Background
Created in 2018, the Nexus Initiative is a government-owned, cross-regional initiative of likeminded governments committed to defending and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including its strong links to gender equality, at the United Nations (UN).
The Initiative is independently hosted at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).
Purpose of the consultancy
The Initiative seeks a senior specialist to design and facilitate a two-hour online values-clarification workshop to support the Initiative’s Members to explore the values, principles, and behaviors that underpin successful collaboration across an increasingly diverse and complex coalition of UN member states.
The workshop is part of a larger process to develop a Charter of Values and Collaboration. The workshop will support the Initiative’s Members to reflect on how culture, history, power, identity, and evolving geopolitical realities influence collaboration within multilateral spaces.
The consultant will be a highly specialized global expert on cross-cultural dialogue, with extensive experience designing and facilitating workshops that address power and cross-regional dynamics in high-stakes settings. The consultant will work closely with the process Co-Facilitators and the Secretariat to ensure the workshop complements and informs the broader consultation and charter-development process.
Scope of work
The consultant will:
- Advise on the design of the values clarification component of the overall process, with attention to addressing power dynamics, cross-cultural challenges, and colonial legacies.
- Develop the methodology and agenda for a two-hour virtual Member workshop (possibly delivered twice to accommodate Members’ availability).
- Facilitate the workshop(s).
- Prepare a summary of workshop outcomes and insights, with recommendations for the Co-Facilitators and Secretariat to carry forward into the larger process.
- Provide suggested language and concepts for inclusion in the final Charter of Values and Collaboration.
Deliverables
- Workshop design and facilitation plan.
- Development of all workshop materials.
- Facilitation of 1-2 Member workshops (the same workshop delivered twice).
- Brief written summary of workshop outcomes and insights.
- Recommendations for the process and contents of the Charter of Values and Collaboration.
Level of effort
Up to 7 working days between August and October 2026.
Required qualifications
- Senior-level, proven expertise in values clarification and anti-racist, anti-colonial workshop methodologies that address power imbalances and foster dialogue among culturally and politically diverse stakeholders.
- Proven successful experience facilitating conversations on power, identity, cross-cultural collaboration, and institutional culture with high-level stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of colonial legacies, global power asymmetries, and their implications for international collaboration, including how to address them productively in a diplomatic setting.
- Proven ability to facilitate sensitive conversations in ways that build trust and mutual understanding rather than exacerbate polarization.
- Ability to work on sensitive subjects with a high degree of discretion and diplomatic judgment.
- A highly collaborative and team-oriented approach.
- Fluency in written and spoken English, with proficiency in another UN language such as Spanish or French preferred.
Desired qualifications
- Proven and extensive experience leading similar values clarification workshops on global power imbalances and issues related to colonial legacies and intersectionality.
- Experience working with governments, diplomats, or multilateral organizations.
- Familiarity with coalition-building and international governance matters.
- Experience guiding cross-regional conflict resolution and mediation processes.
- Experience supporting organizational or network values development.
- Highly developed skills in using virtual technology to conduct participatory online workshops.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send the following materials to [email protected] with the subject line: “Values Clarification Workshop Co-Facilitator” by Monday 3rd August, 6pm ET (NY time):
- Cover letter
- CV, including any relevant certifications related to anti-colonialist and anti-racism approaches, mediation, and/or conflict resolution management
- A 2 to 3-page summary of relevant qualifications and background describing your experience leading or supporting similar processes, including your experience successfully navigating emerging cross-regional challenges in multilateral contexts
- Your desired daily rate
- Three professional references.
Co-Facilitator, Creation of the Charter of Values
Note that this Terms of Reference is being circulated along with one for, "Co-Facilitator, Creation of the Charter of Values.” Qualified candidates who wish to apply for both roles can do so by submitting one application, stating in their summary of qualifications that their application is for both roles and using the email subject: “The Creation of the Charter of Values and Values Clarification Workshop, both roles.”
