Terms of Reference : Researcher Global Report on the Situation of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs)

The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC) is a transnational, intersectional feminist coalition of women human rights defenders, feminists, trans and non-binary activists and organisations, and their allies. Our mission is to deepen and sustain the collective power and resistance of WHRDs and their collective organising, across the intersections of movements, issues and regions.
Since our inception in 2005, we have built a membership primarily of women’s, human rights and sexual rights groups. Currently, we are composed of over 30 organisations from the global South and North. Our members work locally, nationally, regionally and transnationally, on a range of different rights and justice issues, as part of different movements. 

Purpose of consultancy :

The consultant will produce a global report that: 

• Provides an overview of key trends, challenges, threats, and violations faced by WHRDs globally, across regions, identities, and movements.
• Develops a cross-regional, cross-issue, and cross-movement analysis of the human rights work of WHRDs, the evolving risks they face within the contexts of backlash and polycrisis, and the political environments shaping their struggles.
• Identifies new and emerging dynamics in the WHRD landscape while building on previous publications by WHRDIC and its members and foundational collective knowledge.
• Documents and amplifies stories of resistance, resilience, connection, and hope, with a focus on analysing effective feminist tactics and strategies used by WHRDs, as well as the impact and outcomes these strategies generate.
• Provides concrete, detailed, and stakeholder-specific recommendations—at international, regional, and local levels—on how WHRDs and their work can be better protected, supported, and funded.
   

Scope of work:
Research Design & Methodology

• In consultation with relevant WHRDIC members, develop a realistic and resource-appropriate Inception Report outlining the research objectives, scope, methodological approach, and workplan.
• Ensure diversity of regions, themes, identities, and movements.
• Propose a methodology that may include:
  o Literature review
  o Semi-structured interviews with WHRDIC members, their networks and allies
  o Focus group discussions (regional or thematic)
  o Remote documentation
  o Case study collection
• Integrate and build upon existing research and prior publications by the WHRDIC and its members.

Data Collection

• Conduct interviews and/or focus groups with relevant WHRDIC members and a diverse, representative sample.
• Identify gaps and propose additional outreach to ensure coverage and balance.
• Engage members in case/story collection where possible.
• Ensure all research processes are safe, secure, ethical, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive.
  Intersectional and Cross-Movement Lens
  Establish systems (e.g., tracking grids, matrices) to ensure:
  o Balanced representation across identity groups, regions, issues, and movements.
  o Inclusion of underrepresented groups and contexts.
• Proactively engage grassroots and marginalised groups throughout the research process.

Analysis

• Analyse patterns in challenges, violations, risks and threats faced by WHRDs.
• Identify emerging trends, new types of attacks, and shifts since previous reports.
• Document positive stories, with emphasis on effective feminist strategies, evidence of impact and lessons learned.
• Produce insights grounded in intersectional and decolonial feminist analysis.
  Drafting the Report
  Draft a coherent, accessible, and advocacy-oriented global report.
  Ensure both narrative and analytical dimensions.
  Integrate case studies and stories using ethical storytelling guidelines.

Coalition Engagement

• Participate in coordination meetings with the WHRDIC’s Executive Coordinator and Knowledge Co-Creation Working Group.
• Facilitate virtual workshops to develop necessary methodology, refine findings and co-create chapters with members.
• Present preliminary findings to members for feedback and validation.
• Be available for the public launch of the research and and for presenting key findings when needed.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception Report (objectives, scope, methodology, workplan)
• Data collection tools
• Interim findings report
• First full draft of the Global Report
• Revised draft based on member feedback
• Final Global Report (length to be determined, approx. 40–60 pages)
• An executive summary (5–8 pages)

    Timeline
  Deliverable Deadline
  Inception Report March 2026
  Interim findings report July 2026
  First full draft September 2026
  Second draft after feedback October 2026
  Final report & executive summary November 2026
  (Timeline may be adjusted based on the start date)

    Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in conducting research and producing publications on human rights, gender justice, or WHRD issues.
• Demonstrated ability to work using feminist, intersectional, and participatory methodologies.
• Strong qualitative research skills (interviews, focus groups, narrative analysis).
• Experience working with grassroots actors and diverse movements.
• Familiarity with WHRD ecosystem is highly desirable.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to work remotely across time zones and coordinate participatory processes.
• Strong ethical awareness and experience with safe documentation practices.

Ethical Considerations & Safety
The researcher must adhere to:

• Intersectional feminist, human rights and anti-oppression principles.
• Secure communication practices.
• Trauma-informed and survivor-centred approaches.
• Confidentiality and protection of sensitive information.
• Informed consent procedures for interviews and case stories.

Reporting
The researcher will work under the guidance of:

• WHRDIC Executive Coordinator
• Knowledge Co-Creation Working Group 

Ways of working:
WHRDIC is committed to feminist leadership, fairness, transparency, and strong communication in all internal and external relationships. 

Timeline and contract duration:
Subject to the recruitment process, the contract will be in effect from 01 February to 30 November 2026. 

Compensation terms and contract value:
The Strategic Planning consultant will receive a daily rate for up to a maximum number of working days mutually agreed upon by the consultant and WHRD-IC, with payments made according to a mutually agreed-upon schedule.