Consultant: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support at Advocacy Center for Democracy and Development (ACDD), Ethiopia

Introduction

Advocacy Center for Democracy and Development (ACDD), in partnership with the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), is currently implementing an EU-funded project titled: “Strengthening Civil Societies’ Capacities to Contribute to the Transitional Justice Process in Ethiopia – Phase II”. The project aims to advance accountability, the rule of law, gender justice, affirm victims’ dignity, and promote responsive institutions through increased engagement of victims and other civil society organizations (CSOs) with state institutions as a step toward coming to terms with past violations and preventing new ones. Currently, we are seeking Consultants to provide trauma-informed trust-building programming, mediation, and psychosocial support for an upcoming workshop.

The Consultants will be responsible for designing and implementing, in consultation with ICTJ and ACDD, trauma-informed trust-building activities for a 5-day workshop that brings together victims and civil society organizations from the conflict-affected regions of Amhara, Oromia, Somali, and Tigray. The objective of the Consultants will be to foster a safe space for participants to engage in open dialogue on their experiences and challenges, identify common justice priorities through collective reflection and dialogue, and explore avenues for joint action around those priorities.

Roles and Responsibilities Include:

Preparation Phase (6 hours per consultant)

1. Consultants will hold a meeting with ICTJ and ACDD staff to understand the scope of the event, details of the agenda, and relevant information about the Ethiopian context.
2. Consultants will review the agenda and provide recommendations about how to make the event’s structure as trauma-informed as possible and therefore supportive for participants. This will include advice on aspects such as timing of activities, room set-up, supportive interventions, and providing follow-up referral and support to participants.
3. Logistic and advisory support in preparation for the in-person discussions will be provided to the consultants as needed.

Implementation Phase (5 days per consultant)

1. Actively observe the space, group dynamics, energy, and trauma triggers and intervene in consultation with the technical facilitator
2. Consultants will provide supportive interventions, such as warm-up exercises, breathing and relaxation techniques, psychoeducation, and stabilization and grounding exercises. Interventions will be facilitated in coordination with ICTJ and ACDD.
3. Consultants will teach coping strategies and psychological first aid techniques. Relevant informational resources will be shared with participants.
4. Consultants will be available to provide 1:1 consultation and psychosocial support to the participants throughout the workshop

Post-Workshop Phase (6 hours per consultant)

1. Consultants will advise on any psychosocial follow-up that may be required by participants after the workshop and discuss options for referral.
2. Consultants will be available to participate in debriefing after the workshop with ICTJ staff.

 

Timing and place:

This five-day workshop will be held from 10-14 November 2025, with the venue location to be selected from Bishoftu, Sendafa, or Sululta.

A suitable candidate must fulfill the following requirements:

1. A university degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or a related field
2. At least 5 years of relevant work experience in providing mental health and psychosocial support
3. Experience working with individuals who have experienced trauma, including victims and survivors of human rights violations
4. Experience in workshop design and delivery, in consultation with relevant stakeholders
5. Willingness to learn and adapt tasks and responsibilities to a changing environment
6. Ability to work in a multicultural environment
7. Excellent communication skills
8. Fluency in English

Desired Skills:

1. A highly qualified candidate will also bring the following:
2. Fluency in one or more of the local languages, Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya, or Somali
3. Knowledge of the fields of human rights, transitional justice, or peace building
4. Understanding of the principles of nonviolent communication