Independent Consultant

The consultant will undertake an assessment and evaluation of the East African Women's Human Rights Defenders Network (EAWHRDN), including governance, membership, Secretariat performance, and stakeholder consultations. The role involves developing practical recommendations to enhance the network's effectiveness, sustainability, and impact.

Responsibilities

• Review relevant network documents including Terms of Reference, strategic plans, reports, governance documents, and funding proposals.
• Develop an inception report detailing methodology, workplan and data collection tools.
• Evaluate the network's achievements against its stated objectives.
• Assess governance effectiveness, leadership structures and decision-making processes.
• Assess current membership structure and representation model.
• Review the functionality and effectiveness of the Steering Committee.
• Review Secretariat performance, transition arrangements and operational systems.
• Assess communication, coordination and member engagement mechanisms.
• Examine fundraising, partnerships and sustainability efforts.
• Identify barriers affecting active participation and accountability.
• Evaluate the network's contribution to advancing women's human rights and protection of WHRDs in the region.
• Conduct consultations with current and former Steering Committee members, Secretariat hosts, network members, national WHRD coalitions, women's rights organizations, OHCHR regional hub, DefendDefenders, regional partners, donors and stakeholders.
• Undertake a mapping exercise of relevant networks, coalitions, and initiatives in East Africa to assess overlap and complementarity and identify opportunities for strategic partnerships and expanded membership.
• Develop practical recommendations aimed at enhancing the network's effectiveness, sustainability, and impact including membership reform, governance strengthening, constituency engagement, strategic positioning, sustainability, intergenerational inclusion, regional representation, and election and transition processes.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or higher) in one or more of the following areas: Human Rights, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Political Science, Governance, Law, Social Sciences, Organizational Development and International Relations.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience conducting organizational assessments, institutional reviews or evaluations of civil society networks.
• Strong expertise in women's rights, feminist movements, gender equality and human rights.
• Experience working with human right defenders, women human rights defenders and protection mechanisms in Africa is highly desirable.
• Experience facilitating governance reform and strategic planning processes.
• Experience conducting stakeholder mapping and institutional capacity assessments.
• Excellent analytical and research skills.
• Strong facilitation and consultation skills.
• Excellent report-writing abilities.
• Ability to produce practical and actionable recommendations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of regional human rights systems and civil society networks.
• Excellent knowledge of written and oral communication English.
• Knowledge of French and/or regional languages will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Fulfils all obligations of professionalism including gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Skills

• Organizational Assessments
• Institutional Reviews
• Civil Society Evaluation
• Women’s Issues Expertise
• Feminist Movements Knowledge
• Gender Equality
• Human Rights Protection
• Human Rights Defenders Support
• Governance Reform Facilitation
• Strategic Planning
• Stakeholder Mapping
• Institutional Capacity Assessment
• Analytical Research
• Facilitation Skills
• Consultancy Skills
• Report Writing
• Recommendations Development
• Regional Human Rights Systems
• English Communication Skills
• French Language

Languages

English, French