• Project Title: Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future: Cultivating Peace Through Intergenerational Engagement
• Implementing Organization: Center for National and Regional Integration Studies (CeNRIS)
• Project Location: Addis Ababa and Adama, Ethiopia
• Project Duration: June 15, 2025 – December 15, 2025
• Training Period: August 2025 (specific dates to be confirmed)

1. Introduction and Background

The Center for National and Regional Integration Studies (CeNRIS) is thrilled to announce a Call for Applications for a qualified Trainer to join our impactful project: “Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future: Cultivating Peace Through Intergenerational Engagement.” This vital initiative is generously funded by the New Zealand High Commission/Embassy Fund.

This project aims to foster peace in Ethiopia by promoting intergenerational engagement and dialogue. Workshops and dialogues will be held in two key locations: Addis Ababa (the capital) and Adama (a city in Oromia Regional State). These areas were selected due to their diverse populations and the potential for meaningful intergenerational interactions.

What makes this project unique is its central focus on storytelling as a transformative tool for healing historical divides. By engaging elders and youth, we aim to unearth narratives that shape community identities, address issues that perpetuate division, and foster reconciliation. The emphasis on “futures literacy” equips participants to envision cohesive, harmonious communities. By embracing the wisdom of elders and the aspirations of youth, we create a powerful platform for shared visions of a peaceful future.

Furthermore, this initiative complements existing community efforts rather than duplicating them. While many organizations work on peace and community building, few focus specifically on intergenerational dialogue through storytelling. CeNRIS is committed to collaborating with local NGOs, youth groups, and community leaders to enhance impact, share resources, and coordinate activities. Together, we aim to build a network of engaged citizens dedicated to social cohesion and mutual understanding. The project design has been carefully informed by consultations with community stakeholders, youth organizations, local NGOs, and representatives from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, ensuring it truly addresses community needs and highlights the role of intergenerational dialogue in overcoming historical divides.

2. Project Objectives

This project aims to achieve the following:

• To organize community-based intergenerational dialogue sessions, enabling 50 participants (25 from Addis Ababa, 25 from Adama), including elders and youth, to share stories, reflect on Ethiopia’s history, and discuss visions for a peaceful future.
• To document and disseminate these stories and dialogues through various media outlets—including articles, documentaries, and social media campaigns—to amplify voices that foster reconciliation and understanding.
• To build capacity among community members and media practitioners (including 10 journalists) on the importance of intergenerational storytelling as a peacebuilding tool.

3. Purpose of the ToR

This Terms of Reference (ToR) outlines the requirements for a qualified and experienced Trainer. The selected individual will be responsible for designing and delivering engaging storytelling workshops for community members and media practitioners. The Trainer’s expertise will be crucial in equipping participants with the skills to effectively engage in intergenerational dialogue and utilize storytelling for peacebuilding and reconciliation.

4. Scope of Work

The selected Trainer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key tasks:

• Curriculum Development:
  • Develop a comprehensive training curriculum and materials (e.g., modules, handouts, exercises, presentations) tailored to the project objectives and the diverse target audience (youth, elders, community volunteers, and journalists).
  • The curriculum should specifically focus on intergenerational storytelling, active listening, respectful dialogue facilitation, and the profound role of narratives in peacebuilding and reconciliation.
  • Integrate concepts of “futures literacy” to encourage participants to envision and articulate shared visions for a peaceful future.
• Workshop Delivery:
  • Conduct highly interactive and participatory storytelling workshops for 50 community members (25 in Addis Ababa and 25 in Adama).
  • Deliver specialized training sessions for 10 local journalists on peace journalism principles and effective storytelling techniques for media dissemination.
  • Facilitate dialogue sessions that encourage open sharing, critical reflection on historical narratives, and constructive discussions about future peace.
  • Ensure a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment that respects diverse perspectives and experiences throughout all sessions.
• Capacity Building:
  • Equip participants with practical storytelling techniques, including narrative structuring, effective character development (for personal stories), and impactful delivery.
  • Provide essential guidance on ethical considerations in storytelling, particularly when dealing with sensitive historical or personal narratives.
  • Enhance participants’ ability to document and share stories in various formats (e.g., written articles, oral narratives, digital content).
• Coordination and Reporting:
  • Work closely with the CeNRIS Project Coordinator to ensure seamless logistical arrangements and full alignment with overall project goals and timelines.
  • Submit a brief training report summarizing key achievements, challenges encountered, and valuable recommendations for future sessions.

5. Deliverables

The Trainer will be expected to deliver the following:

• A detailed training curriculum and comprehensive session plans for both community members and journalists.
• All necessary training materials (e.g., presentations, handouts, pre/post-test questionnaires, evaluation forms).
• The successful delivery of all planned storytelling workshops in Addis Ababa and Adama (as per the project timeline in August 2025).
• A comprehensive training report (to be submitted within one week of completing the workshops), which will include:
  • An overview of the training sessions conducted.
  • The number of participants trained (disaggregated by age, gender, and region).
  • Summary of participant feedback and engagement levels.
  • Key lessons learned and actionable recommendations for sustaining the impact of the training initiatives.

6. Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate for this pivotal training assignment should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Education: A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Peace and Conflict Studies, Communications, Social Sciences, Law, Political Science, History, Education, or a related discipline. A PhD is considered a significant advantage.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of 3 years of proven experience in designing and delivering participatory training workshops, particularly in the areas of storytelling, dialogue facilitation, peacebuilding, or broader community engagement.
  • Demonstrated experience working effectively with diverse groups, including youth and elders, specifically within the Ethiopian context.
  • Prior experience in training media practitioners or journalists on peace journalism principles or ethical storytelling is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with the socio-political context of Ethiopia and a nuanced understanding of historical narratives and their impact on community relations.
• Skills:
  • Exceptional facilitation, presentation, and communication skills in both English and Amharic.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to foster a respectful and inclusive learning environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt training methodologies to suit different learning styles and the specific needs of diverse participants.
  • Robust analytical and professional report-writing skills.

7. Timeframe and Logistics

The core training sessions are scheduled for August 2025. Specific dates and precise locations (within Addis Ababa and Adama) will be confirmed upon the signing of the contract. CeNRIS will be responsible for securing venue hire, catering services, and providing participant per diems, as outlined in the overall project budget. The selected Trainer will be expected to coordinate closely with the Project Coordinator for all logistical needs related to the successful execution of the workshops.

8. Application Process

Interested and highly qualified candidates are invited to submit their comprehensive application by July 25, 2025. Your application package should clearly include:

1. A concise cover letter outlining your suitability for this role, your understanding of this ToR, and your proposed approach to the training.
2. Your updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) clearly demonstrating your relevant experience and qualifications.
3. A brief technical proposal (maximum 3 pages) outlining your proposed training methodology, the key topics you intend to cover, and a tentative work plan for the training sessions.
4. A detailed financial proposal outlining your proposed daily/session rates and any other associated costs for the training delivery.
5. Contact details for at least two professional references.

Applications should be sent via email to cenrisethiopia@gmail.com with the subject line: “Application for Trainer: Intergenerational Storytelling for Peacebuilding.”

CeNRIS reserves the right to accept or reject any application and to annul the selection process and reject all applications at any time prior to the award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to affected applicants.