1. Background
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is a regional, non-profit organisation working to defend and expand civic space, support human rights defenders, and promote fundamental freedoms across the MENA region and in exile. HuMENA focuses in particular on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and on the protection of those most at risk, including WHRDs, LGBTQI+ defenders, journalists, lawyers, and activists facing surveillance, judicial harassment, and reprisals.
Through evidence-based advocacy, capacity-building, and protection support, HuMENA works with partners in Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, and other countries to document violations, engage with UN and regional mechanisms, and strengthen local actors’ ability to influence policy and practice at national and international levels.
As part of this work, HuMENA is implementing a project to strengthen the advocacy capacities of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and LGBTQI+ defenders in Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia. Within this framework, HuMENA will organise a three-day online training on Geneva-based advocacy, focusing on engagement with the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the Special Procedures system, and the UN human rights treaty bodies.
The training targets WHRDs and LGBTQI+ organisations, initiatives, and informal groups that already engage in human rights work at the national level and seek to use Geneva mechanisms more strategically, consistently, and safely.
2. Objective of the Assignment
The trainer will support HuMENA in equipping at least 15 representatives of WHRD and LGBTQI+ organisations from Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia with:
- a clear understanding of the main Geneva-based human rights mechanisms (HRC, UPR, Special Procedures, treaty bodies) and how they interact
- the ability to design realistic, context-sensitive advocacy strategies that combine these mechanisms in a complementary way
- practical skills to prepare and contribute to UPR, HRC, Special Procedures, and treaty body processes with focused, rights-based information and concise recommendations on WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders
- an informed awareness of risks, including reprisals linked to engagement with UN mechanisms, and basic approaches to risk mitigation and protection
3. Tasks and Deliverables
The selected trainer will be responsible for the following:
a) Design of the training programme
Design a three-day online course (4 hours per day) that covers, at a minimum:
- A practical overview of the Geneva human rights system: HRC, UPR, Special Procedures, treaty bodies, OHCHR, and state missions, with attention to how WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders can engage in each.
- UPR: cycle and timeline, stakeholder submissions, pre-sessions, recommendations and follow-up, with concrete entry points for actors from Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia.
- Human Rights Council: structure, agenda items, thematic and country discussions, resolutions, oral statements, side events, bilateral meetings with missions, and how to prepare for and use HRC sessions for WHRD/LGBTQI+ advocacy.
- Special Procedures: relevant mandates (for example, HRDs, freedom of expression, SOGIESC, torture, independence of judges and lawyers), communications/complaints, inputs to thematic and country reports, and follow-up to communications and recommendations.
- Treaty bodies: periodic reviews and shadow reports; where relevant, individual communications; and how to integrate WHRDs and LGBTQI+ concerns in a way that is legally grounded and politically useful.
- Follow-up and integration: how to bring Geneva outcomes (communications, recommendations, reports, resolutions) back into national advocacy, litigation, campaigning, and coalition work.
- Risks and reprisals: patterns of reprisals linked to UN engagement, basic risk analysis, and security-conscious approaches for WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders in the three countries.
The programme should prioritise clarity, practicality, and realistic use of participants’ time, and build progressively from understanding to application and planning.
b) Preparation of training materials
Prepare and share with HuMENA:
- A detailed agenda and session plans for the three days, including clear learning objectives for each session.
- Presentations, handouts, and other materials explaining the mechanisms in operational, non-academic language, with concrete examples from Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia.
- Case studies and exercises rooted in real or realistic scenarios affecting WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders from the three countries.
- Basic templates and tools, such as:
- a simple format for UPR-style recommendations
- a short template for an HRC oral statement
- an outline for a communication to Special Procedures
- a compact “Geneva advocacy roadmap” template
- A short pre-reading note (2–3 pages) providing essential background on Geneva mechanisms, to be shared with participants in advance so that training time can focus on application and practice.
All materials will be provided to HuMENA in editable format and may be adapted and reused by HuMENA within its programmes.
c) Delivery of the online training
Deliver the three online training days on the agreed dates, ensuring that:
- The methodology is interactive and practice-oriented, with space for questions, discussion, and hands-on work (e.g., breakout groups, case clinics, simulations, and short drafting exercises).
