Facilitate Training on (Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Advocacy Strategies, and Negotiation Skills) and Mentorship

Background

More than two decades after the adoption of the UN Security Council resolution 1325 to increase women’s participation in all efforts of peace and security (WPS), women and girls in Ethiopia continued to suffer the most from recurrent armed conflicts. As well, gender-inclusive and women-led peace processes, such as the National Dialogue and negotiations between the government and armed groups, are still questioned. These limitations are more exacerbated by deeply entrenched gender norms and cultural barriers that restrict women’s participation in decision-making, including peace and security. This structural and operational exclusion of the women not only overlooks their critical contributions but also undermines the inclusiveness and dependability of the peace processes in the overall. To this end, civil society organizations didn’t adequately leveraging and promoting gender equality and women empowerment in peace building processes in the country.

Furthermore, in a country where there is no any endorsed Civic Engagement Policy (CEP) and National Peace Policy (NPP) to guide engagement of the various stakeholders in comprehensive peace processes, Ethiopia, alongside Eritrea, is one of the few IGAD member states that has not yet adopted WPS National Action Plan (NAP). Consequently, gender equality and participation and leadership of women are not systematically ensured in the country’s conflict resolution and peace building efforts, including strengthening the protection of women and girls in armed conflicts. Furthermore, there is a soaring need among civil society organizations and other key stakeholders to understand WPS and engage in the implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1325 and enhance women’s participation and leadership in the national peace processes accordingly.

In addition, the ongoing conflict and instability in various regions of the country, such as Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions, have made it challenging to promote women’s inclusion in various peace building processes. Limited resources and institutional support for women’s organizations, as well as a lack of political will to prioritize gender equality, have further hindered the effective implementation of the WPS agendas. The absence of coordinated efforts among stakeholders also contributes to fragmented approaches and slowing the progress to realize WPS agendas in Ethiopia.

Therefore, the adoption and implementation the WPS National Action Plan (NAP) is believed to be pivotal in the country to address the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women and girls and to amplify their roles in decision-making processes. It is also important to increase women’s meaningful participation, representation, and leadership in local, sub-national and national level peace processes in Ethiopia’s crisis context, including the current National Dialogue and transitional justice processes, early warning, mediation, negotiation, and reconciliation, through supporting the adoption and implementation of the NAP and responding to gender-biased societal norms and practices. Moreover, cascading and localization of WPS agendas at the different levels of interventions (i.e. national and sub-national levels) is crucial to increase the participation, representation, and leadership of women in the peacebuilding processes.

About ELiDA

Empathy for Life Integrated Development Association (ELiDA) is a women-led civil society organization established in 2008 and licensed by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) with Certificate No. 1143. The Association envisions seeing socially responsible, conscious, and productive women and girls who are meaningfully empowered to take part in the leadership and decision-making processes in Ethiopia’s major societal aspects. Likewise, ELiDA strives to promote and contribute to a women-centered poverty reduction endeavors undertaken in the country.

ELiDA is actively working on girls’ education, women’s participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, prevention and response to sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), promoting human rights promotion, child protection, women’s economic empowerment, and climate change and environmental protection. The organization currently operates in Addis Ababa, Amhara, Afar, Tigray, and Oromia regions. Its key funding partners include UK Aid, UN Women, UN Trust Fund, USAID/IRI, African Women’s Development Fund, UNDP, UNOHCHR, Malala Foundation, FCDO, German Embassy, PACT, CARE/AFD, and Ethiopian Aid. In financial and technical partnership with these agencies, ELiDA is exerts evidence-based efforts to address most important and priority issues of key populations, including affected and vulnerable groups of the society.

About the Project

Recently, ELiDA secured a partnership with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to implement a 28-month project (December 2024 – March 2027) across the Amhara, Tigray, and Oromia regions. The project is being implemented in collaboration with two key partners: TIMRAN and the Advocacy Center for Democracy and Development (ACDD). Under this partnership, TIMRAN will lead implementation in the Amhara region, ACDD in Oromia, while ELiDA will oversee implementation in the Tigray region and coordinate the overall project. The project aims to increase women’s participation, representation, and leadership in conflict resolution and peace building processes in Amhara, Tigray, and Oromia regions. The specific objectives of the project are:

Objective 1: To enhance the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) and their Networks, women’s rights organisations, women peacebuilders, and women’s rights advocates in Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray regions to understand and work effectively on WPS agendas and promote the implementation of its NAP and the UNSCR Resolution 1325.

