Expression of Interest For Engagement of Consultants for Learning Sharing Workshop for Women Politicians and Leaders

Center for Dalit Women Nepal

Shankhamul Marg, New Baneshwor

Kathmandu, Nepal

Expression of Interest For Engagement of Consultants for Learning Sharing Workshop for Women Politicians and Leaders

Background

Center for Dalit Women Nepal (CDWN) is implementing initiatives to strengthen women’s meaningful participation and leadership in political processes and decision-making. As part of these efforts, CDWN intends to organize two-day Learning Sharing Workshops for Women Politicians and Leaders in different provinces of Nepal.

The workshops will provide a platform for women political candidates and leaders to reflect on their experiences from the previous election, share lessons and challenges, identify opportunities for greater political participation, and strengthen practical skills required for future elections and political leadership.

The workshops will cover areas including election processes, vote counting, political party negotiation, candidate nomination, election financing, manifesto development, and digital election campaigning. Given the specialized nature of the sessions, CDWN intends to engage up to two consultants with complementary expertise.

CDWN therefore invites qualified and experienced consultants/experts to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to design and facilitate these learning-sharing workshops.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The overall purpose of the consultancy is to design and facilitate participatory two-day learning-sharing workshops that strengthen the knowledge, confidence, negotiation capacity, strategic thinking, and electoral preparedness of women politicians and leaders.

Scope of Consultancy

The workshops will cover, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following thematic areas:

• Learning from the Previous Election
• Understanding Vote Counting and Election Results
• Negotiation Skills within Political Parties
• Election Financing Mechanisms and Possibilities
• Understanding Candidate Nomination Processes and Criteria
• Developing a Political Manifesto
• Digital Election Campaigning

TOR–1: Political Leadership, Election Process and Party Engagement Specialist

Scope of Assignment

The consultant under TOR–1 will lead the technical sessions related to political leadership, electoral processes, political party engagement, negotiation, candidate nomination, and election financing.

Key Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Facilitate learning and reflection on women candidates’ experiences from the previous election.
• Provide practical understanding of the electoral process and vote counting.
• Facilitate understanding of political party structures, candidate nomination processes and criteria within political parties.
• Strengthen participants' negotiation, influencing, persuasion, and communication skills within political parties.
• Facilitate practical negotiation exercises and role plays.
• Facilitate learning on election financing mechanisms, campaign financial planning, legitimate financing possibilities, and financial accountability.
• Support participants to develop practical political leadership and electoral engagement strategies.

TOR–2: Political Communication, Manifesto and Digital Campaigning Specialist

Scope of Assignment

The consultant under TOR–2 will lead the technical sessions related to political communication, manifesto development, campaign strategy, and digital election campaigning.

Key Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

• Facilitate participants to understand the purpose and importance of political manifestos.
• Facilitate development of realistic, inclusive, gender-responsive, and constituency-focused political commitments.
• Strengthen participant’s skill to develop clear and effective campaign messages.
• Build participants' understanding of responsible digital election campaigning.
• Support participants to develop practical digital campaign content.
• Facilitate exercises on storytelling, political visibility, and digital engagement.
• Support participants to develop a basic digital communication/campaign strategy.

Expected Deliverables: The selected consultant(s) will be expected to deliver:

• Session plan and Presentations and participant handouts;
• Case studies and practical exercises;
• Delivery of training 
• Improved leadership knowledge, skills, and confidence among participants
• Brief training report.
• Documentation of major key learning and participant reflections; and
• Key capacity gaps identified;
• Recommendations;
• Participants' commitments/action points; and
• Key observations from the workshop.

Experience and Qualification

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in designing and facilitating capacity-building, leadership, political participation, governance, election-related, or similar training programmes, preferably with women leaders or political actors.
• Strong understanding of women’s political participation and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) issues in Nepal.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience related to Nepal's local-level government planning, electoral system, relevant legal provisions, civil society, and local-level organizations.
• Proven experience working with women leaders, elected representatives, political candidates, political actors, or civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in political communication, manifesto development, campaign strategy, or related areas, particularly for applicants under TOR–2.
• Understanding of gender-responsive and inclusive communication.
• Excellent facilitation, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills.
• Excellent command of the Nepali language is highly desirable.
• Ability to facilitate politically sensitive discussions in a neutral, inclusive, and professional manner.

Consultants may apply individually for TOR–1, TOR–2, or both TORs. A consultant/team with demonstrated expertise across both areas may also be considered.

Ethical and Safeguarding Considerations : 

The selected consultant(s) shall:

• Maintain political neutrality during facilitation.
• Respect the confidentiality of participants' personal, political, and professional experiences.
• Create a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment.
• Follow CDWN's safeguarding, protection, code of conduct, and confidentiality requirements.
• Ensure that discussions do not expose participants to unnecessary political, social, reputational, or personal risks.
• Obtain consent before using any participant's personal experience, quotation, photograph, or other identifiable information in documentation or communication materials.
• Ensure that the workshop does not promote or endorse any particular political party or candidate.

Submission of Expression of Interest

Interested and qualified consultants/experts are invited to submit the required application documents. 

• Cover letter clearly indicating whether they are applying for TOR–1, TOR–2, or both
• Updated CV(s) highlighting relevant experience.
• Short technical note outlining the proposed training approach and methodology for the selected TOR(s). 
• The consultant(s) are requested to indicate their daily professional fee and estimated total consultancy cost in their financial proposal. 

CDWN may invite shortlisted applicants for an interview or discussion before final selection.

Application Deadline

Interested and qualified consultants/experts should submit their EOI by 2nd September 2026, 5:00 PM Nepal Time.

Applying procedure

Interested experts/consultants are encouraged to send their CVs to: cdwn2021@gmail.com

CDWN highly encourages women and other applicants from the Dalits and other minorities; gender and sexual minorities to apply.  CDWN reserves the right to shortlist or not to shortlist any or all applicants without assigning any reasons whatsoever.