Terms of Reference (ToR) for Consultancy opportunities
The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) in Ethiopia is looking for:
01. Certified Consultant to Facilitate Human Rights based Inter-regional Peace dialogue for Selected Youth Groups
Deadline: November 26, 2025 | Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Background
The Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) is a board-led, not-for-profit organization registered in Ethiopia under the Civil Societies Proclamation No. 1113/2019 with registry number 4307. CARD envisions an Ethiopia where democratic culture flourishes on the basis of human rights values. Its mission is to empower citizens and civic groups to promote and defend human rights and contribute to the building of democratic culture.
One of CARD’s four programs is Civic Engagement. Under this Program CARD is implementing initiatives aimed at strengthening the capacity of youth to promote peacebuilding, human rights, and dialogue in their respective regions. Under its Civic Engagement Program, CARD works to empower youth as active citizens and agents of positive change.
In December, CARD is planning to conduct Human Rights based inter-regional youth dialogues among youth groups from Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions.. These dialogues will be led by participants from the inter-regional dialogue to promote tolerance and peace within their respective regions.
To this end, CARD is seeking one qualified consultant to bring these ToT Trainees together and facilitate the dialogue in Addis Ababa. CARD is specifically looking for consultants who can demonstrate strong sensitivity and responsiveness to conflict drivers, cultural dynamics, and societal contexts.
Objective of the Assignment
The purpose of this consultancy assignment is to:
- Develop comprehensive, accessible, and conflict-sensitive facilitation modules and facilitate inter-regional dialogue within the selected and trained youths from Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions in a participatory way.
- Lead and moderate discussions, ensuring balanced participation, constructive and nonviolent exchange of experiences, and identification of key peacebuilding and dialogue priorities
- Guide participants in developing practical and regionally contextualized Youth Peace Action Plans
- Support documentation of the forum outcomes, agreements, and recommendations to inform future peace building initiatives and inter-regional cooperation efforts.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be responsible for the overall facilitation, coordination, and technical delivery of the Human Rights Based Inter-Regional Youth Dialogue for Peace activity among selected youth representatives from Amhara, Oromia , Tigray regions. The scope of work includes, but is not limited to, the following key tasks:
Preparation and Planning
- Review background documents, project objectives, and relevant materials related to youth dialogue and peacebuilding initiatives.
- Develop a detailed facilitation plan, including agenda, session flow, participatory methodologies, and required materials.
- Coordinate with the CARD team to align the dialogue objectives
- Prepare interactive tools and techniques that enhance mutual understanding, inclusivity, and meaningful participation of all youth representatives.
Facilitation of the Dialogue
- Facilitate the inter-regional youth dialogue sessions in a conflict-sensitive, inclusive, participatory, and youth-friendly manner.
- Create a safe and respectful environment that encourages open discussion on peacebuilding, tolerance, civic engagement, human rights, and inter-regional cooperation.
- Facilitate small-group and plenary discussions to ensure youth ownership and that all participants’ voices are heard.
- Guide participants in identifying shared challenges and developing youth-led joint action points or recommendations to sustain peace and foster collaboration among regions.
Technical and Advisory Support
- Provide expert insights and reflections on sustained dialogue processes, conflict sensitivity, and youth engagement strategies.
- Integrate gender and social inclusion perspectives throughout the dialogue process.
Reporting and Documentation
- Prepare a brief report summarizing key discussion points, outcomes, and agreed action plans from the dialogue.
- Provide recommendations for future intra- and inter-regional youth engagements or capacity-development activities.
- Submit all relevant documentation, including participant feedback, presentations, and facilitation materials, to the CARD team.
Deliverables
The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables within the assignment period:
- A detailed agenda outlining session objectives, facilitation methods, and participatory tools to be used during the three-day dialogue forum.
- Slides, handouts, or other materials prepared for interactive sessions and group discussions.
- Effective moderation and facilitation of plenary and group sessions, ensuring inclusive participation, productive discussions, and achievement of intended outcomes.
- Guidance and technical support to participants in drafting realistic and actionable peace action plans for their respective regions.
- A comprehensive report summarizing the forum proceedings, key discussion points, agreements, action plans, participant feedback, photos, and recommendations for follow-up actions.
Timeline
- The assessment is expected to be completed within 12 working days.
