WAVES Sierra Leone

06/08/2026

CAPACITY BUILDING FOR CHIEFS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FSU-PROSECUTOR COORDINATION

Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone (WAVES-SL) in partnership with EQUALITY NOW conducted two days' workshop at the One World Link Complex Hall at Mattru road Bo City, Southern part of Sierra Leone. The sensitisation workshop was conducted for forty individuals (16 Paramount chiefs, 4 section chiefs, 10 community leaders/FSU Prosecutor Coordination, and 10 Societal Heads). The workshop was focused on Sexual Gender Based-Violence (SGBV ) laws, (Sexual Offences Act 2012, as Amended 2019, the Three Gender Justice Acts, 2007, the Prohibition of Child Marriage, 2024, the GEWE Act 2022, the Child Rights Act 2007, as amended 2025, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the Anti-Human trafficking and the Migrant Smuggling Act, 2022, The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, 2023, thus replaced the Education Act, 2004; the survivor rights, and their responsibility to support; not silence survivors.

The Regent Chief of Kakua chiefdom Boyzie K. Lemoh. expressed gratitude to WAVES-SL for its generous gesture towards the people of the chiefdom. Speaking during the workshop session, the Regent Chief further thanked the organization for remembering the community and supporting local development efforts. He equally highlighted his role as Regent Chief, noting that his responsibility includes maintaining peace and unity, upholding the traditions and customs of the chiefdom, and serving as the link between government, NGOs, and the people to ensure development reaches every community. He called on other partners to emulate the examples of WAVES-SL

During the workshop, immense contributions were made by community leaders, FSU Prosecutors, and societal heads. Community leaders shared traditional practices and pledged to support the reporting of SGBV cases to the appropriate authorities.

The Regional Coordinator Family Support Unit (FSU) Inspector Kanneh educated participants on the legal process, evidence requirements, and the importance of timely reporting to the Family Support Unit. Societal heads, including women’s leaders and youth representatives, highlighted cultural barriers and suggested community-based awareness strategies. Group discussions and plenary sessions allowed participants to develop action plan.

04/08/2026

ADVERTISEMENT
Terms of Reference for a Consultancy to Train WAVES Programme Staff in Proposal Writing, Results-Based Project Design and SMART Indicators

Timeline for offers
No Description Date
1 Publication date of the call 04.08.2026
2 Deadline for submission of offers 11.08.2026
3 Minimum validity period of offer from the closing date （No. 2）30days
4 Opening date of offers 12.08.2026
5 Planned evaluation dates of offers 12.-13.08.2026
6 Notification of contract awarding 14.08.2026
7 Proposed dates for contract signing 17.08.2026
8 Timeframe for the training consultancy August 2026（3 consecutive days）

Procurement/Tendering procedure
Negotiation procedure without a call for competition
Assessment Summary
Organisation Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone (WAVES-SL)

In-country partner organisation N/A – consultancy commissioned directly by WAVES-SL for internal staff capacity building

Proposed methodologies • Training Needs Assessment and Desk Review
• Interactive Classroom-Style Training with Group Work
• Case Studies using WAVES Project Documents
• Pre- and Post-Training Assessment

Proposed timeframe of training August 2026（3 consecutive days）, exact dates to be proposed by the bidder
Anticipated submission date of draft training report 02.09.2026
Anticipated submission date of final training report 09.09.2026
Consultancy Background

Reference project 6000230(action medeor e.V./BMZ – FGM/C Prevention Project, Bo District)
Commissioning organisation WAVES-SL

Consultancy period August 2026, maximum 8 working days （incl. 3 training days）

Sectors SRHR / Organisational Development
Training location WAVES-SL Office / training venue, Bo Town, Bo District, Sierra Leone
Training overall objective WAVES-SL programme staff have strengthened capacities to independently design quality, results-based project proposals that meet institutional donor standards.
Training outcome / target by the end of the training, participating staff can draft a complete outcome-output-activity results chain and formulate SMART indicators for a project proposal.

Training outputs / sub-objectives 1. Staff understand and can differentiate the results chain: impact, outcome, output, process and activity.
2. Staff can formulate SMART indicators at outcome and output level.
3. Staff can draft a complete project proposal （narrative and log frame） aligned to donor requirements.
4. WAVES-SL has an internal proposal-writing and indicator-development toolkit for future use.
Training target group （direct）10–15 programme, project and M&E staff of WAVES-SL

Total consultancy budge to be proposed by the bidder

Table of Content
1. About WAVES-SL 3
2. Background, Rationale and Description of the Consultancy 3
3. Target Group of the Training 4
4. Purpose, Objectives and Use 4
5. Key Issues and Training Content 5
6. Scope of Work 6
7. Methodology 6
8. Outputs and Deliverables 7
9. Quantity Structure, Process and Timetable 7
10. Expert Profile and Qualifications 8
11. Management of the Consultancy 8
12. Application Process 9
13. Evaluation Criteria 9
Appendices 9

1. About WAVES-SL
WAVES was founded in 2005 and is a legally registered NGO in Sierra Leone. Its objectives are the empowerment of women and girls, increased access for women and girls to justice, and the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). WAVES implements the organisation's goals through project work in the areas of prevention and management of Sexual and Gender Based Violence （SGBV）, promotion of SRHR, education, child protection and income generation activities.

