Consultant on Legal and Policy Advocacy on Gender-Based Violence in Kyrgyzstan

Terms of Reference 

Consultant on Legal and Policy Advocacy on Gender-Based Violence in Kyrgyzstan

Type of Contract: Consultancy 

Remuneration: USD $300 per day for up to 10 days

Start Date: 1 July 2026

End Date: 31 December 2026

Location: Remote, with the consultant to be based in Kyrgyzstan
Reporting to: Legal Advisor, Eurasia

1. Background

Equality Now is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls, everywhere in the world. Since its inception in 1992, it has played a role in reforming over 135 discriminatory laws globally, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of millions of women and girls, their communities and nations, both now and for generations to come.

Working with partners at national, regional and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality, to the benefit of all. For more information about Equality Now, visit
www.equalitynow.org. 

In Kyrgyzstan, Equality Now has worked since 2019 to advance legal, policy and institutional reforms addressing gender-based violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on sexual violence, child and forced marriage, and access to justice for women and girls with disabilities.

This consultancy will support Equality Now’s advocacy in Kyrgyzstan by strengthening in-country coordination, identifying advocacy opportunities, maintaining engagement with government authorities and other stakeholders, and developing concrete proposals for changes to legislation, policy and practice related to gender-based violence against women and girls.

2. Objective of the Consultancy 

The objective of the consultancy is to provide strategic in-country advocacy coordination and technical support for Equality Now’s work in Kyrgyzstan on gender-based violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on sexual violence and access to justice for women and girls with disabilities.

In coordination and consultation with Equality Now and, where relevant, local partners, including Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan, Ravenstvo Kyrgyzstan and other experts as identified, the Consultant will support Equality Now’s legal and policy advocacy work in Kyrgyzstan. This will include identifying and advancing strategic advocacy opportunities, engaging with relevant government authorities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, and supporting the development of concrete advocacy proposals, recommendations, correspondence, submissions and other materials aimed at strengthening protection, access to justice and accountability.

The work includes the following areas:

• identifying and advancing strategic entry points for broader GBV-related advocacy in Kyrgyzstan in line with Equality Now’s 2026 Strategy;
• promoting legal, policy and procedural changes related to sexual violence against women and girls in Kyrgyzstan;
• supporting the implementation and promotion of the findings and recommendations of Equality Now’s report Seeking Justice: Sexual Violence Against Women with Disabilities in Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Kyrgyzstan.

All activities shall be carried out with the prior approval of Equality Now and in accordance with Equality Now’s policies, procedures and strategic priorities.

3. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities and Timeline 

In close coordination with Equality Now, the Consultant will be responsible for the tasks set out below. The precise scope and prioritisation of tasks will be agreed with Equality Now based on advocacy opportunities and feasibility. 

• Review the status and outcomes of previous Equality Now submissions, letters and proposals in Kyrgyzstan, and identify opportunities, bottlenecks and follow-up options. Indicative timeline: By mid-July 2026.
• Map recent legal, policy and institutional developments, relevant public debates and cases that may create entry points for GBV-related advocacy. Indicative timeline: By mid-July 2026, with ongoing updates.
• Update and prioritise advocacy entry points, including relevant authorities, legislative and policy processes, institutional reform processes, and upcoming public or political moments; propose a short and realistic set of next steps. Indicative timeline: By mid-July 2026, with ongoing updates.
• Compile a list of competent authorities and key officials, including names and roles, relevant to GBV- and sexual violence-related advocacy. Indicative timeline: By mid-July 2026, with ongoing updates.
• Update the list of relevant NGOs, media actors and individual experts, and assess their interest in collaboration. Indicative timeline: By mid-July 2026, with ongoing updates.
• Draft initial GBV-related recommendations for Kyrgyzstan, structured by responsible authority and accompanied by an assessment of feasibility. Indicative timeline: By August 2026.
• Together with Equality Now, develop an advocacy action plan for 2026–2027, setting out advocacy objectives, deliverables, timelines and responsibilities for each priority area identified under these Terms of Reference. Indicative timeline: By August 2026.
• Draft submissions, letters, briefing notes and other written materials to national and international mechanisms, as agreed with Equality Now. Indicative timeline: Throughout the contract period.
• Participate in, conduct and/or support meetings with government authorities, CSOs, UN agencies and other stakeholders for Equality Now’s GBV-related advocacy in Kyrgyzstan. Indicative timeline: Throughout the contract period.
• Maintain communication with relevant authorities, partners and stakeholders, in coordination with Equality Now and local partners. Indicative timeline: Throughout the contract period.
• Attend relevant coordination meetings with partners to support the development and implementation of advocacy plans. Indicative timeline: Throughout the contract period.
• Update Equality Now on progress and propose adjustments to advocacy plans. Indicative timeline: By the end of each month.
  
  

4. Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in advocacy, legal reform, human rights, gender-based violence in Kyrgyzstan;
• Proven track record of engaging with government authorities, national institutions, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders;  
• Strong understanding of Kyrgyzstan’s legal, policy and institutional framework relating to gender-based violence, sexual violence, disability rights and access to justice;
• Experience drafting formal correspondence, advocacy materials, policy recommendations, briefing notes and/or legislative proposals;
• Demonstrated ability to identify advocacy opportunities and translate them into concrete, practical and strategically timed actions;
• Strong understanding of the barriers faced by women and girls, including women and girls with disabilities, in accessing justice, protection and support in cases of sexual and gender-based violence;
• Fluency in Russian and/or Kyrgyz, and professional working proficiency in English for reporting and correspondence. 

Unless otherwise agreed, deliverables shall be submitted in either Russian or English. 

Desirable:

• Advanced degree in law, human rights, gender studies, disability studies, social sciences or a related field; 
• Existing relationships with relevant ministries, national institutions, NGOs, disability-led organizations, experts and service providers in Kyrgyzstan.
• Experience working with international human rights organizations.
  
  

5. Reporting and Coordination

The Consultant will work under the overall coordination of Equality Now and in close consultation with Equality Now’s Europe and Central Asia team. The Consultant will report directly to the Legal Advisor, Eurasia.

Regular virtual check-ins will be scheduled biweekly, or as otherwise agreed, to review progress, discuss challenges, coordinate advocacy steps and ensure alignment with Equality Now’s strategy.

The Consultant must coordinate with Equality Now in advance on any external advocacy steps, including:

• outreach to government authorities or other stakeholders on behalf of Equality Now;
• formal correspondence;
• requests for information;
• meetings with authorities, civil society organisations, UN agencies or other stakeholders;
• public communications;
• submissions to national or international mechanisms;
• joint letters or advocacy initiatives with partners.

All external materials, correspondence and advocacy actions undertaken on behalf of Equality Now must be discussed with and approved by Equality Now in advance.

All work must be carried out in accordance with Equality Now’s policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements, confidentiality standards and communications guidance.

Unless otherwise agreed, deliverables shall be submitted in either Russian or English. 

7. Monthly Updates, Remuneration and Possible Extension

By the end of each month, the Consultant will submit a brief progress update and time report indicating tasks completed, deliverables submitted, time spent on specific activities, meetings or outreach conducted, responses received, pending follow-up actions, challenges, risks or opportunities identified, and recommended next steps.

Equality Now will pay the Consultant USD 300 per day for up to 10 days of work. This amount is inclusive of all applicable taxes. Payment will be made on the basis of invoices submitted by the Consultant, with the first payment expected on or around 31 August 2026 and the second payment expected on or around 15 December 2026.

Subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and organisational needs, the consultancy may be extended.

8. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following:

1. A CV of no more than 3 pages, highlighting relevant experience in advocacy, legal reform, gender-based violence, sexual violence, disability rights and/or access to justice in Kyrgyzstan.
2. A brief technical proposal of no more than 2 pages, outlining the candidate’s proposed approach to the assignment. The proposal should briefly set out:
   • the candidate’s understanding of the key advocacy opportunities and challenges in Kyrgyzstan relevant to this consultancy;
   • proposed priority steps for advancing the deliverables described above, including follow-up with authorities, stakeholder engagement, development of reform proposals and preparation of advocacy materials;
   • suggested sequencing of activities over the consultancy period;
   • any relevant stakeholders, institutions or processes that the candidate considers important for this work;
   • any risks, sensitivities or practical considerations that should be taken into account.

The technical proposal is not expected to be a detailed workplan, but should demonstrate the candidate’s understanding of the assignment and their ability to translate the expected deliverables into practical, strategic and realistic advocacy steps.

Deadline for applications: 15 June 2026