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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: ToR for Engagement of a Technical Expert for the Review and Operationalisation of the INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Engagement of a Technical Expert for the Review and Operationalisation of the INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral Process

ABOUT TAF AFRICA

TAF Africa is an independent non-governmental organization registered in Nigeria in 2006/2007, originally established as The Albino Foundation. It has since evolved from a focus on persons with albinism to a broader disability inclusion mandate. TAF Africa advocates for the rights, dignity, and full inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable groups, working across Nigeria to eliminate discrimination, stigma, and barriers to participation in social, political, and economic life. 

TAF Africa envisions an inclusive society that empowers PWDs to actively participate in all spheres of development. Its mission is to collaborate with state and non-state actors to advance rights and dignity through policy and legislative reforms, education, and empowerment initiatives. The organization’s work spans advocacy and public awareness, capacity building, accessibility audits, and strategic partnerships with public and private institutions. Guided by values of transparency, equity, accountability, mutual respect, professionalism, integrity, and collaboration, TAF Africa focuses on inclusive education, political participation and electoral reforms, economic empowerment, access to justice, and inclusive healthcare. You can learn more about TAF Africa at https://tafafrica.co/   

PROJECT CONTEXT

This assignment is situated within the European Union-funded programme – EU Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN II), Component 5b, which focuses on enhancing the political participation of PWDs and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). 

This assignment is designed to strengthen the political participation of PWDs in the electoral process by facilitating direct engagement with election management bodies, political parties, and civil society organizations. The intervention will create an inclusive political environment, inspire institutional commitments, influence policy reforms, and expand both the pool and capacity of PWDs aspiring for and occupying elective positions.

INEC FRAMEWORK CONTEXT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) developed the Framework on Access and Participation of PWDs in the Electoral Process in 2018 to address systemic barriers to inclusion within Nigeria’s electoral system. The Framework promotes the equal participation of PWDs as voters, candidates, and electoral officials, and is grounded in national laws as well as international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It outlines clear strategic objectives, actions, and an accompanying Operational Plan designed to guide implementation and institutionalise inclusive electoral practices. 

Despite its strong foundation, implementation of the Framework has been limited and even outdated, necessitating a comprehensive review and update. In particular, the Framework requires alignment with the Electoral Act 2026, integration of emerging best practices in disability inclusion, and a more comprehensive operationalisation strategy. Strengthening these elements is critical to ensuring that the Framework effectively supports inclusive participation and delivers meaningful impact ahead of the 2027 General Elections. 

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to review, update, and support the INEC in operationalising its Framework on Access and Participation of PWDs, ensuring that it is aligned with current legal and policy frameworks, practically implementable, inclusive, and responsive to stakeholder needs, and supported by a clear, actionable, and results-oriented implementation plan. 

Objectives of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment includes to: 

  1. Review the existing INEC PWD Framework (2018) and its Operational Plan  
  2. Align the Framework with current legal and policy instruments, especially the Electoral Act 2026 and the National Disability Act 2018.   
  3. Integrate emerging best practices in disability-inclusive electoral processes  
  4. Facilitate stakeholder validation and ownership of the revised Framework  
  5. Strengthen INEC’s institutional capacity for implementation  
  6. Develop a comprehensive results-oriented implementation plan  

SCOPE OF WORK

The Technical Expert will undertake the following tasks: 

Desk Review and Analysis

  • Conduct a comprehensive review of the current INEC Framework and Operational Plan to assess structure, objectives, and implementation effectiveness.
  • Identify and analyse implementation gaps and assess the continued relevance of existing strategies and provisions.  
  • Examine applicable legal frameworks, policies, and international electoral standards to determine alignment and compliance.  
  • Benchmark global best practices on inclusive electoral processes and extract applicable lessons for contextual adaptation. 

Stakeholder Consultations 

  • Engage key stakeholders, including:  
  • Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD)  
  • Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs)  
  • INEC departments (especially Gender and Inclusivity Unit)  
  • Civil Society Organizations and development partners  
  • Document inputs and recommendations  

Framework Review and Revision 

The expert will be expected to update the Framework to reflect current legal provisions, address identified gaps, and strengthen strategic objectives and actions, while improving clarity, coherence, and usability.

