1. Background

The Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) is an Ethiopian Development Organization established in 2005 and re-registered with the Agency for Civil Society Organizations as an Ethiopian Development Civil Society Organization under Certificate № 0321, pursuant to Proclamation № 1113/2019.

ECDD works with partner organizations to promote and facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities and disability issues in mainstream service delivery and development programs. Its vision is an Inclusive Ethiopia where persons with disabilities exercise equal rights and have access to the same services and opportunities as other citizens.

Currently, ECDD is implementing a project entitled “Ahead for Accessible, Inclusive, Equitable, and Affordable SRH and Essential Healthcare Services for Adolescents and Youth with Disabilities (AHEAD)” funded by a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to strengthen Adolescents and youth, particularly those most vulnerable, are equipped with skills & knowledge to make informed choices about their SRH and rights within an enabling environment that promotes adolescent health and wellbeing.

A key component of this project includes the implementation of the MINCH Multimedia digital Platform designed to provide accessible and relevant information to persons with disabilities across Ethiopia. The platform was developed to improve access to critical information that supports the empowerment, awareness, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in different aspects of life. The MINCH Platform delivers voice- and text-based information through a toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, enabling people with disabilities to access content without smartphones or internet access. This design enables users across the country to access disability-related information on basic mobile phones.

The platform provides information in Amharic and Afan Oromo languages, ensuring broader accessibility for users. The content on the platform covers several important areas, including Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), the rights of persons with disabilities, policies, rules, and regulations related to disability, inclusive education, inclusive livelihood opportunities, and general information, services, and facts relevant to persons with disabilities. In addition to delivering information, the MINCH IVR Multimedia Platform also has the features of interactive tools such as user surveys, discussion forums, question-and-answer sessions, and feedback mechanisms. 

Despite the platform’s potential to enhance information access and participation, there is limited evidence regarding how widely the platform reaches youth with disabilities, especially women and girls with disabilities, how easily they can use it, and what motivates them to access it. Furthermore, there is a need to understand whether there are accessibility barriers or gaps that limit effective use of the platform, particularly for youth, women and girls with disabilities.

To address these gaps, ECDD plans to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the MINCH Platform, focusing on its usability, reach, and accessibility for youth with disabilities. The assessment will also explore the key motivations for user engagement and identify barriers that may limit full utilization of the platform.

The findings from this assessment will provide evidence-based insights to support improvements in the design, accessibility, outreach, and effectiveness of the MINVH Platform. 

Therefore, ECDD invites qualified and experienced consultants or consulting firms to submit expressions of interest to undertake this assessment in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar zurya, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, Adama, Debre Birhan, Arbaminch, Jimma/Kersa

2. General Objective

The primary objective of the assessment is to generate reliable baseline evidence on the reach, usability, accessibility, and utilization of the MINCH Platform among youth with disabilities, with particular attention to women and girls.

3. Specific Objectives

The assessment is expected to achieve the following objectives:

• To examine the level of awareness and reach of the MINCH Platform among youth with disabilities, including women and girls in the target areas.

• To assess the usability and user experience of the MINCH Platform, including how easily users can access and navigate the IVR system.

• To identify the main reasons and motivations for which users’ access and utilize the platform.

• To analyze the types of information and services most frequently used by users on the platform.

• To identify barriers and accessibility challenges that affect the effective use of the platform by youth with disabilities, including women and girls.

• To generate reliable quantitative and qualitative data on user engagement and accessibility.

• To provide practical recommendations for improving the functionality, accessibility, and outreach of the MINCH Platform.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant/firm will:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant documents, reports, and user data from the MINCH Platform.

• Design and implement qualitative and quantitative data collection targeting youth with disabilities across the following locations: Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar Zurya, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, Adama, Debre Birhan, Arbaminch, and Jimma/Kersa.

• Engage key stakeholders including youth with disabilities, women and girls with disabilities, community leaders, and partner organizations.

• Analyze findings to identify patterns in reach, usability, accessibility, user motivation, and barriers.

• Produce a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations to improve the platform.

5. Data Collection and Analysis Methodology

• Detail methodology and work plan to be proposed by the evaluator

6. Sources of Data

Data for the assessment will be gathered from both primary and secondary sources.

7. Sample Size Determination

The consultant will determine an appropriate sample size using systematically sampling techniques. The sampling approach should ensure adequate representation of:

• Youth with different types of disabilities

• Women and girls with disabilities

• Users and non-users of the platform

• Different geographic locations where the platform is accessible and not accessible.

