EOI: Consultancy for Desk Review on the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of Social Protection Policy Implementation in Oyo, Sokoto, Benue, Abia States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja (Year 1)

ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) is an affiliate of ActionAid International, a global federation working to achieve social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication. ActionAid operates in over 45 countries, partnering with communities, civil society organisations, and governments to promote inclusive development, human rights, and accountable governance. Through evidence-based advocacy and citizen engagement, ActionAid works to strengthen systems and institutions that improve the lives of poor and marginalised populations.

ActionAid Nigeria is implementing the European Union Support for Strengthening Social Protection in Nigeria (ESSPIN) Project, a social protection-focused initiative aimed at strengthening the effectiveness, inclusiveness, accountability, and sustainability of social protection systems across Oyo, Sokoto, Benue, Abia States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

This assignment contributes directly to ESSPIN project output: Improved social protection financing and policy implementation by States. Specifically, the assignment seeks to conduct desk reviews on Political Economy Analysis (PEA) in each focal state to identify institutional, financial, economic, and political barriers to social protection policy implementation.

Despite the existence of several social protection policies, frameworks, and programmes at both national and sub-national levels, implementation remains inconsistent and often ineffective. Challenges such as inadequate financing, weak institutional coordination, governance bottlenecks, competing interests, accountability gaps, political influence, and fiscal constraints continue to undermine the delivery of social protection interventions to vulnerable populations.

Political, institutional, and economic realities frequently shape policy prioritisation, resource allocation, programme implementation, and accountability outcomes. Entrenched interests, fragmented institutional arrangements, weak coordination mechanisms, and competing development priorities often limit the effectiveness and sustainability of social protection systems.

To better understand these challenges and generate evidence for informed policy engagement and advocacy, ActionAid Nigeria seeks to engage a qualified consultant or consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive Desk Review on the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of social protection policy implementation in the focal states. The study will provide a baseline understanding of the institutional, political, economic, financial, and governance factors influencing social protection systems and identify opportunities for strengthening implementation, financing, accountability, and sustainability.

The assignment constitutes the Year 1 Baseline Political Economy Analysis under the ESSPIN project and will establish benchmark evidence against which progress and changes in the political economy of social protection financing and implementation can be assessed through a planned Year 3 follow-up assessment. Findings from the study will support State Social Protection Technical Working Groups (TWGs), strengthen policy dialogue processes, and contribute to building more inclusive, accountable, and sustainable social protection systems in Nigeria.

Purpose of the Assignment: The purpose of this assignment is to undertake a comprehensive Desk Review on the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of social protection systems in Oyo, Sokoto, Benue, Abia States and the FCT, Abuja, in order to generate evidence on the institutional, political, economic, governance, and financing dynamics that influence social protection policy design, prioritisation, financing, implementation, accountability, and outcomes.

The findings will inform ESSPIN programme implementation, state-level Technical Working Groups, policy dialogue, advocacy initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and future social protection reforms at both state and national levels.

Objectives of the Baseline Political Economy Analysis: The specific objectives are to:

• Review existing social protection policies, legal frameworks, strategies, and programmes at national and state levels.
• Analyse institutional arrangements, mandates, coordination mechanisms, and governance structures responsible for social protection delivery.
• Examine financing mechanisms, budget allocations, funding flows, expenditure patterns, and fiscal sustainability related to social protection programmes.
• Identify key political actors, stakeholders, interest groups, and institutions influencing social protection policy design, prioritisation, financing, and implementation.
• Analyse power dynamics, incentives, interests, and relationships shaping decision-making processes within the social protection sector.
• Assess political, institutional, and economic factors influencing policy prioritisation, resource allocation, financing decisions, and programme implementation.
• Identify institutional, political, governance, financial, and economic barriers affecting effective implementation of social protection policies and programmes.
• Assess accountability challenges, coordination gaps, governance bottlenecks, and risks that undermine policy effectiveness and inclusiveness.
• Identify opportunities, reform entry points, potential champions, and institutional allies for strengthening social protection systems.
• Generate evidence-based recommendations to improve policy implementation, financing, accountability, coordination, and sustainability of social protection programmes.

Scope of Work: The consultant or consulting firm will undertake the following tasks:

• Participate in an inception and orientation meeting with the ESSPIN Programme Team.
• Develop and submit an inception report outlining methodology, analytical framework, work plan, and data sources.
• Develop analytical tools and frameworks for conducting the desk review on the Political Economy Analysis.
• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of: National and state social protection policies, laws, strategies, and programmes; Existing reports, studies, assessments, budget documents, and relevant literature; Institutional arrangements and coordination structures for social protection delivery.
• Map key institutions, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, civil society actors, and coordination platforms involved in social protection implementation.
• Analyse financing structures, budget allocations, funding mechanisms, expenditure patterns, and fiscal sustainability of social protection systems.
• Assess political, institutional, economic, and governance factors influencing policy design, prioritisation, financing, and implementation.
• Identify stakeholders, power relations, incentives, competing interests, accountability mechanisms, and reform opportunities.
• Assess how fiscal realities, competing development priorities, and economic conditions influence social protection financing and sustainability.
• Develop a stakeholder influence and interest mapping matrix highlighting key actors, incentives, relationships, risks, and opportunities for engagement.
• Analyse institutional, political, financial, economic, and governance barriers affecting programme delivery.
• Identify opportunities for reform, advocacy, policy engagement, institutional strengthening, and coalition building.
• Identify potential reform champions, political allies, and institutional entry points for strengthening social protection financing and implementation.
• Produce state-specific Political Economy Analysis reports and an overall synthesis report of findings.
• Present findings and incorporate feedback from ActionAid Nigeria and relevant stakeholders.
• Submit final reports and policy recommendations.

