Area Based Coordination Consultancy – DRC-ETH-ADD-020-2025

EthiopiaArea Based Coordination Consultancy – DRC-ETH-ADD-020-2025OrganizationDanish Refugee CouncilPosted 24 Oct 2025 Closing date 6 Nov 2025Terms of Reference (ToR) for Area Based Coordination Consultancy Development of ABC Training Modules and Preparation & Facilitation of Training of Trainers for NGOs in EthiopiaWho is the Danish Refugee Council?Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: in the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence. Background of the consultancyEthiopia’s humanitarian coordination is transitioning to an area-based coordination (ABC) model to improve localization, accountability to affected populations (AAP), information management (IM), and cross-sectoral coordination at sub-national (area) level. The ABC approach aims to promote localised, accountable and adaptive humanitarian planning and response. Under the revised framework, clusters will remain at the national level, with updated TORs focused on country-wide analysis, technical guidance, and field support; while ABC structures will replace existing regional ICCGs at sub-national levels. This model aims to promote localized, inclusive, and adaptive humanitarian planning and response, aligned with the Government of Ethiopia’s vision of increased self-reliance and strengthened national systems.More Specifically, Area-based Coordination Should EnableIdentification of local context-specific needs and prioritiesInclusion and empowerment of affected populationsGreater flexibility to respond to evolving needsReduced duplication and improved coherenceEffective joint advocacy on access, protection, and systemic issuesAs many of the area coordination fora will end up being facilitated by international and local NGOs, there is a need to support capacity development in practical coordination, networking and meeting management, structured information flows and use of IM tools. This consultancy will deploy a specialist training team to build the capacity of NGOs assuming ABC leadership roles to ensure consistent, accountable, and sustainable coordination practices.The Requested Consultancy And Training Are Expected To Extend On The Initial ABC Workshop Held In May 2025 During Which The Following Needs Were IdentifiedDisseminate learning about principled Area Based CoordinationCreate learning models to enhance teams’ capacities, including on facilitation skills, information management, partners & community mobilization, among othersBuild on experience through lessons learned, capitalisation workshops, community of practice, test and learn approaches, etc. Objective of the consultancyThrough this consultancy, the NGO community is expecting to achieve the following objectives:Strengthened operational and principled coordination body and network, in which voices of INGOs and NNGOs have the potential to shape the humanitarian space, where they are too often overshadowed by the dominant influence of the UN systemIncreased cooperation among NGOs (INGOs and NNGOs alike) through joint learning, experience sharing and establishment of mentorsEnhanced accountable leadership of ABC leads, through clear definition of roles, ways of working, and reporting mechanismsFostered buy-in of ABC across stakeholders, through effective, purposeful, and principled systems.More specifically, the consultancy is expected to achieve the following outcomes:Develop a standardized Training of Trainers (ToT) curriculum that enables NGO staff assuming ABC leadership roles to run effective area coordination meetings and information systems. The ToT should include the following areas:Soft skills: to enhance coordination facilitation, communication, meeting design, group management, etc.Information management skills: for needs mapping, data collection (digital and paper), synthesis and visualization for coordination (dashboards, maps, one-page briefs).AAP and feedback mechanisms: to design and manage complaint/feedback channels, referral pathways, and community engagement practices, and ensure the ABC upholds a principled humanitarian response.Networking & stakeholders’ mapping and engagement: to ensure coherent linkages and representation between area coordination, government, UN, donors and affected communities.Facilitate a 5 day ToT training for 20/25 participants based on the curriculum developedProvide on-site coaching and remote mentoring to consolidate learning and support first three months of practical implementation.Produce practical SOPs, templates and job aides for replicable area coordination practice.Support the establishment of a platform after the training which enables area-based leads from INGOs and NGOs to continue sharing experiences/best practices. Scope of work and MethodologyThe Consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating howthe objectives of the project will be achieved, and the support required from DRC. DeliverablesThe Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:Phase 1Expected deliverables: Inception note & Detailed training planIndicative description tasks: Inception note and detailed training plan.Maximum expected timeframe: December 2025Phase 2Expected deliverables: ToT curriculumIndicative description tasks: Customized ABC Training of Trainers curriculum and training materials — facilitation guide, participant pack, templatesMaximum expected timeframe: January 2026Phase 3Expected deliverables: In person trainingIndicative description tasks: Delivery of ABC Training of Trainers trainingMaximum expected timeframe: February 2026Phase 4Expected deliverables: Remote mentoring and experience-sharing modalitiesIndicative description tasks: Modalities for remote mentoring/experience sharing platformMaximum expected timeframe: February 2026Phase 5Expected deliverables: Draft reportIndicative description tasks: Final consolidated report with lessons learned, recommended roadmap and handover planMaximum expected timeframe: February 2026Phase 6Maximum expected timeframe: Final reportIndicative description tasks: Report + Digital repository of all materials (editable formats)Maximum expected timeframe: March 2026The Consultant will provide the documentation by mail address: degef.tewelde@drc.ngo Duration, timeline, and paymentThe total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than five months.The consultant shall be prepared to complete the assignment no later than March 2026 Proposed Composition of TeamProject Manager (mandatory)Assistance Project Manager (optional) Eligibility, qualification, and experience requiredEssentialThe consultancy is open to both individual consultants and consulting firms legally registered and eligible to operate in Ethiopia if needed.The lead consultant (or team lead) should hold at least a Master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, humanitarian affairs, project management, or a related field.At least five years of professional experience in coordination, capacity-building, or program management within humanitarian or development contexts.Demonstrated experience in delivering Training of Trainers (ToT) programs within similar coordination or capacity-building models.Proven experience in developing Area-Based Coordination (ABC)-related training modules or tools that serve as practical implementation guides.Evidence of prior work in humanitarian or development settings, particularly with coordination mechanisms at area or subnational levels.Strong understanding of ABC principles, local governance, and multi-sector coordination approaches.Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with demonstrated ability to deliver participatory and results-oriented trainings.Proficiency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of Amharic or other local languages is an advantage. Technical supervisionThe Selected Consultant Will Work Under The Supervision OfDegef Tilahun, HiNGO Deputy Director- email address - degef.tewelde@drc.ngo Location and supportThe consultant will work remotely from home and will provide few days training in person in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The Consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone. TravelDRC will provide all necessary materials and logistical arrangements for conducting the ToT in Ethiopia, including:Flights, visa and accommodation cost of consultantsAppropriate venue, refreshments and lunchPresentation equipment, flipcharts and other materials needed to facilitate the trainings Submission processAs per the instruction on the RFP document Evaluation of bidsAs per the instruction on the RFP documentPlease find complete bidding documents in the following link: Area Based Coordination Consultancy - DRC-ETH-ADD-020-2025How to applyBids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address: tender.eth@drc.ngoWhen Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email e.g. "DRC-ETH-ADD-020-2025 - Area Based Coordination Consultancy"Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email containsThe financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A.2 or vendors financial bid in own formatThe technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender, but excluding all pricing informationBid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.Bids will be submitted electronically. DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering processJob detailsCountryEthiopiaSourceDanish Refugee CouncilTypeConsultancyCareer categoryProgram/Project ManagementYears of experience5-9 yearsThemesCoordinationProtection and Human RightsShare Share this on Facebook Share this on X Post this on LinkedIn