The organisation is mainly active in Bo District, but also at the national level through networking. Project strategies are mainly awareness raising, community mobilisation, advocacy and lobbying, as well as support to SGBV-affected people. The main topics are female ge***al mutilation/circumcision (FGM/C) and early marriage. WAVES-SL is part of the Civil Society Consultative Forum, Forum Against Harmful Practices （FAHP）, Salone Adolescent Network, Coalition for Girls Education, DCF Working Group （I） NGOs, Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations （SLANGO）, Child Rights Coalition, and National Election Watch （NEW）-SL.

WAVES-SL currently implements project work with support from international partners, including action medeor e.V. / BMZ (Project No. 6000230, FGM/C Prevention Project in Bo District). As WAVES-SL's project portfolio grows, so does the need to diversify and secure additional funding through high-quality, competitive project proposals.

2. Background, Rationale and Description of the Consultancy

2.1. Background
WAVES-SL relies on project funding from international institutional donors to implement its programmes on SGBV prevention, SRHR promotion and child protection in Bo District and beyond. Sustaining and expanding this work requires a diversified funding base, which in turn depends on the organisation's ability to develop competitive, well-structured project proposals that meet the technical standards expected by institutional donors.

Programme staff currently design and implement projects but have limited formal training in results-based project design. In practice, this creates challenges in clearly distinguishing between impact, outcome, output, process and activity levels, and in formulating indicators that meet SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). These gaps can weaken the quality of funding applications and complicate downstream monitoring and reporting.

This training responds directly to Output 4 of the ongoing BMZ-funded FGM/C Prevention Project （Project No. 6000230）, which foresees that "the local project executing agency, WAVES, has strengthened organizational capacities (strategies, systems, policies and structures) as well as appropriately trained staff." It is also informed by the recommendations of the project's midterm evaluation, which highlighted the importance of a robust internal monitoring and evaluation system and of building WAVES-SL's independent capacity to track and report on project indicators.
WAVES-SL is therefore commissioning a short, practical training consultancy to strengthen programme staff's skills in proposal writing, results-based project design and the formulation and interpretation of SMART indicators.

3. Target Group of the Training
The target group of the training consists of WAVES-SL programme, project and M&E staff who are directly involved in project design, proposal development and indicator tracking, including project officers, programme coordinators and the M&E Officer.
Total
Direct target group （training participants）10–15
Participants will directly apply the skills gained to future proposal development and to the ongoing monitoring of project indicators, including those tracked under the current FGM/C Prevention Project. Trained staff are also expected to act as internal resource persons, sharing knowledge with colleagues not directly participating in the training.

4. Purpose, Objectives and Use
The overall purpose of the consultancy is to strengthen the technical capacity of WAVES-SL programme staff to independently design and write quality, results-based project proposals that meet institutional donor standards, and to correctly formulate and interpret SMART indicators.

Specific objectives of the training are to enable participants to:
• Distinguish clearly between impact, outcome, output, process and activity levels within a results chain;
• Develop a coherent theory of change and logical framework for a project idea;
• Formulate SMART indicators at outcome and output level, and interpret existing indicators correctly;
• Draft a complete project proposal narrative aligned with the requirements of institutional donors.
The skills and tools developed through this training will be used by WAVES-SL to strengthen future funding applications, to diversify its donor base, and to improve the organisation's internal monitoring and evaluation practices, including the continued tracking of indicators recommended in the midterm evaluation of the FGM/C Prevention Project. The training findings (needs assessment results and post-training assessment) will also inform WAVES-SL's broader organisational development strategy.

5. Key Issues and Training Content
The training should cover, at a minimum, the following topics:
• Understanding donor priorities, funding cycles and typical proposal structures;
• The Results Chain: definitions and practical differences between impact, outcome, output, process and activity levels;
• Developing a Theory of Change and a logical framework (log frame) for a project idea;
• Formulating SMART outcome and output indicators, including baselines and targets;
• Linking activities to outputs and outputs to outcomes in a coherent narrative;
• Basic budgeting principles aligned to a project proposal;
• Review of strengths and weaknesses in previous WAVES-SL proposals and log frames (using anonymised or de-identified examples);
• Practical group work: drafting a sample log frame and SMART indicator set for a current WAVES-SL project idea.

6. Scope of Work
Timeframe: August 2026; concrete dates (3 consecutive days) to be suggested by the bidder.
Location: WAVES-SL Office / a suitable training venue, Bo Town, Bo District, Sierra Leone.
Activities
The consultancy should comprise of:
• Online inception meeting with WAVES-SL management and M&E Officer;
• Desk review of relevant documents (past project proposals, log frames, the FGM/C Prevention Project log frame and Indicator Tracking Table, and prior training reports, where available);
• A short training needs assessment among prospective participants;
• An inception note outlining the training needs assessment findings, proposed agenda, methodology and training materials outline;
• Delivery of a 3-day, in-person, interactive training for 10–15 WAVES-SL programme staff covering the content in Section 5;
• Practical exercises and group work using real or sample WAVES-SL project ideas;
• A pre- and post-training assessment to measure the change in participants' knowledge and skills;
• Development and hand-over of a simple proposal-writing and SMART indicator toolkit / template for WAVES-SL's future independent use.

7. Methodology
The training should apply adult-learning, participatory methods, combining short presentations with group work, case studies and practical exercises. Real or sample WAVES-SL project documents, including the FGM/C Prevention Project log frame, should be used as case-study material wherever appropriate.
Following principles should be applied:

• Participatory Approach: Ensure active engagement of all participants through group work, discussion and hands-on exercises rather than lecture-style delivery alone;
• Plain Language: Training materials and facilitation should avoid unnecessary technical jargon and be accessible to staff with varying levels of prior exposure to proposal writing;
• Assessment of Learning: A short pre- and post-training assessment should be applied to measure knowledge gained;
• Approval of Materials: All training materials, agenda and toolkit must be shared with WAVES-SL for review and approval before the training is delivered;
• WAVES-SL will facilitate logistics for the training venue, invitation of participants and any related administrative arrangements. Leading coordination role is done by the WAVES-SL M&E Officer.
8. Outputs and Deliverables

The consultancy will produce the following deliverables:
• An inception note (max. 5 pages, in English) including a short training needs assessment summary, proposed agenda, methodology and outline of training materials. The inception note needs approval from WAVES-SL prior to the start of the training.
• Complete training materials （slides / handouts） and a proposal-writing and SMART indicator toolkit / template for WAVES-SL's continued use.

• Delivery of the 3-day training to 10–15 WAVES-SL programme staff.
• Pre- and post-training assessment results.
• A comprehensive final training report (approx. 12–15 pages, excl. annexes).
The report should include (but is not limited to) the following:
• Executive summary (max 1–2 pages)
• Training purpose, objectives and scope
• Methodology and training needs assessment findings
• Summary of sessions delivered and content covered
• Pre- and post-training assessment results and analysis of learning gained
• Participant feedback
• Conclusions and recommendations, including proposed follow-up or mentoring support
• Appendices (incl. ToR, training agenda, attendance list, training materials, assessment tools)
The language of the report is English. It is to be handed in as a signed PDF document after final approval.
9. Quantity Structure, Process and Timetable
The consultant has maximum 8 working days to complete the below listed tasks.
Date (preliminary) Activity Days
10.08.2026 Inception meeting (online) ¼ day
11-12.08.2026 Desk review and training needs assessment 1 day
13-14.08.2026 Development of training curriculum, materials and toolkit 2 days
24-26.08.2026 Delivery of 3-day training (Bo, Sierra Leone)3days
27.08.2026 post-training assessment and debrief ½ day
28-31.08.2026 Preparation and submission of training report 1¼ day
Total 8

10. Expert Profile and Qualifications
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
• Relevant degree (Bachelor, Master) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project Management or a similar field.
• Minimum 3 years' working experience in project proposal writing and/or results-based project design.
• Proven experience designing and delivering training on log frames, SMART indicators and results-based management, preferably for NGOs.
• Familiarity with the proposal and reporting requirements of major institutional donors (e.g., BMZ, EU, UN agencies).
• Working experience with NGOs, INGOs or community-based organisations, preferably in a West-African country context.
• Excellent facilitation skills and experience with adult-learning / participatory training methods.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills in English.
• No Conflict of interest regarding WAVES-SL.
Desirable:
• Experience in the SRHR/SGBV sector.
• Knowledge of the socio-cultural context of Bo District / southern Sierra Leone.
• Experience developing simple, user-friendly M&E tools or templates for local partner organisations.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

11. Management of the Consultancy
The selected consultant will work as a freelancer under the overall guidance of the Executive Director of WAVES-SL and in close cooperation with the WAVES-SL Programme Manager/M&E Officer and programme staff.

12. Application Process
Applications should be submitted electronically in a non-changeable format such as PDF, duly filled and signed, to WAVES-SL （[email protected]） before Tuesday,11August 2026 at 5pm （Sierra Leone Time）. Please indicate the tender reference "Tender WAVES-2026-01-Training-Proposal Writing and SMART Indicators".

