Consultancy for Research Paper on Advancing Women’s Leadership, despite gendered impacts of Climate Change and Conflict At Christian Aid Ireland

Introduction

Christian Aid Ireland is an international humanitarian, development and peacebuilding agency working in 29 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. As a multi- mandate organisation, Christian Aid combines lifesaving relief assistance to those most in need in crises, with building the long-term resilience of vulnerable communities to cope with future threats and advocating with those in power to tackle the causes and consequences of crises. Our work explicitly aims at challenging power imbalances within societies by increasing the power of poor and marginalised women and men, strengthening their voice, and helping them to engage with those in positions of authority to participate in their own governance. We understand that people in poverty often face several, intersecting, inequalities based on their identities. Our Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention strategy aims to contribute to peacebuilding efforts, ensuring access to justice and accountability, and protecting those most at risk of violence and supporting inclusive peacebuilding.

Background and Context

Climate change is a global phenomenon that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The intersection of gender, climate change, and conflict creates complex challenges for communities, where pre-existing gender inequalities can be exacerbated, and coping mechanisms may be either strengthened or hindered by ongoing conflict dynamics. Climate change will likely entrench or expand unequal systems of entitlement that alienate vulnerable populations, including women and girls. Women, girls, and gender minorities often face specific challenges in such contexts, with implications for their survival, resilience, and adaptive capacities.

This research paper aims to explore the gendered impacts of climate change in conflict-affected areas, focusing on how communities cope with these challenges, how gender influences survival strategies, and how resilience is built. The report will highlight consider women in all their diversity / capturing impacts on and innovations of diverse women, considering intersecting factors. By understanding these dynamics, the research will contribute to the development of more effective policies and interventions that address both gender and climate vulnerabilities in conflict settings.

Climate change and insecurity are threat multipliers, leading to increased insecurity and the destabilisation of communities, with disproportionate impacts on women and girls. The link between climate and conflict is evidenced across the Christian Aid geographic footprint. We see how climate change, reinforces poverty and power imbalances, compounding risks to women, and to date, a lack of policy responses that address the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups. The research will seek to examine the consequences of climate change in fragile states, and the role climate change plays as a threat multiplier in situations where governance, resilience and early warning mechanisms are not in place to address the human and gendered impacts of climate change.

The consultant will develop research that explores some of the existing policy choices, to identify and propose responses including improved local capacity to deal with climate impacts, strengthened local governance and conflict mediation, equal access to resources, residence programs and shock responsive social protection, to reduce root causes of conflict which may be exacerbated by climate change in a manner that reflects the lived experience of communities, particularly vulnerable and marginalised women, to address their needs.

Contributing to the discourse on women, peace and security the consultant will develop qualitative research, exploring the issue of climate change as a threat multiplier of conflict and insecurity, through the testimony and lived experience of communities, particularly women, experiencing the effects and the interaction of both*.* The work will leverage existing Christian Aid projects and partners work to bolster case studies, alongside other sources of evidence including published papers and new insights relating to the wider context of the case studies. This should include, Primary evidence: the expert opinions and experiences of women and men, to include participatory approaches such as key informant interviews; focus group discussions and roundtables to explore how women are responding to climate change impacts, the barriers they face and the increased insecurity resulting in changing climatic conditions. Secondary evidence: analysis and commentaries – especially from community women’s groups and community-based peace organisations – on existing policy and practice addressing the links of climate and insecurity, and existing research.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to produce a comprehensive research paper that explores the following:

1. The gendered impacts of climate change in conflict-affected areas, with particular attention to women, girls, and marginalized gender groups, and links to the WPS Agenda.

2. How gender influences coping strategies, survival mechanisms, and adaptation to climate-related challenges in conflict settings.

3. Innovation of women to overcome climate/conflict induced vulnerability and how gendered resilience is manifested in these contexts.

4. Best practices and policy recommendations for addressing gendered vulnerabilities and enhancing gender-sensitive climate adaptation in conflict-affected regions.

The research will contribute to advancing knowledge, informing future interventions, and strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of climate change and conflict.

Deliverables to include:

• Inception Report, outlining the methodology, data collection plan, and timeline for the research, including a draft of interview guides or survey questions
• A draft of the research paper, including a summary of findings, analysis, and preliminary recommendations should be provided for feedback, consultation, with inputs responded to and actioned.
• Comprehensive research paper (20-30 pages) synthesizing the evidence, findings and testimony of women, with recommendations for improving the implementation of the WPS agenda in practice. A report explore the resilience, survival and innovation of women impacted by climate change and conflict, including identified gaps and challenges in the prioritization of the WPS agenda in setting impacted by climate change and conflict.
• Present the findings to key stakeholders and other relevant actors involved in the WPS agenda, climate change and conflict prevention, highlighting actionable recommendations that can inform policy and practice.

Consultant Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:

A graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in international relations, peace and conflict studies, political science, gender studies, or a related field.

A minimum of 7 years of experience in research related to peace and security, with a focus on the WPS Agenda and strong knowledge of the gendered challenges posed by climate change.

Excellent understanding of the WPS agenda, the coping and survival strategies, and innovations of women faced with challenges associated with conflict, and how they have been implemented in practice

Proven experience in conducting qualitative research and policy analysis, including policy analysis and report writing for academic, policy, and civil society, government audiences.

Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Ability to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, particularly government representatives, international organizations, and women-led civil society groups.

Duration:

The consultancy will last for 8 weeks, starting from early February 2025

Interested consultants should submit the following by Wednesday, 29 January 2025:

Proposal: Including a brief methodology, work plan, and timeline for completing the deliverables.

CV: Demonstrating qualifications and past relevant work.

Budget: Detailing the consultant’s daily or project-based rate and any other relevant expenses.