8. Data Analysis

• Data analysis tools to be proposed by the consulting firm

9. Ethical Considerations

The assessment must adhere to strong ethical standards, including:

• Obtaining informed consent from all participants before data collection.

• Ensuring confidentiality and protection of personal information.

• Applying inclusive and accessible communication methods suitable for persons with different types of disabilities.

• Ensuring gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive participation throughout the assessment process.

10. Key Deliverables

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception Report

      A detailed document describing the proposed methodology, research design, sampling framework, work plan, and structure of the final report. 

1. Data Collection Tools

     Survey questionnaires, interview guides, and FGD guides to be reviewed and approved by ECDD before the fieldwork begins.

1. Draft Assessment Report

            A preliminary report presenting the initial findings, analysis, and recommendations for review.

   1. Revised Draft Report

         An updated version incorporating feedback from ECDD.

1. Final Assessment Report

A comprehensive report presenting the final findings, conclusions, and recommendations, submitted in both PDF and Word formats. 

Job Requirements

10. Required Qualifications and Expertise

The consultant or consulting firm should have:

• An experience conducting research, assessments, or evaluations.

• The team lead should have undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, ICT, Statistics, Disability Studies, or related fields.

• Demonstrated experience in disability inclusion and digital accessibility.

• Strong expertise in data collection, data analysis, and report writing.

• Experience conducting similar assessments related to digital platforms or accessibility.

• Valid professional license and required legal documentation.

11. Duration of the Assignment

The assessment is expected to be completed within 30 calendar days of contract signing.

• The draft report must be submitted within 25 days.

• The final report must be submitted within 5 days after receiving comments on the draft.

12. Selection Criteria

No

CRITERIA

SCORES

1

Budget (Financial Proposal)

30%

2

TECHNICAL PROPOSAL:

70%

2.1

Experience related to the task

15%

2.2

Experiences of team member(s)

10%

2.3

Disability Inclusion Experience

10%

2.4

Understanding of the assignment

5%

2.5

Data Collection & analysis Methodology

25%

2.6

Experience working in a targeted area in a similar context

5 %

 

Total

100%

13. Terms of Payment

• First payment - 30% upon signing of contract

• Second payment - 50% upon submission of the draft production

• Final payment - 20% upon incorporation of feedback, editing, and delivery of the final satisfactory products

How To Apply

1. Submission of Proposals

Interested and qualified organizations or individuals should submit their proposals in sealed and signed envelopes containing the following:

1. Technical Proposal

• Proposed methodology and approach, including tools, processes, and quality assurance measures.

• Work plan and timeframe for completion.

• Human resources and team composition (roles, responsibilities, CVs).

• Relevant professional experience, particularly in disability-inclusive productions.

2. Financial Proposal

• Transparent budget breakdown with all costs required for successful completion.

3. Supporting Documents

• Profile of the organization or a detailed CV of an individual professional.

• Renewed registration certificate, license, or work permit. (2018)

• Copies of VAT registration.

• Educational background and experience of key personnel.

• Bid documents, duly signed and stamped, enclosed in a sealed envelope.

• Any other relevant documents.

Bid Document must be submitted in hardcopy to ECDD’s Headquarter Office before submission deadline and location of our organization listed as follows.

ECDD Head Office:

Debre Zeit Road, Beklobet (around the former Global Hotel), in front of the Ethiopian Revenue Authority Addis Ababa Medium Tax Payers Office, in the building where Amhara Bank and CBE are located. ECDD’s office is on the third floor of the same building. P.O. Box- 1530 Code 1250, Tel. +251-11-4168884; E-mail: info@ecdd-ethiopia.org, Website: www.ecdd-ethiopia.org, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Disclaimer:

ECDD is a disability-based organization committed to safeguarding all Children and Adults at Risk. ECDD has Zero Tolerance for incidents of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation against children and adults at risk, including sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment, committed by employees, volunteers, consultants, or contractors working with us, where development and humanitarian programs are implemented. ECDD also has Zero Tolerance for Corruption. Thus, ECDD expects everyone who works for it to respect its Children and Adults at Risk Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, and other legal frameworks. Violations of these stated 

Job Requirements Candidates must hold an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, ICT, Statistics, Disability Studies, or a related field and demonstrate experience conducting similar assessments for digital platforms or accessibility initiatives. A valid professional license and legal documentation are mandatory. How to Apply Submit your non-returnable application and CV along with supporting documents in person to the office located at Debre Zeit Road, Beklobet (around the former Global Hotel), in front of the Ethiopian Revenue Authority Addis Ababa Medium Tax Payers Office, in the building where Amhara Bank and C or Via email info@ecdd-ethiopia.org. For further information contact Tel: +251114168884