Introduction
The program “Feminist Power in Action for Women’s Economic Rights” (FemPawer) aims to strengthen the capacities of young women who face multiple economic gender-based violence (E/GBV) discriminations in Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Tunisia to become leaders for change. FemPawer is led by a consortium of four organizations and consists of a network of 38 diverse Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs). Under the program, three national networks of Young Women Champions (YWC) have been established in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine.
The three networks of YWC have been operating for the last two years at the national level. As we enter the fifth and last year of the program, the consortium aims to bring together representatives from each of the networks to a regional gathering to support YWC networks in enhancing their organizational networking, systems, and structures. By gathering representatives from the YWC networks, the workshop seeks to foster long-term impact and the continued advancement of young women’s advocacy and lobbying efforts.
Context and Rationale
Women and young women in the MENA region continue to face significant barriers and discriminatory practices that impede their full and equal participation in economic life. These barriers manifest in various forms of EGBV, hindering their access to decent work, financial resources, entrepreneurship opportunities, and economic security. Recognizing the power of collective action and peer support, the consortium established three young women’s networks in Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, as platforms for solidarity, knowledge sharing, joint advocacy, and action to challenge discriminatory norms and advance women’s economic rights.
As the program progresses, it is crucial to ensure the long-term viability and effectiveness of these networks. This workshop should be designed to address the need for strong internal structures, clear operational mechanisms, and enhanced connectivity among the networks. By fostering a shared vision, building collective capacity, and exploring opportunities for regional collaboration, the workshop will contribute to the sustainability and amplified impact of the YWC networks in driving meaningful change in their respective national contexts and potentially beyond. The insights from a recent assessment of these networks, completed in 2023, will be instrumental in tailoring the workshop content and addressing specific challenges and opportunities identified.
Specific Objectives
- Strengthen Organizational Capacity: To enhance the internal structures, operational mechanisms, and strategic planning capabilities of each of the three young women’s networks, enabling them to function efficiently and achieve their individual goals for advancing women’s economic rights. This could include clarifying roles, responsibilities, decision-making processes, and accountability mechanisms within each network, informed by the network assessment.
- Foster Collective Action and Sustainability: To cultivate a strong collective identity, enhance membership engagement, and develop sustainable strategies within each network, ensuring their continued operation and impact beyond the current program. This could involve building a shared vision, developing effective member mobilization techniques, and identifying resources and approaches for long-term viability.
- Promote Inter-Network Collaboration and Regional Exploration: To facilitate knowledge sharing, peer learning, and the establishment of collaborative relationships among the three networks, explore the potential for mutual support and the feasibility of establishing a regional young women’s network focused on women’s economic rights. This could include identifying areas of synergy, developing communication channels, and conducting an initial assessment of the opportunities and risks associated with regional collaboration.
Target group
We expect to include a total of 27 women from the Young Women Champion Networks – 9 per country (1 network coordinator + 8 network members).
The networks members are expected to be selected through a set of criteria that will be developed by the consultant and validated by the consortium partners.
Participants’ Selection Criteria
The consultant is expected to prepare a short application that includes a few key questions to help assess the candidates more effectively. The application can include questions about the participants’ level of engagement in the network, their availability to travel, and whether they have a valid passport. The applications could also include a set of standardized selection criteria such as how long they have been in the network, age (18-35), role (if applicable) … Based on their responses, the consultant shares a shortlist of applications that will be reviewed and validated by the consortium partners
Deliverables
- Selection criteria and application form to select the participants.
- Organize and facilitate a regional workshop with the objective of
- Creating a space for knowledge exchange and peer learning
- Brainstorm on how to national network could live beyond the program.
- Help the participants to develop three draft package –one for each network –to include:
- Draft Network Charter and corresponding Operational Guidelines.
- Draft Membership Engagement and Growth Plan outlining specific activities, timelines, and designated responsible parties; and
- A draft Joint Cross-Network Collaboration Framework promoting coordinated efforts and synergies among the networks.
- A final report that includes a reflection on the national networks, that could cover governance, structure, vision , mission, sustainability strategy, areas for potential cross collaboration, and a comprehensive Preliminary Assessment analyzing the feasibility and strategic value of establishing a Regional Young women’s network. The report should include key findings, opportunities, challenges, and initial recommendations for the next steps
Timeframe
The assignment is expected to be carried out between June and October 2025, with the regional workshop taking place in the first week of September 2025.
Qualification
The consultant should be an expert in network and movement building, who meets the below desired criteria:
- Ability to demonstrate experience in and knowledge of network building,
- Ability to facilitate group sessions,
- Professional experience working with women’s rights organizations,
- Professional experience in conducting similar work is preferable.
- Full proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English. Arabic language is a must for any consultant working on this assignment as meetings and workshop are expected to be in Arabic
- Ability to handle tight deadlines professionally,
- Great communication skills,
- Organized and timely,
- Creative in overcoming barriers and able to coordinate with multiple entities.
How to apply
The consultant is invited to submit their application to fem.pawer@kvinnatillkvinna.se with the following title in the email subject: « Strengthening the structures of the Young Women Champion Networks». The application should include the following:
Technical proposal content:
- Resume of the applicant,
- A motivation letter that reflects the experience and knowledge of team member(s) in carrying out similar work,
- A proposal on how to carry out the assignment (methodology), not more than 2 pages,
- Should include a provisional timeline of the consultancy as predicted by the consultant.
Financial proposal content:
- Budget distribution in EUR, the daily rate should not exceed 350 euros, covering daily rate of the consultant and any other expenses that you foresee for carrying out this assignment.
- Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by Kvinna till Kvinna, so there is no need to include that in the budget.
Submission deadline: May 24, 2025, at 23:55 GMT+3
Applicant(s) Location: Flexible/Remote but expected to be available for in-person regional workshop.
Applications with missing documents will not be considered.
How to Apply:
Via website: Consultancy to Strengthen the structures of the Young Women Champion Networks – Kvinna till Kvinna
