Remote Consultant, Mediation Training

BACKGROUND

Search for Common Ground (Search), Berghof Foundation (Berghof), Interpeace, CENAP and Africa University’s Institute of Peace Leadership and Governance are implementing a 24-month project with the overall objective to  enhance the effectiveness, legitimacy, and utilization of insider mediation as a mechanism for preventing and transforming violent conflict at the local, national, and international levels in Burundi, Niger, and Zimbabwe. As part of this project, the Insider Mediators consortium is finalizing a curriculum to train Insider Mediators.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Search for Common Ground is seeking a Mediation Curriculum Specialist to edit and finalize an existing training curriculum on mediation for insider mediators. The specialist will have to integrate existing feedback, harmonize the content, adjust the layout and overall design, and create a well-rounded final product. In addition, the specialist will also have to create a powerpoint presentation that reflects the manual’s content. The manual and powerpoint will serve as a publicly accessible resource, available for the benefit of other mediators, NGOs, CSOs and institutions across the world and will contribute to building the knowledge and expertise of the field of insider mediation.

This position is fully remote.

Scope of Work

Based on a desk review of existing project resources (including but not limited to the project proposal, the training curriculum manual, and the activity reports), the Mediation Curriculum Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

• Review the existing modules (including, but not limited to: conflict analysis, communication skills, dialogue, negotiation, mediation, facilitation, safety and security, gender sensitivity, climate sensitivity, non-adversarial advocacy, legal codes, etc.) and edit them to ensure coherence, brevity, and substance.
• Revise the document to ensure consistent methodology, logic, and the integration of donor and stakeholders’ feedback so that it may serve as an effective and informative training resource for other actors active in the insider mediation field.
• Create a powerpoint presentation that reflects the content and design of the manual.
• Integrate images that will be provided by the consortium and provide additional images, if needed
• Finalize the manual and powerpoint so that it may be published and distributed online.
• Produce print-ready and digital copies of the training materials and also provide the original art files.

Instructions for content adaptations:

• Comprehensive set of learning objectives, content outlines, instructional strategies, and assessment methods for each module.
• Uniformize the methodology, the structure logic and the languages of the content, adding key resources in footnotes.
• Adjust the formatting throughout the document and ensure the presence of a comprehensive index, case studies and relevant text boxes, table of abbreviations, bibliography, etc.
• Contribute to the selection of case studies and success stories from Burundi, Niger, and Zimbabwe and integrate those where relevant. Complement with other (non project-specific) case studies and examples in the form of text boxes.
• Collaborate with the MHPSS and Safety and Security specialists to ensure their modules are coherently integrated in the final manual.
• Work on an appropriate design/formatting of the resources to make these shareable, accessible, and appealing for online and offline use (French/English).
• The designer should use a cohesive style for all of these training materials, and should work within the instruction on color palette, typefaces, logo usages etc. from the organization’s Brand and Style guidelines.
• The designer will work directly with the team that developed the content for the training for direction and feedback and should be prepared for at least one round of revisions.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

• An initial meeting with the Consortium Team, a second meeting to present the revised draft and a final meeting to present the final draft.
• One completed, formatted and designed mediation training manual for insider mediators (100-120 pgs)
• One completed, formatted and designed powerpoint presentation that reflects the content and style of the manual.
• At least one round of revisions
• Ensure consistency of branding and messaging across all visuals

Payment for this project will be based on an agreed upon flat project cost and will be made upon confirmation from Search of the satisfactory completion of deliverables, and the timely submission of invoices from the designer to Search.

TIMELINE

The design process is anticipated to begin in October 2024 and conclude by the end of November 2024.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in curriculum development and instructional design, especially in the field of conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding.
• Strong background in evidence-based approaches and learning by doing methodology.
• Familiarity with graphic design softwares and the ability to present information in an appealing manner.
• Previous experience working in international development projects and knowledge of the mediation context in different regions.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills to collaborate effectively with consortium partners.
• Fluency in English, and French desirable

TO APPLY

Interested candidates/consultancy should submit the following documents via Lever:

• Curriculum vitae highlighting relevant experience.
• Cover letter expressing interest in the position and summarizing the candidate’s qualifications.
• Sample work or portfolio demonstrating previous curriculum development projects.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will not be accepted after 11pm ET of Oct 23rd. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation and interviews.

Note: This ToR is subject to modification and refinement based on the specific needs of the project and input from consortium partners.