The procurement procedure is a negotiation procedure without a call for competition. WAVES-SL reserves the right to ask the bidders for further documentation.
Content of offer:
Expert Profile / Bidder Eligibility
• Company's or personal profile (experience in the sector, experience in training/facilitation, business registration, valid NASSIT and NRA Tax Clearance certificate, where applicable)
• CV （s） indicating all relevant experience
• Copies of relevant academic degrees and certificates
• Contacts of at least 2 professional references related to similar training assignments
• Self-declaration of non-exclusion grounds （Annex 2）
Technical Offer
• Technical offer including training design concept, proposed agenda, training methodology and materials outline （approx. 5 pages）
• Proposed timeframe
• One sample of similar training materials, a training report, or a project proposal/log frame developed by the consultant （confidentiality is guaranteed）

Financial Offer
• Financial offer with clear distinction of daily honorarium, travel expenses and taxes in SLE （New Leones）
• The budget should present consultancy fee costs over the entire period of max. 8 working days
Deadline for submission of offers is 11 August 2026 at 6pm local time.

13. Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be assessed according to the qualifications of the consultant, the quality of the technical proposal, and the financial proposal. The technical proposal is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to these Terms of Reference.
The short-listed consultants may be asked for a presentation prior to the final selection.
The contract will be awarded to the successful bidder following completion of the offer evaluation process, including negotiation (only in exceptional cases, if necessary). The successful bidder will sign a contract with WAVES-SL to undertake the assignment.
During the rating process the technical offer will be rated 40% quality and the price offer 60% price.

03/08/2026

24/07/2026

MONITORING VISIT MADE BY DIRECTOR MANAFF
The head of Women And Girl Empowerment (WAGE) Consortium Director Manaff, accompanied by the WAGE Project field team from WAVES-SL Bo District, conducted a two-day monitoring visit to few working communities of the project namely: Kpowabu, Gandi and Gollu communities.

The team met with Girl Shine participants, Engaging Men through Accountability Practices (EAMAP) members, and held Community Conversation to assess project implementation and community engagement.

The visit was made to discussed on the project's impact on beneficiaries, the girls' understanding and application of life skills sessions, the rationale for integrating Engaging Boys through Accountability Practices （EABAP） and EAMAP into the WAGE Project, and strategies for sustaining project outcomes.

Beneficiaries highlighted improved confidence, stronger community support, increased male engagement, and positive behavioral change. Sustainable strategies discussed included strengthening community ownership, building the capacity of local facilitators, engaging traditional and religious leaders, promoting and effecting our Bye-laws, and ensuring continuous mentorship and collaboration beyond the project period.

On the second day of his field visit, Director Manaff went to Gollu community to monitor the implementation of Girl Shine sessions, Women Action Group (WAG) activities, and the EABAP boys. The visit provided an opportunity to engaged with participants, facilitators, and community members, observe progress, and discussed successes and challenges.

Director Manaff commended the enthusiasm and commitment of the beneficiaries and encouraged continued participation. He reaffirmed the WAGE Consortium and WAVES-SL commitment to empowering women and girls through life skills, leadership, economic empowerment, and community-led initiatives that promote sustainable development and gender equality.

The various units under the said project thankfully appreciated the head of the WAGE project Director Manaff for his prompt visit made to the various communities.

20/07/2026

DIGITAL & PHYSICAL SECURITY TRAINING AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT SESSION INITIATION

Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone (WAVES-SL) organized two days training on Digital and Security Psycho-Social for Civil Society Organizations (CSO’S) and journalists at the Don Bosco Hall Shellmingo section in the Southern part of Sierra Leone.

The Project Officer for Protection International gave the project titled: Strengthening the Protection and Resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Actors in Bo City, Sierra Leone. She iterated that the project is funded by UK-based Donor. She emphasized that, the project goal aim promotes the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls in targeted communities in Southern Sierra Leone, and to build resilient community structures that prevent violence and harmful practices.

The lead facilitator for the training Detective Inspector Moses Ganda who happens to be the head of Cyber Unit in Southern part of Sierra Leone gave a background of the inception of Cyber Unit in Sierra Leone. With the increase in mobile money fraud, online scams, child exploitation, and the spread of false information during Ebola and COVID-19, the government saw that our old laws could not address crimes committed online. Sierra Leone also needed a law to meet international standards under the African Union Convention on Cyber Security.

Inspector Ganda told participants that, the Ministry of Information and Communications, working with the Ministry of Justice, the Sierra Leone Police, NCP, and other partners, drafted the Bill. There were stakeholder consultations across the country including in Bo, Kenema and here in the South where civil society, journalists, and community leaders gave input. He finally said that, The Bill was then tabled in Parliament. Members of Parliament debated it clause by clause in 2021. After the debates and amendments, it was voted on and passed.