Required Number of consultants: One
Management
- The consultant will work closely with CARD’s Project Team.
- The consultant will report directly to the Project Manager.
About You
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree in human rights, peace and conflict studies, law, political science, or related field.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in human rights-based approaches, peace- building, and non-violent conflict transformation.
- Proven experience in curriculum design, dialogue facilitation, non-violent communication, and youth empowerment programs.
- Strong analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
- Fluency in Amharic and English
- Communication
- Problem solving
How to Apply
Application Process
Interested consultants should submit the following to: apply@cardeth.org no later than November 26, 2025 with:
- Technical proposal including methodology and work plan
- Financial proposal
- CVs or profiles of consultants
- Evidence of similar previous work
- Valid business or professional license
Please indicate “Inter-Regional youth dialogue for peace facilitation consultant” in the subject line. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
02. CONSULTANT TO CONDUCT MENTORSHIP PROGRAM ON WOMEN AND YOUTH POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.
Deadline: December 1, 2025 | Location: Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma, Ethiopia.
Under its Civic Engagement Program, CARD is implementing the project “Enhancing Women and Youth Participation in Ethiopian Politics through Civic Engagement and Education.” Despite representing a large share of the population, women and youth remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making structures, facing systemic barriers, limited political confidence, and minimal access to leadership and civic engagement opportunities.
The project seeks to address these gaps by equipping women and youth with practical knowledge, leadership skills, confidence, and networks needed to participate meaningfully in governance processes. A key component of the project is the mentorship program, which will be conducted in Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma. This program will support emerging women and youth leaders to navigate political spaces, strengthen civic engagement, and cultivate a sustainable leadership pipeline.
To achieve this, CARD seeks qualified consultants with strong political and civic experience to serve as mentors.
Objectives of the Mentorship Program
The mentorship program aims to:
- Strengthen the leadership capacity, confidence, and political awareness of women and youth participants.
- Provide tailored coaching and guidance to help mentees navigate civic and political environments.
- Build intergenerational and peer learning networks that reinforce continuous leadership development.
- Address structural, cultural, and gender-based barriers to political participation.
- Equip mentees with tools to engage in civic dialogue, community leadership, and policy advocacy.
- Support participants to identify realistic pathways for ongoing political engagement and leadership roles.
Scope of Work
The selected consultant/mentor will be responsible for:
- Developing a mentorship plan based on mentee needs and tailored to the local context.
- Delivering two rounds of in-person, two-day mentorship sessions for youth and women participants in Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma.
- Providing mentorship on the following focus areas:
- Civic and political engagement
- Leadership and personal development
- Gender equality and inclusive participation
- Community mobilization and advocacy
- Navigating challenges in political participation
- Guiding mentees in identifying personal leadership goals and developing individual action plans.
- Documenting mentorship progress, participant engagement, and lessons learned.
- Submitting a comprehensive mentorship report summarizing key insights, outcomes, and recommendations.
Deliverables
- Conduct Initial Assessment of selected mentees to identify their specific soft skill gaps
- Collaborate with the CARD Project team to develop a tailored mentorship plan addressing identified needs, including specific timelines and sectors for improvement.
- Training/mentorship materials and relevant handouts.
- Deliver focused mentorship sessions through in-person meetings focusing on the identified needs
- Post-mentorship evaluation and feedback summary.
- Final mentorship report highlighting discussions, achievements, lessons, and recommendations.
Timeline
- Mentorship Period: December 2025 – February 2026
- Submission of Mentorship Plan: One week prior to the start of the sessions.
- Submission of Final Report: One week after the completion of mentorship activities.
About You
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal consultant should possess the following qualifications and competencies:
- Master’s degree in Political Science, Governance, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in political participation, leadership development, or governance-related programming.
- Demonstrated experience in mentoring or coaching youth and women in political and civic leadership.
- Strong understanding of Ethiopia’s political context and the challenges and opportunities for women and youth participation.
- Proven facilitation and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to gender, diversity, and inclusion.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.
- Ability to travel to the targeted regions (Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma).
- Knowledge of the local language in the assigned region is required
Required Skills
- Teamwork
- Communication
How to Apply
Interested and qualified mentors should submit their CV along with a letter of interest and any relevant documents to: apply@cardeth.org no later than December 1, 2025.
