Tamra for Social Development Organization (TSD) is a pioneering youth-serving indigenous civil society organization in Ethiopia, founded 25 years ago by 10 visionary youth. TSD holds a geographic presence across the Addis Ababa City Administration, Oromia, Sidama and Southern Ethiopia Regions. It has garnered recognition from diverse groups and governmental bodies for its substantial work within the spheres of women and young people. The SRHR4ALL project, implemented by TSD through Men Engage Ethiopia in collaboration with Sonke Gender Justice, addresses the critical sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges faced by the residents of Tabor sub-city in Hawassa. This consultancy role aims to assess the policy landscape and implementation of adolescent and youth SRH services in Ethiopia.

1. Background

Tamra for Social Development Organization (TSD) stands as a pioneering youth-serving entity in Ethiopia, founded 25 years ago by ten visionary youths. Since its inception in 1998, the organization has navigated through various legal registrations in compliance with the country’s laws. On June 7, 2019, it was re-
registered as a local civil society organization by the Authority of Civil Societies Organizations (ACSO) with Registration No. 0184.
TSD holds a geographic presence across the Addis Ababa City Administration, Oromia, Sidama and Southern Ethiopia Regions. The organization has garnered recognition from diverse groups and governmental bodies for its substantial work within the spheres of women and young people. Notably, TSD has been honored with awards from UNWOMEN at AU, a medal from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Youth
and Sport, a cup from the Oromia Regional State, and over 120 certificates from various stakeholders, spanning from regional to federal levels.

2. Objective of the Consultancy

The SRHR4ALL project, implemented by Tamra for Social Development Organization (TSD) through Men Engage Ethiopia in collaboration with Sonke Gender Justice, addresses the critical sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) challenges faced by the residents of Tabor sub-city in Hawassa.

As a rapidly growing urban center, Hawassa grapples with numerous SRHR issues that affect the well-being of its adolescent and youth population. These challenges include limited access to comprehensive SRHR services, deeply rooted cultural and societal misconceptions about SRHR, inadequate health service delivery systems, and a shortage of youth-friendly health facilities.

SRHR4ALL aims to make a transformative impact by engaging communities, reshaping misconceptions, and enhancing service delivery systems. The project strives to foster a culture of shared responsibility and informed decision-making regarding SRHR among the residents of Tabor sub-city. Its overarching goal is
to effectively address SRHR challenges and barriers by enabling access to services, advocating for accountability, enhancing organizational capacities, and promoting universal health coverage.

Ethiopia has developed several national strategies, frameworks, and guidelines aimed at improving adolescent and youth health, including SRHR. However, it is essential to understand whether these policies are effectively facilitating the delivery of youth-friendly SRHR services and if they are being implemented as intended.

The primary objective of the Policy Analyst position is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Ethiopia’s national strategies, frameworks, and guidelines related to adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH). The Policy Analyst will evaluate the current policy landscape to determine its effectiveness in enabling youth-friendly SRH services. Additionally, the analyst will design a checklist or questionnaire to enable the implementing organization to assess the on-ground implementation of these policies in selected health centers in Tabor sub-city, Hawassa. Based on the findings from this assessment, the Policy Analyst will provide specific recommendations for policy dialogue with key stakeholders, aiming to strengthen existing policies and improve their implementation.

Conducting a thorough policy analysis is an essential step in achieving the objectives of the SRHR4ALL project. This analysis will provide a comprehensive understanding of the current policy landscape in Ethiopia concerning adolescent and youth SRHR. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the current policy environment, identifies implementation gaps, and lays the groundwork for evidence-based advocacy and strategic interventions. The primary purpose of this policy analysis is to ascertain whether the existing policies create an enabling environment for adolescent and youth SRHR and to assess how these policies are being implemented on the ground.

By systematically reviewing and analyzing these policies, the project can identify the existing strengths, gaps, and areas that need improvement. This process will provide a solid evidence base for advocacy and policy dialogue.
The policy analysis will focus on evaluating the content, objectives, and scope of national policies, including strategies, guidelines and frame works, related to youth SRH. It will determine whether these policies align with the needs of the target population and if they are conducive to achieving the desired health outcomes. Additionally, the analysis will explore the practical challenges faced by health service providers in implementing these policies. It will identify the barriers that hinder effective implementation, including cultural, social, and structural obstacles.

By bridging the gap between policy and practice, the project aims to create sustainable and impactful changes in the SRHR landscape for the youth of Tabor sub-city, Hawassa.

2.1. Scope of Work and Timeline

The methodology for the Policy Analyst position encompasses several key phases: conducting the policy analysis, designing the assessment tool, supporting the implementation assessment, and facilitating stake-holder engagement. Each phase is crucial to achieving a comprehensive understanding of the policy landscape and its practical implementation.

Phase 1: Policy Analysis and Assessment (August – September)

1. Literature Review

• Conduct an extensive literature review of existing national strategies, frameworks, guidelines, and policy documents relevant to adolescent and youth SRHR in Ethiopia.
• Identify key objectives, scopes, and intended outcomes of these policies.
• Prepare a detailed report outlining the key findings from the policy analysis.

2. Assessment Tool Design

• Develop a checklist or questionnaire to assess the implementation of youth-friendly SRH services in selected health centers based on the identified national strategies, guidelines and frameworks.
  Ensure the tool includes both qualitative and quantitative questions to capture a holistic view of the implementation process.

2. Data Collection:

• Support the organization in conducting the assessment in selected health centers using the developed tool.
• Ensure that data collection is carried out systematically and consistently across all sites.

3. Data Analysis:

• o Assist in analyzing the data collected from the assessment to identify gaps in policy implementation.
  o Use statistical and qualitative analysis methods to interpret the data and draw meaningful conclusions.

Phase 2: Recommendations and Stakeholder Engagement (October – December)

2.1.First week of October: Policy Dialogue and Action Plan Development

• One-Day Policy Dialogue:
  • In collaboration with the implementing organization, present the findings from the assessment to key stakeholders.
  • Facilitate discussions to develop an action plan for improving the implementation of existing policies.

2.2. October- December: Implementation of Action Plan and Second Round of Assessment

• Two months for Stakeholders to Implement Action Plan:
  • Allow stakeholders two month to implement the agreed-upon action plan (October and November).
• 1st and 2nd week of December:
  • Conduct a second round of assessment in the health centers using the previously developed checklist tool (2 weeks).
• 3rd week of December:
  • One-day policy dialogue to present the findings of the second round assessment, highlight areas of improvement and what areas need further work.

3. Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Gender Studies, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in public health, policy analysis, or a related field.
• Proven experience in conducting policy analysis and developing assessment tools, preferably in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
• Demonstrated experience in gender mainstreaming and integrating gender perspectives into programs.
• Experience in working on gender equality and women’s empowerment projects.
• Previous experience in the Ethiopian health sector, particularly in youth and adolescent health, is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and research skills with proficiency in using data analysis software and tools (e.g., SPSS, STATA, kobo).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, health service providers, community leaders, and international partners.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly for youth and adolescents.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment, with an understanding of the cultural and social dynamics affecting SRHR in Ethiopia.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to develop innovative solutions to policy implementation challenges.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team and contribute to the overall goals of the SRHR4ALL project.