Consultancy for SIHA Network Annual Report

1. Introduction  

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network is committed to advancing women’s rights and empowering feminist movements across the region. To better communicate its impact and strategic direction, SIHA seeks to develop a comprehensive 2024 Annual Report that provides an overview and detailed analysis of the programs it implements across the Greater Horn of Africa region in a variety of contexts and thematic areas. The Report will showcase the achievements of SIHA to all its stakeholders and members and highlight key areas in which its work contributes to gender equality. 

2. Background of the Assignment  

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is seeking a dynamic and highly skilled individual consultant in the role of report writer to support the development of its 2024 Annual Report. SIHA has produced a range of annual projects and donor reports, which will serve as the primary source material for this assignment. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing these documents and compiling them into a cohesive and comprehensive Annual Report that effectively communicates SIHA’s key activities, achievements, goals, and strategic vision.   Under the supervision of the Regional Program Manager and Regional Director, among other staff, the report writer will be responsible for drafting and finalizing the 2024 Annual Report in the given timeframe. The consultant will work closely with the Advocacy and Research Officer and liaise with the Regional Secretariat Office team for direction on source content and methodologies. 

3. Objectives of the Consultancy  

1. Examine SIHA’s project reports, donor reports, and other relevant documents from 2024 to extract key information and insights. 
2. Synthesize and organize the extracted content into a unified, engaging, and logically structured Annual Report. 
3. Collaborate with regional and country-level staff to develop a draft of the provided outline for a cohesive and concise annual report on SIHA’s activities in 2024. 
4. Highlight SIHA’s strategic achievements and impact, emphasizing significant outcomes, progress toward organizational goals, and the broader impact of SIHA’s work across the Horn of Africa. 
5. Produce a comprehensive Report that effectively captures SIHA’s key activities, achievements, objectives and strategic direction over the past year. 

4. Scope of Work for the Consultant  

The consultant will be responsible for:  

1. First Edited Draft Submission: 21 days from the date of signing the contract  
2. Final Draft Submission: Upon receiving the SIHA team’s comments, the final draft will be submitted within 7 days after incorporating all necessary revisions.

5. Deliverables 

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:  

• First Edited Draft Submission  

• Final Draft Submission 

ACTIVITY	TIMELINE
1. First Edited Draft Submission: 21 working days from the date of receiving the original document.	23rd June, 2025
2. 7 working days after incorporating all necessary revisions.	30th June, 2025

6. Profile Consultant and Qualifications 

The ideal consultant should possess the following experiences:  

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. A master’s degree in communications, public relations, or a relevant discipline and additional professional certifications or training in editing, proofreading, or publishing would be an advantage. 

• At least 5 years of professional experience in writing and editing with a demonstrated ability to edit complex documents, including strategic plans, reports, research publications, and advocacy materials.  

• Strong project management writing skills, with relevant experience in documentation and publication development, and proven expertise in report writing. The ability to consolidate and summarize complex information clearly and effectively is essential. 

• Proven experience in research, particularly in the context of women’s rights, gender equality, social justice, or international development. Familiarity with regional dynamics in East and Southern Africa is highly desirable.  

• Strong expertise in advocacy and communications, with an understanding of how strategic documents are crafted to align with organizational goals, advocacy priorities, and public messaging.  

• Experience working with non-profit organizations, women’s rights groups, or development agencies would be an asset, particularly in producing documents for internal and external stakeholders.  

• Familiarity with working in multi-stakeholder environments, ensuring the integration of feedback from diverse teams and maintaining a cohesive editorial voice throughout the document.  

• Proficient in using Microsoft Word or other document management software, with advanced skills in Track Changes and version control. 

Key Skills:  

• Excellent writing and editing skills, with a keen eye for detail and a focus on clarity, accuracy, and consistency.  

• Strong understanding of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style guides to ensure polished, professional content.  

• Ability to analyze complex documents and improve their structure and flow, ensuring the final product is logical, coherent, and accessible to the intended audience.  

Personal Attributes:  

• High level of professionalism and commitment to maintaining the integrity and quality of the content.  

• Proactive and responsive, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage time effectively.  

• Culturally sensitive and able to work in diverse, multi-disciplinary teams. 

DURATION  

The consultant is expected to carry out the assignment between 2nd – 30th June, with breaks due to document review and clearance processes by SIHA Network.  

7. Application process  

Interested consultants are invited to submit their application, including a technical and financial proposal for the consultancy deliverables and relevant CV that highlights their academic background, professional experience in writing, editing, research, advocacy, and communications. 

Applications should be sent through this [link]: https://airtable.com/appHNyMhgTH7cHVt3/shr4zrmAjVm3mpH4i by May 30 2025 11:59pm (EAT) 

Please ensure that your CV and technical proposal clearly demonstrate your qualifications and experience in relation to the objectives and scope of the consultancy. Due to the anticipated volume of applications, note that shortlisting will be done on a rolling basis and SIHA will contact only shortlisted candidates.