Email Subject Line: Application for Mentor – Women and Youth Political Participation Project – [Specify Region: Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, or Jimma]
For inquiries, please contact:
Eyerusalem Wolde
Email: eyerusalem@cardeth.org | Phone: +251 934 459 185
Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
Note: The content and approach of the mentorship sessions may be adapted based on the needs and capacity levels of the selected mentees.
03. Expression of Interest (EOI) – Support for Newly Established and Emerging Regional Media Associations.
Deadline: December 1, 2025 | Location: Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma, Ethiopia.
Under its Civic Engagement Program, CARD is implementing the project “Enhancing Women and Youth Participation in Ethiopian Politics through Civic Engagement and Education.” Despite representing a large share of the population, women and youth remain significantly underrepresented in decision-making structures, facing systemic barriers, limited political confidence, and minimal access to leadership and civic engagement opportunities.
The project seeks to address these gaps by equipping women and youth with practical knowledge, leadership skills, confidence, and networks needed to participate meaningfully in governance processes. A key component of the project is the mentorship program, which will be conducted in Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma. This program will support emerging women and youth leaders to navigate political spaces, strengthen civic engagement, and cultivate a sustainable leadership pipeline.
To achieve this, CARD seeks qualified consultants with strong political and civic experience to serve as mentors.
Objectives of the Mentorship Program
The mentorship program aims to:
- Strengthen the leadership capacity, confidence, and political awareness of women and youth participants.
- Provide tailored coaching and guidance to help mentees navigate civic and political environments.
- Build intergenerational and peer learning networks that reinforce continuous leadership development.
- Address structural, cultural, and gender-based barriers to political participation.
- Equip mentees with tools to engage in civic dialogue, community leadership, and policy advocacy.
- Support participants to identify realistic pathways for ongoing political engagement and leadership roles.
Scope of Work
The selected consultant/mentor will be responsible for:
- Developing a mentorship plan based on mentee needs and tailored to the local context.
- Delivering two rounds of in-person, two-day mentorship sessions for youth and women participants in Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma.
- Providing mentorship on the following focus areas:
- Civic and political engagement
- Leadership and personal development
- Gender equality and inclusive participation
- Community mobilization and advocacy
- Navigating challenges in political participation
- Guiding mentees in identifying personal leadership goals and developing individual action plans.
- Documenting mentorship progress, participant engagement, and lessons learned.
- Submitting a comprehensive mentorship report summarizing key insights, outcomes, and recommendations.
Deliverables
- Conduct Initial Assessment of selected mentees to identify their specific soft skill gaps
- Collaborate with the CARD Project team to develop a tailored mentorship plan addressing identified needs, including specific timelines and sectors for improvement.
- Training/mentorship materials and relevant handouts.
- Deliver focused mentorship sessions through in-person meetings focusing on the identified needs
- Post-mentorship evaluation and feedback summary.
- Final mentorship report highlighting discussions, achievements, lessons, and recommendations.
Timeline
- Mentorship Period: December 2025 – February 2026
- Submission of Mentorship Plan: One week prior to the start of the sessions.
- Submission of Final Report: One week after the completion of mentorship activities.
About You
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal consultant should possess the following qualifications and competencies:
- Master’s degree in Political Science, Governance, Gender Studies, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in political participation, leadership development, or governance-related programming.
- Demonstrated experience in mentoring or coaching youth and women in political and civic leadership.
- Strong understanding of Ethiopia’s political context and the challenges and opportunities for women and youth participation.
- Proven facilitation and interpersonal skills, with sensitivity to gender, diversity, and inclusion.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and report-writing skills.
- Ability to travel to the targeted regions (Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, and Jimma).
- Knowledge of the local language in the assigned region is required
- Teamwork
- Communication
How to Apply
Interested and qualified mentors should submit their CV along with a letter of interest and any relevant documents to: apply@cardeth.org no later than December 1, 2025.
Email Subject Line: Application for Mentor – Women and Youth Political Participation Project – [Specify Region: Bahir Dar, Hawassa, Dire Dawa, or Jimma]
For inquiries, please contact:
Eyerusalem Wolde
Email: eyerusalem@cardeth.org | Phone: +251 934 459 185
Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.
Note: The content and approach of the mentorship sessions may be adapted based on the needs and capacity levels of the selected mentees.