Research Consultant

Background

The year 2025 marks an important milestone in the history of Ford Foundation operations in the West AfricaRegion. The West Africa Office (OWA) domiciled in Lagos, Nigeria will be celebrating 65 years of delivering on its promise to advance social justice, which also coincides with Nigeria’s 65th-yearIndependence Celebration.

Over the decades, the West Africa Office (OWA) has worked with visionary leaders and organizations to address inequality and build a future grounded in justice. The Foundation’s commitment to social justice is carried out through programs that reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. Its engagements with different perspectives, through cross-programmatic exchange and collaboration have catalyzed the birth and growth of many sectors, individuals, and institutions. From funding higher education, supporting human rights, controlling the spread of HIV / AIDS, strengthening civil service and justice reform, gender-based violence prevention and natural resources, and climate justice advocacy, the foundation's support has helped shape the region's development.

Through its implementing partners and grantees, the OWA has recorded great progress in its support to leaders who are closest to the problems, social movements and networks of people working for positive change, institutions doing great work, and innovations in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors that create opportunity for many.

To commemorate the OWA's 65 years of operations, the office would like to produce a document (which can be made into a pamphlet) and video documentary that reflects on its illustrious history while celebrating achievements made in West Africa. To achieve this, we are seeking the services of a research consultant(s)to conduct comprehensive research on the Foundations’ West Africa historical grant making journey and accomplishments in the past six decades.Purpose of the Consultancy AssignmentThe purpose of the proposed consultancy research assignment is to develop a comprehensive analysis ofFord Foundation West Africa's historical grant making accomplishments and identify impactful grants made to institutions, individuals, and actionable advocacies achieved.

Objectives of the Assignment:

The objectives of the research assignment are outlined below:

• To research and chronicle OWA’s strategic grant making support and stories of impact in the lasts ix decades;

• To identify impactful grants to grantees, institutions, and Ford Fellows, including advocacies, key initiatives, or policies supported that will be developed into a booklet, and featured in a documentary film video;

• To identify and compile the updated details of past grantees, institutions, and individuals to contact for interview and filming