Call for Expressions of Interest
Expert on feminist Dealing with the Past
Preliminary terms of reference (Date: 13.11.2025)
Project Context
This call is published in the frame of Module 5 of the Project “Amplifying Voices of Women affected by war-related SGBV in the Western Balkans – For a culture of Recognition and Reconciliation” (June 2024 – August 2027). Aim of the project is to contribute to creating a culture of recognition and reconciliation in the Western Balkans, which enables women survivors of war related SGBV to live in dignity and free from violence. It is implemented by Medica Zenica and Vive Žene (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims and Medica Gjakova (Kosovo), Women in Black, Autonomous Women’s Centre and Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbia), together with medica mondiale e.V. (Germany).
Module 5 “Joint Advocacy, Networking, and Mutual learning” aims at increasing the recognition of the project partners as experts for feminist approaches to Dealing with the Past in political national and regional reconciliation processes.
This includes, among others the Development of a conceptual framework for a comprehensive Toolkit on Feminist Dealing with the Past that includes joint evidence-based methods to support survivors of war related SGBV in the Western Balkans and for the prevention of transgenerational trauma. Within the first phase of the project, a compilation of methods and tools of all partners to support the rehabilitation and recognition of survivors of war-related SGBV has been put together. Within this second phase, the toolkit should be further developed to describe feminist approaches to Dealing with the Past rooted in the practical experience of the partner organizations within an overarching theoretical framework. It´s envisaged to organize a conference in the last project year to present the toolkit, and to use it for future advocacy efforts.
Purpose and Objectives of Assignment
In this context, the role of the consultancy is to accompany the process of developing the feminist Dealing with the Past Toolkit, which includes all steps from setting up a concrete methodology in a co-creative way, collecting data through existing materials and bilateral and joint formats, including possibilities for learning and exchange within the process, to writing the toolkit itself.
Scope of Work
Key task of the consultant will be the establishment, implementation and facilitation of a co-creative process together with the eight Amplifying Voices member organizations to develop an experience and knowledge-based “feminist Dealing with the Past Toolkit” with an intersectional approach.
Inception Phase:
Desk study of existing internal materials
Screening of existing material on feminist DwP produced by other relevant stakeholders
Key informant interviews to clarify expectations for the process
Development of an Inception report containing a Methodology for a co-creative data collection and conceptualisation of the feminist DwP Toolkit, incl. timeline and a facilitation plan. The Inception report also needs to elaborate on the identification of the “unique selling point” of the Amplifying Voices feminist DWP Toolkit
Primary Data Collection Phase:
Bilateral analysis of existing tools according to feminist criteria with each partner organization, ideally through in-person workshops, incl. preparation, facilitation, and documentation
(Virtual) focus group interviews with members of different partner organizations on common approaches to feminist DwP, ensuring the opportunity for exchange on proven good practices and lessons learnt
Analysis, Conceptualisation and Writing Phase:
Analyse and synthetise primary and secondary data, and identify key feminist approaches to DwP relevant for drafting the “feminist Dealing with the Past Toolkit” based on an intersectional understanding of violence
Develop and write a first draft of the Toolkit based on the above analysis
Participatory approach to developing the final Toolkit in consultation with the AV-members and the Regional Advocacy Advisor
Smooth Implementation of the assignment:
Participate in and provide inputs for regular coordination meetings with the Regional Advocacy Advisor of the programme and medica mondiale for clarifications, adjustments, etc.
Develop a final report with focus on recommendations and lessons learned
Other tasks based on needs and upon further agreement
Deliverables
Inception report Inputs for and documentation of bilateral workshops with each AV-member and focus groups
Regular updates on the implementation status of the consultancy
Final text of the “Feminist Dealing with the Past Toolkit”
Final report at the end of the project
Qualifications and skills
Knowledge of and (ideally 7+ years) experience in working with feminist approaches to dealing with the past and transitional justice within women’s/feminist NGOs and/or networks
Familiarity with intersectional feminism(s) in general and intersecting forms of violence in particular
Feminist background and clear commitment to working with feminist, intersectional, stress- and trauma-sensitive and survivor-centred approaches
Knowledge about the region
Proven skills in designing toolkits / manuals
Proven skills in participatory facilitation of workshops and focus groups, on-site and virtual
Excellent and proven writing and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of at least one of the official languages of the region is a requirement.
Master's degree (preferably in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Gender studies or similar)
Ability to work in an independent and self-contained way, while maintaining reliable communication and working relations with all AV-members
Preliminary Timetable
Tentative Timetable for the consultancy. Exact due dates are to be revised during inception phase. It is estimated that the implementation of the task requires min. 70 and ideally up to 95 working days between January and November 2026. The total available budget for this assignment (excl. travel and material costs) is approximately 40.000€.
Month: November
Activity: Presentation of final toolkit version
Participants: Consultant, AV-members
Locality: Remote
How to apply:
To indicate your interest, please send your CV and a cover letter, including your daily rate and proof of writing samples (please send all documents as one PDF file with a maximum of 2 MB). Interviews will take place online mid-January 2026.
Please send your application with the subject ‘Feminist DwP Toolkit Consultant’ to Amplifying.Voices@medicamondiale.org until 30.11.2025. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the closing date.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply. We strive for greater diversity of life backgrounds in our projects and therefore expressively welcome applications from people with a migration background, with experience of racism, people of colour, and people with disabilities.
Further information on medica mondiale and our projects can be found on our website: https://www.medicamondiale.org/. For specific questions related to the assignment please contact: HKraus@medicamondiale.org