His Excellency the President assented to it, and it became the Cyber Security and Cyber Crime Act No. 8 of 2021 This Act now gives us, the Sierra Leone Police Cyber Unit, the legal mandate to investigate, arrest, and prosecute cyber-crimes. It also protects citizens’ rights and data while punishing offenders.

The two days training targeted fifteen （15） core participants (Women Human Rights Defenders, journalists & CSO staff). during this training different modules were targeted like: Understanding the Digital Threat Landscape | Cyber threats in Sierra Leone

Cybercrime Act 2021 | Group Threat Mapping Activity. Safe Communications & Data Protection | Signal, VPN, Password Manager,2FASetup, Hands-On Installation Exercise.: Physical Security for Defenders Security assessment of homes and offices, Field safety & movement security, WAVES office security setup review | Small group scenario activity and Introduction to Psychosocial Well-being | Emotional impact of HRD work | Signs of burnout, stress & trauma.

At closure of the two days program, participants tendered a lot of immense questions to the lead facilitator. The participants appreciated Inspector Ganda for impacting their knowledge on cyber-crimes, as they are victims, with this, they whole heartedly promised cascading this good news to various communities they find themselves in Sierra Leone.

17/07/2026

WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE AND EXPLOITATION IN SOCIETY (WAVES-SL)

4 Amara Street Shellmingo, Bo City, Sierra Leone | Funded by Protection International (Collective Protection Fund – FSM)

TERMS OF REFERENCE
For the Engagement of a Consultant
Activity 1.3&1.5– Legal Research on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation （SLAPP） Patterns, SLAPP Guidebook Development, and Psychosocial Group Therapy

Project: Strengthening the Protection and Resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Actors in Bo City, Sierra Leone
Issuing Organisation Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES-SL)
Funder Protection International – Collective Protection Fund (FSM)

Project Title Strengthening the Protection and Resilience of WHRDs and CSOs in Bo City, Sierra Leone

Project Duration 12 Months: 01 February 2026 – 31 January 2027
Activity Reference Activity 1.3 & 1.5 – Legal Research on SLAPP Patterns, SLAPP Guidebook Development, and Psychosocial Group Therapy (Objectives 3 & 4)

Consultancy Duration 22 working days: Tuesday 28 July 2026 – Wednesday 26 August 2026

Location Bo City, Sierra Leone (with field visits/consultations as required)

Application Deadline Monday 20 July 2026, 5:00 pm Sierra Leone Local Time

Submission Email [email protected]
Language of Work English (proficiency in Krio an asset)

1. Background and Context
Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES-SL) is a women-led civil society organisation and a network of women human rights defenders based in Bo City, Sierra Leone. WAVES-SL is implementing a 12-month project funded by Protection International under the Collective Protection Fund (FSM) to strengthen the protection and resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Bo City, running from 01 February 2026 to 31 January 2027.

Civic space in Sierra Leone remains constrained by restrictive legislation; including the 1965 Public Order Act, the 2021 Cybercrime Act, and the 2025 National Counter-Terrorism Act; selective enforcement, harassment, and Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).

Women activists face a compounded burden: they are targeted not only for their advocacy but also subjected to gender-specific threats, online harassment, defamation, and public shaming, which drive self-censorship and erode the psychosocial well-being of WHRDs and grassroots CSO staff.

Activity 1.3 builds directly on the foundational Baseline Assessment and the Bo Collective Protection Network (BCPN) established under Activity 1.0, and on the initial training and psychosocial engagement delivered under Activities 1.1 and 1.2. It contributes to two of the project's four objectives: Objective 4 (Build legal resilience against SLAPPs) and Objective 3 (Psychosocial and well-being support). Given the direct dependency between the legal research findings and the guidebook that translates them into an accessible resource, Activity 1.5 (Draft and publish SLAPP guidebook; counsellor sessions) is combined with Activity 1.3 under this single consultancy, ensuring continuity between the research and its practical output and avoiding a handover gap between separate contracts. Findings and outputs from the legal research will directly inform the SLAPP guidebook produced under this same consultancy and the forthcoming legal resilience training (Activity 1.6), while the additional counsellor sessions under Activity 1.5 will extend and sustain the psychosocial support pathway for the project's core beneficiary cohort.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy
WAVES-SL is seeking a qualified consultant, or a small consultancy team, to lead the implementation of Activity 1.3 and Activity 1.5, delivered together as a single, continuous consultancy. The consultancy comprises three integrated components delivered over a 22 working-day period:

• Component A – Legal Research: mapping patterns of SLAPPs, defamation suits, and legal harassment used against WHRDs, journalists, and CSOs in Bo City and, where relevant, the wider Southern Province; and

• Component B – Psychosocial Group Therapy: delivering an extended series of confidential, trauma-informed group therapy sessions (including additional counsellor sessions under Activity 1.5) to the project's core beneficiary cohort, building on the psychosocial baseline and prior sessions delivered under Activity 1.2; and

• Component C – SLAPP Guidebook (Activity 1.5): drafting, designing, and publishing a plain-language SLAPP guidebook for WHRDs, journalists, and CSOs in Bo City, based directly on the findings of the Component A legal research.

