Consultancy opportunity: Regional Study on Women, Peace and Security in North Africa
Deadline to apply: 25 September 2026, 23:59 CET
Duration: 12-14 weeks
Location: Remote, with in-country consultations as required
NORCAP’s mission is to improve aid to protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national, and international partners on finding solutions that meet the needs of people at risk.
We do this by:
- Supporting humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding initiatives that protect and empower people
- Improving impact at the global and local level through joint projects with partners and stakeholders
- Providing expertise and developing capacity that enable partners to meet the needs of people in fragile situations and crises
- Strengthening the global system that we are part of through support for leadership, coordination, and policy development
- Building bridges between the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors
NORCAP and the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS) jointly implement a project titled “Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening for the Implementation of the WPS Agenda” (RAF-23/0057) with the aim of advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and promotion of women’s leadership and participation in peace and security processes in Africa.
The OSE-WPS works to bridge the gap between policy and practice and supports implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions, together with relevant African Union instruments and commitments.
As part of the project “Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening for the Implementation of the WPS Agenda” NORCAP is seeking a consultant or consultancy team to carry out a regional study covering Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Saharawi. The study will generate credible, comparative and action-oriented evidence on WPS implementation gaps, protection concerns, participation barriers, emerging threats and women-led solutions. The evidence will inform African Union policy engagement, advocacy, programming, accountability and Continental Results Framework reporting.
Objective
The purpose of the consultancy is to produce an authoritative, evidence-based and action-oriented regional assessment of the status of Women, Peace and Security in North Africa. The selected consultant will lead the overall research process and appoint their own research team, including one field research lead in each of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Saharawi.
Scope of Work
- Lead the inception process and refine the research questions, analytical framework, methodology, work plan, stakeholder map, consultation plan, risk register and data-collection tools.
- Undertake a comprehensive desk review of national and regional policies, National Action Plans, legislation, peace agreements, AU and UN reports, academic literature, programme evaluations, budgets, datasets and available Continental Results Framework data.
- Appoint, contract, orient, supervise and manage the consultant’s own research team, comprising one competent field research lead for each of the six study contexts: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and Saharawi.
- Coordinate and oversee country-level key informant interviews, focus group discussions, case-study documentation and collection of quantitative and qualitative evidence.
- Provide continuous technical guidance, review all country submissions and ensure methodological consistency across the six contexts.
- Analyse country-specific findings, regional trends and cross-border dynamics and prepare the integrated regional report, policy brief, country evidence summaries and presentation.
- Present preliminary findings to OSE-WPS, respond to comments and incorporate agreed revisions.
- Ensure that all final products are technically sound, professionally edited, publication-ready and submitted in editable and PDF formats.
- Submit regular progress updates and promptly escalate methodological, access, security or ethical challenges to OSE-WPS.
Please read the attached Terms of Reference for the full list of key responsibilities and more details before applying.
Deliverables
- Inception Report: Content should include refined methodology, analytical framework, work plan, stakeholder mapping, consultation plan, data-collection tools and risk-management approach.
- Country Research and Evidence Packages: Evidence matrices and six quality-assured country packages, including consultation findings, country analysis, selected CRF indicators, case studies and source lists.
- Preliminary Draft Regional Report: Content should include consolidated regional and country-level findings, cross-border analysis, conclusions, case studies and prioritized recommendations.
- Final Regional Report and Supporting Products: Publication-ready final report incorporating feedback, together with an executive summary, country summaries, policy brief, presentation slide deck and organized research archive.
Timeline
The consultancy will take place between October 2026 and December 2026, over an estimated 12-14 weeks. Schedule to be confirmed with the consultant.
Qualifications and Experience
- An advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in peace and security, gender studies, international relations, political science, law, development studies, social sciences or a related field.
- At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in Women, Peace and Security, gender, peacebuilding, conflict analysis, governance or related research and policy work.
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-country or regional research assignments, preferably in Africa and ideally in North Africa.
- Strong knowledge of UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions, African Union WPS frameworks, National Action Plans and results-based monitoring frameworks.
- Proven experience recruiting, supervising and quality-assuring decentralised research teams or country researchers.
- Demonstrated expertise in mixed-methods research, qualitative interviewing, comparative analysis and preparation of policy-oriented reports.
- Excellent analytical, drafting and presentation skills in English. Working knowledge of French and/or Arabic is required.
- Ability to work sensitively in politically complex environments and to apply robust ethical, data-protection and do-no-harm standards.
Please read the attached Terms of Reference for the full list of Awards Criteria and more details before applying.
Salary Range
The salary range for this consultancy is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Salary range: Maximum USD 60,000
How to Apply
Consultants that meet the requirements and qualifications outlined in the Terms of Reference are invited to submit a complete application by 25 September 23:59 CET to the email address norcap.bids@nrc.no. The tender application should be titled Regional Study on Women, Peace and Security in North Africa – Women, Peace and Security Project NORCAP and African Union and include the following information as part of their application:
- Cover letter, including short motivation for this consultancy.
- An updated Curriculum Vitae demonstrating the required qualifications and experience.
- Proof of registration as a consultant/sole trader/proprietor or a company in country of residence as required
- A technical proposal describing the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, work plan, quality-assurance approach and strategy for recruiting and managing field research.
- A financial proposal including an internal cost breakdown proposed allocation for field research.
- At least two examples of comparable multi-country or WPS-related research products authored or led by the applicant.
- Contact details for at least three professional references.
- When submitting your application, kindly register in English your full employment history and education. Please include your full name as written in your passport. Uploaded CVs alone will not be reviewed
Based on what you have read so far, do you think you could be a good fit? If so, please follow these steps and apply!
NORCAP values diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or disability. NORCAP reserves the right to conduct a full background check on shortlisted candidates for this consultancy.
Feedback will be given to all applicants within four weeks after the closing of this advertisement.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Please find the full Terms of Reference here:
