SheDecides is seeking a consultant to lead the mapping, consultation and drafting of a 4-page desk review and a 25–30 page report.
Background
SheDecides is a global political movement driving action for a world where every woman, girl and young person, in all their diversity, can decide what to do with their body, life and future. Since 2017, SheDecides 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 Champions from across sectors: governments, civil society, youth groups, research institutions, media, the arts and philanthropy. It is supported by the SheDecides Support Unit (SDSU), an autonomous secretariat hosted by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). The SDSU amplifies political action, connects the world's leading SRHR organisations and creates opportunities for Champions and allies to speak out and act.
Overview of the engagement
The world is approaching the end of the 2030 Agenda, and the shape of what follows is still undecided. The choices made now will determine whether SRHR and bodily autonomy stay central to global development or are pushed to the margins.
The evidence for SRHR has never been stronger, yet it is scattered and political consensus is fragmenting. A World Where SheDecides, launching at the SDG Summit in September 2027, will bring that evidence together into one compelling political case for governments, Champions and partners to carry through to 2030 and beyond.
SheDecides is seeking a consultant to lead the mapping, consultation and drafting of a 4-page desk review and a 25–30 page report.
Purpose of the consultancy
The consultant(s) will produce a persuasive, evidence-based report that makes a clear case for SRHR in the final years of the SDGs and beyond 2030, setting out a vision of the world we want: a world where SheDecides. Working with the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor and a small Champion reference group, the consultant(s) will compile multi-regional evidence of the transformative and positive impact of investing in SRHR on the following cross-cutting areas for a sustainable, inclusive and just development for all, likely including in relation to human rights, health, including youth SRHR, maternal mortality and mental health; gender equality; education; economic empowerment and socio-economic development; poverty eradication; right to development; demographic dividend, social protection; democracy, social justice, equity and inclusion.
The final product should be political and persuasive rather than academic: clear, visual, policy-focused, hopeful and future-oriented.
Report content areas
The report will be anchored in strong data points from the UN, research entities, Champions and partners, and peer-reviewed publications. It is expected to be divided into short chapters covering the following areas, which will be refined with the successful consultant(s) during onboarding:
• Where are we now on the SDG implementation? The opportunity ahead of 2030, and why momentum on SRHR matters, framed around bodily autonomy.
• Progress since 2015: a snapshot of progress on bodily autonomy with identified enabling success factors for the advancement (where and how the SRHR related SDG targets have been successfully met).
• What the evidence tells us: the transformative impact of investing in SRHR and universal access to healthcare across the focus issues above.
• The cost of inaction and the economic case in the context of reduced ODA levels and deprioritisation of investments.
• Financing: Opportunities and challenges in relation to the shifts in the global health architecture, means of implementation of the SRHR related SDGs, FFD, domestic resource mobilisation, innovative solutions and health sovereignty.
• Foresight: emerging challenges shaping SRHR after 2030.
• SRHR for future generations: what is at stake for the next generation.
Scope of work
Under the supervision of the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor, the consultant(s) will undertake the following tasks.
1. Mapping & Desk Review
• Map the existing global and regional evidence on SRHR as an investment, drawing on peer-reviewed research, UN and multilateral flagship reports, economic analyses and credible grey literature.
• Ensure a genuinely multi-regional evidence base, with data and examples from Africa, Asia, the Arab Region, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and North America.
• Identify the strongest, most quotable data points for each of the focus issues, including domestic and international impact.
• Produce a 4-page compilation summary of the key research, data and references supporting SRHR as a critical intervention and investment.
2. Consultation with Champions & Experts
• Hold regular consultative calls with the small SheDecides Champion reference group, which will guide both the evidence base and the political narrative.
• Participate in consultations with UN entities, government focal points and other experts as needed, together with SDSU Senior Policy Advisor.
• Integrate feedback from the reference group and SDSU across successive drafts.
3. Drafting the report
• Draft a 25–30 page report, A World Where SheDecides: how to make the case for SRHR in the post-2030 transition that resonates across regions and diverse set of decision makers, plus a short executive summary.
• Structure the report around the content areas set out above, agreed with the SDSU at inception in December 2026.
• Frame arguments so they remain relevant as the post-2030 process unfolds.
• Provide a fully referenced source list and suggestions for data visualisations to guide the design phase.
Deliverables & Timeline
4-page compilation summary of the key research, data and references supporting SRHR as a critical intervention and investment due on 26 February 2027. Final report and Executive Summary due on 30 April 2027, ahead of design, translation and launch at the SDG Summit in September 2027.
Timing Activity and Deliverables
December 2026 – Inception call with SDSU, mapping and desk review part 1
January 2027 – Mapping and desk review part 2; first call with the Champion reference group
26 February 2027 – Deliverable 1: 4 page compilation summary of key research, data and references supporting SRHR as a critical intervention and investment
March – April 2027 – Continued mapping and desk review; further reference group calls; drafting and revision of the report based on SDSU and reference group feedback
30 April 2027 –Deliverable 2: Final 25–30 page report with executive summary, full references and visualisation suggestions
Throughout the consultancy, the consultant(s) will also provide brief notes of consultation calls and a short progress update at each check-in with the SDSU.
Duration
The consultancy will run from early-December 2026 to 30 April 2027, with the possibility of limited follow-up support during the copy-editing and design phase. This is a part-time (remote) assignment with an estimated level of effort of 30-40 working days, to be confirmed in the consultant's proposal. Consultation calls will be held online across multiple time zones.
Consultant profile
The successful consultant(s) will have:
• At least 10 years of experience in SRHR, health, gender equality and international development cooperation and global policy, with a strong track record in research synthesis and policy writing.
• Proven ability to turn complex evidence into persuasive, accessible advocacy products for political audiences, decision makers and governments in both global majority and global minority countries.
• Strong knowledge of the global SRHR evidence base, including economic and investment-case analysis and intersectionality.
• In depth expertise of the 2030 Agenda, the UN system, multilateral processes, global and regional commitments and cross-sectorial impact analysis.
• Experience working with governments, UN agencies, civil society and youth-led organisations.
• Familiarity with evidence from multiple regions
Core competencies
• Strategic thinking and political judgement.
• Clear, engaging writing in a hopeful, future-oriented voice.
• Rigour in handling and referencing data.
• Ability to incorporate feedback from diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong commitment to bodily autonomy, gender equality, human rights, diversity and inclusion.
Reporting and management
The consultant(s) will report to the SDSU Senior Policy Advisor and work closely with the wider SDSU team and the Champion reference group. Regular check-ins will be held to review progress, discuss findings and agree priorities. The reference group will provide strategic and technical feedback on drafts; final editorial decisions on the report's content rest with the SDSU. All materials produced will be owned by SheDecides.
Application process
Interested candidates should email their application to Lewis Emmerton at lewis@shedecides.com with the subject line "Post-2030 Consultancy – A World Where SheDecides".
Applications must include:
• A cover letter outlining your approach and suitability.
• A CV highlighting relevant experience.
• A one-page position statement (maximum 400 words) answering the question in the annex below.
• Two examples of previous work or writing, ideally a policy or advocacy product.
• Two professional references.
• A financial proposal indicating your daily rate, estimated number of days and a proposed timeline aligned with the deliverables.
Please refer to the Terms of Reference for full details and instructions for applying.
The deadline for applications is Monday 2 November 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in November 2026. Applications that do not include all requested documents will not be considered.
Deadline: Mon, 02/11/2026
Application link: https://www.ippf.org/about-us/jobs-and-opportunities/consultancy/shedecides-consultancy-making-case-srhr-post-2030