ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference (ToR) – Facilitator for Policy Advocacy Training  

Building Organisations and Local actors Dialogue (for)-Policy (B.O.L.D.-Policy)

1. Background

Diakonia is a Swedish non-profit development organization working around the world together with local partners for a sustainable change for the most vulnerable people of the world. Our Head office is based in Stockholm, Sweden and the organization currently works through local offices in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia and supporting various local partner organisations. Diakonia’s vision is a Just, Equal, and Sustainable World. Our mission is to change unfair political, economic, social and cultural structures that generate poverty, inequality, oppression and violence for the fulfilment of the rights of all people to live a life in dignity.

In Thailand, Diakonia is jointly implementing the Building Organisations & Local actors Dialogue (for)Policy project (B.O.L.D.-Policy) with our local partners, Center for Girls Foundation (CFGF) and The Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF). The project is funded by the European Union (EU) which the project’s duration is from 1^stJanuary 2024 to 31^st December 2027.  Please find more project information at: https://www.diakonia.se/en/where-we-work/asia/thailand/   

The Mid-term Review of the B.O.L.D.-Policy project was conducted between November 2025 and January 2026. It found that many participants still view policy participation as an “event” rather than a “process” involving time, evidence, relationship-building, and sustained engagement. This reflects the complexity of policy systems and a limited understanding of how individual actions contribute to broader structural change. Partner organisations also differ in their understanding of policy influence pathways and sequencing. A key lesson is the need to make the policy process more visible, clearly linking activities to wider change pathways using local examples.

The recommendations highlight the importance of shifting from delivering activities to implementing a strategically sequenced policy influence pathway that links empowerment, group formation, network building, and engagement with provincial and national mechanisms. A strategic framework, through shared policy mapping and clearly defined roles and evidence requirements, should be provided for project staff. In response, Diakonia will conduct capacity building to strengthen understanding of policy advocacy among project staff and improve strategic implementation with stakeholders.

2. Objective

To strengthen B.O.L.D.-Policy project staff’s knowledge, understanding, and capacity to conduct effective policy advocacy.

3. Expected results

• Participants develop a stronger understanding of policy advocacy approaches, with a focus on women’s rights, gender equality, and children’s and youth rights, aligned with the local context.
• Participants are able to apply the knowledge and skills gained in policy advocacy in their work with target groups and stakeholders under the B.O.L.D.-Policy project.

4. Targeted participants 

• 13 project staff members from Diakonia, CFGF, and TLSDF.

5. Scope of work

• The facilitator shall develop the training module and session design for the Policy Advocacy course in line with the objectives, expected results, timeframe, and context of the B.O.L.D.Policy Project. The training should cover key topics, including an understanding of policy processes, stakeholder analysis, the use of data and evidence for policy advocacy, and coalition and network building. It should also incorporate practical examples and case studies related to women’s rights, gender equality, and the rights of children and youth, enabling participants to effectively apply the knowledge and skills gained in their work.
• The facilitator shall lead and facilitate the training on the agreed date and time.
• The facilitator shall submit a summary report to Diakonia Thailand Hub following the completion of the training.

6. Approach and method

It is expected that the facilitator describes and justify an appropriate approach, methodology, methods, and tools for the training. A participatory learning approach is encouraged and may include interactive methods such as group activities, case studies, practical exercises, and reflection sessions based on the Thai context. These should be based on the objective and expected results identified in this ToR. This will help participating organizations effectively apply the knowledge and skills gained to their own work and operational contexts. The tender should include an indication of costeffectiveness. The facilitator should take into consideration the learning process and participant interaction.

7. Time schedule and deliverables

It is expected that a work plan is presented in the tender, and the maximum duration of the training is two days. The training should be held during the week of 24–28 August 2026 in Chiang Mai. The training venue will be determined by Diakonia.

The time schedule and deliverables are as follows: 

• A start-up meeting with Diakonia Thailand.
• A presentation of the final training module and preparation meeting with Diakonia Thailand.
• Facilitate the training.
• Submission of the summary report after the training.

8. Qualifications and competencies

The training may be conducted by a single facilitator or a team with the following qualifications and competencies:

• Competence and experience in providing training on policy advocacy.
• Experience working with civil society organizations in Thailand.
• Ability to speak Thai is required.
• Thai nationals and Thailand-based expatriates are preferred.
• Knowledge of human rights, gender equality, women’s rights, children’s and youth rights, and CSOs, especially in the development sector, is desirable. 
• Direct experience in policy advocacy with multiple stakeholders and knowledge of the policy context related to gender equality, women’s rights, and children’s and youth rights are preferred.

9. Budget

The budget is upon agreed. The cost of travel and accommodation will be covered by the facilitator and shall include in the submitted budget (Thai Baht).

10. Roles and responsibilities

The contact person at the Diakonia Thailand Hub Office is Sompong Asakit (sompong.asakit@diakonia.se). The contact person should be consulted if any problems arise during the implementation timeframe. The facilitator will arrange their own logistics and accommodation. Some assistance will be offered by Diakonia Thailand Hub Office upon request. 

11. Terms and conditions

The facilitator is responsible for income tax, travel insurance, and accommodation if needed. The facilitator is required to sign and follow Diakonia’s code of conduct along with the agreement.  

12. Mode of application

The tender shall be sent via e-mail to Sompong Asakit (sompong.asakit@diakonia.se) by 15 July 2026.

This should include;

• CV of all involved facilitators.
• Draft training module that will be used for the training.
• Draft session plan and agenda.
• Proposed budget.