Terms of Reference (ToR) To conduct an Assessment on Existing Accountability Mechanisms for the Protection, Prevention, and Response to SGBV and CRSV (OPEN) About the Job Background about NEWA The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is a non-partisan, non-governmental national network established in 2003. Currently, NEWA has 50-member local associations and organizations working together for a strong advocacy voice for gender equality and women’s political, socio-economic, and legal advancement. NEWA has a twofold goal: To synchronize the of women’s associations into a cohesive collective effort, fostering synergy to achieve common goals for gender equality. To launch robust public campaigns aimed at promoting, advocating for, and lobbying for women’s rights. NEWA is guided by its Five-Year Strategic Plan, and research and evidence-based advocacy is one of the overarching and strategic objectives. NEWA has made significant strides in addressing the gender gap across the nation and amplifying women’s voices in collaboration with both local and international partners. With the financial support from the UN Trust Fund, NEWA is implementing a project titled “Improving legal and service response to SGBV in conflict affected areas of Ethiopia.” It is designed to enhance the implementation of legislation, policies, national action plans, service standards, and accountability systems to prevent and end SGBV in Ethiopia. The project is to be implemented at both national and regional levels, specifically in Amhara, Tigray and Benishangul-Gumuz regions. To effectively and efficiently implement and meet the set objectives and outcomes of this intervention, NEWA will engage and collaborate with relevant stakeholders at all levels and phases. This ToR is therefore prepared to call an expression of interest for consultant/s or firm to apply and provide the consultancy service. BackgroundWhile significant progress has been made in developing laws and policies addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV), the challenge of ensuring accountability and effective implementation remains profound. Survivors frequently encounter barriers in accessing justice, limited protection mechanisms, and inadequate coordination among actors. This assessment seeks to examine how accountability mechanisms function in practice, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for enhancing institutional and community-level systems that ensure prevention, protection, and response to SGBV and CRSV. It will also explore how these mechanisms can better measure progress and outcomes in delivering survivor-centered justice. Despite the existence of multiple policies and institutional frameworks, there is often limited integration, inconsistent data management, and weak monitoring systems that hinder accountability. Strengthening these systems is critical for building trust, ensuring justice, and promoting long-term prevention efforts. This study will therefore analyze the structure, capacity, and effectiveness of existing accountability mechanisms and identify opportunities for sustainable improvement. Purpose of the AssessmentThe purpose of this assessment is to generate credible and evidence-based insights that inform policy and programmatic actions to strengthen Ethiopia’s response to conflict-induced sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and sexual /gender-based violence (S/GBV). This assessment aims to examine how existing accountability mechanisms function in practice; evaluating their effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness to survivors’ needs. It will assess whether these systems adequately promote justice, coordination, and the prevention of recurrence.The findings will inform evidence-based policy reform and program development, strengthen institutional accountability and ensure that SGBV and CRSV prevention and response mechanisms are more survivor-centered, transparent, and effective. Objectives Major objectiveThe main objective of the assessment is to assess the existing accountability mechanisms that measure and strengthen protection, prevention, and response to SGBV and CRSV at the federal level and across the three regions (Amhara, Tigray, and Benishangul-Gumuz) Specific objectivesThe specific objectives include: To map institutional, policy, and community-based accountability mechanisms for SGBV and CRSV. To assess how these mechanisms ensure justice, transparency, and survivor participation. To evaluate monitoring and evaluation systems used to track prevention, protection, and response outcomes. To identify gaps and good practices in coordination, data collection, and survivor-centered service delivery. To recommend strategies to strengthen accountability systems at both national and regional levels. Scope of WorkThe consultant/firm will be responsible for the following tasks:The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive and participatory assessment of existing accountability mechanisms that address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). The assignment will combine an extensive desk review with consultative engagements to ensure evidence-based and inclusive findings. Specifically, the consultant will: Review and analyze existing accountability frameworks including judicial, administrative, and community-based mechanisms to evaluate their structure, effectiveness, and responsiveness to survivors’ needs. Assess coordination mechanisms at national and regional levels, such as GBV sub-clusters, inter-ministerial committees, and survivor support networks, to identify functional strengths, overlaps, and gaps. Examine data management and performance monitoring systems related to SGBV and CRSV prevention, protection, and response, with attention to the quality, accessibility, and utilization of information. Conduct II, FGD and KII with key stakeholders, including justice sector representatives, law enforcement bodies, service providers, survivors’ groups, and civil society organizations, WRO, ensuring that diverse perspectives inform the analysis. Identify and propose policy and institutional reforms aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, coordination, and survivor-centered service delivery across national and regional systems. MethodologyThe consultant is expected to adopt a mixed-method and participatory approach to ensure that the assessment is comprehensive, evidence-based, and inclusive. The following methods, but not limited to, are suggested, including applying a conflict-sensitive, survivor-centered, and mixed-methods approach: Specifically, the consultant will: Conduct a desk review of national and regional legal, policy, and institutional frameworks relevant to SGBV and CRSV, including strategic plans, progress reports, and accountability tools. Map existing accountability mechanisms that can be formal and informal and analyze their structure, effectiveness, and alignment with international and regional standards. Carry out key informant interviews (KIIs) with representatives from government institutions, justice and security sectors, survivor support organizations, civil society actors, WROs, and development partners. Facilitate focus group discussions (FGDs) with survivors, women’s rights organizations, and community-based actors to capture lived experiences and local perspectives. Apply both qualitative and quantitative analysis to triangulate findings and draw practical, context-specific recommendations. Quantitative data will be collected through structured surveys to complement and substantiate the qualitative findings. The methodology should prioritize ethical standards, including
