Terms of Reference (ToR): Confidence & Self-Esteem Building Training for Women Politicians

1. Organizational Background

The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) is a pioneering national civil society network committed to advancing the political, economic, social, and legal rights of women and girls in Ethiopia. With 50 member associations operating nationwide, NEWA works to create an enabling environment for women’s empowerment through advocacy, research, capacity building, and monitoring of gender equality commitments.

NEWA has a strong track record in promoting inclusive governance, lobbying for gender-sensitive legal reforms, and mobilizing stakeholders to shift societal attitudes toward women in leadership. As part of its institutional strengthening, NEWA also supports its members in project design, implementation, and performance monitoring.

Currently, NEWA is implementing the project “Inclusive Women’s Political Participation in Ethiopia,” funded by Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (Demo Finland). The project aims to enhance diversity in political participation, particularly for women and persons with disabilities, across Oromia, Benshangul Gumuz, and Addis Ababa.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

NEWA seeks to engage a qualified consultant/trainer to design and deliver a two-day capacity-building training on Confidence and Self-Esteem Building for Women Politicians. The training will target 80-90 women politicians from various parties in Benshangul Gumuz and Oromia regions.

3. Objectives of the Training

The training aims to:

• Strengthen personal agency and political resilience
• Enhance self-confidence and assertiveness in political spaces
• Equip participants to navigate gendered power dynamics
• Improve public speaking, media engagement, and negotiation skills
• Foster peer support, mentorship, and collective advocacy
• Build resilience against discrimination and political violence

4. Scope of the Assignment

• Design and deliver two separate in-person trainings: one in Adama on April 17-18, 2026, and another in Asosa on April 21–22, 2026
• Develop and submit training materials in English and Amharic
• Facilitate interactive sessions using participatory methods
• Submit a final training report with outcome reflections and recommendations

5. Training Components

The training will cover, but not be limited to, the following areas:

• Foundations of Confidence and Self-Esteem: Participants will explore practical strategies to strengthen self-belief, overcome internal barriers, and build a positive sense of identity that supports active engagement in leadership and decision-making.
• Voice, Visibility, and Public Presence: This component will focus on effective communication, presentation skills, and techniques to enhance visibility in public and political spaces, enabling participants to assert influence with clarity and confidence.
• Peer Support and Political Sisterhood: Emphasis will be placed on fostering solidarity, mutual encouragement, and collective action among women leaders, creating networks of trust and collaboration that amplify impact in political and civic arenas.
• Resilience and Risk Navigation: Emotional Intelligence and Stress Management Participants will develop tools to manage stress, navigate risks, and strengthen emotional intelligence, equipping them to remain resilient and adaptive in challenging environments.

6. Target Participants

• 80-90 women politicians from Benshangul Gumuz and Oromia regions
• Representatives from various political parties

7. Methodology

• Participatory workshops and role-play
• Reflective journaling and self-assessment
• Peer coaching and storytelling

8. Expected Outcomes

• Increased self-confidence and political assertiveness
• Strengthened peer networks and mentorship bonds
• Improved public speaking and media handling skills
• Enhanced ability to challenge gender norms
• Documented personal and leadership growth

9. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Pre- and post-training self-esteem assessments
• Participant feedback and reflective journals
• Outcome harvesting of personal and political shifts
• Follow-up coaching and peer learning

10. Ethical & Inclusion Principles

• Safe, respectful, and confidential learning environment
• Intersectional inclusion of diverse identities

11. Duration and Location

• Dates: 17-18 and 21-22 April 2026
• Location: Adama and Asosa Town respectively

12. Deliverables

• Inception report with training strategy and work plan
• Training materials (PowerPoint, handouts, exercises) in English and Amharic
• Delivery of two-day training
• Final training report with outcomes and recommendations

Consultant Requirements

The consultant/trainer must possess:

• Proven experience in delivering trainings for political leaders, women, and persons with disabilities
• Expertise in confidence building, political leadership and inclusive communication
• Knowledge of women and persons with disability political rights
• Minimum Master’s degree in journalism, communication, political science, gender studies, or related fields
• At least 5 years of experience in inclusive leadership training, gender, women political participation, etc.
• Strong facilitation, writing, and reporting skills in English and Amharic
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian political context and gender dynamics