Methodology:The assignment will adopt a desk-based Political Economy Analysis approach, drawing primarily on secondary data and documentary evidence.

The methodology is expected to include:

• Comprehensive desk review of relevant policies, laws, frameworks, budget documents, programme reports, and published literature.
• Review of national and state-level social protection strategies and implementation frameworks.
• Stakeholder mapping and institutional analysis.
• Political Economy Analysis using recognised analytical frameworks.
• Analysis of financing, budgeting, expenditure patterns, and fiscal sustainability.
• Review of governance, coordination, and accountability mechanisms.
• Analysis of political, institutional, and economic drivers of policy prioritisation and implementation.
• Comparative analysis across the five focal locations.
• Validation of findings through consultations with the ESSPIN Programme Team and selected stakeholders where necessary.

The consultant is expected to propose a robust analytical framework and methodology in the inception report.

Key Deliverables: The consultant or consulting firm is expected to deliver:

• Inception Report detailing methodology, analytical framework, work plan, and data sources.
• Desk Review Summary Report highlighting key findings from the literature review.
• Stakeholder Mapping and Political Economy Matrix identifying key institutions, actors, incentives, interests, influence levels, and reform opportunities.
• Draft Year 1 Baseline State-Specific Political Economy Analysis (PEA) Reports for Oyo, Sokoto, Benue, Abia States and the FCT.
• Draft Synthesis Report consolidating findings across the five focal locations and highlighting cross-cutting issues, reform priorities, and comparative insights.
• Final Year 1 Baseline State-Specific PEA Reports incorporating ActionAid Nigeria and stakeholder feedback.
• Final Synthesis Report establishing a benchmark for the planned Year 3 follow-up Political Economy Analysis.
• Clean electronic copies of all datasets, reference materials, analytical frameworks, and source documents used in the analysis.
• Executive Summary and Policy Brief highlighting key findings, recommendations, reform opportunities, and advocacy priorities.
• PowerPoint Presentation summarising major findings and recommendations.

Expected Use of Findings: The findings from the Political Economy Analysis will:

• Inform State Social Protection Technical Working Groups (TWGs).
• Support evidence-based policy dialogue and engagement with government institutions.
• Strengthen advocacy efforts aimed at improving social protection financing and implementation.
• Identify reform opportunities and institutional entry points for strengthening accountability and coordination.
• Contribute to building more inclusive, accountable, and sustainable social protection systems.
• Establish a baseline for measuring progress and changes during the planned Year 3 Political Economy Analysis.

Duration of the Assignment: The consultancy is expected to be completed within twenty-one (21) working days from the date of contract signing, covering inception, desk review, analysis, report writing, validation, revisions, and final submission.

Required Qualifications and Experience: The consultant or consulting firm should possess:

• An advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Governance, Social Policy, Sociology, or a related field (Master's degree or higher preferred).
• At least ten (10) years of demonstrated experience conducting Political Economy Analysis, governance assessments, policy reviews, institutional assessments, or related assignments.
• Strong understanding of Nigeria's social protection landscape, public sector governance systems, political processes, and fiscal environment.
• Proven experience in conducting desk reviews, policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and institutional assessments.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and donor-funded programmes.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, report-writing, and communication skills.
• Strong knowledge of social protection financing, governance, public financial management, and accountability mechanisms.
• Proficiency in the use of analytical and reporting tools.
• Evidence of at least three similar assignments completed within the last three years.

Conflict of Interest and Ownership of Deliverables: Applicants are required to dis
close any actual or potential conflict of interest that may affect the impartial execution of the assignment.

All reports, datasets, analytical products, presentations, and other materials generated under this consultancy shall remain the property of ActionAid Nigeria and may not be reproduced, distributed, or used for purposes other than those specified in the contract without prior written approval from ActionAid Nigeria.

SHEA and Safeguarding Commitment: ActionAid maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (SHEA), including child abuse and abuse of adults at risk.

The consultant shall comply fully with ActionAid safeguarding policies and procedures.

Reporting, Communication and Clarification Process: Any technical questions arising during the preparation of proposals in response to this call are encouraged and should be submitted in writing via email to the Governance Specialist, ActionAid Nigeria, Vivian EfemBassey (Vivian.EfemBassey@actionaid.org), with Country Programme Impact Assessment and Shared Learning Manager, Amina Adamu (Amina.Adamu@actionaid.org), ESSPIN Project coordinator Sandra Jonathan (Sandra.Jonathan@actionaid.org) and the ESSPIN MEL Officer, Augustine U. Ocheni (Augustine.Ocheni@actionaid.org) in copy.

Requests for clarification should be submitted sufficiently in advance of the application deadline to allow adequate time for responses to be provided.

Submission of Expression of Interest: Interested consultants and consulting firms are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) demonstrating their understanding of the assignment and proposed approach, together with:

• A technical proposal outlining the methodology and work plan.
• A company profile or detailed curriculum vitae (CV).
• Evidence of at least three similar assignments completed within the last three years.
• A financial proposal indicating consultancy fees and associated costs.

The following compliance documents submitted with the applications:

• · Company profile
• · CAC registration (CAC 7)
• · Tax clearance certificate
• · Evidence of previous jobs, especially with INGOs
• · Audited accounts (at least 2023)

Applications should be submitted electronically as a single Microsoft Word or PDF document with the subject line: Name "Consultancy for Desk Review on the Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of Social Protection Policy Implementation in Oyo, Sokoto, Benue, Abia States and FCT (Year 1)" to Procurement.Nigeria@actionaid.org. Applications should be submitted on or before 15th July 2026.

Women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.