ActionAid Ethiopia (AAE) is a Gender justice and poverty eradication organization. In Ethiopia, ActionAid works to challenge gender inequalities and the structural causes of poverty through empowering communities to create critical mass of communities especially Women and Girls living in poverty and exclusion.

ActionAid Ethiopia believes that Gender justice and poverty eradication are achieved through purposeful individual and collective action to bring socio-economic changes from household level to local, national and international levels. Empowerment of people living in poverty and women leadership with the support of their allies is crucial to drive change that will ensure equality and poverty eradication

The rising trend of globalization has promoted the integration of economies, including labour markets. Although this has brought many opportunities for workers and businesses, the growth in the global economy has not been beneficial for all. Profit is a strong incentive for the exploitation of vulnerable groups.

Inequality within Ethiopia is growing. Rural areas are particularly poverty-affected and poor health and education outcomes are a push factor for internal and external migration, particularly of young people from rural to urban areas and/or outside of the country. This puts them at increased risk of child trafficking and modern slavery (CECLAHT) more generally. Indeed, Ethiopia’s landlocked position and borders with Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Eritrea and Sudan mean that it is both a sender country and a transit country for economic migration. Cross-border anti-slavery work is necessary for greater regional effectiveness in the protection of vulnerable groups from modern slavery (CECLAHT).

In contributing towards addressing violations of such rights, AAE is implementing the project titled “Combating Modern Slavery (CECLAHT) in Ethiopia” with funding from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). This project will be implemented over three years from 17 Dec 2020 to 31 Dec 2023 in partnership with Emmanuel Development Association (EDA); Union of Ethiopia Women and Children’s Association (EWCA); Population, Health and Environment Consortium (PHE); and Consortium of Ethiopian Human Right Organization (CEHRO)

1. Objective of the research

The aim of the research is to explore and gather evidence of the nature and severity of modern slavery (CECLAHT)in the business sector particularly agricultural value and supply chain, large

scale investment and service sector and analyze both quantitatively and qualitatively the information gathered. This will help us to review the current situation of modern slavery (CECLAHT)/indecent work in the project implementation area in Amhara region S/Wollo Zone Kalu woreda (Harbu) and in SNNPR, Hadiya Zone, Hosaena Woreda (Soro).

1.1 Indicative timetable

The research is expected to start in April 2022. It is expected to take 45 working days starting from contract-signing to report finalization. AA Ethiopia team will facilitate timekeeping with weekly check-ins with the consultant.

1.2 Requirements and Experience Required

The consultancy firm or the principal researcher must demonstrate the following requirements in their application to be considered.