I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

West Africa (and particularly the Sahel) is now known as the epicenter of insecurity in Africa. In addition to widespread political turmoil, the security situation in the region remains complex and challenging. As security and socio-economic challenges intensify in this area, they undermine civilians’ access to their rights and basic needs and exacerbate multifaceted violence, particularly against women and girls (sexual, physical, economic, etc.).

Yet, despite being deeply engaged on the ground, local communities—particularly women and young people, along with their associations and networks—are working within their communities to rebuild and maintain social cohesion, ensure the enjoyment of their rights and access to essential services, combat violence and ensure a holistic response to its consequences, rebalance gender power dynamics, and drive positive change toward sustainable development and peace. These agents of change are also taking action to influence public policies and programs at all levels of decision-making.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) establish gender equality as a fundamental pillar of development. The “Women, Peace, and Security” (WPS) agenda, through UN Resolutions 1325 and subsequent ones, calls for preventing and protecting women and girls from sexual violence in conflict, meeting their basic needs, and strengthening their full participation in conflict management, recovery, and peacebuilding. The Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda, through UN Resolution 2250 (and subsequent resolutions), calls for

taking into account the specific needs of young people in all their diversity (women, people with disabilities, etc.), supporting their initiatives, and ensuring their full participation in maintaining peace and social cohesion, among other things. And ECOWAS, which was the first body to adopt a regional action plan in Africa (currently in its second iteration), has a Mechanism for the Prevention, Management, and Resolution of Conflicts that includes a Women, Peace, and Security component.

However, these supportive international and regional mechanisms, which have been integrated at the national level (notably through the NAPs), remain largely unknown to local stakeholders.Furthermore, there is a lack of political prioritization of FJPS agendas, with legal, programmatic, and institutional gaps from the central to the local level; this applies both to inclusive coordination among various stakeholders and interventions, as well as to monitoring, evaluation, and data collection, and the availability of sufficient and appropriate financial and technical resources. Above all, women and youth—who are disproportionately impacted by conflicts and crises—remain largely excluded from decision-making bodies and are still too rarely strategic partners in targeted initiatives based on their specific needs. At the same time, feminist researchers are developing a critical perspective on this institutional agenda, highlighting in particular its limitations in terms of bringing about structural changes to gender inequalities.

France’s feminist diplomacy aims to help drive the reduction of gender-based inequalities and violence, notably through the establishment of the Support Fund for Feminist Organizations (FSOF), which is designed to strengthen feminist civil society organizations. In this context, accelerating the inclusive implementation and monitoring of the FPS agenda was deemed a priority, and a call for projects was launched by the French Development Agency (AFD) in March 2022, following which the project “For FeminIST, Peace and Security _ West African and Sahel Women United for Peace (FPS),” led by the consortium EQUIPOP (lead partner) – DIAKONIA SWEDEN (Burkina office) – FEMMES ACTIONS ET DÉVELOPPEMENT (FAD in Niger) – GORÉE INSTITUT (in Senegal) was selected.

The project “Toward Feminist Agendas for Peace and Security: West African and Sahelian Women United for Peace” (FPS) aims primarily to provide technical and financial support for the initiatives and organizational development of feminist activists (including those in media, arts, and culture), associations, and networks—including youth groups—working on issues related to the Women, Youth, Peace, and Security in six countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Chad, and Togo) and at the regional level through a system of multifaceted, strategic, and flexible grants.

Financial support, which complements technical support, is provided through project grants distributed among three funds that can be combined:

• the EllesAct funds for one-time support of partners’ initiatives,
• DO-Tech funds for the organizational and technical strengthening of recipients,
• CollectivAct funds to support class-action lawsuits.The overall objective of the project is to:
• In crisis and prevention contexts in West Africa and the Sahel, the participation of women—including young women—and their organizations and movements in the implementation and monitoring of the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda—in conjunction with the “Youth, Peace and Security” agenda—is advancing from a feminist perspective and is helping to reduce gender-based inequalities and violence, prevent conflicts, and consolidate peace.

