CST Ethiopia seeks to document learning, generate evidence, and contribute to broader discussions on locally led development and sustainable community resilience

INVITATION TO BID
CONSULTANCY SERVICE FOR EVIDENCE GENERATION STUDY ON THE IRSHO APPROACH AS A LOCALLY LED DEVELOPMENT MODEL

CST Ethiopia, on behalf of the Charter for Change Ethiopia Working Group, invites qualified consultants or consulting firms to submit proposals for undertaking an evidence generation study on the community driven program – Irsho/sclr Approach, a locally led development model implemented by Citizen to Citizen (C2C) development organization Ethiopia. The assignment seeks to document learning, generate evidence, and contribute to broader discussions on locally led development and sustainable community resilience.

1. Study Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the study is to generate evidence and learning on the Irsho Approach as a locally led development model, examining its key features, practical application, enabling and constraining factors, specific stories and potential for adaptation and scale-up. The study will also assess how the approach strengthens community ownership, local decision-making, resilience, and systems change while contributing to broader learning on locally led development practices.

2. Scope of the Work

The selected consultant will design and conduct a participatory qualitative study using community-centred and learning-oriented research approaches. The assignment will include field research, stakeholder consultations, community case studies, participatory learning exercises, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, document review, and comparative analysis. The consultant will examine how the Irsho approach operates in different contexts, document outcomes and lessons learned, and develop evidence-based recommendations for future adaptation and scaling.

3. Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Development Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, International Development, Community Development, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Proven experience in leading qualitative research, evaluations, action research, or learning studies in humanitarian, development, peacebuilding, or community development contexts.
• Strong understanding of locally led development, localisation, community-led development, resilience programming, or related approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise in participatory and qualitative research methodologies.
• Proven analytical and report-writing skills with experience producing high-quality research reports and evidence products.
• Experience working with communities, civil society organisations, donors, and government stakeholders.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with knowledge of Amharic.

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous experience researching or evaluating community-led development, localisation, or Survivor and Community-Led Response (sclr) initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the Ethiopian development, humanitarian, and civil society landscape.
• Familiarity with indigenous knowledge systems and community-based institutions.
• Experience facilitating participatory learning, reflection, and validation workshops.
• Knowledge of OECD DAC locally led development frameworks, community-led development frameworks, and systems change approaches.

4. Key Outcomes and Deliverables

The successful consultant will be expected to deliver:

• Inception Report, including detailed methodology and work plan.
• Evidence and analysis documenting the Irsho model, its implementation processes, outcomes, lessons learned, and pathways for adaptation and scale-up.
• Comprehensive Research Report presenting findings, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Policy-Oriented Summary Report highlighting key learning and strategic implications.
• Community-Friendly Report presenting findings in an accessible format for participating communities.
• Validation and presentation of findings to key stakeholders.

5. Application Instructions

Interested and eligible bidders are invited to submit a comprehensive set of bidding documents, including:

• Technical Proposal (understanding of the Tor, methodology, approach, experience, CVs)
• Financial Proposal (detailed budget)

These documents and submissions must be placed in separate, sealed, and stamped envelopes. In addition, bidders are required to provide a renewed business license for the current year, a VAT certificate, and a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).

Selected consultants will be invited for a second stage review with interviews.

All Expressions of Interest should be clearly marked: “Consultancy Service for Evidence Generation Study on the Irsho Approach as a Locally Led Development Model” and delivered in sealed and stamped envelopes to: CST Ethiopia, Kirkos Sub City, Woreda 3, Kebele 4, Next to Gotera Don Bosco, Catholic Salesianum, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For further information and to request the Terms of Reference (ToR), please contact:

 [email protected]   

The BID submission deadline is 09 September 2026, at 5.00 PM.

CST Ethiopia reserves the right to cancel this bid process, either in full or in part, at its discretion and without obligation to provide reasons for the cancellation. Submission of a bid does not guarantee that a contract will be awarded by the organisation

Tender details

• Deadline: 2026-09-09
• Bid closing time: 17:00
• Bid opening: 2026-09-09 17:00
• Bid opening (note): No Specific Opening Date and Time
• Region: Addis Ababa
• Publishing entity: CST Ethiopia
• Published on: Reporter (Aug 23, 2026)
• Posted at: 2026-08-24T13:11:25.000Z