Background

The Feminist Coalition Program (FCP) is a consortium of five women rights organization: medica Liberia, Liberia feminist forum, sisters4sisters Liberia, radical young women movement of Liberia and women NGO secretariat Wongosol,) gear towards advancing women’s political participation and leadership in Liberia through evidence-based advocacy, institutional engagement, and collective action. FCP works with national and local partners to dismantle systemic barriers facing women in politics, enhance women’s voice and representation in governance, and strengthen accountability to gender equality commitments such as the ARREST Agenda and UNSCR 1325. In its next phase, FCP aims to deepen engagement at county and district levels, where structural barriers, limited resources, and weak institutional responsiveness continue to restrict women’s effective participation in decision-making processes.

1. Focus and Rationale

This revised concept maintains focus on barriers to women’s political participation at county levels, while broadening the scope to address challenges and gaps that hinder women’s influence in district-level decision-making. It responds to the need for practical strategies that not only strengthen women’s resilience against barriers but also enhance their ability to shape and influence key district decisions tied to service delivery and women’s priorities—such as SGBV budgeting, health services decentralization, and the elimination of harmful practices like FGM.

The refocus also aligns with donor guidance to avoid duplication with UN Women planned national WPP assessment, positioning FCP to complement national efforts by generating district-level evidence and action tools that directly feed into broader WPP dialogues.

2. Goal and Objectives

Goal: Strengthen women’s political participation by improving their ability to participate in and influence county and district-level decision-making processes.

Objectives:

• Identify barriers, challenges, and enabling opportunities that affect women’s participation and decision-making influence at county and district levels.
• Build the capacity of women leaders and allies through practical, step-by-step guidance on influencing local decisions, agenda setting, and budget processes related to women’s priorities (SGBV, FGM, service delivery).
• Facilitate district-to-national linkages by presenting district evidence, challenges, and feasible policy recommendations during national women’s political participation dialogues in collaboration with UN Women and other partners.

3. Approach

The approach is practical, evidence-driven, and action-oriented, translating district-level insights into usable influence tools for women leaders.

• District Influence and Gap Analysis: Conduct mapping of decision-making structures and key power-holders to identify where and how women can effectively influence local decisions. Use focused interviews and discussions with district officials, women leaders, and CSOs to document barriers, challenges, and enabling opportunities.
• Capacity and Influence Training: Develop and pilot concise “how-to” guidance notes and checklists that equip women leaders with the practical knowledge to intervene in budget cycles, propose by-laws, and engage constructively with administrators. Include targeted mentoring sessions using district “champions” who already navigate decision-making spaces effectively.
• District-to-National Pipeline: Support the participation of district women leaders in national dialogues to present district evidence, highlight key issues, and propose ARREST-aligned recommendations for policy or structural change.

4. Key Deliverables

• District Influence & Gap Briefs summarizing barriers, decision-making entry points, and actionable recommendations.
• Step-by-Step Guidance Notes and Checklists for district women leaders on influencing budget cycles and policy processes.
• Champion Case Notes documenting effective practices for replication.
• District-to-National Briefs consolidating evidence and feasible recommendations for national advocacy.

Terms of Reference (ToR) – Consultant for County and District-Level Assessment

Under Activity 2.1 of the FCP, the consultant will conduct an assessment focused on identifying the barriers, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen women’s participation and decision-making influence within county and district governance structures. The assessment will generate actionable insights and recommendations to improve women’s representation and influence and will inform subsequent training activities under Activity 2.2.

Objectives of the Assignment

• Identify and analyze the structural, institutional, and social barriers that limit women’s effective participation in county and district decision-making processes.
• Assess the challenges and opportunities within district councils and local governance mechanisms to strengthen women’s decision-making influence.
• Recommend practical measures and entry points to enhance women’s leadership, participation, and influence in subnational political and governance structures.

Scope of Work

• Review relevant policies, frameworks, and reports related to women’s political participation and subnational governance.
• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women leaders, district council members, and stakeholders at county and district levels.
• Analyze barriers, challenges, and opportunities and propose evidence-based recommendations to strengthen women’s participation and influence.
• Prepare a concise assessment report summarizing findings, challenges, and actionable recommendations to inform training modules under Activity 2.2.

Deliverables

• Inception report outlining methodology, tools, and timeline.
• County and District-Level Assessment Report highlighting barriers, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen women’s participation and decision-making influence.
• Summary brief of practical recommendations for use in training and advocacy activities under Activity 2.2.
• Presentation of key findings to FCP partners and relevant stakeholders.

Duration

The consultancy will last for six weeks, March 15- April 30, 2026 including fieldwork, analysis, validation, and reporting.

Reporting

The consultant will report directly to and collaborate closely with the Technical Team to ensure alignment with Activity 2.1 and the preparation of materials to support capacity-building under Activity 2.2.

Qualification

• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, research, Development Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in feminist, participatory, or gender-based evaluations.
• Familiarity with the Liberian feminist and civil society landscape.
• Excellent report writing, synthesis, and presentation skills.
• Knowledgeable of women rights issues

Interested individuals are encouraged to send in their applications addressed to carolinedearweh@gmail.com with copy to fenny.diggs@medicaliberia.org: serveh.flomo@medicaliberia.org: mizz.cooper151@gmail.com

Deadline for application: March 11, 2026