I. Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

The Liberia Spotlight Initiative 2.0 is a multi-year, multi-stakeholder programme funded by the European, committed to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), including harmful practices and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The Initiative is implemented in eight counties of Liberia (Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, and Grand Bassa) through a coordinated partnership involving UN agencies, government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community actors.

A key pillar of the Initiative’s Comprehensive Prevention Strategy is community mobilization, which seeks to transform harmful social norms and address the underlying drivers of gender-based violence, harmful practices, and violations of women’s rights. At the heart of this approach is the SASA! methodology, an evidence-based model developed by Raising Voices. SASA! (which stands for Start, Awareness, Support, Action) engages communities critically examining power dynamics and fostering positive behavioral change to prevent violence and advance women’s rights.

Through UN Women, the Liberia Spotlight Initiative 2.0 will implement the SASA! methodology to address gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality at the community level. To ensure effective implementation, the intervention seeks to strengthen the capacity of local facilitators, community leaders, and organizational staff through a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme.

To introduce, expand and sustain the SASA! approach across target communities, UN Women is seeking to engage a qualified consultant to lead Training Trainers (ToT). This training will strengthen the capacity of selected stakeholders (including CSOs, community-based facilitators, and government partners) to effectively implement and cascade the SASA! methodology, ensuring long-term impact and fostering local ownership. This intervention will complement Liberia’s National GBV Action Plan and align with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection’s community-based prevention priorities. It will also support the sustainability of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 by building a national pool of SASA! trainers who can continue to mentor and cascade the approach beyond the life of the programme

II. Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objective of this consultancy is to enhance the capacity of local civil society organizations, community leaders, and program staff in Liberia through a Training of Trainers (ToT) on the SASA! methodology. This initiative aims to establish a cohort of skilled facilitators equipped to implement and scale the SASA! approach within and beyond the LSI 2.0 target communities, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of violence prevention efforts under the LSI 2.0. The assignment will also support the institutionalization of SASA! within partner organizations, enabling them to independently implement, monitor, and adapt the approach for diverse community contexts.

Specific objectives include:

• Strengthening the capacity of selected trainers and facilitators in Liberia on the SASA! methodology by equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement and replicate SASA! activities within Spotlight Initiative 2.0 target communities and institutions.
• Supporting the integration of the SASA! approach into existing community-based violence prevention programmes.
• Fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among UN agencies, civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, youth networks, and traditional leaders on the SASA! Approach implementation.
• Developing a pool of qualified trainers capable of delivering the SASA! methodology effectively to local stakeholders.
• Promoting local ownership and institutional capacity to sustain and scale community-based prevention efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls (VAWG).

III. Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the EVAW pillar Lead and in close coordination with the Spotlight Coordinator, other UN agencies participating in the LSI 2.0, and Spotlight focal point from the EU and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Methodological Planning and Inception Reporting

• Develop a comprehensive methodological approach outlining the consultancy’s strategy and timeline in view of expected deliverables.
• Prepare and submit an Inception Report for review and approval, including a detailed work plan, training framework, and implementation methodology.

Curriculum Adaptation and Training Materials Development

• Review and adapt to existing SASA! training materials to reflect Liberia’s cultural and social context, ensuring alignment with the Spotlight Initiative’s principles and objectives.
• Develop a tailored Training of Trainers (ToT) manual, handouts, and supplementary tools to support effective learning and application.
• Design and prepare pre- and post-training assessment tools to evaluate participants’ baseline knowledge and measure learning outcomes.
• Conduct coordination meeting with UN Women and implementing partners to align expectations, test and validate the materials and clarify training objectives, and harmonize tools.

Training Delivery

• Design and deliver a culturally responsive ToT program on the SASA! methodology, tailored to the Liberian context.
• Facilitate workshops covering all four phases of the SASA! approach: Start, Awareness, Support, and Action.
• Apply participatory, survivor-centered, and adult-learning methodologies to enhance facilitation, community mobilization, and documentation skills.
• Conduct interactive sessions, including group work, role plays, and mock facilitation exercises, to reinforce practical application.
• Integrate human rights principles and a survivor-centered approach throughout the training process.