Specific Objective 1 : To contribute, by 2026, to reducing gender-based violence and improving the living conditions and rights of women and girls living in crisis situations in the Sahel

Specific Objective 2 : By 2026, contribute to empowering women and youth, as well as their organizations, movements, networks, and media working to implement and monitor the FPS and JPS agendas

Specific Objective 3 : By 2026, contribute to strengthening the collective participation and action (networking, social and political mobilization/advocacy, learning/knowledge management) of women, youth, and their organizations, movements, networks, and media in the implementation and monitoring of the FWS agenda in conjunction with the YWS agenda

The project’s theory of change is that:

IF the efforts of women’s organizations, including youth groups, to promote gender equality, combat sexual and gender-based violence, and improve the living conditions, health, and rights of girls and women living in crisis situations receive greater support, IF women activists and organizations working in crisis zones have strengthened their capacities, IF they develop synergies through collective action in advocacy and knowledge management, THEN the participation of women, including young women, and their organizations and movements in the implementation and monitoring of the Women, Peace, and Security and Youth, Peace and Security, will advance and contribute to reducing gender-based inequalities and violence, preventing conflicts, and consolidating peace.

As the project enters its final phase, it is important to document its successes, highlight the work of the partners (grant-funded and activist CSOs), and build on the collective lessons learned—particularly to influence public policy.

With this in mind, a consulting team will be hired to support the process of consolidating, documenting, and promoting the project’s outcomes.

II. MISSION OBJECTIVES

The main objective is to promote the visibility and dissemination of the FPS project’s achievements, outcomes, and lessons learned by demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention strategies developed by the consortium and its partners.

Specific objectives

OS1: Produce communication materials (videos, visuals, and/or audio) highlighting the partners’ initiatives and their impact on the change agents involved (women, youth, decision-makers, the media, the academic and research communities, etc.), particularly the regional advocacy campaign;

OS2: Provide communications coverage for the final wrap-up workshop and support communications efforts for the workshops at the national level

OS3: Document key lessons learned in the implementation of project activities by the various stakeholders involved (donor, consortium, recipient partners, mobilized change agents, etc.), particularly during the final knowledge-sharing workshops (national and/or regional)

OS4: Support the knowledge transfer team in developing and disseminating products that capture the project’s key learnings.

Expected results

R1: High-quality multimedia content (videos, graphic stories, etc.) illustrating the tangible changes in the lives of beneficiaries is produced and distributed.

R2: A structured knowledge-sharing document , analyzing innovative feminist approaches and lessons learned from the project, is developed and shared with key stakeholders in the sector.

A3: The contributions and expertise of each consortium member ( Equipop, Diakonia, FAD, Gorée Institute), as well as the role of local CSOs, are highlighted through a coherent and inclusive outreach campaign.

A4: The final regional workshop and the national workshops attracta large audience and receive national and regionalmedia coverage (print, TV, and online).

III. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Once the exact deliverables have been defined in consultation with the steering committee and the consortium’s communications officers, the consulting team will be responsible for:

• Production of communication content – visibility: Writing impactful articles; producing a documentary and/or short video and/or audio clips featuring testimonials from activists and funded CSOs; taking photos of project partners and project activities (these materials may build on those produced by project partners);
• Media Relations : Drafting at least one press release for each country involved in the project in connection with the national knowledge-sharing workshops, and one for the final regional knowledge-sharing workshop;
• Production of materials to document lessons learned and changes: Design of an illustrated booklet (likely in comic book format) presenting key findings by country (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Chad, Togo) and at the regional level; creation of visual posters summarizing key information and lessons learned from the projects in the countries and at the global/regional level.

IV. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• A strategy and a detailed action plan for communication and knowledge transfer, following the scoping workshop held at the start of the project;
• At least three articles to be published on the websites of the consortium’s CSOs;
• At least 7 press releases ( 1 per country and 1 global/regional);
• 01 documentary and/or at least 07 short videos and/or at least 07 audio recordings of success stories and testimonials from activists and grant-receiving CSOs in the six project countries and at the regional level (in French with English subtitles);
• At least 20 high-quality photos illustrating the project's activities and partners in action;
• 7 visual posters summarizing key information and lessons learned from the projects (one per country, and one global/regional), (in French and English);
• 01 illustrated booklet ( likely in comic book style) summarizing feminist learning on the FPS/JPS agendas;
• 01 Final mission report , including a press review.

V. BUDGET

30,000 euros ( all expenses included; excluding the cost of two international/regional trips and related per diems for participation in the final regional knowledge-sharing workshop, as well as the cost of local travel and meals for participation in the national knowledge-sharing workshops, which are budgeted separately).

