Technical Assistance Service Contract for the implementation of the Project “Capacity Building of Civil
Society in the IPA countries and Territories (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of
Macedonia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1249/99, Montenegro, Serbia and
Turkey).EuropeAid/127427/C/SER/Multi.
Junior Short Term Expert
for:
Desk Research on CSO Accountability and Quality Assurance Framework
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Background of the assignment
The general objectives of the project Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organizations (TACSO) are
to strengthen the overall capacities and accountability of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) within the
IPA beneficiaries, to guarantee the quality of services of CSOs and create a sustainable role for the
CSOs in the democratic process.
The main purposes of the project are to:
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Increase and improve the capacity and actions of CSOs and to
Improve the democratic role of CSOs.
Purpose:
CSO Accountability and Quality Assurance Framework Desk Research shall focus on 3 areas:
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Determining and describing the best practices, mechanisms and tools in European Member
Countries and EU Accession Countries in Western Balkans
Providing information on Turkish CSOs’ - including grassroots CSOs- awareness on
accountability, transparency and good governance
Determining and describing the potential use of Quality Assurance Framework and other
tools from the regional context for Turkey with reference to discussion meetings to be held
by TACSO and stakeholders and civil society environment in Turkey.
The desk research shall include below content:
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In depth description of tools and methodologies developed and deployed or civil society in
Europe and Western Balkan EU Accession Countries
Analyses of an online survey on awareness of accountability, transparency and good
governance among CSOs in Turkey (Survey will be developed by STE and implementation will
be realized by TACSO)
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Results produced in two CSO round table search meetings and one stakeholder meeting
(TACSO will organize these meetings and STE is expected to join 3 one day long meetings)
The research report shall bring together the information obtained in mentioned outputs and shall
outline convenient content that constitutes bases for further discussion and enable to determine a
path for interventions aiming to bring QAS Framework to agenda of civil society in Turkey.
Scope of the Assignment:
The desk research report is expected to composed of below content and further:
The initial content is to present CSO QAS experiences and best practices from civil society from
Turkey, Western Balkans and Europe. This section is expected to highlight the development and
adoption of this framework in relevant Countries, also shall define the means used successfully by
civil society and other stakeholders and reveal the improvements that concept brought to
environment civil society operates in. The section finally shall suggest highlights to consider for civil
society in Turkey. This initial content shall include these issues but not limited to them:
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What is the aim of the concept, what are the benefits and what is the context that it
operates
“Standards for CSO sector” What does it mean? Is QAS applicable to CSOs in general
terms
Models of Western Balkans and European systems, the experience of CSOs, what are
the tools, what is the development method, how it is maintained.
What are the obstacles? What is the impact, what is still to be developed?
Examples shall be included on applicable tools like PQASSO and SOKNO
The second content is based on developing and implementing an online survey for grasping the
general level of perception on QAS and accountability, transparency and good governance concepts
among grassroots CSOs.
The online survey shall be designed by Expert, and implemented by TACSO with support of Leading
capacity building CSOs in Turkey. The Expert shall include findings of the survey in research report.
The third content of the desk research report will be produced through 3 discussion meetings
organized by TACSO. Two CSO roundtable meetings with at least 20 participants and one
stakeholder consultation meeting shall be organized by TACSO, and the expert shall attend to these
meetings in order to provide documentation of content of the workshops.
Finally, the research report shall constitute bases for further discussion and enable to determine a
path for interventions aiming to bring Quality Standards for civil sector to agenda of civil society in
Turkey.
Activities to be carried out:
1. Development and agreement of methodology and content outline of research
2. Developing online survey, reporting the survey results
3. Production of research report
Deliverables/ results:
By the end of scope, Expert shall provide;
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Development of methodology and content outline of research
Attendance to 3 meetings and documentation of workshop contents.
Producing research report (In English, the Expert might be asked to review the translation of
the report)
Location of assignment:
Turkey.
The workshops will be organized in Ankara and İstanbul.
Duration and timing of the assignment
The assignment is planned to take place during the following period:

May-December, 2012
The expert fee is expected to cover all related expenses for the task. Please note the workshops will
be in Ankara and İstanbul and will require travel and accommodation.
Number of expected workdays is 10 (ten) to carry out this assignment.
Profile of the STE:
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University degree, preferably in social sciences, post-graduate will be an asset.
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Minimum 5 years working experience with civil society and capacity-building related issues,
preferably in the Turkey and preferably outside of main cities.
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Previous experience producing research on civil society related issues an advantage.
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Good understanding of the context in which CSOs operate in Turkey
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Familiarity with CSO Accountability, transparency and good governance concepts as well as
Quality Assurance Framework will be an advantage.
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Fluency in Turkish required
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Knowledge and ability to report in English preferred
Applicants must be independent and free from any conflict of interest. Note that civil servants and
other staff of a beneficiary public administration may not be recruited as STE unless to prior written
approval has been obtained from Contracting Authority.
Monitoring and evaluation:
The Turkey Resident Advisor/Deputy Resident Advisor and Team Leader of TACSO Project will
monitor the activity.
The STE will deliver a final report to the RA/DRA/TL before remuneration.
Application procedure:
Applications must entail the following:
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Letter of intent and availability, information on financial requirements. Financial
requirements shall include accommodation and travel expenses.
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CV in EU format
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3 references from similar assignments
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Proposal for training methodology and agenda.
The application should be sent no later than 30 May, 2012 by email info.turkey@tacso.org.