to tackle these systemic issues by conducting a comprehensive situation analysis of the current ECE landscape in Addis Ababa. This analysis will identify critical gaps, opportunities, and stakeholder dynamics, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the design and implementation of targeted, context-specific interventions.

The rationale for this initiative is grounded in the imperative to develop evidence-based strategies that not only align with Ethiopia’s national education agenda but also contribute to the global vision articulated in Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Specifically,the project will achieve a lasting impact within Target 4.2 “by 2030 to ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. By investing in quality ECE, the project seeks to foster sustainable educational development, enhance social equity, and improve the long-term well-being of children in Addis Ababa.

Overall Project Objective 

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) landscape in Addis Ababa by assessing its quality, accessibility, inclusivity, and challenges, and by identifying key stakeholders, policies, and community perceptions to design evidence-based and context-specific interventions.

Specific Project Objective

• To evaluate the quality, inclusivity, and accessibility of existing ECE provisions in Addis Ababa.

• To map and document the roles and contributions of relevant stakeholders, including educators, government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations, in the provision of ECE services.

• To review and assess the effectiveness of existing ECE policies, frameworks, and strategies in addressing the needs of children and stakeholders in Addis Ababa.

• To explore and document community attitudes, expectations, and perceptions regarding the importance and value of ECE services.

• To identify and analyze the key challenges and barriers hindering equitable access to quality ECE.

Analysis period

• January, 2025 to March, 2025

General Objective of the assignment 

To conduct a comprehensive situational analysis of Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Addis Ababa by evaluating its quality, accessibility, inclusivity, and challenges, and by analyzing data gathered from key stakeholders, policies, and community perspectives to inform evidence-based recommendations for enhancing ECE services.

Specific Objectives

• To prepare the introduction section of the final report, framing the scope and significance of the situational analysis, literature, and desk review analyzing relevant ECE documents, policies, and frameworks.

• To develop a comprehensive methodology report, detailing the research design and approaches used.

• To transcribe qualitative data through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

• Qualitative analysis using Open Code software for each KII and FGD and synthesize it into the results and discussion section, highlighting key findings on the quality, inclusivity, and accessibility of ECE.

• To formulate actionable recommendations and conclusions based on the findings to guide future interventions in ECE and prepare the overall write-up of the situation analysis assessment.

Scope of Work

• The situational analysis will involve a series of interrelated activities aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) landscape in Addis Ababa. The first task is to draft the introduction section of the final report, clearly outlining the purpose, objectives, and significance of the analysis. This will be followed by a thorough literature and desk review to examine existing documents, policies, and reports relevant to ECE in Addis Ababa, providing valuable context for the assessment.

• A detailed methodology report will then be prepared, describing the research tools, data collection methods, and analysis techniques employed to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. Data collection will include conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with various stakeholders, ensuring diverse perspectives are captured. The collected data will be transcribed and systematically organized for analysis.

• The analysis phase will analyze qualitative data by Open code software to develop a results and discussion section, offering insights into the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of ECE services. The final step will be to prepare actionable recommendations and a well-founded conclusion to inform evidence-based interventions that address the identified challenges and enhance the ECE landscape in Addis Ababa.

Key Deliverables

• Interim Report: Summarizing initial findings from desk reviews and data collection.

• Final Report: Providing detailed analysis, key findings, and actionable recommendations along PowerPoint presentation.

• Raw data of the assessment 

Required Qualifications

• The consulting firm must have a minimum of two years of technical experience in conducting assessments.

• Demonstrated expertise in early childhood education research and analysis.

• Comprehensive knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

• Familiarity with the Early Childhood Education (ECE) landscape, including the policy and socio-cultural context of Addis Ababa.

• Proven ability to produce high-quality, clear, and concise technical reports in English.

• The lead consultants should hold at least a Master’s degree in education, development studies, or a related field, along with relevant professional experience.

• Willingness to work in various sub-cities of Addis Ababa and adapt to challenging work environments.

Timeframe

• It is anticipated that the consultancy will be carried out between January23/2025-February 03/2025, over 12 consecutive days starting.

How To Apply

Bidding process and dates 

An Interested consultant/Consulting firm should submit a proposal comprising the following; till January 22, 2025. Documents Establishing the Eligibility and qualifications of the consultant/Bidder

 including the following:-

Copies of legal registration documents, Certificate of quality assurance

List of project references undertaken by the consultancy firm. 

Technical proposal, demonstrating understanding and comments on ToR, Capability statement of the consultant/firm including a list of relevant projects pertaining to this assignment starting with

 the most recent one, Proposed approach and methodology with a schematic diagram illustrating the steps of the processing sequence, Capacity of key staff proposed to deliver the assignment

 including CVs of all proposed staff, and detail Implementation plan.

Sealed technical and Financial Proposals separately; in hard copy.

List of 2 references including the most recent client.

ECD is looking for an experienced Consultant/consulting firm with specialized technical expertise to be engaged in this specific task. Working closely with project and ECD staff, and relevant public

 and private stakeholders. Our organization will select the best proposal based on the experience and capacity of the consultant(s), the quality of the technical offer, and the financial offer. 

The Bid must be delivered in a written form to the address below in hard copy only by January 22, 2025, on or before 4:00 pm (afternoon).

Ethiopian Center for Development (ECD)

Alem Building 7th floor, In front of Alem Cenima

Tel: – 0116639517

P.O. Box 40936

E-mail: haregashenafi2007@gmail.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia