horizont3000, on behalf of a consortium of four Austrian NGOs (CARE Austria, Caritas Austria, SOS Children’s Villages Austria, and horizont3000), is seeking an experienced consultancy to conduct a qualitative project review of a long-term initiative aimed at strengthening Civil Society Organisations’ engagement in policy dialogue in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. horizont3000 is the lead agency, which coordinates the project and is responsible for reporting towards the main donor, the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). The Consortium is composed of the following 4 Austrian NGOs: horizont3000, SOS Children’s Villages Austria, Caritas Austria and CARE Austria. Red Cross Austria was partner in the previous phases.

Background:

An independent evaluation study, commissioned jointly by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Danish International Development Assistance (Danida) and the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) back in 2011/ 2012, drew important lessons on why Civil Society engagement in policy dialogue in the Global South is not working effectively, especially when it comes to topics relevant for marginalised population groups. The evaluation team recommended, among others, to dedicate more resources to building Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs’) capacities and to come up with adequate supporting and financing tools for their engagement in policy dialogue. ADA followed up on the recommendations of the independent evaluation and invited Austrian Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) collaborating with CSOs in the Global South to develop a project on CSOs’ engagement in policy dialogue.

Since 2014 five Austrian NGOs have subsequently implemented a consortium project, coordinated by horizont3000 (Austrian Organisation for Development Cooperation), which aims at strengthening the capacities of selected East African partner organisations in policy dialogue engagement. The Consortium Project “CSOs and Policy Dialogue” strives towards contributing to a political environment in East Africa that is directed towards justice and equity by focusing on ways and methods that promote policies in the interest of marginalised populations and disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. A number of CSOs in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda (appr. 10) have been trained on approaches, methods and tools of engagement in policy dialogue, have elaborated policy dialogue strategies and have implemented initiatives for policy dialogue. In the current fourth phase consolidation is taking place and a Community of Practice was established.

Purpose and Objectives:

After over ten years of implementation, a project review with support of external consultants shall look into all four phases of the PD consortium, drawing lessons learned about success factors and challenges and recommendations for a potential transfer of similar activities to a different geographical region as well as to look into potential follow up measures to support the Community of Practice.
The objective of the consultancy is to define factors that contributed or hindered the goal to sustainably anchor Capacity Development for Policy Dialogue in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in order for different CSOs to continuously influence policy processes with and in the interest of marginalised communities, more specifically looking at effectiveness and sustainability including the Community of Practice. Further, criteria of transferability to other contexts or regions shall analyse the conditions necessary for follow-on projects to be implemented in other contexts.

The results will be relevant for implementing partners, funding agency and possible other donors

Scope:

The review will encompass the four phases of the project starting in 2014 in designated regions of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The total time span for the review is between August and October 2025 and will include document review and qualitative data collection (both online and physical) with partner organisations involved based in Uganda (Kampala, Gulu, Fort Portal), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam), Kenya (Nairobi, Marsabit, Kitale).

The budget range is between EUR 22,000 – 25,000 (gross) and needs to be in line with the suggested
methodology and conceptual framework. This value must cover all costs relating to the assignment including fees for working days, taxes, materials, insurances, travel costs, organisational costs for meetings with focus groups etc.

Review questions, Design and Approach, Workplan, Contact, Expected Deliverables, Budget and Payment Schedule, Skills and Qualifications of Consultant (s), Specifications for the Submission of Offers and annexes are part of the complete ToR and can be accessed here.

Location: Combination of remote work and field visits in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania

Timeline: August – October 2025
ToR and Application Details: The full Terms of Reference can be found here.