National Lead Research Consultant (Gender Analysis of Justice Sector)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Position Title:

National Lead Research Consultant (Gender Analysis of Justice Sector)

Project Title:

Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice and Gender Equality in Somaliland under Rule of Law Program

Partner Organization:

UN WOMEN

Geographical Scope:

Somaliland (Targeting 5 Key Regions)

Contract Type:

National Individual Consultancy

Duration of Assignment:

30 Operational Days (Spread over Oct 2026 – Dec 2026)

National Lead Consultant: Gender Analysis of the Justice Sector in Somaliland

1.      BACKGROUND & CONTEXT:

Access to justice remains a fundamental human right and a core pillar for sustainable development, peacebuilding, and gender equality in Somaliland. However, navigating the justice system presents multi-faceted barriers for vulnerable populations, particularly women and female-headed households. Pluralistic legal frameworks—comprising Statutory Law, Islamic Sharia, and Customary Law (Xeer)—create a complex environment where traditional dispute resolution mechanisms often reinforce patriarchal norms, while statutory courts remain economically, geographically, or procedurally inaccessible.

Under the project 'Strengthening Women’s Access to Justice and Gender Equality in Somaliland' in the Rule of Law Program, NAGAAD Network with partnership UNWomenplanning to conduct Gender analysis of the justice sector to explore men's, women's, and female-headed households' justice system experiences and how gender bias/discrimination functions. This consultancy seeks to engage an experienced National Lead Research Consultant to rigorously examine differential justice experiences, map structural gender biases, and analyze intersectional factors (poverty, disability, age, gender identity) across both formal and informal court systems.

2.      OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The primary objective of the consultancy is to conduct an in-depth, empirical gender analysis of Somaliland's justice sector across 5 target regions to generate evidence-based strategies for gender-responsive judicial reform. Specifically, the assignment aims to:

·         Investigate differential experiences, barriers, and outcomes for men, women, and female-headed households within statutory courts and traditional (Xeer) mechanisms.

·         Evaluate how gender discrimination intersects with extreme poverty, disability, age, and gender identity to aggravate exclusion in legal processes.

·         Establish empirical evidence base mapping systemic legal needs, institutional gaps, and legal aid deficits.

·         Formulate strategic policy recommendations to guide UN Women, government ministries, judicial bodies, and civil society in advancing legal reforms and grassroots advocacy.

3.      SCOPE OF WORK & SPECIFIC TASKS:

The National Lead Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager. The Consultant will lead all technical research, field oversight, data synthesis, and report validation. The consultant is expected to utilize their own computer/laptop and software for research analysis and report writing.

Task 1: Desk Review, Methodology Design & Inception Phase:

·         Conduct a comprehensive desk review of relevant legislative frameworks, judicial policies, customary laws, and existing research on gender and justice in Somaliland.

·         Develop a robust mixed-methods research methodology, sampling strategy across 5 target regions, and theoretical intersectionality analytical framework.

·         Draft comprehensive quantitative household survey questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD) protocols, and Key Informant Interview (KII) guides tailored for legal practitioners, judicial officers, traditional elders, and vulnerable household heads.

·         Formulate and submit a comprehensive Inception Report incorporating stakeholder feedback.

Task 2: Field Data Collection Oversight & Team Training:

·         Design training curriculum for field enumerators and conduct an intensive 2-day training workshop covering research ethics, survey execution, gender sensitivity, and data quality assurance.

·         Supervise field data collection across target regions, ensuring rigorous sampling and oversight of enumerators.

·         Conduct high-level Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with institutional stakeholders, judges, legal aid providers, Ministry of Justice officials, and civil society leaders.

Task 3: Intersectional Data Analysis & Synthesis:

·         Clean, structure, and analyze quantitative and qualitative field datasets.

·         Cross-analyze findings across key intersectional variables (gender, household headship, economic status, disability, age, and geographical location).

·         Map systematic gender bias, legal institutional gaps, and procedural barriers across statutory courts and informal customary dispute mechanisms.

Task 4: Draft Report Writing & Stakeholder Validation:

·         Draft the comprehensive Gender Analysis Report featuring key findings, baseline metrics, case studies, and actionable policy recommendations.

·         Present draft findings at national Stakeholder Validation Workshop engaging institutional actors, civil society, and grassroots advocates.

·         Incorporate feedback from validation workshop participants and NAGAAD & UN Women to deliver the finalized Gender Analysis Report.

1.      REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Education:

·         degree in law, Human Rights, Gender Studies, Social Work, Public Administration, Development Studies, or related Social Sciences.

Professional Experience:

·         Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in conducting applied socio-legal research, gender analyses, or sector assessments in Somaliland/Somalia.

·         Proven expertise in gender equality, access to justice, human rights, and legal reform within pluralistic legal systems (Statutory, Sharia, Xeer).

·         Demonstrated track record in designing quantitative and qualitative research tools, leading field research teams, and applying intersectional analytical frameworks.

·         Prior experience collaborating with government ministries, judicial institutions, UN agencies, or INGOS & LNGOS.

Functional Competencies & Skills:

·         Strong Analytical Skills: Proven ability to synthesize complex qualitative data and statistical datasets into cohesive, high-level analytical reports.

·         Language Proficiency: Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali is strictly required.

·         Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent presentation skills to facilitate high-level institutional validation workshops and community dialogues.

·         Cultural & Contextual Sensitivity: Deep understanding of Somaliland’s legal landscape, cultural dynamics, and ethical protocols for researching gender-based vulnerability.

1.      HOW TO APPLY:

Interested and qualified individual national consultants are invited to submit their complete application package electronically. Please follow the instructions below strictly:

·         Submission Email: [email protected]

·         The subject line of the email must clearly state: 'Application: National Consultant - Gender Analysis of Justice Sector (Activity 3.1.1)'.

·         Application Deadline: no later than October 31, 2026 at 17:00 EAT