Terms of Reference for Consultancy to develop a feminist framework on crises definition, actors and interventions

Background

The Equality Fund is an international feminist fund based in Canada. We are a ground-breakingcollaboration harnessing diverse actors to catalyze new momentum for women’s rights andfeminist movements. Designed by feminists for feminists, it is a new model for sustainablyresourcing feminist movements everywhere, through global grantmaking, gender-lens investing,policy advocacy, and feminist philanthropy. Launched in 2019, the Equality Fund has committed$53 million to date and is supporting over 300 organizations working in 85 countries globally. Weprovide resources to women’s rights and feminist organizations from the grassroots level to theregional and global stage. Women’s rights organizations and feminist movements around the worldare at the forefront of change—holding the line, resisting against rights violations, demandingequality, and driving solutions to get us there. The Equality Fund’s strategy is to support thepriorities that they identify.

Scope of work

The Equality Fund is seeking a consultant or a group of consultants to support the design of astream of work on feminist engagement and responses to crises. This stream, called “Prepare, Respond and Care”, aims to respond to both the chronic and ever growing crises around theworld where women and feminists are often on the frontlines of both bearing the brunt andresponding in critical ways. All this with the most minimal of resources in a context wheretraditionally recognised crises resulting from conflict or natural disasters have little to noengagement with women’s rights and feminist actors. Equality Fund seeks to design this stream tobe informed by how women’s rights actors define crises with an understanding of the actorscurrently engaged in this work as well as the range of feminist led and informed interventionsrelating to crises.

1. Develop a framework on feminist articulation of crises
2. Map key women’s rights and feminist actors engaged in addressing and responding to crises
3. Conduct a review of effective and promising feminist interventions on crises

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

Develop an initial framework on feminist articulation of crises

In designing this stream, EF seeks to ensure that it is framed by and taking into accountwhat women and feminists define as crises in the current context. This is from anunderstanding that there are crises that receive significant attention and resources andrecognising that there are crises that do not receive the same. Women’s rightsorganizations and feminist movements play an important role in resilience and recovery but onewhich is not well recognized or resourced by the current mainstream humanitarian structures.This framework should reflect the perspectives and input of those most often at themargins.

Ecosystem Mapping

Recognising the diversity of actors in various crises responses and related engagements,we seek to understand in particular the actors most critical to feminist engagement, fromactivists, direct responders to crises, donors, academics and others. This includes thosethat are traditionally understood as crisis sectors such as humanitarian responses toconflict, natural and other disasters, women, peace and security as well as those that mayfall outside these sectors, like political and socio-economic crises.

Research/Desk review on effective and promising feminist led interventions on crises

We know that women’s rights and feminist organizations are on the frontlines of respondingto crises and they are also those imagining other futures. As such we would like acomprehensive compilation of promising and effective feminist interventions relating tocrises in a variety of contexts.

Deliverables

Proposed plan for the Feminist Framework on crises

1. Brief document outlining the steps and timetable for the work and initial document review

Mapping of key actors engaging in feminist responses to crises

1. A draft report mapping the key actors engaging in feminist responses
   
   to crises
2. Final report following review of draft

Review of effective and promising feminist interventions on crises

1. A draft report outlining effective and promising feminist interventions
   
   on crises
2. Final report following review of draft

Framework on feminist articulation of crises

1. A draft framework of feminist articulations of crises that need critical
   
   engagement and resources
2. Final framework document

Criteria/ Experience Required

• Experience in crises affected regions/contexts, extensive knowledge about different typesof crises and responses to them;
• Deep knowledge and experience with feminist organizations and movements, particularly inAfrica, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Central Asia;
• Strong research and writing skills;
• Highly organized, analytical, adaptive and responsive to feedback and changes in directionwhen needed;
• Strong facilitation skills and flexible approach to work;
• Availability to undertake this consultancy over 3 months starting April 2023.

Voluntary Disclosure: The Equality Fund implements gender-responsive procurement practices, actively seeking to maximize support for women’s organizations and suppliers working to advancegender equality. We believe that expanding and diversifying our pool of suppliers is a powerful toolto build a more competitive and robust supplier base. The ultimate objective of our feministapproach to procurement is to ensure that EF is able to thoughtfully consider whether it has, or canfind, suppliers who are aligned with the mission of advancing gender equality, while at the same time meeting the need for timely delivery of high-quality goods and services at competitive prices. We believe that it is possible to seek value-alignment with our suppliers, as well as our investmentsand programming.

We invite respondents to provide information which will allow us to assess if your organization ismission-aligned to ours. This relates to both internal structure, practices and policies, as well ashow you operate in the world. Internal examples include policies and practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion; the proportion of the leadership team and/or staff who are women, Indigenous, LGBTIQ, visible minority and/or disabled; transparency and commitment to equal pay; and the use of flexible work arrangements. External examples include careful consideration of howyour business practices (including the services you provide or the goods you produce) can and do support the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQI people and a more equitable world. Additionalelements include positive role models in advertising/promotional materials, joint work with equality-seeking women’s organizations, advocacy initiatives, and other impact-oriented initiatives.

We encourage all respondents to share information on mission alignment to gender equality. Responses do not need to be lengthy, but we appreciate any information you choose to share.

Duration

A timeline for the duration of this consultancy is outlined below:

• Applications due: March 31, 2023.
• Consultancy duration: Approximately 30 days.

Request for Expressions of Interest

The Equality Fund is inviting consultants to prepare a short expression of interest for thisconsultancy. The proposal must include the following:

• A 2-4 page description of how the consultant would approach the assignment, including astatement of your understanding of what feminist approaches bring to the crisis responsespace.
• A 1-page financial proposal in Canadian dollars, including all costs, fees, and expensesrequired to carry out the consultancy. The Equality Fund anticipates this work to takeapproximately 30 days.
• A short summary of the consultant(s)’ relevant experience and CV(s)
• 2 references for similar work

Kindly submit your proposal electronically to Natalia Caruso, Director of Program Strategy atncaruso@equalityfund.ca. Successful EOI applicants will be invited for interviews to make a finalselection.