Policy and evidence review
Review laws, strategies, policies, administrative data, previous studies and international or regional evidence relevant to the policy question.
Policy research and advisory
Evidence for policy choices, implementation and review in Ethiopia.
Gesem supports government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, research bodies and international consulting teams that need evidence for policy formulation, reform design, implementation planning or policy review. Our role is to organise credible evidence, stakeholder perspectives and practical implementation considerations so decision-makers can compare options and act with greater clarity.
Scope of support
From policy question to implementable options.
Policy work is strongest when evidence, institutional realities and stakeholder interests are considered together rather than treated as separate exercises.
Diagnostic and gap analysis
Identify implementation bottlenecks, coverage gaps, institutional constraints, unintended effects and areas where existing policy is unclear or outdated.
Stakeholder consultation
Design and facilitate interviews, consultations, workshops and participatory processes with responsible institutions, affected groups and technical stakeholders.
Policy options and trade-offs
Develop and compare realistic policy or reform options, including implementation implications, risks, institutional responsibilities and evidence gaps.
Policy formulation support
Support preparation of policy concepts, frameworks, policy briefs, strategy notes, implementation guidelines or supporting technical documents.
Implementation and review
Develop implementation roadmaps, responsibility matrices, monitoring frameworks and review approaches that connect policy intent with delivery.
How we work
A transparent policy-research process.
Clarify the policy problem
Define the decision, mandate, intended users, policy stage, evidence gaps and institutional context.
Map the evidence base
Review current policy, legal and strategic documents together with available research, administrative data and relevant comparative evidence.
Consult affected and responsible stakeholders
Gather implementation experience, user perspectives, institutional constraints and technical views through an appropriate consultation process.
Analyse options and implications
Compare alternative approaches against agreed criteria such as feasibility, equity, cost, institutional capacity, risk and likely implementation burden.
Support formulation
Translate the analysis into a policy brief, draft framework, strategic options, implementation note or other client-specified policy product.
Plan implementation and learning
Clarify responsibilities, sequencing, monitoring indicators, review mechanisms and issues that should be tested or adapted during implementation.
Methods and evidence sources
Methods may include
Typical outputs
Deliverables shaped for use
Evidence-informed policy support, not substitution for public authority.
Gesem can research, analyse, facilitate, draft technical inputs and support implementation planning. Decisions on policy adoption, statutory interpretation, legal enforceability and formal government approval remain with the responsible authorities and, where required, qualified legal counsel.
Questions clients ask
Frequently asked questions.
Can Gesem support both policy formulation and implementation?
Yes. The assignment can cover policy research, options development and stakeholder consultation as well as implementation roadmaps, institutional responsibilities, monitoring arrangements and review mechanisms.
Can policy work include citizen or service-user research?
Yes. Depending on the policy question, Gesem can use household surveys, qualitative research, user-experience studies, institutional interviews or other field evidence to understand how policy is experienced in practice.
Can Gesem prepare policy briefs for senior decision-makers?
Yes. Findings can be translated into concise policy briefs, options papers, presentations and decision notes in addition to full technical reports.
Does Gesem provide legal advice?
Not as a general legal practice. Where formal legal analysis or drafting is required, the assignment should include appropriately qualified legal expertise.
Have a TOR or concept?
Discuss a Policy Assignment Share the decision, scope, locations and deadline.
Gesem can review the assignment and propose an appropriate Ethiopia methodology, team, work plan and commercial response.