Consultant – Researcher to Conduct a Study on Feminists Initiatives during the April 15 2023 Sudan Conflict

Position: Consultant – Researcher to Conduct a Study on Feminists Initiatives during the April 15 2023 Sudan Conflict

Department: Programme

Location: Sudan or Remote

Timeline: 30 days over 8 weeks (March 15 – May15 2024)

Application Deadline: March 07 2024, 05pm EAT

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

Background of the Consultancy:

Sudan has been plagued by protracted conflict, characterized by widespread human rights violations, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and systemic inequalities. The escalation of hostilities has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, displacing millions of civilians and destabilizing communities across the country. The impact of the conflict is particularly acute for women and girls who face heightened risks of violence, exploitation, and displacement. Amidst the turmoil, feminist networks and grassroots women’s groups have emerged as key actors in advocating for peace, social justice, and gender equality in Sudan. These groups, comprising courageous activists and advocates, have mobilized to address the unique needs and challenges faced by women and girls affected by the conflict. Despite facing formidable obstacles, including intimidation, violence, and militarization, feminist initiatives have persisted in their efforts to resist oppression, promote women’s rights, and build resilient communities.

It is against the backdrop that SIHA is implementing the “Feminist Peace for Sudan” project, which aims to amplify the voices and contributions of grassroots women’s groups in Sudan during the conflict, highlighting their resilience, resistance to violence, and efforts towards peacebuilding. Through various activities and outputs, the project aims to document feminist initiatives, research the conflict’s economic impact on women, and advocate for gender-inclusive peace processes.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a research paper that focuses on feminist initiatives during the war in Sudan, highlighting the role of grassroots women’s groups in advocating for peace and social change. The research aims to document the stories of resilience and resistance among these groups, highlighting their contributions to producing counter-narratives about war and peace and extending solidarity to each other.

The paper will explore how these groups:

• Organized to respond to women’s and girls’ needs
• Resisted intimidation, violence, and militarization
• Contributed to producing counter-narratives about war and peace
• Extended solidarity to other groups

Methodology:

The methodology for this research will adopt a participatory and qualitative approach, aiming to capture the diverse experiences and perspectives of grassroots women’s groups in Sudan. The following methods will be utilized:

• Literature Review: A review of existing literature, reports, and documentation on feminist initiatives during the conflict in Sudan will be conducted. This will provide a foundational understanding of grassroots women’s groups’ context, challenges, and contributions.
• Qualitative Interviews: Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with representatives from grassroots women’s groups and activists across different regions of Sudan. These interviews will be designed to elicit detailed narratives and insights into the groups’ organizing efforts, experiences of resistance, challenges faced, and strategies employed.
• Data Collection: Data will be collected through a combination of in-person interviews, virtual meetings, and focus group discussions, depending on the accessibility and preferences of the participants. The research team will prioritize building trust and rapport with the interviewees to encourage open and honest dialogue.
• Data Analysis: Thematic analysis will be employed to analyze the qualitative data collected from interviews and discussions. Themes and patterns emerging from the narratives will be identified, coded, and organized into coherent categories to extract key findings and insights.
• Intersectional analysis will be applied to recognize the varied experiences of women, considering factors like age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Triangulation of data from different sources will ensure the robustness of the findings.
• Ethical considerations: Informed consent, confidentiality, and the well-being of respondents will be prioritized throughout the research process. Capacity-building initiatives will involve training local researchers to enhance the quality and sustainability of the research within the community.

Activities:

• 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.
• Conduct study, including key informants and Focus Group Discussions with stakeholders to gather and document evidence.
• Meeting with SIHA team to disseminate findings in draft report and receive feedback.
• Drafting of final report incorporating any feedback & Policy Briefs
• Presentation of findings to Stakeholders

Deliverables:

• An inception report & meeting which will serve as a roadmap for the research process, outlining the steps to be taken.
• 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.

Key Competencies and Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in conducting research on gender issues in conflict settings, particularly in conflict settings across Africa
• Demonstrated expertise in conducting qualitative research, particularly in conflict-affected contexts. Proven ability to design research methodologies, collect and analyze qualitative data, and produce high-quality research outputs.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of feminist movements and the political context of Sudan, including the history of the conflict and its impact on women. Familiarity with the cultural nuances and gender norms prevalent in Sudanese society 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.
• Experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including grassroots women’s groups, activists, and civil society organizations. Proven ability to build trust, establish rapport, and facilitate open and inclusive dialogue with research participants.
• 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.