- The learning environment is safe and respectful, with attention to security, privacy, and the specific risks faced by WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders in the three countries.
- By the end of the training, each participant or organisation has produced at least:
- one concrete draft advocacy product linked to a Geneva mechanism (for example, a short set of UPR recommendations, a draft oral statement, or an outline of a communication to Special Procedures); and
- a short initial Geneva advocacy roadmap for their work over the coming period.
HuMENA’s team will be available to coordinate logistics, participant communication, and technical hosting of the online sessions.
d) Training report
Submit a concise training report (4–5 pages) that includes:
- a summary of the sessions delivered and the methods used
- key points raised by participants and recurring questions or concerns
- observations on the needs, opportunities and constraints for WHRDs and LGBTQI+ defenders from Lebanon, Egypt and Tunisia in engaging with Geneva mechanisms
- concrete suggestions for follow-up support or further capacity-building that HuMENA may consider
4. Trainer Profile
HuMENA is seeking an individual consultant (or a lead trainer with one co-facilitator) who meets the following criteria:
- At least 3 years of substantial, hands-on experience with Geneva-based human rights advocacy, including direct engagement with one or more of: UPR, HRC, Special Procedures, treaty bodies.
- Proven experience designing and delivering training or workshops for WHRDs and/or LGBTQI+ defenders, preferably with participants from the MENA region.
- Strong understanding of civic space, gender, and SOGIESC-related human rights issues in Lebanon, Egypt, and/or Tunisia, and the political and security constraints affecting defenders in these contexts.
- Familiarity with reprisals and protection concerns linked to engagement with UN mechanisms, and with security-conscious and do-no-harm approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver online training using participatory, adult-learning methods and to manage group dynamics in a virtual environment.
- Language: excellent Arabic (spoken and written) and good working proficiency in English. Familiarity with Lebanese, Egyptian, and Tunisian Arabic dialects is essential.
- A clear, rights-based approach that is feminist, intersectional, and inclusive of LGBTQI+ communities.
5. Duration and Level of Effort
The assignment includes:
- Delivery of the online training: 3 days × 4 hours (12 hours in total).
- Preparation, coordination with HuMENA, and reporting, which should all be reflected in a single lump-sum fee for the assignment.
The training is expected to take place between mid-January and mid-February 2026, with the exact dates to be agreed with the selected trainer. HuMENA has a limited budget for this activity and will prioritise cost-effective offers that align with the scope of work and the required profile.
6. Application and Selection
Interested trainers are invited to submit:
- A brief expression of interest (maximum 2 pages) outlining:
- relevant experience with Geneva-based advocacy and with WHRDs/LGBTQI+ defenders
- how they would structure and adapt the training for participants from Lebanon, Egypt, and Tunisia
- A draft three-day outline (main sessions, objectives, and key methods).
- A CV (or CVs, if applying as a small team).
- A financial offer for the entire assignment, presented as a lump sum (covering preparation, delivery of the three training days, and reporting).
- If available, one or two examples of similar previous work (for example, a training agenda, concept note, or link to training materials).
Applications should be sent by email to: [email protected]
with the subject line: “Trainer – Geneva Advocacy for WHRDs and LGBTQI+ Defenders (Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia)”
no later than 21 December 2025.
Applications will be assessed according to the following criteria:
- Technical proposal and profile: 60%
- Financial offer: 40%
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
7. Ethical Standards and Equal Opportunity
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is committed to fairness, equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all recruitment and contracting processes. We assess applications on the basis of competence, experience and alignment with the objectives of this assignment, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, disability, religion or any other status.
HuMENA applies a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, harassment, exploitation, abuse and any form of misconduct, including fraud and corruption. Trainers contracted under this call are expected to uphold these standards in their own work and in all interactions with participants, partners and HuMENA’s team.
For this assignment, we particularly encourage applications from trainers and facilitators based in or from the MENA region, as well as from individuals who are under-represented in human rights training and advocacy spaces, including women, LGBTQI+ persons, and members of marginalised communities.