The consultant(s) may bid for all three components as a team (e.g., a legal researcher/writer paired with a licensed counsellor/psychosocial practitioner, with shared or supplementary design/publishing support for the guidebook) or, where WAVES-SL determines it more appropriate, the components may be awarded to separate specialists under coordinated supervision.

3. Scope of Work and Key Tasks
3.1 Work Stream A: Legal Research on SLAPP Patterns
The consultant will:
• Review Activity 1.0 baseline findings, BCPN referral mapping, and relevant project documentation to ground the research in the current risk context.

• Design a research methodology combining: (i) desk review of the 1965 Public Order Act, 2021 Cybercrime Act, 2025 National Counter-Terrorism Act, and relevant case law; (ii) a review of documented and alleged cases of legal harassment, defamation suits, and SLAPP-type actions against WHRDs, journalists, and CSOs; and (iii) key informant interviews (KIIs) with affected WHRDs/CSO representatives, legal practitioners, paralegals, and, where feasible, court officials in Bo City.

• Conduct a minimum of 12 KIIs, applying informed consent and confidentiality safeguards throughout.
• Map and analyse patterns across identified cases, including: provisions of law invoked, profile of complainants/plaintiffs, procedural tactics used to intimidate or silence defendants, and outcomes.

• Identify gaps in legal protection and prioritised recommendations to inform the SLAPP guidebook (Work Stream C, this consultancy) and the forthcoming legal resilience training (Activity 1.6).

• Produce a Legal Research Report on SLAPP Patterns setting out methodology, findings, case pattern analysis, and recommendations.

Note on scope: this work stream is strictly limited to research, documentation, and analysis. It does not include the provision of legal aid, case representation, or emergency legal defence to individuals; any individuals identified as requiring urgent legal assistance during the research must be referred through the existing BCPN referral pathway to pre-vetted external legal aid providers, consistent with the project's agreed funding boundaries.

3.2 Work Stream B: Psychosocial Group Therapy
The consultant (a qualified, licensed counsellor, psychologist, or psychosocial practitioner) will:

• Review Activity 1.0 baseline psychosocial findings and any records from prior sessions delivered under Activity 1.2 to identify continuing needs and priority participants.

• Conduct brief, confidential individual intake/check-ins with participants to screen for wellbeing needs and identify any cases requiring specialised referral (signposting only, in line with the BCPN referral protocol – no provision of emergency or crisis mental health services).

• Facilitate a minimum of 6 women-only, trauma-informed group therapy sessions during the consultancy period for the project's core cohort of WHRDs, focused on stress management, coping strategies, peer solidarity, and resilience in relation to harassment- and SLAPP-related stress; the additional two sessions (beyond the original four under Activity 1.3) constitute the counsellor sessions of Activity 1.5.

• Maintain strictly confidential, anonymised attendance and participation records.

• Document session themes, participant feedback, and emerging needs to inform subsequent sessions and the planned wellness retreats (Activity 1.4 onward).

• Produce a Psychosocial Group Therapy Report summarising sessions delivered, participation, key themes, and recommendations.

3.3 Work Stream C: SLAPP Guidebook Development (Activity 1.5)
The consultant will:

• Translate the findings, case patterns, and recommendations of the Legal Research Report (Work Stream A) into a clear, plain-language SLAPP guidebook for WHRDs, journalists, and CSOs in Bo City.

• Structure the guidebook to explain, in accessible language, what a SLAPP is, how to recognise early warning signs, practical steps to take if targeted, and where to access support through the BCPN referral pathway.

• Circulate a draft guidebook to WAVES-SL and a small review group of WHRDs/CSO representatives for feedback and validation.

• Finalise the design and layout of the guidebook (print-ready and digital/accessible formats) incorporating WAVES-SL's feedback.

• Publish and hand over the final SLAPP guidebook to WAVES-SL, together with the source design files, ready for print and/or digital distribution to WHRDs, CSOs, and BCPN partners.

• Deliver the two additional counsellor sessions of Activity 1.5 (see Work Stream B, Section 3.2) during the guidebook drafting period, ensuring continuity of psychosocial support to the beneficiary cohort.

Note on scope: the guidebook must present general legal information and protective guidance only; it must not be presented as, or substitute for, individualised legal advice, and should direct individuals seeking case-specific assistance to the BCPN referral pathway.