Objective 2: To foster functioning platforms to increase women’s meaningful participation in the enactment and implementation of the NAP and other peace processes, including the current National Dialogue, country’s transitional justice, mediation, negotiation, and reconciliation.

The project is believed to facilitate solutions to the problems of limited participation, representation, and leadership of women in peace processes through capacity development supports for women’s organizations and their leadership, media engagements, advocacy campaigns, and inter-regional collaboration to mitigate key structural and social barriers that prevent the meaningful participation of women in light of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the women peace and security (WPS) agendas.

The project design ensures the participation of women throughout the different phases of the project, puts women and their institutions in the center of its coordination, and encourages multisectoral engagements at national and sub-national levels, which is also crucial to ensure the project ownership and sustainability of its results. Therefore, by fostering sustained dialogue, collaboration, networking, and capacity building among women peace advocates, women-led civil society organizations (CSOs), women’s rights organizations (WROs), mass media institutions, and relevant government bodies, the project intended to promote women’s participation and leadership (inclusion) in the country’s peace processes, including the on-going National Dialogue, transitional justice, negotiations, agreements, early warning, and other formal and informal peace initiatives at national and sub-national levels. Therefore as part of this project activity ELiDA planned to conduct a three-day training on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Advocacy Strategies, and Negotiation Skills for CSOs, peacebuilders and peacebuilders with the aim of enhance their’ knowledge of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and UNSCR 1325 within the Ethiopian context.

Objectives of the Training

This training is part of the project Activity, focusing on enhancing the knowledge, Awareness and understanding of Women Led organizations CSOs, women peacebuilders and rights defenders. Participants of this training are drawn from a recent mapping study conducted by ELiDA, ensuring local relevance and responsiveness to real needs on the ground.

The training is designed as a hands-on, interactive capacity-building initiative aimed at empowering Women led organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), grassroots peacebuilders, and women’s rights defenders in Tigray with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to actively and meaningfully engage in Ethiopia’s peace processes.

• At the core of this training is the ambition to deepen participants’ understanding of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, with a particular focus on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its application in the Ethiopian context
• The training also aims to build strong advocacy capacity, equipping participants with concrete strategies and approaches to influence peace-related policies and frameworks at both regional and national levels.
• In addition, a core component of the training will focus on negotiation and dialogue skills. Recognizing that many peacebuilding processes whether formal or informal require the ability to communicate assertively, find common ground, and build consensus
• To provide tailored, one-to-one mentorship support to selected 35 CSOs following the training, enabling them to effectively apply advocacy, negotiation, and WPS strategies in their respective contexts.

2.1. Expected outcome of the training

• Enhanced participants’ understanding of the WPS agenda and UNSCR 1325, including its application within Ethiopia’s peace processes.
• Strengthened participants’ advocacy skills to effectively influence the National Action Plan (NAP), Peace Policy, and Transitional Justice processes.
• Improved participants’ negotiation and dialogue skills to engage meaningfully in formal and informal peacebuilding and decision-making platforms.
• CSO participants effectively apply advocacy, negotiation, and WPS strategies in their work through tailored one-to-one mentorship support, leading to strengthened leadership and engagement in peacebuilding processes.

Scope of the Training

The training will be delivered over the course of 3-days (three) from June 16-18, 2025. (Tentative) but it’s mandatory the training will happen in June) day in Tigray region Mekelle, and will target approximately 35 participants, including representatives from women-led CSOs, grassroots peacebuilders, and women’s rights defenders.

The training will cover three core thematic areas:

• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda & UNSCR 1325
• Advocacy Strategy and Policy Engagement:
• Negotiation and Dialogue Skills:

The training will be delivered through interactive and participatory methods, including group discussions, case studies, hands-on exercises, and real-life examples relevant to the Tigray context. It will also provide a platform for peer learning and networking among women leaders and activists working in the field of peace and security.

Methodology

The training will adopt a participatory, feminist, and adult-learning approach that centers the experiences, knowledge, and leadership of women peacebuilders and civil society actors in the Tigray region. It is designed to be inclusive, interactive, and practical, encouraging active engagement from all participants.