Post-Training Support and Mentorship

• Administer post-training assessments to measure knowledge, retention and skill acquisition.
• Establish a mechanism to provide ongoing mentorship and remote technical support to trained facilitators as they begin implementing SASA! in their communities.
• Support the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools to track cascading training activities and assess impact.

Reporting

• Submit an Inception Report detailing the methodology, work plan, and adapted training materials.
• Provide a draft training report within one week of the workshop, summarizing activities, participant performance, and initial recommendations.
• Deliver a final comprehensive report capturing the training process, assessment findings, a roster of certified trainers, and strategic recommendations for future capacity-building and sustainability.

IV. Expected Deliverables

Deliverable
Expected Completion Date
Payment %

i.A comprehensive inception report, outlining the consultancy’s methodology, detailed work plan, training framework, timeline, and expected outcomes, to be submitted for review and approval prior to the commencement of training activities.
January 15,2026
10%

ii. An adapted SASA! Training Curriculum, including contextualized Training of Trainers (ToT) manual and supplementary materials tailored to the Liberian context, and aligned with SASA! principles and objectives of the Spotlight Initiative.
Jan 30, 2026
10%

Iii. Pre- and post-training assessment tools including the development of monitoring and evaluation tools designed and prepared to evaluate participants’ baseline knowledge, learning progress, and skill acquisition through pre- and post-training evaluations.
Feb 6, 2026
15%

Iv.A completed training of trainers facilitated through a multi-day, participatory ToT workshop covering all four phases of the SASA! methodology (Start, Awareness, Support, Action), using adult-learning techniques and approaches adapted to the Liberian context including a pre- and post-assessment.
March 31, 2026
10%

v. A compiled roster of certified trainers, listing participants who successfully complete the ToT and meet the criteria for certification as SASA! Facilitators.
March 31, 2026
5%

vi. A structured post-training mentorship plan for providing ongoing mentorship and remote technical support to trained facilitators, including tools for monitoring and evaluating cascading training activities.
April 3, 2026
10%

Vii. A draft/preliminary training report submitted within one week of the workshop, summarizing training activities, participant performance, and initial recommendations for follow-up.
April 10, 2026
10%

viii. Report on ongoing mentorship and remote technical support to trained facilitators as they begin implementing SASA! in their communities.
June 12, 2026
5%

ix. post-assessments report to measure knowledge, retention and skill acquisition.
June 12, 2026
5%

x. An approved comprehensive final report capturing the full training process, assessment results, participant feedback, a finalized roster of certified trainers, and strategic recommendations for sustainability and future capacity-building.
June 19, 2026
20%

Duration of the Work

The duration of this assignment will be for up to 6-month work assignment, tentatively from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026. The estimated number of months is a guideline only and does not determine the assignment completion. Completion and payment depend on the submission and approval of deliverables by the UN Women EVAW Pillar Lead

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This consultancy will be home-based in Monrovia, Liberia. This consultant will complement Liberia’s National GBV Action Plan and align with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection’s community-based prevention priorities.

Performance Evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered.

Financial Arrangement

Payments will be disbursed to the consultant on a deliverable-based arrangement aligned to the “Expected Deliverables” section of the ToR and certification by the EVAW Pillar Lead that services have been satisfactorily performed.

V. Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Strategic campaign planning and facilitation
• Knowledge of gender-based violence and digital rights
• Experience with feminist movement-building and advocacy
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders in virtual settings
• Proven ability to mentor and build capacity of local organizations and government partners in violence prevention methodologies.

Understanding of cultural and contextual factors influencing gender norms and violence prevention in Liberia or Africa.

VII. Required Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Public Health, International Development, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, community mobilization, or social norm change programming.
• Five years of proven track record in designing and facilitating Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops using participatory methodologies such as SASA!
• Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations, women’s rights groups, youth networks, and local government structures—preferably in Liberia or similar contexts.
• Experience in developing training manuals, facilitation guides, and evaluation tools for adult learners.
• Certification as a Technical Support Provider or Master Trainer for the SASA! methodology by Raising Voices is highly desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women”s empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.