In the MENA region, there is a lack of facilitation support anchored in feminist values and principles, which is essential for grassroots collectives, cooperatives, feminist groups, and organizations. Many of these groups have voiced the need for stronger capacity to facilitate meetings, conferences, community spaces and even policy dialogues, in a way that is rooted in their movement's values and principles.
Traditional approaches to group facilitation often reinforce power imbalances and perpetuate oppression, particularly for marginalized groups.
Feminist facilitation, on the other hand, aims to challenge these power dynamics and create a more equitable and inclusive space through its commitment to intersectionality, which recognizes that individuals hold multiple identities that intersect and shape their experiences of power and privilege, and a belief in the importance of collective action and solidarity. By centering the experiences and perspectives of marginalized groups, feminist facilitators can help to create a more collaborative and just environment.
For decades, Oxfam has supported women’s leadership and participation, from the grassroots to policymaking fora. Oxfam has a commitment to transforming unequal and oppressive uses and systems of power and sees strengthening the organizational capacity of women’s organizations and women’s leadership as pivotal transformative leadership for women’s rights and an important strategy across Oxfam’s work for active citizens and more effective states.
Therefore, under Masarouna program, Oxfam is seeking a service provider who can help us address this gap by providing a feminist facilitation training that is grounded in feminist values and principles. The training will enable young activists and other partner organizations to build their capacity to facilitate meetings and community spaces, lead policy dialogues and advocate for their rights in a way that is more intersectional, participatory, and inclusive towards a transformational change.
Masarouna is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It seeks to mobilize the power of young people (YP) for collective action across the MENA region to support their fight for greater freedom of choice and respect for their SRHR through new and innovative pathways for change. The Masarouna consortium – comprising of RNW Media, Fe-MALE, SMEX, Oxfam Novib and Oxfam country offices and partners – is implementing Masarouna to advance the fulfilment of SRHR for the chosen target group of YP aged 18-35 in 6 MENA countries.
scope of the CONSULTANTS
The service provider is expected to work with Masarouna Regional Project Manager to achieve the following tasks:
- Identify and recruit a feminist facilitator who has proven experience in conducting feminist trainings, workshops and/or led discussions, advocacy actions with a feminist approach.
- Coordinate all logistical arrangements for the training, including but not limited to:
- Selecting a training venue that is conducive to learning and accommodates the needs of participants
- Arranging flight tickets and accommodations for participants as needed.
- Contributing to the selection process of participants, ensuring diversity and representation.
- Arranging transportation, catering, stationary and audiovisual needs.
- Ensuring that all participants receive timely and accurate information regarding the training logistics.
The targeted audience: 10-20youngactivists, age 18-35 from the MENA region
Language:
The training is expected to be held in Arabic, using an inclusive language based but not limited to, the Oxfam glossary.
Deliverables:
Expected deliverables include:
- A detailed plan for the logistical arrangements for the training, including timeline and cost estimates.
- A selection of a qualified and experienced feminist facilitator.
- A detailed plan and selection criteria for participant identification and selection.
- A detailed report documenting the training outline, participants selection, training outcomes and feedback.
Timeline:
The CONSULTANTS will be expected to complete the above tasks within eight weeks from the date of contract signature.
application process and selection criteria
Interested applicants are expected to have the following skills and competencies:
- Professional experience in managing the logistics of similar training programs
- Expertise in feminist facilitation practices
- Strong networking skills to identify qualified and experienced feminist facilitators who are suitable for the training program.
- Cultural sensitivity: A service provider should have cultural sensitivity to ensure that facilitators and participants from diverse backgrounds are accommodated in the training program.
- Effective communication skills: A service provider should be able to communicate effectively with facilitators and participants to ensure a successful training program.
- Evaluation and feedback: They should have the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program and provide feedback to the facilitators to improve their performance in future programs.
- Working proficiency in Arabic and English.
Identified facilitator should have the following skills and competencies:
- Knowledge and understanding of feminist theory and principles: This includes an understanding of key concepts such as intersectionality, gender-based violence, and power structures, as well as an ability to apply these concepts in real-world settings.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Active listening and empathy
- Proven experience in facilitation and group management: This includes the ability to design and facilitate effective group activities, manage group dynamics, and encourage active participation from all members.
- Cultural competency and sensitivity
Interested applicants are invited to submit an expression of interest letter which includes:
- A cover letter of introduction of the consultant(s) or firm.
- A CV or cover letter of the facilitator
- Technical offer including how the applicant would design the training in terms of approach and methodology, deliverables, number of days (a maximum of 30 days nonconsecutively is required), time frame and action plan, daily rates, team size and expertise (if applicable) and any other logistic or ethical considerations.
- Financial offer that includes a detailed budget.
How to apply
Interested consultants should submit a CV, portfolio of similar work and a detailed financial offer indicating daily rate to create the entire product. The amount includes any taxes, which may apply.
Submission Process:
Please submit the technical and financial offer with all requested documents by 14TH May 2023 to the email address: Jordan_Procurement@oxfam.org.uk,