Consultancy Opportunity: SRHR Policy Research and Report Writing

Organisation: SheDecides Support Unit (SDSU), hosted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
Position: Consultant – A World Where SheDecides
Location: Remote
Contract Type: Part-time consultancy
Duration: December 2026 – 30 April 2027
Estimated Workload: 30–40 working days
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
Interview Period: November 2026

About SheDecides

SheDecides is a global political movement advocating for a world where every woman, girl, and young person can make decisions about their body, life, and future. Since 2017, the movement has championed bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mobilising support across Africa, Asia, the Arab Region, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.

The movement brings together governments, civil society organisations, youth groups, research institutions, media, artists, and philanthropic partners to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights. It is supported by the SheDecides Support Unit (SDSU), an autonomous secretariat hosted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

About the Consultancy

SheDecides is seeking an experienced consultant to develop an evidence-based policy and advocacy report titled A World Where SheDecides: How to Make the Case for SRHR in the Post-2030 Transition.

As the international community approaches the end of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the consultancy will help build a compelling case for keeping sexual and reproductive health and rights central to global development priorities beyond 2030.

Working under the supervision of the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor and in consultation with a reference group of SheDecides Champions, the consultant will map research, analyse evidence, consult experts, and produce a four-page desk review and a comprehensive 25–30-page report.

The report will highlight how investment in SRHR contributes to human rights, health, gender equality, education, economic empowerment, poverty reduction, social protection, democracy, and inclusive development. It will translate complex evidence into accessible, persuasive, and forward-looking arguments for governments, policymakers, and other decision-makers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research and Desk Review

• Map global and regional evidence on SRHR as a critical investment, drawing on peer-reviewed research, United Nations reports, multilateral publications, economic analyses, and credible grey literature.
• Gather evidence and examples from Africa, Asia, the Arab Region, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and North America.
• Identify compelling statistics, research findings, and case examples demonstrating the impact of SRHR across different development sectors.
• Prepare a four-page compilation summarising key research, data, and references supporting investment in SRHR.

2. Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement

• Participate in regular consultation calls with the SheDecides Champion reference group.
• Contribute to consultations with UN entities, government representatives, and other experts alongside the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor.
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and the SDSU team into successive report drafts.
• Prepare brief notes from consultation calls and provide progress updates during regular check-ins.

3. Policy Report Development

• Draft a 25–30-page report examining the case for SRHR during the final years of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2030 transition.
• Develop a concise executive summary for policymakers and other key audiences.
• Present evidence and arguments in a clear, political, persuasive, and accessible format rather than an exclusively academic style.
• Provide a comprehensive reference list and recommendations for data visualisations to support the report’s design.
• Revise the report in response to feedback from the SDSU and the Champion reference group.

4. Evidence Analysis and Policy Recommendations

The report will address several key themes, including:

• Progress towards the SDGs since 2015 and opportunities to advance bodily autonomy before 2030.
• Evidence of progress in SRHR and the factors contributing to successful implementation.
• The impact of SRHR investment on health, maternal mortality, mental health, gender equality, education, and economic empowerment.
• The economic and social costs of insufficient investment in SRHR.
• Financing opportunities and challenges, including reduced official development assistance, domestic resource mobilisation, innovative financing, and changes in the global health architecture.
• Emerging challenges affecting SRHR after 2030.
• The implications of current policy choices for future generations.

The final scope and structure will be agreed with the SDSU during the inception phase.

Deliverables and Timeline

The consultancy will run from early December 2026 to 30 April 2027, with the possibility of limited follow-up support during copy-editing and design. All consultation meetings will take place online across multiple time zones.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Applicants should demonstrate the following qualifications and competencies:

• At least 10 years of experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights, health, gender equality, international development cooperation, or global policy.
• A strong track record in research synthesis, policy analysis, and report writing.
• Demonstrated ability to turn complex evidence into persuasive and accessible advocacy materials for political audiences, governments, and decision-makers.
• In-depth knowledge of global SRHR research, including economic analysis, investment cases, and intersectional approaches.
• Strong understanding of the 2030 Agenda, the UN system, multilateral processes, and global and regional development commitments.
• Experience working with governments, UN agencies, civil society organisations, and youth-led organisations.
• Familiarity with evidence and policy perspectives from multiple world regions.
• Excellent writing, research, analytical, and referencing skills.
• Strong strategic thinking, political judgement, stakeholder engagement, and project management abilities.
• A commitment to bodily autonomy, gender equality, human rights, diversity, and inclusion.

Contract and Working Arrangements

This is a part-time, remote consultancy requiring an estimated 30–40 working days over approximately five months. The consultant will report to the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor and work closely with the wider Support Unit team and the SheDecides Champion reference group.

The consultant’s proposal should specify the estimated number of working days, daily rate, and a timeline aligned with the agreed deliverables.

All materials produced under the consultancy will be owned by SheDecides. Final editorial decisions on the report will rest with the SDSU.

Application Process

Interested consultants must submit a complete application by email to Lewis Emmerton at lewis@shedecides.com, using the subject line:

Post-2030 Consultancy – A World Where SheDecides

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter: Explaining the applicant’s proposed approach and suitability for the consultancy.
2. CV: Highlighting relevant research, policy, SRHR, and advocacy experience.
3. Position statement: A one-page statement of no more than 400 words answering the question provided in the Terms of Reference.
4. Writing samples: Two examples of previous work, preferably policy or advocacy publications.
5. Professional references: Contact details for two professional references.
6. Financial proposal: Daily rate, estimated number of working days, and a proposed timeline aligned with the deliverables.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews in November 2026. Applications that do not include all the required documents will not be considered.

Read the full Terms of Reference: Download the official consultancy document (PDF)

Apply by email: lewis@shedecides.com