Background 

The EU-funded project ”Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative” aims at improving the operational environment for civil society in Georgia, empowering CSOs, increasing their accountability towards constituencies, and amplifying their linkages to other actors. 

The project is implemented by the Consortium led by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and composed of four Georgian non-governmental organizations: Civil Society Institute (CSI), Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), Center for Strategic Research and Development of Georgia (CSRDG), Kutaisi Education Development and Employment Center (KEDEC). 

Georgian Civil Society Sustainability Initiative strives to meet four objectives 

• To increase the financial sustainability of CSOs through diversified income like state funding, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), voluntarism, and beneficial taxation; 
• To enhance the capacity, accountability, and credibility of CSOs for effectively advocating interests and political, economic, social, and cultural rights of their constituencies; 
• To strengthen regional civic participation through better cooperation of CSOs with local media, businesses, and authorities and 
• To support joint approaches of CSOs in policy dialogue towards sustainable development on the local and national level, and towards promoting reforms in the context of the EU association process. 

In order to respond to low public appreciation and support the project implies enhancing CSOs' accountability and transparency and raising public perception towards the third sector. The comprehensive approach will enable CSOs to proactively address old stereotypes so that they enjoy more respect and trust. 

These Terms of Reference apply to the preparation phase for developing the guideline on accountability and transparency and concept for the respective training module. 

Aim 

The overall aim of drafting the guideline of accountability and transparency and respective training module is to support CSOs to become more transparent accountable and willing to adhere to national and international standards so that they improve their linkages with their constituency. 

Objectives 

Specific objectives of this activity are to conceptualize and draft Georgian standards of accountability and transparency based on Istanbul Principles for CSO Development Effectiveness and building on already established CSOs Declaration of Basic Principles and all respective experience and practices gained in the sector. 

Scope of the assignment 

• In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective the expert should: 
• Collect, review and critically analyze existing national and international experience for developing the accountability and transparency standards and mechanisms for CSOs;
• Conceptualize Georgian standards of accountability and transparency; 
• Participate in consultation process among CSOs and analyze training needs of CSOs; 
• Analyze the feedback and draft the guidelines of accountability and transparency; 
• Based on the guideline develop the concept for an accountability and transparency training module; 
• Facilitate ToT for the CSI team to conduct accountability and transparency training. 

Timeline 

• The tasks shall be carried out within May 22 – August 21: 
• Desk research on existing national and international experience for developing the accountability and transparency standards and mechanisms for CSOs – (by end of May) 
• Conceptualize Georgian standards of accountability and transparency (By June 10); 
• Participate in consultation process among CSOs and analyze training needs of CSOs (by the end of June); 
• Analyze the feedback and draft the guidelines of accountability and transparency (by July 10 ); 
• Based on the guideline develop the concept for an accountability and transparency training module (by July 24); 
• Facilitate ToT for the CSI team to conduct accountability and transparency training (by August 21). 

List of deliverables 

The expert should deliver the following outputs: 

• Guideline of Accountability and Transparency; 
• The training module of Accountability and Transparency for CSOs. 

Requirements of the expert 

• Good understanding and knowledge about the Georgian Civil Society sector; 
• Experience in drafting respective documents; 
• Experience in training facilitation.

Liaison 

• The expert shall work closely with the CSI team and working group. 
• Each output within the scope of the assignment should be first submitted as a draft. 
• The expert shall present their outputs to Project Management Board if requested. 

For application and additional information on the assignment please contact 

Ia Gabunia, Project Coordinator 

e-mail: ia@civilin.org Phone: +2363600 Address: 2, May 26 square, V floor, Tbilisi 0171, Georgia 

Application 

Interested parties shall submit: 

• proposal of a maximum of 2 pages, including a financial offer; 
• CV.

Deadline for submission 5 p.m. May 19, 2017.