Technical Services of a Researcher-Trainer on Conflict Sensitivity and Trauma Responsiveness 

TERMS OF REFERENCE  

Technical Services of a Researcher-Trainer on Conflict Sensitivity and Trauma Responsiveness 

 This announcement of technical recruitment is part of the following Erasmus + project: 

Embrace, Empower, Engage: Cultivating Conflict Sensitivity and Trauma Responsiveness in Peace Education 

 About us 

The Institute Novact of Nonviolence is a non-profit association dedicated to conflict transformation and peacebuilding. It has been working in the Euro-Mediterranean region for more than 20 years. 

NOVACT is committed to driving change in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, creating transformative policies that promote peace, defend civic space, generate human security, ecological justice, gender justice, digital justice, and prevent corporate abuses. The aim is to ensure that decisions affecting the future of communities can be made by the communities themselves. 

NOVACT is closely connected to social movements through a comprehensive protection strategy, understanding that for social transformation, it is crucial to work on the collective strength of the people. 

NOVACT was founded by a group of former conscientious objectors to the Spanish army during the Franco dictatorship. They created the association to share their experience in conflict transformation with the people. They aimed to work with individuals who organized themselves in response to violations of their rights, with the goal of contributing to a peaceful, just, dignified, and equitable world.  

NOVACT operates in 14 countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region. Geographically, our intervention is divided into three regions: the Maghreb, with the central office located in Tunis and another in the Sahrawi Refugee Camps of Tindouf; the Mashreq, with the central office in Amman, Jordan, and one in Ramallah, Palestine; and finally, Europe, with the central office in Barcelona and additional offices in Madrid and Extremadura. 

 Context 

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has exacerbated the long-standing humanitarian crisis in Eastern Europe, displacing millions and exposing a generation of young people to trauma, instability, and prolonged uncertainty. Youth in Ukraine, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), have been at the forefront of this disruption, facing social fragmentation and a lack of adequate support structures for their well-being and inclusion. 

In Georgia, youth from conflict-affected areas such as Abkhazia and South Ossetia continue to live with the legacy of unresolved territorial disputes. Many young people, especially displaced populations, experience marginalisation and limited opportunities for civic engagement and healing. Despite these challenges, youth-led initiatives in Georgia have shown strong potential for community peacebuilding and cross-conflict dialogue. 

Meanwhile, in Spain, the arrival of Ukrainian refugees has brought a new dimension to youth work. Youth practitioners and social educators have responded with solidarity, but often lack the training and resources to work effectively with trauma-affected refugee youth. At the same time, Spanish youth themselves face increasing mental health challenges, making trauma-sensitive educational approaches more relevant than ever. 

It is within this context that the present project “Embrace, Empower, Engage: Cultivating Conflict Sensitivity and Trauma Responsiveness in Peace Education” was conceived. Funded by theErasmus+ programme, this initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of youth practitioners across Europe, specifically Spain, Italy, Germany, Georgia and Ukraine, to implement trauma-responsive and conflict-sensitive peace education. By fostering inclusive educational spaces, training youth educators, and creating transnational communities of practice, the project contributes to a Europe where young people affected by conflict and trauma can recover, engage, and lead. 

 

Introduction to the project 

 This project is funded by the European Comission through the Erasmus + in the framework of the “KA220YOU Cooperation partnerships in youth (KA220-YOU)”.  

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ 

The project aims to strengthen the organizational capacities of youth stakeholders to apply trauma-responsive and conflict sensitive practices in peace education when working with and within conflict-affected communities and trauma-affected young people in Europe. 

A specific focus is to enhance the response of the youth field to the war in Ukraine, especially in view of the capacity of youth work to foster the inclusion of trauma-affected young Ukrainian IDPs and refugees. 

 

In order to implement the project, there is a consortium of several organizations formed by: 

Corridors (Germany) 

Housatonic (Italy) 

Youth Up (Ukraine) 

ISNC: Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflicts (Georgia) 

Novact (Spain) 

 

Objectives of the consultancy 

 Specifically, the selected consultant will be required to:  

• To lead the research on Conflict Sensitivity, with the support of  ourGerman, Ukrainian, Georgian and Italian counterparts. The data obtained will be used on a specific interactive platform. The consultant, leading the Conflict Sensitivity Research part is expected to employ a mix of methodological approaches that comprises: desktop literature review and primary data collection in every targeted country while being in coordination with the rest of Research Teams within the other organizations. The consultant will be the main actor responsible for the research coordination of this topic and the development of the narrative products. 

