About the Project
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in cooperation with the Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) and Association Atinati is implementing a new EU project  Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in DCFTA and SME Policy Implementation.   
 The project aims at increasing the participation of civil society organizations in the policymaking processes, improving their awareness on the issues related to the implementation of the free trade agreement between Georgia and the EU (DCFTA), engaging them in researching needs of small and medium enterprises and involving them in policy dialogue forums.
The project envisages identification and engagement of 30 CSOs from 5 target regions of Georgia (Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Kakheti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti, Imereti).
Aim of the Activity
The team of local experts will develop a training manual on the issues of DCFTA/SME for CSO representatives.  When drafting the manual, CSO needs will be closely addressed after the assessment of specific competence shortcomings identified during the CSO roundtables. The manual shall be published as hard copy (500 copies) and as digital version, which will be available on the web platforms of EPRC and Atinati as well as on the specially created Facebook page of the project. Manuals will be used for follow-up capacity building trainings for local CSOs on DCFTA/SME policy monitoring and advocacy in the regions. Furthermore, published manuals will be applied not only by representatives and multipliers from selected CSOs; it will be also disseminated to other local civil society organizations.
The purpose of the training manual is to provide profound information on DCFTA/SME policy and stringent methodology along with a practical guideline for conducting capacity-building in the fields of policy monitoring and advocacy. The training manual will focus on the following topics: (1) About DCFTA and overview of requirements; (2) SME Strategy 2016-2020; (3) Basics of policy monitoring and watchdog strategies, (4) Approaches to advocacy and policy campaigns, (5) Usage of different communication channels and messaging.
Experts should deliver the following outputs:
1.    50-70 page Handbook on DCFTA/SME Policy and Monitoring/Advocacy mechanisms for CSO representatives.
2.    The handbook should be presented in Georgian with the following chapters:
- (1) What is DCFTA/what does it envisage/what does it mean for the private sector/overview of reforms directions envisaged; (2) SME strategy 2016-2020 of the Government of Georgia/priority directions/information for the private sector/what is foreseen, how to benefit; (3) CSO engagement in policy making processes/monitoring and watchdog strategies/mechanisms for engaging in DCFTA/SME policy; (4) Approaches in advocacy and policy campaings; (5) Communication channels and messaging tools in advocacy/Georgian reality and lessions for CSOs.
Timeline
The taks shall be carried out within 20 days, during the period of August 1st – December 31st, 2017
Requirements of the expert(s)
•    Extensive experience in research, preparation of guideline documents, training materials and manuals.
•    Experience in working on the issues of civil society development, monitoring and advocacy, DCFTA and SME related topics;
•    Fluency in English and Georgian
•    Ability to write reports in English and Georgian
•    Expert/experts shall work closely with consortium partners and the project team.
Each output within the scope of the assignment should be first submitted as a draft.
Expert/experts shall present their outputs towards Project Management Board and/or Project Steering committee, if necessary.
For application and additional information on the assignment please contact:
Irina Guruli, Project Manager
iguruli@eprc;ge
Interested parties shall submit:
a CV and a motivation letter by e-mail
Deadline for submission is July 31st, 2017.

source:Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC)