About RFSU

RFSU was founded in 1933 and is a pioneering Swedish organisation working in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). RFSU is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation without party-political, trade union or religious affiliation. RFSU’s vision is a world in which everyone is free to make decisions about their own bodies and sexuality. Our aim is to spread a knowledge-based and open view of sexuality and relationships issues to overcome prejudices, bridge knowledge gaps and improve sexual health and wellbeing. We run projects and programmes to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights — both in Sweden and internationally. RFSU works to strengthen international legal, political and financial support for SRHR, and contribute to civil society agency on SRHR, by partnering with other civil society actors and supporting progressive civil society voices in low- and middle-income countries. RFSU partners with approximately 60 civil society organisations in different countries Worldwide.

The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) was founded by RFSU and other actors, and RFSU remains IPPF's Swedish member association.

Background

RFSU aims to undertake an End-Term Review of our 6 years SIDA CIVSAM program 2018-2023. During this period of operation RFSU has been collaborating with over 55 partner organisations, networks and allies in several countries and regions to advance SRHR for All,  putting in place different program strategies: (i) Mobilization; (ii) Empowerment; (iii) policy and advocacy and (iv) norma and stigma. 

We live a challenging period for advancing SRHR, some of the major challenges can be characterized by (1) Erosion of democratic principles impacting minorities and marginalized groups; (2) Increase mobilization of anti-SRHR actors globally, seeking to roll back LGTBQ+ rights, abortion rights and CSE narratives, (3) Increasing shrinking civic space and harassment to SRHR human right defenders, (4) funding restriction for SRHR work and activisms. Given this hostile context, RFSU seeks to deepen strategic understanding and evaluate how RFSU & partners´ mobilization strategies have been shaped and adjusted to navigate close & shrinking civic space. 

Aim and scope of the review

RFSU aims to increase our understanding of strategies, tactics and learnings of partner mobilization strategies around SRHR in the current context, putting special attention to evaluating how partners´ SRHR activism and mobilization strategies are shaped and adjusted by conflict, shrinking civic space and security issues. Furthermore, the assignment aims to evaluate how partners' activism and mobilization strategies embrace the practice of self-care and collective care at organizational level while SRHR activists and staff face ongoing exposure to hostile anti-SRHR narratives and contexts. 

The findings of the evaluation will further inform RFSU´s partners engagement and strategies, RFSU´s portfolio analysis, conflict sensitivity work, and/or other mechanisms such as Rapid Response Fund, Innovation Fund or Intersectional Feminist Perspective work. 

Aims: 

• Identify adjustment to mobilization strategies undertaken by partners to navigate hostile contexts since covid 19 to date (2022-2024).
• Identify risks undertaken by partners  incorporating mobilization strategies in their current work
• Assess to what extent mobilization strategies, during the period 2022-24, have contributed to networking, collaboration and alliance building.
• Identify good practices and partners experiences based on mobilization-resilience to hostile contexts
• Assess how enduring mobilization strategies have impacted the wellbeing and self care of partners´ staff and SRHR activists. 
• Assess strategies and actions partners are adopting to preserve wellbeing, self care and collective care during mobilization work and/or exposure to hostile SRHR contexts and narratives.
• Identify how RFSU can improve support to partners mobilization strategies putting care and collective care at the center.

Scope of the study 

• The evaluation will be limited to ongoing projects conducted by RFSUs partner organizations under the Mobilization strategies between 2022-2024. 

• In addition, the consultant will develop 3 partners´case studies to showcase practices of SRHR activism and mobilization strategies, including the impact on SRHR activists well-being, self care and mental health. 

The informants of the evaluation will be:

• Staff from RFSU:s partner organizations
• Staff from RFSU

Budget

RFSU offer 400 000 SEK (VAT included)

Deliverables 

The final product is expected to be an evaluation report and 3 partners case studies as mentioned above.  The consultant will develop feminist methodology to conduct the evaluation. The findings are expected to be presented as: 

• Develop a comprehensive feminist methodology to conduct the evaluation process
• A written consolidated report to RFSU 
• 3 partners case studies
• Brief  presentation of the findings making the information and analysis accessible for others
• a workshop for RFSU staff and partners engaged in the process with the aim of drawing conclusions from the findings of the report on how to improve our support to our partner organizations

Profile of the consultant 

The consultant is expected to have solid and documented knowledge and experience of:

• Knowledge and experience of feminist approaches to evaluation. 
• Designing and conducting interviews as method for material collection and extensive experience in qualitative research methods, including qualitative interviewing, observation and text analysis
• Significant knowledge and experience with CSO mobilization strategies in hostile context and its impact on SRHR human rights defenders and activists. 
• Experience of the sexual and reproductive health and rights sector
• Knowledge of ethical codes in relation to conducting studies.
• Professional report writing for government, academia, civil society and/ or public institution
• Good communication and  writing skills in English. Spanish will be an asset. 

Timeline

The consultants mission will be from 9th October 2024 to 15th December 2024 

Application for the consultancy 

The tender should include:

• Brief outline of the methodology and suggested timeline
• Budget including price per hour and total price
• Curriculum vitae with two references from recents clients.
• 1 example of previous work. 
• CV as well as your proposal are expected to be uploaded no later than 2nd October 2024 by clicking "Ansök" below

Any further questions?

• Please contact belen.sobrino@rfsu.se, Intersectional feminist perspectives advisor and MEAL lead.