4. Deliverables and Milestones
The consultant (s) shall produce the following deliverables, each subject to review and written approval by WAVES-SL before the payment linked to that deliverable is processed:

# Deliverable Work Stream Due Date Day
1 Inception Note: confirmed methodology, KII/intake schedule, group therapy/counsellor session plan, and guidebook outline, for the 22-day period A, B & C 30 July 2026 Day 3

2 Progress Update: legal research data collection (desk review and KIIs) substantially complete; first two group therapy sessions delivered A & B 6 August 2026 Day 8

3 Draft Legal Research Report on SLAPP Patterns; third group therapy session delivered A & B 11 August 2026 Day 11

4 Final Legal Research Report on SLAPP Patterns; fourth group therapy session delivered A & B 14 August 2026 Day 14

5 Draft SLAPP Guidebook （Work Stream C） circulated to WAVES-SL and WHRD/CSO review group for feedback; fifth group therapy/counsellor session （Activity 1.5） delivered B & C 20 August 2026 Day 18

6 Final, published SLAPP Guidebook （Work Stream C）, including design/source files; Psychosocial Group Therapy Report covering all six sessions; sixth counsellor session （Activity 1.5） delivered; consultancy close-out B & C 26 August 2026 Day 22

5. Indicative Work Plan and Timeline
The consultancy is expected to be completed within twenty-two （22） working days, from Tuesday 28 July 2026 to Wednesday 26 August 2026. The consultant may propose refinements in the Inception Note.

Days Dates （2026） Key Activities Output
1–3 28–30 July Introductory meeting with WAVES-SL; review of baseline/BCPN documents; finalise legal research instruments and KII list; finalise group therapy session plan and participant list. Inception Note

4–8 31 July –6August Conduct desk review and KIIs for legal research; conduct participant intake; deliver group therapy Sessions 1–2. Progress Update
9–11 7–11 August Complete data analysis and pattern mapping; draft Legal Research Report; deliver group therapy Session 3. Draft Legal Research Report
12–14 12–14 August Finalise Legal Research Report incorporating WAVES-SL feedback; deliver group therapy Session 4. Final Legal Research Report
15–19 17–21 August Begin drafting the SLAPP Guidebook based on Legal Research Report findings; circulate draft to WAVES-SL and a WHRD/CSO review group for feedback; deliver group therapy/counsellor Session 5（Activity 1.5）。 Draft SLAPP Guidebook

20–22 24–26 August Finalise guidebook design and layout incorporating feedback; publish and hand over the final SLAPP Guidebook; deliver group therapy/counsellor Session 6（Activity 1.5）; compile Psychosocial Group Therapy Report; consultancy close-out. Final Reports

6. Required Qualifications and Experience
6.1 Legal Researcher / Guidebook Author （Work Streams A & C）
• A Bachelor's degree in Law, Human Rights, or a closely related field; a legal practice qualification is an advantage.
• At least five (5) years of experience in legal research, human rights documentation, media/civic freedoms law, or litigation relevant to defamation, SLAPPs, or criminalisation of dissent.
• Demonstrated experience conducting key informant interviews and analysing legal case patterns.
• Familiarity with Sierra Leone's legal framework, including the Public Order Act, Cybercrime Act, and National Counter-Terrorism Act, is strongly preferred.
• Excellent report writing skills in English, including the ability to translate technical legal analysis into a clear, plain-language guidebook for a lay, non-legal audience.
• Prior experience producing accessible guidebooks, toolkits, or similar plain-language legal resources, including managing design/layout and print or digital publication, is highly desirable.
6.2 Psychosocial Counsellor / Group Therapy Facilitator (Work Stream B)
• A recognised qualification in psychology, counselling, social work, or a closely related clinical field, with a valid licence/certification to practise.
• At least three （3） years of experience delivering trauma-informed individual or group therapy, preferably with human rights defenders, survivors of gender-based violence, or activists operating in high-stress environments.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate confidential, women-only support spaces sensitively and professionally.
• Familiarity with referral protocols and the limits of a short-term, non-emergency psychosocial support mandate.
6.3 Desirable (Both Roles)
• Prior experience working with women's rights organisations or WHRDs, preferably in Sierra Leone or West Africa.
• Knowledge of Protection International's protection programming approach or equivalent (e.g., UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, Front Line Defenders).
• Prior experience working in Bo City or the Southern Province of Sierra Leone.
• Proficiency in Krio.

7. Management and Supervision
The consultant（s） will be contracted by and report directly to the WAVES-SL Executive Director. Day-to-day coordination will be managed by the WAVES-SL Project Coordinator, who will serve as the primary point of contact throughout the assignment.
Given the compressed 22 working-day timeline, brief check-in meetings (in person or via video call) will be held at least twice weekly to review progress, address emerging issues, and provide feedback on draft outputs. All deliverables must be submitted to WAVES-SL for review; final written approval is required before any associated payment is released.

The consultant(s) will conduct field activities (interviews, intake sessions, and group therapy facilitation) in Bo City. WAVES-SL will provide introductions to BCPN partners and research/therapy participants, facilitate access to a private and appropriate venue for group therapy sessions, and supply relevant project documentation.

