Researcher Global Report on the Situation of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs)

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Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRDIC)

Remote (global)
  • Career category: Research/ Data analysis
  • Job type: Consultancy
  • Experience level: Other (specified in job description)
  • Organisation type: Civil Society
  • Remote option: Remote (global)
  • Right to work requirements: Anyone can apply
  • Remuneration: Not Disclosed
  • Deadline: 10/01/2026
  • Location: Remote (global)
Human rights
About WHRD-IC:

The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD-IC) is a transnational, intersectional feminist coalition of women human rights defenders, feminists, trans and non-binary activists and organisations, and their allies. Our mission is to deepen and sustain the collective power and resistance of WHRDs and their collective organising, across the intersections of movements, issues and regions. 

Purpose of consultancy:

The WHRD-IC is seeking a researcher, group of researchers or research organisation to develop a new Global Report on the Situation of Women Human Rights Defenders.  

The WHRDIC’s previous Global Report is available here. The new research should be intersectional, cross-issue, cross-regional and cross-movement, reflecting the broad understanding of “women human rights defenders” as women, trans and non-binary defenders engaged in any human rights work and activism, and people of all genders engaged and working on gender and sexuality.

The research will rely on a combination of hired expertise, contributions from WHRDIC members, and structured collaborative processes across the Coalition, its partners and allies.

Objectives of the research: 

The consultant will produce a global report that: 

  • Provides an overview of key trends, challenges, threats, and violations faced by WHRDs globally, across regions, identities, and movements.
  • Develops a cross-regional, cross-issue, and cross-movement analysis of the human rights work of WHRDs, the evolving risks they face within the contexts of backlash and polycrisis, and the political environments shaping their struggles.
  • Identifies new and emerging dynamics in the WHRD landscape while building on previous publications by WHRDIC and its members and foundational collective knowledge.
  • Documents and amplifies stories of resistance, resilience, connection, and hope, with a focus on analysing effective feminist tactics and strategies used by WHRDs, as well as the impact and outcomes these strategies generate.
  • Provides concrete, detailed, and stakeholder-specific recommendations—at international, regional, and local levels—on how WHRDs and their work can be better protected, supported, and funded.

 
Expected Deliverables

  • Inception Report (objectives, scope, methodology, workplan)
  • Data collection tools
  • Interim findings report
  • First full draft of the Global Report
  • Revised draft based on member feedback
  • Final Global Report (length to be determined, approx. 40–60 pages)
  • An executive summary (5–8 pages)

Timeline

Deliverable Deadline
Inception ReportMarch 2026
Interim findings report July 2026 
Fiist full draft September 2026 
Second draft after feedback October 2026
Final report & executive summary November 2026

(Timeline may be adjusted based on the start date)

Required Qualifications

  • Proven experience in conducting research and producing publications on human rights, gender justice, or WHRD issues.
  • Demonstrated ability to work using feminist, intersectional, and participatory methodologies.
  • Strong qualitative research skills (interviews, focus groups, narrative analysis).
  • Experience working with grassroots actors and diverse movements.
  • Familiarity with WHRD ecosystem is highly desirable.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Ability to work remotely across time zones and coordinate participatory processes.
  • Strong ethical awareness and experience with safe documentation practices.

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