COMMUNITY EXPERT Terms of Reference (TOR) SAFE - Support and Aid for Female Genitale Mutilation and

Context

Co-funded by the CERV (Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values) programme of the European Union, the SAFE - Support and Aid for Female Genitale Mutilation and Early and Forced Marriage project aims to prevent and combat the harmful practices of female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage (EFM) among affected communities in 6 EU Member States: Belgium (BE), France (FR), Germany (DE), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT) and Spain (ES). Both practices are often intertwined forms of gender-based violence.

SAFE aims to involve women and girls from the communities most at risk through empowerment initiatives, enhancing the role of Community Leaders and Community Experts. The project also includes training and skills development of professionals in the education, health and migration sectors. It also promotes awareness-raising and information activities aimed at women and men in the communities most exposed to these practices, in addition to networking following the intervention chain model, which guarantees a human rights-based approach, attentive to communities and sensitive to gender issues.

Aim of the role

We are looking for 6 Community Experts to achieve the following objectives:

• Deepen their knowledge and skills on the issues of FGM and EFM and on how to prevent and respond to the needs of girls and women at risk of undergoing these practices
• Raise awareness and support girls and women affected and/or at risk of undergoing these practices, promoting a path of awareness and empowerment within communities, both in informal contexts and in migrant reception centres
• Contribute to the development of the online toolkit for the training of "community multipliers", women and men from the communities who will be trained on the topics of the project to promote its dissemination and sustainability over time of the proposed actions
• Train professionals who, in various capacities, can come into contact with girls and women who have suffered and/or are at risk of FGM or EFM (e.g. teachers, social workers, health workers, operators in the migration sector) to provide knowledge and tools to activate any prevention, protection and support actions

Area of work: Berlin and surrounding area

General description of the role

The Community Expert plays a central role in the implementation and success of the SAFE project. We are looking for competent and motivated people, originating from a country where FGM/EFM is still commonly practiced. It is essential that the Community Expert has a thorough knowledge of his/her local community and is available to facilitate the activation of positive changes to prevent harmful practices and, if necessary, inform and refer the girls and women concerned to local services.

The Community Expert rejects all forms of male violence against women and girls and is available to get involved, challenging ideas and preconceptions that determine gender inequalities, which are among the main root causes of FGM and EFM. In carrying out the required activities, the Community Expert must always adopt an approach that is sensitive to cultural and gender differences.

Residency or domicile in Berlin or the surrounding area, a good knowledge of German and/or English and availability to travel in Germany and abroad (Brussels), where necessary, are required.

Essential criteria

Planned activities

During the project, each Community Expert is responsible for organizing the following activities:

• Participate in 8 specific training sessions on gender-based violence, communication techniques, advocacy and awareness-raising
• Participate in 4 coordination, supervision and planning meetings (strategic and empowerment meetings) for the Community Expert group, together with the Community Leader and the TERRE DES FEMMES project team
• Contribute to the development of the online platform for virtual learning and community training on harmful practices by responding to 1 consultation form and participating in at least 1 feedback gathering meeting on the training modules of the online platform
• Provide, with the support of the Project Manager and the Project Worker, at least 6 training sessions for community multipliers and professionals in the health, education and migration sectors, including the compilation of online reports on the activities
• Participate in at least 2 online meetings for the development of the guidelines for the creation of a model of intervention chain at European level and the related public launch event
• Organize at least 2 community awareness-raising activities aimed at members of their community to raise awareness and strengthen knowledge and actions to combat FGM/EFM, ensuring subsequent reporting and project accounting
• Organize 1 public event open to the different communities to raise awareness and involve a large number of people. The event will be organized by the entire group of Community Experts, with the support of the Community Leader and the Project Manager
• Contribute to the definition of the content of the advocacy documents and/or participate in 2 advocacy meetings at national level and 1 meeting at European level
• Support the organization and screening of 1 film/documentary on the topics covered by the project
• Participate in 1 meeting with the Community Experts of the other countries participating in the project to exchange skills and experiences and develop a European network. The meeting, lasting 2 days, will be held in Brussels at the end of the project
• Participate in any other ad hoc online meetings for planning and monitoring activities with the TERRE DES FEMMES project team and, where necessary, with the European project consortium

Remuneration

9.880 euros gross for collaboration throughout the entire project.

The contract will end upon achievement of the expected results and delivery of any reporting and evaluation documents requested.

A continuous collaboration contract is expected. The figure will report to the Project Manager and the Community Leader of the project. 

Commitment and duration

The assignment is scheduled from June 2025 to September 2027 and an estimated commitment of 450 hours of activity on the territory is expected, divided according to the established objectives and the needs that emerged during the project.

Selection process

To participate in the selection process, it is necessary to send no later than May 5, 2025:

• your Curriculum Vitae
• a cover letter detailing your skills and motivations to the email address [email protected]
• The selected people will be called for an evaluation interview.