Development of Operational/Implementation Plan 

  • Develop a detailed implementation plan that clearly outlines strategic actions with specific timelines for execution.  
  • Define and assign roles and responsibilities across all relevant INEC structures to ensure accountability and coordination.  
  • Establish a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to track progress, measure outcomes, and inform decision-making.  
  • Identify potential risks and put in place practical mitigation strategies to reduce their likelihood and impact.  
  • Prepare the required resources estimate to support successful implementation. 

Validation Workshop 

  • Facilitate a multi-stakeholder validation session to review and agree on the framework.  
  • Present the revised framework and implementation plan to stakeholders for consideration.  
  • Incorporate received feedback and finalize all documents for approval and use. 

Capacity Building 

  • Design and deliver a one-day capacity-enrichment session for National INEC Disability Desk Officers.  
  • Develop comprehensive training materials and practical tools to support the session and ongoing implementation.  
  • Design and deliver a one-day capacity-enrichment session for INEC Disability Desk Officers on the implementation of the disability inclusion framework, applying inclusive electoral practices, and strengthening monitoring and reporting systems. 

KEY DELIVERABLES

The assignment is expected to be conducted over a period of 8 weeks, with the expected deliverables: 

 

S/N 

Deliverables  

Timeline  

1 

Inception Report (methodology, work plan, timeline)  

1 week 

2 

Reviewed INEC Framework on PWD Access and Participation  

3 weeks  

3 

Comprehensive Implementation/Operational Plan  

1 week  

4 

Stakeholder Consultation Report & Validation Workshop Report  

1 week 

5 

Capacity Building Materials and Report  

1 week 

6 

Final Consolidated Report  

1 week  

Reporting and Coordination 

The Technical Expert will report to the TAF Africa representative, work closely with INEC’s Gender and Inclusivity Department, and coordinate with relevant stakeholders throughout the assignment to ensure effective implementation and alignment of activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE 

The Technical Expert should possess an advanced degree in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related field, along with a strong academic and professional grounding relevant to governance and institutional reform. 

The role requires at least 10 years of relevant experience in electoral processes and governance, disability inclusion and human rights, as well as policy development and institutional strengthening. A strong understanding of the Nigerian electoral system, its legal frameworks, and applicable disability rights standards is essential. 

The ideal candidate must demonstrate proven experience in policy review and development, stakeholder engagement, and the design and delivery of capacity-building and training programmes, along with strong analytical and report-writing skills. They should also possess excellent facilitation and communication abilities, strong consensus-building skills, and the capacity to deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines. 

Ethical Considerations 

The technical expert must demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical standards by ensuring the meaningful participation of PWDs at all stages, integrating accessibility and inclusion throughout the assignment, and upholding strict confidentiality, integrity, and professionalism at all times. 

5.3. Submission of Applications

Interested consultants/firms shall submit:

  1. Technical proposal (brief)
  2. Methodology and workplan
  3. CVs of key personnel
  4. Sample of similar work
  5. Financial proposal

To Apply: Engagement of a Technical Expert for the Review and Operationalisation of the INEC Framework on Access and Participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Electoral ProcessCall For Applications: Disability Inclusion Survey in Public and Private Schools

 

Applications Close: on a rolling basis

More Posts

Inside the Joint EU Election Hub: How TAF Africa Tracked PWDs Participation in the Osun’s Election in Real Time

Adolak Events Hall, Osogbo, Osun State — 15th August 2026   When the polls opened across Osun State on 15 August 2026, thousands of voters with disabilities weren’t just showing up to cast a ballot — they were testing whether Nigeria’s electoral system was finally built for them too. Through a wide-reaching pre-election and election-day intervention, TAF Africa’s Able2Vote Campaign, implemented under the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Programme, set out to answer that question with evidence rather than assumptions — and the results tell a story of real progress, alongside gaps that still demand attention. Breaking the Communication Barrier for Deaf Voters Perhaps the most tangible innovation was the deployment of 24 trained Sign Language Interpreters (SLIs) to 29 polling units across 12 LGAs, supporting 84 deaf voters on election day. Olorunda LGA alone accounted for 24 of those voters, while Ife Central, Osogbo, and Iwo rounded out the areas of highest concentration — together representing nearly two-thirds of all deaf voters reached. The data-driven approach — matching interpreter deployment to where deaf voters were actually registered — offers a replicable model. As one flexible deployment in Iwo showed (two interpreters covering five polling units), smart resource allocation can stretch limited capacity without leaving voters behind. Feedback from beneficiaries confirmed the impact: for many deaf voters, this was the first election where communication wasn’t a barrier to independent participation. What 150 Trained Observers Saw on Election Day To ground all of this in hard evidence, TAF Africa trained 150 election observers and deployed them, alongside its TAF Disability Hub App and a citizen eyewitness feature called The Third Eye, to document what was really happening at the polls. The numbers paint a nuanced picture: The good news •       94.3% of polling units were physically accessible to PWDs •       91.9% offered priority voting •       95.3% reported no harassment of PWD voters •       98.3% of votes were counted openly, and 94.6% of results were announced on-site •       97.66% of PWD voters who came to vote were able to do so The gaps that remain •       Braille ballot guides were available in just 22.8% of polling units; magnifying glasses in only 5.7% •       Only 46.3% of polling units had PWDs serving as INEC ad-hoc staff — and zero had observed PWD party agents •       Security personnel were present in just 46.3% of polling units •       78.1% of PWD voters relied on trusted aides rather than assistive devices or trained support •       Observers recorded 91 cases of PWD voters being induced, 23 cases of intimidation, and 40 incidents of violence around polling units   Indicator Positive Gap Physically accessible polling units 94.3% 5.7% not accessible Priority voting provided 91.9% 8.1% no priority voting No harassment of PWD voters 95.3% 4.7% harassment cases Votes counted openly 98.3% 1.7% not counted openly PWD INEC ad-hoc staff present 46.3% 53.7% no PWD staff PWD party agents observed 0% 100% no PWD party agent   The takeaway is clear: physical access to a polling unit is no longer the main battle. The next frontier is making sure PWDs can vote independently, are represented inside election structures, and are protected from manipulation that specifically targets their vulnerability. Stories the Statistics Can’t Tell Numbers aside, some of the most telling moments came from individual polling units. At Ile-Epo in Ward 4, a blind voter arrived with his wife’s assistance and later described the process as seamless — officials correctly completed the required Form EC40H to document his participation, a small but crucial act of accountability. Just a short distance away at Ataoja C PU 002, the story was different: officials seemed unfamiliar with the same form, producing other paperwork instead when asked about it. The same election, the same state, two very different experiences — a reminder that policy on paper means little without consistent training on the ground. At that same location, a wobbly wooden plank bridging an open drainage channel — the only route to where voter names were displayed — illustrated how accessibility gaps can hide in the details officials never think to check. The Road to 2027 With Nigeria’s next General Elections on the horizon in 2027, the report’s central message is a call to move from basic access to full, meaningful participation. Among the key recommendations: •       Institutionalize the provision of assistive devices and Sign Language Interpreters as standard election infrastructure, not a one-off intervention •       Set clear targets for recruiting qualified PWDs as election officials and party agents •       Conduct pre-election accessibility audits to catch physical barriers before voting day •       Strengthen disability-responsive security to protect PWD voters from intimidation and inducement •       Expand digital reporting tools like the Disability Hub App and Third Eye to make election monitoring faster and more evidence-based •       Embed PWD organizations directly into electoral planning, not just as consultees but as decision-makers The Bigger Picture The Osun State Governorship Election shows what’s possible when advocacy, technology, and stakeholder collaboration work in concert. Nearly all PWD voters who showed up were able to cast a ballot — a real achievement. But the same data reveals that acceptance at the ballot box hasn’t yet translated into representation within the system itself. Closing that gap — from voter to observer, from observer to official, from official to decision-maker — is the work that lies ahead as Nigeria looks toward 2027. This article is based on TAF Africa’s Osun State Governorship Election disability inclusion report, produced under the EU-SDGN Programme.

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