The training will be delivered using a combination of the following methods as follow:

• Facilitated group discussions, to encourage experience sharing, reflection, and critical analysis on the WPS agenda, peace processes, and the roles of women in both formal and informal peacebuilding spaces.
• Case studies, real life scenarios, both global and Ethiopia and local (especially from the Tigray context), will be used to explore challenges, solutions, and best practices in advancing women’s participation and leadership in peace and security.
• Hands-on exercises and role Plays, participants will engage in structured activities to practice negotiation, advocacy planning, and problem-solving skills relevant to transitional justice, the National Action Plan (NAP), and peace policy engagement
• Power point presentations, each thematic session will be supported by clearly structured presentations to guide the content delivery, summarize key points, and reinforce learning through visual aids.
• Scenario-based simulations to help participants apply negotiation and dialogue skills in mock peace talks or policy consultation settings, reinforcing practical understanding.
• Peer learning and networking opportunities, the training will provide space for participants to learn from each other’s experiences, build solidarity, and form or strengthen regional networks and platforms for continued collaboration.

Role and Responsibilities

5.1. The Trainer

5.1.2. Preparation and Design

• Develop and submit an inception report outlining the training methodology, proposed agenda, and key tools.
• Prepare relevant training materials, including presentations, handouts, case studies, and participatory exercises tailored to the WPS context in Ethiopia.
• Share a final training schedule, materials and detailed action for the mentorship program with ELiDA for review and approval prior to the session.

5.1.3. Training Delivery

• Facilitate a three-day interactive training using participatory adult-learning methods such as group discussions, case studies, scenario-based simulations, and peer learning.
• Conduct pre- and post-training assessments to gauge knowledge improvements and gather feedback.
• Support participants in initiating advocacy or negotiation action plans relevant to their organizational work.

5.1.4. Post-Training Mentorship Program

• Submit a detailed training report summarizing the overall process, including objectives, methodology used, session summaries, and participant engagement. The report should reflect how the training was delivered and whether the planned content was effectively covered.
• As part of their commitment, the trainers will also facilitate a three-month mentorship program for the 35 CSOs that participated in the training. This program will provide tailored guidance and support to the organizations, helping them apply the skills and knowledge gained during the training on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), advocacy strategies, and negotiation.
• The consultant is expected to engage with each CSO twice a month during the mentorship period, dedicating a minimum of three (3) hours per meeting to provide tailored support, monitor progress, and address any challenges the organizations may encounter in implementing their action plans.”
• Submit a brief final report summarizing the mentorship process, key outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future capacity-building support. The report should also include insights on participants’ progress and challenges

1. Indicative Calendar

The assignment will be carried out over a three-day period, from June 16-18, 2025, (Tentative ) but the training should conduct in June) in Tigray region Mekelle, The consultant is expected to prepare and submit all deliverables within this timeframe.

Minimum required qualifications, experience, and skills

• Minimum Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Rights, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience facilitating trainings on WPS, gender, peacebuilding, or advocacy.
• Deep understanding of UNSCR 1325, the WPS agenda, and Ethiopian peace and policy frameworks.
• Fluency in English, Amharic.
• Proven experience with participatory training and adult learning methodologies.
• Familiarity with the political and conflict context in Tigray is a strong asset.

6.1. Preferred qualifications and skills:

• Understanding of the civil society landscape in Ethiopia in the context of women-led CSOs and other similar actors working on peace building and women’s agendas.
• Understanding of UNSC Resolution 1325, women peace and security (WPS) and National Action Plan Process.
• Understanding of conflict dynamics and maintain conflict sensitivity in research process.
• Prior knowledge of working with women-led CSOs or supporting local CSOs or any form of work-related engagement with FCDO is desirable.
• Understanding and commitment to employ ‘Prevention of Sexual Exploitation Harassment and Abuse’, ‘Do no harm’ and ‘Safeguarding’ principles in research processes. (ELiDA follows zero-tolerance policy and committed to ensure ‘do no harm’, ‘Safeguarding’, and PSEHA principles in all its operations. To this end, ELiDA may involve ‘reference check’ to the consultant’s background regarding these key issues).
• Committed to work maintaining ELiDA’s organizational core values.
• Good understanding of the local context in Tigray; knowledge in Tigrigna is highly desirable.
• Sufficient availability and capacity to provide dedicated one-to-one mentorship support to CSO participants over a three-month period.
• Prior experience in mentoring women leaders or providing capacity-building support to CSOs or grassroots groups.