EOI: Research on Donor Funding Priorities for Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) as a Sustainable Funding Mechanism

ActionAid Nigeria is committed to advancing gender equality, women’s rights, and social justice through partnerships with Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) across Nigeria. ActionAid Nigeria is implementing the Renewed Women Voices in Leadership (RWVL) project with support from Global Affairs Canada. This project aims to enhance the leadership, agency, and influence of women and girls in decision-making spaces. Despite progress made by Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs) to shift the narratives towards gender equity and address social norms challenges, they continue to face systemic funding challenges, including limited access to sustainable, flexible, and long-term funding. 

In response, ActionAid Nigeria seeks to conduct a comprehensive research and analysis of donor funding priorities, trends, and mechanisms to identify sustainable funding opportunities for WROs. This study will inform strategic engagement with donors and strengthen financial resilience within the WRO ecosystem. This assignment will analyse donor funding priorities and identify sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen WROs’ resilience.

2. Overall Objective

To analyse donor funding landscapes and priorities to identify sustainable and accessible funding opportunities accessible to WROs in Nigeria and beyond under the RWVL framework.

3. Objectives

The specific objectives are to:

1. Map key bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and private sector donors funding women’s rights and gender equality.
2. Analyse donor priorities, thematic focus areas, and funding trends relevant to WROs.
3. Assess accessibility of funding to grassroots and national WROs.
4. Identify barriers and enabling factors influencing WRO access to donor funding.
5. Propose innovative and sustainable funding mechanisms for WROs.
6. Provide actionable recommendations for strategic donor engagement.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Conduct a desk review of existing literature, donor reports, and funding databases.
• Map and profile key donors supporting women’s rights at national, regional, and global levels.
• Analyse funding patterns, including grant sizes and duration, eligibility criteria, and funding modalities (core vs project funding)
• Engage stakeholders through: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with donors and WRO leaders, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) where necessary
• Identify emerging trends such as feminist funding approaches, localisation and decolonisation of aid, flexible and unrestricted funding, etc.
• Develop case studies of successful funding models for WROs.
• Produce a comprehensive report with strategic recommendations.

5. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

• Inception Report (including methodology, tools, and work plan)
• Donor Mapping Matrix and Database
• Draft Research Report
• Final Research Report (incorporating feedback)
• Policy Brief/Executive Summary
• Presentation of Findings (PowerPoint)

6. Duration of Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within 6–8 weeks from the date of contract signing.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to the Business Development & Innovation Specialist on day-to-day actions with overall oversight by the Director of Business Development & Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should demonstrate:

• At least 7 years of experience conducting similar research,
• Demonstrable experience in donor scoping, analysis, and fundraising
• Advanced degree in Development Studies, Economics, Public Policy, Gender or related field
• Strong understanding of women’s rights and feminist movements
• Experience working with WROs or civil society organisations will be an added advantage
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Familiarity with donor landscapes in Nigeria, Africa, and globally

9. Work Arrangement & Reporting Lines

The consultant(s) will be expected to provide his/her own work equipment. The consultant, in their work, will be accountable directly to the Business Development & Innovation Specialist for day-to-day actions, with overall oversight by the Director of Business Development & Innovation at ActionAid Nigeria.

10. Terms of Payment

ActionAid shall deduct the statutory 5% Withholding Tax (WHT) for individuals and 10% for limited (LTD) and public companies (PLC), and remit it to the relevant authority. On the due date, the consultant will submit an invoice requesting payment and clearly stating his/her Tax Identification Number (TIN).

11. SHEA and Safeguarding

ActionAid is committed to preventing any form of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse (including child abuse and adult at-risk abuse) and responding robustly when these harms take place in line with our zero-tolerance approach to Safeguarding concerns.  All consultants/firms that will work with AAN are expected to adhere strictly to AAN SHEA and Safeguarding policy.

12. Submission of Expression of Interest

Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending a resume detailing their competencies and links to previous work. Applications must be submitted electronically in one Microsoft Word file to: procurement.nigeria@actionaid.org using the subject line ‘EOI – Research and Analysis of Donor Funding Priorities for Women’s Rights Organisations (WROs)’ not later than May 07, 2026. Failure to adhere to instructions on submissions could invalidate your application.

Please note that only the successful applicant will be contacted.