External collaborator to conduct research and analysis, and develop a model advocacy plan for MPs, on diverse representation of women in parliament

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. The IPU promotes democratic governance, institutions and values, working with parliaments and parliamentarians to articulate and respond to the needs and aspirations of the people. It works for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action and sustainable development through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.

The IPU recognizes gender equality as a key component of democracy and works to achieve the equal participation of men and women in politics. It monitors the participation of women in parliament at the global, regional and national levels and makes the data it gathers available.

Since 2024, thanks to a UN Women grant, the IPU has been implementing the Women’s Leadership component of the European Union-funded Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) initiative. The WYDE/Women’s Leadership component is a joint programme carried out by UN Women, the IPU, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), and United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). The programme is entitled: Advancing Women’s Political Participation and Decision-Making through Social Norms Change, Networking and Global Advocacy.

The WYDE/Women’s Leadership programme (WYDE/WPP) prioritizes changing social norms and shifting cultural attitudes that portray women’s roles in communities and society as incompatible with political power; and puts specific focus on building critical skills among young women, and engaging men and boys, office-holders and the media as allies for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Through WYDE/WPP, the IPU will work to advance women’s participation in parliament globally while building on its convening power and platforms. These existing platforms will facilitate networking, learning and strategizing among women MPs, as well as mobilizing men MPs to act as allies. The IPU will also bring added value by investigating the state of representation of women from marginalized and vulnerable groups in parliament and producing policy guidance in this regard.

Request for proposals

The IPU is seeking applications from qualified and experienced candidates to conduct research and draft an analysis of data, standards, policies and lessons learned in ensuring representation of diverse groups of women in parliament, and to develop an advocacy plan in this area.

The assignment is expected to be completed in a maximum of 50 working days, between 11 August and 3 November 2025.

Candidates should propose a daily rate.

Key deliverables

Carry out research and analysis between 11 and 29 August 2025 including from publicly available sources, and data and resources provided by the IPU, in consultation with IPU staff, as follows:

• Definitions
• The existence of quotas and other measures to enhance the participation of persons from diverse groups in parliament, in particular marginalized and under-represented groups of women (drawing on the IPU’s Parline data and own research)
• Countries that combine gender quotas with other types of quotas
• Data on the level of participation of women in these countries (drawing on the IPU’s Parline data), as well as of underrepresented groups of women (own research)
• Data on diversity among women elected in recent elections (based on IPU Women in Parliament reports and own research)
• Legal and policy frameworks at the national and global levels to support the election of diverse groups of women to parliament
• Campaigns and targeted initiatives to boost the election of underrepresented groups of women
• Compilation and description of cases on which public information is available and analysis of such cases to draw findings on intersecting forms of discrimination and violence against women from marginalized and vulnerable groups in the political sphere, and measures to address them.

Draft and submit a report (between 10 and 20 pages) as follows:

• Provide definitions of under-represented groups of women, including varying definitions in different contexts, and for the purposes of this research on diverse representation of women in parliament
• Provide comparative data and analysis on the participation of diverse groups of women in parliament
• Highlight national, regional or international practices to enhance participation, as well as lessons learned from successes achieved and challenges faced
• Identify 2-3 country case studies to illustrate the impact of measures taken by government, parliaments, political parties, other specialized national institutions or civil society actors to enhance the participation of women from marginalized and vulnerable groups in parliament
• Make recommendations to achieve progress in the representation of diverse groups of women in parliament
• Propose key messages that can be used for advocacy to enhance the participation of women from marginalized and vulnerable groups in parliament

Develop a model advocacy plan as follows:

• Propose a model advocacy plan for MPs and other political decision-makers to enhance the participation of women from marginalized and vulnerable groups in parliament based on the above report’s findings
• Present the report findings and draft model advocacy plan, and facilitate consultations with MPs
• Incorporate inputs received, in consultation with the IPU

Timelines for delivery:

• Share a preliminary draft report with the IPU (29 August 2025)
• Incorporate comments received from the IPU (15-21 September 2025)
• Share a second draft with the IPU for internal consultations, along with a draft model advocacy plan (22 September 2025)
• Incorporate comments received from the IPU (29 September-1 October 2025)
• Share a third draft with the IPU for external consultations, including with MPs (2 October 2025)
• Present report findings and facilitate consultations with MPs on the draft model advocacy plan (19-23 October 2025)
• Incorporate comments received from MPs and the IPU (24-31 October 2025)
• Finalize and submit a final report and final model advocacy plan to the IPU (3 November 2025)

Qualifications and competencies

• University degree in social science, political science or law; specialization in gender studies an asset.
• At least five years’ work experience in work related to gender equality, women’s rights and/or women in politics.
• Comparative research experience on legal and policy frameworks to support the election of women and/or under-represented groups in parliament.
• Published work on women’s participation in politics and/or the participation of underrepresented groups in politics.
• Experience in advocacy for diversity in political representation and/or women’s political participation.
• Communication and interactive discussion facilitation skills.
• Excellent drafting skills in English, and good working knowledge of French.

How to apply

Candidates will provide the following documents and information:

• Curriculum vitae.
• A cover letter with a brief description of why they are the right candidate for this consultancy, including details of their personal contribution to at least two relevant projects.
• One sample of published work on a related topic.
• Indication of a proposed daily rate or budget for the consultancy assignment.
• Information about their availability to carry out the consultancy in the timelines described above.

Applications missing one or more of the required documents and information listed above will not be considered.

The deadline for applications is 31 July 2025. Applications should be sent by email to job@ipu.org with "External collaborator – Diverse women’s representation" in the subject line. For further details about the consultancy, please contact postbox@ipu.org.

Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Recruitment principles

Our guiding principle in selecting candidates is to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. We do not discriminate on any grounds and are committed to promoting diversity in our workforce.

Particular attention is paid to candidates from developing countries and to achieving gender balance. We strive to provide an environment where the contribution of each individual is valued.