Expert for Masculinity

ActionAid

This project, implemented in East Amman, addresses gender injustices, particularly the economic marginalization of Jordanian and Syrian refugee women through a multi-level approach engaging rights holders, duty bearers, and responsibility holders. It recognizes that women s economic empowerment is shaped by social, institutional, and cultural gender norms.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), as a key duty bearer, plays a central role in promoting gender equality and inclusive local development. However, persistent gender norms, traditional masculinities, and unequal household roles continue to constrain women s economic independence and may generate resistance to women s participation in employment and entrepreneurship.

To respond to these challenges, the project adopts a transformative gender approach that actively engages men and particularly male GAM staff as essential actors in advancing gender justice, preventing resistance, and promoting shared responsibility in supporting women s economic empowerment.

As part of these efforts, GAM staff will be engaged in targeted awareness-raising and capacity-building activities focusing on:

• Women s rights and gender equality;
• Gender-based violence (GBV);
• Co-responsibility in care and household roles;
• Alternative and gender-sensitive masculinities.

Recognizing the sensitivity of these topics within the Jordanian socio-cultural context, the project draws on Alianza s previous experience in developing and implementing innovative methodologies on new masculinities, particularly in Palestine and currently in Jordan. Rather than relying on conventional training formats, the intervention prioritizes participatory, trust-based approaches that encourage reflection, dialogue, and personal engagement.

A small group of up to eight male GAM staff members will be selected to participate in facilitated working sessions designed to create a safe, confidential, and respectful space. These sessions aim to foster critical awareness of gender norms, challenge harmful masculinities, and strengthen male staff s role as allies in promoting women s economic rights both within GAM and in their interactions with communities.

By addressing gender norms at the institutional and individual levels, the project seeks to ensure that women s economic empowerment initiatives are supported rather than undermined, contributing to more sustainable and equitable outcomes for women, families, and the wider community.

CONSULTANCY

Summary of the Process :

The consultancy aims to design and facilitate an innovative awareness-raising and capacity building process for male staff of the GAM on gender equality and gender-sensitive masculinities. The consultancy will support the project s transformative gender approach by engaging men as key institutional actors in promoting women s economic rights and preventing resistance to women s empowerment initiatives.

The consultancy will focus on facilitated dialogue and reflective processes that address gender norms, power relations, co-responsibility in care, and the role of men in advancing gender justice.

The consultancy will work with a small group of up to eight male GAM staff members, creating a safe and confidential space for engagement. It will contribute to strengthening GAM s institutional capacity to support women s economic empowerment through more gender-responsive attitudes, practices, and internal dynamics.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The overall objective of the consultancy is to strengthen the gender responsiveness of the GAM by engaging male staff in a reflective and participatory process on gender equality and gender-sensitive masculinities, thereby supporting women s economic empowerment and reducing institutional and social resistance to gender justice initiatives.

Specific Objectives:

• To design and implement an innovative, context-sensitive training materials on gender equality and alternative masculinities tailored to male GAM staff.
• To raise awareness among participating male GAM staff on women s rights, gender norms, power relations, and co-responsibility in care and household roles.
• To promote positive attitudes and behaviors among GAM staff that support women s economic participation and entrepreneurship.
• To contribute to GAM s institutional capacity to act as an active duty bearer in advancing gender equality and preventing gender-based discrimination.

Tasks and Deliverables :

The consultant is be expected to carry out the following tasks:

• A context-adapted facilitation training materials on gender-sensitive masculinities, including session outlines and guiding principles.
• A series of facilitated working sessions on a maximum of 5 days conducted with a selected group of up to eight male GAM staff members, ensuring a safe, confidential, and participatory learning environment.
• Increased awareness and improved understanding among participating GAM staff of(pre-post survey):
• Gender equality and women s economic rights;
• The impact of traditional masculinities on women s empowerment;
• The importance of shared responsibility in care and household roles.
• A brief consultancy report documenting the methodology used, key reflections, lessons learned, and practical recommendations for future institutional engagement within GAM.

Duration:

The consultant s commitment for the specific service is expected to last for a maximum of 3 weeks. The specific work plan will be agreed with Alianza. The service is expected to start in April.

Budget

The initial available budget for this consultancy is 1600 Jordanian Dinars, inclusive of all applicable taxes. Higher offers might be considered based on the quality of proposals.