Consultant to Conduct Research on How Underinvestment in Women-Rights Organizations Fuels Conflict, Instability, and the Systematic Impoverishment of Women in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Somali Region)

Job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a civil society coalition bringing together grassroots women’s rights organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda. Established in 1995, SIHA aims to strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations in the Horn of Africa, contributing to the empowerment of women and advocating for effective change. SIHA operates as a regional platform for mobilizing activists, vulnerable groups, and marginalized women, men, and girls to challenge the root causes of problems faced by women and girls in the Horn of Africa Region. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org.

The current global environment is experiencing a massive undercut to funding propelling critical programming in gender equality, the economic empowerment of women and girls, the availability of key social benefits and access to imperative socio-economic rights such as education and health, particularly sexual reproductive health services. With the recent USAID funding freeze, this particularly impacted grassroot women-rights organization which have traditionally stood in the gap of alleviating such concerns, contributing to an overall deinstitutionalization of women’s rights as a whole. This has created a wave of intentional financial exclusion and structural barriers which have systematically shrunk the civic space. 

The Horn of Africa region has been no exception to this new reality. Consequently, the current context has exasperated existing vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, such as poverty, cycles of sexual gender-based violence, conflict and instability. In light of this, the purpose of this research is to critically examine how the current underinvestment in women-rights organizations has impacted overall community resilience, undoing any gains made towards gender equality. This research will further explore how this feeds into worsening cycles of instability and violence which ultimately leave women and girls disproportionately impacted with restricted access to gender responsive services.  

In looking at these themes, the goal of this research is to inform advocacy efforts in lobbying for greater financial investment towards grassroot women-led organizations in curbing these worsening cycles of instability and conflict. It will specifically target governments, donors, philanthropists and the broader international community with actionable recommendations on how greater financial investment can be achieved and under what conditions to ensure impact for the work of women-rights organizations in the Horn of Africa region.  

This consultancy aims to produce a research paper which, in real-time, documents and explores the current financial exclusion and underinvestment being experienced by women-rights organizations in the Horn of Africa. Through the use of infographics, statistics and visual storytelling, this research also aims to demonstrate how this underinvestment worsens the current cycles of instability and conflict. This is by undercutting key gender equality programs, economic empowerment of women and girls, the availability of key social benefits and access to imperative socio-economic rights such as education and health.  

This research product will focus on the experiences of grassroot women-led organizations in the Greater Horn of Africa region, looking at Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Somaliland. In doing so, it will also unpack the trends of funding available to such civil society actors and the root causes responsible for the current climate of financial roll backs. The research will then conclude by mapping out tangible strategies on how governments, donors, philanthropists and the broader international community can push back against the current environment and ensure greater financial investment to grassroot women-rights organization as a downpayment towards building resilience communities, lower levels of instability and conflict.  

• Conduct comprehensive research on the current financial exclusion and underinvestment being experienced by grassroot women-rights organizations in the Greater Horn of Africa region, with a specific focus on organizations in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Somaliland.

• Examine how these financial undercuts to women-led organizations have exasperated instability and conflict in the region, through drawbacks on gender equality programs, economic empowerment of women and girls, the availability of key social benefits and access to imperative socio-economic rights such as education and health.

• Explore the root causes of the current financial rollbacks that are being witnessed.
• Map recommendations for increased financial support to grassroot women-led organizations, by governments, donors, philanthropists and the broader international community.

The methodology for this study will adopt a hybrid approach, combining qualitative techniques such as in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with quantitative data analysis in the form of a desk review of current and varied data sources. In addition to interviewing key stakeholders within the respective governments of focus countries, donors, philanthropists and the broader international community, community engagement will be prioritized. This will involve local communities and grassroot women rights organization to ensure a participatory approach, which will inform the research process. This is in addition to other creative data collection techniques the consultant may decide to employ, enhancing the relevance and depth of the research.  