8. Ethical Standards and Safeguarding
The consultant（s） must comply with the following requirements throughout the assignment:
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all data, case information, and personal identities of research participants, KII respondents, and group therapy participants, both during and after the consultancy.
• Apply a do-no-harm, gender-sensitive, and trauma-informed approach in all interactions, with particular sensitivity to the security and psychosocial risks of participating WHRDs and CSOs.
• Obtain prior, informed, and voluntary consent from all individuals consulted or participating in group therapy, ensuring anonymity in reporting unless explicit written permission is given.
• Ensure group therapy sessions are held in a safe, private, and confidential setting, and that no personal disclosures made in-session are reported or attributed in any project deliverable.
• Adhere to WAVES-SL's Safeguarding Policy and to Protection International's Code of Conduct for consultants.
• Immediately report to the WAVES-SL Executive Director any safeguarding concerns, security incidents, or ethical dilemmas that arise during the consultancy, including any participant disclosures indicating imminent risk.
• Refer any case requiring emergency legal assistance or urgent mental health/crisis intervention to the appropriate pre-vetted external provider via the BCPN referral pathway; the consultancy itself does not fund or provide emergency legal or mental health services.
• Ensure all data collected is stored securely （encrypted where digital）, used only for the purposes of this consultancy, and destroyed or transferred to WAVES-SL upon completion.

9. Financial Arrangements
The total consultancy fee shall be agreed and fixed in the contract. Payment will be made in three tranches linked to the acceptance of deliverables, as outlined below:

Tranche Trigger （Deliverable Approved） Deliverables Covered % of Fee
1st Approval of the Inception Note Inception Note （Deliverable 1） 80%
3rd Approval of the Final Legal Research Report, SLAPP Guidebook and Psychosocial Group Therapy Report Deliverables 5–6 20%

The consultant（s） are responsible for all applicable taxes, social security contributions, and professional insurance in accordance with Sierra Leone law. Financial proposals must be submitted in Sierra Leone Leones （SLE） and must be all-inclusive of consultant fees.

10. Application Requirements
Interested and qualified candidates （individuals or teams） are invited to submit a complete application package comprising the following documents:
• Cover Letter （maximum 2 pages）: outlining interest in the assignment, suitability, and understanding of the context and scope of work.
• Curriculum Vitae （CV） for each proposed team member (maximum 4 pages each): with at least two professional references (name, title, organisation, email, and telephone number).
• For the psychosocial counsellor: evidence of relevant licensure/certification.
• Technical Proposal （maximum 4 pages）: setting out the proposed methodology for each work stream, a work plan aligned to the 22 working-day timeline, and any proposed adaptations to the scope of work.
• Financial Proposal （separate document）: detailing the total consultancy fee (inclusive of all professional charges), with any reimbursable field costs itemised separately.
• Writing/Practice Samples: at least one example of previous relevant work (e.g., legal research report, plain-language guidebook or toolkit, case documentation, or group therapy facilitation report/reference), produced within the past three years.
Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] with the subject line “Application – Activity 1.3 &1.5Consultant, WAVES-SL” no later than Monday 20 July 2026 at 5:00 pm Sierra Leone Local Time.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WAVES-SL reserves the right to cancel this recruitment process at any stage without incurring liability.
11. Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated using the following weighted criteria. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief technical interview.
Evaluation Criterion Sub-criteria Weight
Relevant qualifications and professional background Education, licensure/certification, years of experience, sector relevance 20%
Demonstrated experience in legal research, plain-language guidebook development, and/or trauma-informed group therapy Quality and relevance of writing/practice samples; past reports or references 25%
Understanding of context and ethical/safeguarding standards Sensitivity to WHRD risk context, confidentiality, and do-no-harm approach 20%
Quality of Technical Proposal Clarity of methodology, feasibility of the 22-day work plan, analytical rigour 25%
Financial Proposal （value for money） Reasonableness of fee relative to scope and experience 10%
TOTAL 100%

12. Enquiries and Further Information
All questions or requests for clarification regarding this Terms of Reference must be submitted in writing to WAVES-SL by email at least three （3） working days before the application deadline. Responses to substantive questions will be shared with all prospective applicants to ensure a fair and transparent process.
Organisation Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES-SL)

Location 4 Amara Street Shellmingo, Bo City, Sierra Leone
Contact Email [email protected]
Contact Telephone +232 76 300 009
Reference Activity 1.3&1.5Consultant ToR July – August 2026

Issued by: Authorised signatory:
Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES-SL)
Bo City, Sierra Leone Hannah Fatmata Yambasu
Executive Director, WAVES-SL
Date: July 2026

This Terms of Reference is issued under the project “Strengthening the Protection and Resilience of Women Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Actors in Bo City, Sierra Leone,” funded by Protection International (Collective Protection Fund – FSM). Grant Period:01February 2026–31January 2017