• To support the research alongside our German, Ukrainian, Georgian and Italian counterparts on Trauma responsiveness and support the Leading Research Organization (Georgia). The role on this case will be the collection of information in Spain, its analysis and the transference of knowledge and coordination with the Lead Research Organization on Trauma Responsiveness on Peace Education. 

• To participate phisically in at least two International Workshops, one of them taking place in Georgia during fall of 2025 and the other one taking place in Barcelona between fall and winter 2025. The workshops are linked with both research.  

Activities and Deliverables 

During the term of the assignment, the consultant will:  

• Develop a work plan detailing expected time frames, methodological approaches and data collection tools that will be used in each planned activity.  

• Conduct coordination and consultation meetings with Novact staff (Program Director and Project Coordinator), Lead Organization (Corridors) and Partners Organizations, and other recommended interlocutors including a feedback and review meeting to review drafts and develop relevant recommendations.  

• Produce research on Conflict sensitivity as a Leading Research Organization on peace education and support the research on trauma responsiveness on peace education specifically in Spain but in coordination with the other organizations.  

• Face-to-face on-site training in Georgia (Kakheti Region) and Spain (Catalunya) in the framework of International Workshops where the consultant will participate as a facilitator in several workshops alongside the other organizations researchers. 

Geographical Scope 

Most of the activities and support can be done online but should be noted that the financial proposal must include a field trip to Georgia (South Caucasus) to participate in an International Workshop  and a physical participation in Barcelona for the same reason. Consultant should be aware and responsible for all the necessary expenses that these trips entail. (Accommodation and Meals during the Workshops will be provided by the Project Lead Organization (Corridors) and Novact (Barcelona)  

Required skills 

The consultant or team of consultants should respond to the following profile: 

• University Master’s Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations and/or Human Security.  

• Accredited experience as a researcher in the field of peace education.  (Publications, Workshops, Conferences.) 

• Minimum 3 years experience on working in peacebuilding, human rights and/or non-violence action in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus. 

• Minimum 7 years of demonstrable experience in designing and implementing training programs in the field of peace building, non-violence and civil resistance.  

• Solid experience in giving public presentations, and organizing and running workshops, panels and similar events with participative mechanisms. 

• Strong attention to detail, analytical, prioritization and problem-solving skills, and strong receptive communication and collaborative decision making skills  

• Languages: Spanish and English Professional level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages C1 or C2). 

Desirable skills: 

• Experience and knowledge in research with a gender perspective. 

• Knowledge and/or articulation with national and international organizations, networks from CSO’s in Georgia, Ukraine, Germany and Italy. 

• Knowledge of Georgian, Ukrainian and/or Russian Language. 

• Clear and concise writing skills. 

• Capacity to debate and lead political reflection activities at the regional level 

Confidentiality and publication of materials  

Novact will have copyright over the publications and data collected during the research and in any product the selected consultant will participate. 

Contracting conditions 

Technical assistance contract for a period of  months. June 1st, 2025, to October 31st, 2027. 

Remuneration: 5,600 euros including all taxes. (five thousand six hundred euros) 

The selected consultant will receive a 60% of the technical service total amount at the beginning of its service and the remaining 40% once its service is done. 

The selected consultant will provide their own tech equipment and material needed for the development and implementation of the tasks related to the contract.   

Submission of proposals: deadlines and documentation 

Candidates should provide the following documents in order to be selected:  

• Updated and detailed CV 

• Financial proposal (all taxes included) 

• Methodological proposal including research plan and data collection tools. 

The lack of any required information could lead to the refusal of the proposal. 

The candidate cannot take advantage from omissions and mistakes in the present document. If candidates detect them, they must inform NOVACT immediately. The candidate should assume the total amount of cost preparations and submittal of the proposal. 

Deadline for the submission of the proposal is 26th May 2025 before 23:59 local time in Barcelona.  

Candidates should send their proposal to: carlosb@novact.org. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. 

The email reference should be as follows:  Embrace, Empower, Engage  Project 

 If you have any doubt, do not hesitate to contact carlosb@novact.org