EXPERT FOR MASCULINITY

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN EXPERT FOR MASCULINITY

Project “Promoting Gender Justice in the Greater Amman Municipality, Jordan”, funded Barcelona City Council.

INTRODUCTION

Alianza por la Solidaridad was born with the vocation of working to achieve a better and more sustainable world for all, regardless of where they were born or where they decide to live. We invest all our work, knowledge, experience and creativity in defending and advancing global rights in all parts of the world and for all people.

Our work responds to the defense of the rights of migrants, the rights of women around the world, the sustainability of the environment and the defense of the rights of people affected by humanitarian crises. For this we know that we need to build an informed, critical global citizenship that is eager to get involved in the social changes necessary to achieve a world that puts people and human rights at the center. And we know that advocacy is key to achieving this.

Alianza has been working in Jordan since 2007. The organisation has always collaborated with Jordanian organizations of a strong feminist nature and supported the work of civil society, especially in terms of empowerment and women’s rights, prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, both with Jordanian women and refugees. It is specialized in the detection and care of cases of GBV through clinics and OneStop Centres, training to non-specialized actors for the detection, referral and response to cases of GBV, the application of standard procedures and policies to ensure quality in multisectoral services, training and awareness in GBV and women’s rights, promotion of women leadership and participation, studies, etc.

Project Context and Objectives

This project, implemented in East Amman, addresses gender injustices, particularly the economic marginalization of Jordanian and Syrian refugee women through a multi-level approach engaging rights holders, duty bearers, and responsibility holders. It recognizes that women’s economic empowerment is shaped by social, institutional, and cultural gender norms.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), as a key duty bearer, plays a central role in promoting gender equality and inclusive local development. However, persistent gender norms, traditional masculinities, and unequal household roles continue to constrain women’s economic independence and may generate resistance to women’s participation in employment and entrepreneurship.

To respond to these challenges, the project adopts a transformative gender approach that actively engages men and particularly male GAM staff as essential actors in advancing gender justice, preventing resistance, and promoting shared responsibility in supporting women’s economic empowerment.

As part of these efforts, GAM staff will be engaged in targeted awareness-raising and capacity-building activities focusing on:

• Women’s rights and gender equality;
• Gender-based violence (GBV);
• Co-responsibility in care and household roles;
• Alternative and gender-sensitive masculinities.

Recognizing the sensitivity of these topics within the Jordanian socio-cultural context, the project draws on Alianza’s previous experience in developing and implementing innovative methodologies on new masculinities, particularly in Palestine and currently in Jordan. Rather than relying on conventional training formats, the intervention prioritizes participatory, trust-based approaches that encourage reflection, dialogue, and personal engagement.

A small group of up to eight male GAM staff members will be selected to participate in facilitated working sessions designed to create a safe, confidential, and respectful space. These sessions aim to foster critical awareness of gender norms, challenge harmful masculinities, and strengthen male staff’s role as allies in promoting women’s economic rights both within GAM and in their interactions with communities.

By addressing gender norms at the institutional and individual levels, the project seeks to ensure that women’s economic empowerment initiatives are supported rather than undermined, contributing to more sustainable and equitable outcomes for women, families, and the wider community.

CONSULTANCY

Summary of the Process :

The consultancy aims to design and facilitate an innovative awareness-raising and capacity building process for male staff of the GAM on gender equality and gender-sensitive masculinities. The consultancy will support the project’s transformative gender approach by engaging men as key institutional actors in promoting women’s economic rights and preventing resistance to women’s empowerment initiatives.

The consultancy will focus on facilitated dialogue and reflective processes that address gender norms, power relations, co-responsibility in care, and the role of men in advancing gender justice.

The consultancy will work with a small group of up to eight male GAM staff members, creating a safe and confidential space for engagement. It will contribute to strengthening GAM’s institutional capacity to support women’s economic empowerment through more gender-responsive attitudes, practices, and internal dynamics.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the gender responsiveness of the GAM by engaging male staff in a reflective and participatory process on gender equality and gender-sensitive masculinities, thereby supporting women’s economic empowerment and reducing institutional and social resistance to gender justice initiatives.

Specific Objectives:

1. To design and implement an innovative, context-sensitive training materials on gender equality and alternative masculinities tailored to male GAM staff.
2. To raise awareness among participating male GAM staff on women’s rights, gender norms, power relations, and co-responsibility in care and household roles.
3. To promote positive attitudes and behaviors among GAM staff that support women’s economic participation and entrepreneurship.
4. To contribute to GAM’s institutional capacity to act as an active duty bearer in advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based discrimination.

Tasks and Deliverables :

The consultant is be expected to carry out the following tasks:

1. A context-adapted facilitation training materials on gender-sensitive masculinities, including session outlines and guiding principles.
2. A series of facilitated working sessions on a maximum of 5 days conducted with a selected group of up to eight male GAM staff members, ensuring a safe, confidential, and participatory learning environment.
3. Increased awareness and improved understanding among participating GAM staff of(pre-post survey):
   • Gender equality and women’s economic rights;
   • The impact of traditional masculinities on women’s empowerment;
   • The importance of shared responsibility in care and household roles.
   
   
4. A brief consultancy report documenting the methodology used, key reflections, lessons learned, and practical recommendations for future institutional engagement within GAM.

Duration:

The consultant’s commitment for the specific service is expected to last for a maximum of 3 weeks. The specific work plan will be agreed with Alianza. The service is expected to start in April.

Budget

The initial available budget for this consultancy is 1600 Jordanian Dinars, inclusive of all applicable taxes. Higher offers might be considered based on the quality of proposals.

REQUIREMENTS & SELECTION PROCESS:

Profile Requirement:

The consultant profile shall comply with the following requirements:

• Degree in Gender Studies, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Proven experience in GBV prevention and engaging men in promoting gender equality.
• Experience working with community and decision makers on gender-sensitive issues.
• Strong facilitation and training skills, with a focus on participatory methodologies.
• Ability to develop innovative and engaging training content.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of the local context and cultural dynamics related to GBV prevention in Jordan.

Application and submission deadline:

The consultant must submit a technical and financial proposal (maximum 10 pages in total) including the following:

• Cover letter of maximum 500 words, highlighting the motivation and key skills for the service

  
  
• 
  

  CV

• Tentative workplan

  
  

• Methodological approach

• Tentative activities and/or other relevant considerations

  
  

• Detailed financial proposal including all applicable taxes

  
  

  Submission:

All applications should be submitted by 16th April 2026. Please send your application to balshdeifat@actionaid.org and Ari.jobs@ActionAid.org with the subject line: “Masculinity Expert – [Your Name]”.

Pre-selected consultants may be requested to have an interview.

Evaluation:

Proposals will be evaluated according to the following:

CRITERION VALUE

Academic profile 20%

Prior experience 35%

Quality of the proposal 30%

Added value 5%

Financial offer 10%

Incomplete proposals will not be considered.

Profiles not complying with the mandatory language requirements will not be considered.

• Submission:

All applications should be submitted by 16th April 2026. Please send your application to balshdeifat@actionaid.org and Ari.jobs@ActionAid.org with the subject line: “Masculinity Expert – [Your Name]”.

Pre-selected consultants may be requested to have an interview.

Tagged as: Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods