She Leads Research Consultant RFP

Request for Proposals

Consultant(s) to carry out research study “How improved measurement and data collection enhances leadership and participation of girls and young women”

Background

She Leads is a joint programme of Plan International Netherlands, Defence for Children-ECPAT the Netherlands (DCI-ECPAT), African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), and Terre des Hommes the Netherlands (TdH). Equal Measures 2030 is a technical partner. The She Leads consortium brings together child rights organisations, feminist/women’s rights organizations and youth-led groups and aims to increase sustained influence of girls and young women (GYW) on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions. The geographic focus of the programme is East Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya), West Africa (Ghana, Mali, Sierra Leone, Liberia) and the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan).

Equal Measures 2030 (EM2030) is a collaboration of national, regional, and global leaders from feminist networks, civil society, international development, and the private sector. We develop and disseminate demand-driven data, visualizations, analysis and tools (including our flagship SDG Gender Index) to monitor progress and hold governments accountable. We work across our partnership, and in collaboration with feminist organizations and movements, to strengthen capacity to use data in advocacy and share expertise in data-driven advocacy.

Scope

Equal Measures 2030 seeks a research consultant to carry out a study which aims to assess the nature and effects of data gaps on Girls’ and Young Women’s (GYW) leadership and participation and how GYW themselves can provide lasting solutions to enhance available data and understanding of the issues. Specifically, what data are needed to build understanding, political will, and action on GYW’s leadership and how these data constraints may be overcome.

The study will aim to address the following questions (to be further defined with the consultant):

1. What is the state of data on participation, leadership and decision making of GYW at household, community, schools and civil society levels in the nine SheLeads countries?
2. What conceptual and measurement frameworks exist, and what do GYW feel is still needed/missing to measure the extent of GYW’s leadership and participation?
3. What are the reasons for data gaps specific to monitoring these indicators?
4. How do GYW and the organisations feel that these data gaps detrimentally affect their ability to advance youth leadership and political participation?
5. How can GYW themselves contribute to a better understanding of data needs and leadership measurement indicators?
6. What kinds of outcomes could be achieved with improved access to high-quality data about GYW’s participation, leadership and decision making?

The study will be conducted using a mixed methods design with quantitative and qualitative elements. The consultant will collect data remotely through (i) in-depth interviews, (iii) focus group discussions and (iii) a survey. Interviews will be carried out with the Country Coordinators in each of the nine SheLeads participating countries. Up to three stories that illustrate how GYW-led organisations have used data to enhance participation and leadership of girls and young women will be captured from a sample of GYW-led organisations across the nine countries. The online survey will be shared with all GYW and GYW-led organisations within the SheLeads network. The research process may require travel to up to three She Leads focus countries, for which organization and costs will be covered by EM2030.

Expected Deliverables

1. An inception report that includes the research protocol (Design and implementation strategy) of the research and finalized data collection tools (Interviews and FGDs).
2. First draft and final research findings report.
3. PowerPoint presentation of the keyfindings.
4. Submission of anonymised versions of data collected such as interview and FGD transcriptsand synthesized data.

Timeline and budget

The full scope of work will be defined together with the consultant, but the study is expected to require no more than 65 days to complete. The research should be carried out between September 2022 and January2023. The final report will be launched in May2023. The expected budget for this consultancy is $25,000 -$30,000 USD

Criteria for submission

1. An advanced degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Policy, or any related social science.
2. Demonstrated experience in youth leadership and young feminist activism, and experience carrying out research with young people
3. Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills including participatory research, experience in using tools for organizing and analysing qualitative research (e.g., NVIVO)
4. Demonstrated knowledge and experience of gender data issues, feminist theory and the global feminism/women’s rights sector.
5. Demonstrated experience working with multiple stakeholders from diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
6. Familiarity with the geographical focus of the study (East Africa, West Africa and MENA)
7. Commitment to intersectional feminist and anti-racist principles and research approaches. We strongly encourage applications from young women, candidates of diverse gender identities, and researchers based in the Global South (particularly the focus regions of the She Leads programme).