Intersectional analysis will be applied to recognize the diverse identities and vulnerabilities of women and girls affected by exasperated instability and conflict within the Greater Horn of Africa region, considering factors like age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability. Ethical considerations will guide the research process, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and prioritization of respondents’ well-being. Additionally, capacity building initiatives will involve training local researchers and enumerators to enhance research quality and sustainability within the community. Triangulation of data and stakeholder engagement with key actors will further validate findings and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the study.

Activity	Deliverable	Due Date
Conduct desk research detailing the research methodology, including the approach to remote data collection, data analysis techniques, and plans for community engagement and stakeholder involvement, including a timeline.	An inception report & meeting which will serve as a roadmap for the research process, outlining the steps to be taken.	One week from contract signing.
Conduct study, including key informants and focus group discussions with stakeholders to gather and document evidence.	A draft report document of 25 to 30 pages (excluding annexes and data samples) outlining the findings and analysis of the research. The report should present key insights, trends, and recommendations derived from the research process.	3 weeks from inception meeting date.
Meeting with SIHA team and country coordinators to disseminate findings in draft report and receive feedback.	Power point presentation.	One week from submission of draft report
Drafting of final report incorporating any feedback & policy briefs	Final draft of report. policy/research brief	One week from dissemination meeting.
Presentation of findings to Stakeholders	Power point presentation	Subject to availability of Stakeholders, ideally within a week from submission of final report

The budget range is from $12,000 – $15,000 USD, depending on the researcher’s experience level and whether travel expenses are involved. This range accounts for variations in expertise and potential travel costs. The budget will cover research expenses, data collection, analysis, report writing, and any other relevant costs incurred during the study period. 

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research on the field of financial investment to grassroot women-led organizations, the current underinvestment crisis, and how this contributes to instability and conflict in the Horn of Africa region, particularly impacting women and girls.

• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic and political context of Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and the Somali regions, particularly the dynamics of conflict and its impact on women. Familiarity with the cultural nuances and gender norms prevalent in societies within the Greater Horn of Africa region is crucial for contextualizing research findings accurately.

• Ability to conduct gender-sensitive analysis and intersectional assessments, considering factors such as age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability. The candidate should be adept at integrating a gender perspective into research design, data collection, and analysis to uncover gender disparities and vulnerabilities.

• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex research findings clearly and concisely. Proficiency in report writing and presentation skills is necessary for effectively communicating research outcomes to diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and community members.

• Commitment to upholding ethical standards in research, including obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality and anonymity, and prioritizing the well-being of research participants. The candidate should adhere to ethical guidelines and protocols for research involving vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected contexts.

• Strong analytical and report writing skills.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Interested applicants should submit a technical proposal that combines the requested documents below. Documents that exceed the page limit requirements listed below will not be reviewed. 

1. CV(s) of no more than three pages. Firms should submit CVs for all key personnel included in the proposal. CVs should demonstrate previous experience conducting similar research. (30 Points)
2. A 4-5 page research proposal outlining the consultant/firm’s proposed methodology for the assessment, data collection methodology, and how their experience satisfies the requirements of the TOR. (30 Points)
3. A financial budget which details total expenditure for the duration of research (20 Points)
4. Up to ten pages total of relevant previous work. Samples of relevant work include previous assessments, survey analyses, and data analysis presentations. Samples should clearly indicate the applicant’s role in designing, delivering, and drafting the product. (20 Points)
5. Knowledge and Experience of Gender and Human Rights Sensitive Approaches and an understanding of Social Justice, the International and Regional Funding Landscape, Human and Women’s Rights, and Women’s Legal Rights. (10 Points)
6. Proficiency in written and spoken English. Fluency in any language spoken in the Greater Horn of Africa region will be an added advantage.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested individual consultants or consultancy firms should submit their application packet by close of business on Friday, April 25, 2025; at 5 PM EAT to this link: https://airtable.com/appHNyMhgTH7cHVt3/shrf8aPgYIPd6Cx06.

Incomplete applications and applications that do not meet the requirements will not be considered.

Short-listed applicants may be invited for an interview at SIHA’s discretion.