Call for Consultancy: Regional Democracy and Civic Engagement Youth Cohort Training Module Development and Facilitation (Lot 1)

Call for Consultancy: Regional Democracy and Civic Engagement Youth Cohort Training Module Development and Facilitation (Lot 1)

About the Horn Center for Democracy/HCD

HCD is a regional think-and-do-tank organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, established in 2022 with the mission of advancing democracy, peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and citizen engagement across the Horn of Africa/HoA. It was founded in response to the growing need for a regional convening institution for democratic governance and civic participation in one of Africa’s most politically complex, dynamic and strategically important regions.

Project Background 

Young people in the HoA continue to face complex political, economic, and social challenges that affect their meaningful participation in governance and democratization. However, they remain resilient and are positioned at the forefront of civic activism and peacebuilding efforts across the region. In response to these practical challenges and in line with its commitment to strengthening youth leadership and civic engagement in the region, HCD is implementing the Regional Youth Cohort Program, an initiative designed to equip emerging young leaders in the region with practical competencies in democratic governance, leadership, advocacy, peacebuilding, and digital civic participation. The program aims to respond to the increasing demand for informed, capable, and values-driven youth leadership within the region. 

To support the successful implementation of this initiative, HCD invites qualified and experienced facilitators to prepare a training guide and provide training facilitation services for the following thematic lot:

Lot 1: Decolonization of Political Leadership, Political Advocacy, and Emotional Intelligence

Under this thematic lot, the selected consultant will be expected to design and facilitate comprehensive and highly participatory training sessions centered on political leadership, advocacy, emotional intelligence, and contextualized African leadership models. The training should critically examine conventional approaches to leadership and governance while encouraging participants to explore leadership philosophies and practices rooted in African realities, values, histories, and lived experiences.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant is expected to develop high-quality learning materials/modules for the issues in the lots, and facilitate an interactive training program.

Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for:

• Developing a comprehensive and contextually relevant training guide/manual aligned with the assigned thematic lot, incorporating case studies, simulations, and practical learning exercises, and integrating relevant regional examples and practical experiences 

• Facilitating a minimum of two-day youth cohort training in one of the IGAD member states using participatory and inclusive approaches guided by adult-learning principles: group discussions, breakout sessions, peer reflections, practical exercises, and presentations; 

Required Qualifications and Experience

HCD is seeking mid-level professionals with strong academic backgrounds, facilitation expertise, and regional engagement experience. Therefore, we look for an applicant who possesses:

• At least a Master’s degree in Political Science, Peace and Security Studies, Law, Political Anthropology, International Relations and other related disciplines; 

• Applicants must demonstrate a minimum of five years of professional experience for PhD holders, and seven years for MA holders, in facilitating regional training sessions, youth leadership initiatives, civic engagement programs, or democratization-related interventions;

• Strong knowledge and analytical understanding of governance, democratization, peacebuilding, political participation, and regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa; and 

• Experience working with civil society organizations, regional institutions, international organizations, and youth networks

Duration and Location of the Assignment

The consultancy assignment will comprise two primary activities: the preparation of a training facilitation guide within a two‑week period, and the facilitation of training sessions for at least two days

The training is expected to take place in one of the IGAD member states. 

Relevant Submissions

• Technical Proposal: conceptual understanding of the assigned thematic lot and objectives; description of facilitation methodology; work plan and implementation timeline; thematic and facilitation experience; and 

• Financial Proposal: a detailed budget breakdown for the preparation of the training facilitation module and facilitation of the training. Along with the technical and financial proposal applicants are also required to submit an updated curriculum vitae/CV and a motivation letter.

Evaluation Criteria and Process 

Applications will undergo a competitive review and evaluation process with technical and financial proposal submissions, which will take 70% and 30% respectively of the total weight. 

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews and further negotiations and applications will be screened on a rolling basis. 

How To Apply

Submission Deadline

Interested applicants who meet the eligibility requirements are requested to submit their complete application package by June 8th, 5pm EAT 

How to Apply

Submit a complete application package in a single zipped folder, with the applicant’s name, electronically with the subject line: Application for Regional Youth Cohort Training Facilitation Consultancy: Lot Number to [email protected]  copying  [email protected] 

For additional and detailed information, please refer to the complete call package available at this link