VI. REQUIRED SKILLS

We are seeking a team of consultants (at least a pair), consisting of regional and international consultants, as well as consultants residing in one of the countries where the project is being implemented.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Communication, Journalism, Social Sciences, or a related field;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in communication and knowledge management (using participatory methods) for multi-stakeholder development and/or humanitarian projects (please attach at least three examples of your work); proven ability to produce multimedia content;
• Excellent understanding of issues related to gender, women’s rights, human rights, and feminist approaches;
• Knowledge of the contexts of the project countries in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as of youth and women’s movements, CSOs, and regional networks.
• Knowledge of issues related to the FPS and JPS agendas would be a plus;
• Knowledge of approaches focused on analyzing changes in stakeholders (theory of change, AOC, social impact measurement, etc.) would be a major asset;
• Knowledge of organizational and technical development at mid-sized CSOs would be an asset;
• Knowledge of design thinking methodologies and skills in intercultural management would be a plus;
• Proven writing skills
• Fluency in French (written and spoken) and the ability to produce deliverables in English as well; knowledge of the languages spoken in the countries involved in the project would be a plus.

VII. DURATION AND TIMELINE

The assignment is scheduled to last five months, from July through November 2026.

• Call for bids: early June
• Team selection: late June
• Scoping meetings with the consortium and sharing of project resource documents (project managers, communications officers, and knowledge management officers): starting in the first half of July, followed by periodic follow-up meetings at least once a month until the end of the consulting assignment
• Sharing of the final framework document (strategy, action plan, methodologies, partners involved, data collection tools, deliverables, timeline, and budget): second half of July
• Data collection missions, interviews, and participation in final knowledge-sharing workshops (in-person and/or remote): July through October (including at least one in-person visit to a country in the Gulf of Guinea and one to a country in the Sahel)
• Delivery of deliverables: July through November
• Submission of the preliminary final report: first half of November
• Submission of the final report, including a summary/digest of no more than 10 pages and a summary PowerPoint presentation: second half of November
• Presentation to partners and PTF (online workshop, or hybrid depending on the consortium’s budget available at the end of the project): Late November

VIII. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The consulting team will propose a participatory and inclusive approach, involving all project stakeholders (the consortium, recipient partners—including strategic partners—members of the strategic committee, and other partners, particularly institutional ones). The assignment will begin with an analysis of needs and existing tools, followed by the development of a communication and knowledge-sharing strategy and plan tailored to the regional context. Implementation will prioritize content that is contextualized and sensitive to gender and local dynamics. Regular collective follow-up meetings will allow for adjustments to actions and ensure the quality of deliverables.

As the sponsor, Equipop (lead partner of the FPS project consortium) is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and ensuring the smooth implementation of the project in accordance with the defined phases and actions. It is responsible for recruitment (in collaboration with the other consortium members) and for entering into contracts with the consulting team. It will facilitate contact with the various stakeholders involved. Equipop, with the support of consortium partners and grantees, must also facilitate data collection by providing the necessary documents.

As part of a collaborative effort, the COPIL (comprising the four CSOs of the FPS project consortium) serves as the steering committee for this initiative. The roles assigned to COPIL members include finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR), supporting Equipop in selecting the consulting team and providing ongoing guidance to ensure the exercise’s objectives are met, and collaborating with the consulting team to implement activities in the project countries under their responsibility. The Steering Committee will also be responsible for providing constructive feedback on deliverables throughout the project and for contributing to the finalization of the drafting of the final communication and knowledge-sharing outputs, before collectively approving them.

IX. SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

Applications must be between 10 and 15 pages in length (excluding resumes) and include:

1/ A technical proposal that includes:

• a methodological note;
• up-to-date, detailed résumés of the consultants, including relevant references;
• examples of previous work, publications related to the exercise’s themes
• the bidder’s physical and tax identification documents (copy of ID card, copy of the Chamber of Commerce registration and Tax Identification Number, and, if applicable, proof of VAT registration).

2/ A detailed financial proposal.

Applications should be sent by email to the following addresses: josette.aisse@equipop.org, fatim.diallo@equipop.org, samiratou.ongfad@gmail.com, siddo.ongfad@gmail.com, and priscille.banse@equipop.org, with a copy to nathalie.perrotin@equipop.org, marilou.ongfad@gmail.com, romance.hounkpatin@equipop.org, desire.yerbanga@diakonia.se, rukia.bakari@goreeinstitut.org, perrine.duroyaume@equipop.org, helene.menard@equipop.org; withthe subject line “Consultancy on Communication and Project Capitalization for FPS AO Sahel,” no later than June 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. (GMT).

X. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE APPLICATION AND CONTRACTUAL TERMS

The following criteria will be given priority when evaluating proposals:

• 40% Team composition and experience
• 40% Technical and methodological proposal
• 20% Financial Proposal (fees and budget for activities, including travel and other meeting expenses, focus groups, etc.) The contract will specify the deliverables, the timeline, payment terms, and confidentiality obligations.