TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position Title: Consultant – Opposition Monitoring and Mitigation Framework

Duty Station: Remote with requirement for physical meeting in Kigali, Rwanda

Start Date: Immediate

Duration: Short-term consultancy (February – March 2026)

Consultancy Fee: To be negotiated

Reporting line: Deputy Executive Director

1. Background

The Health Development Initiative (HDI) advances health equity and human rights for all people in Rwanda and across East Africa through policy advocacy, capacity building, research, and community-led service models. Founded in 2005 by Rwandan physicians committed to equitable healthcare, HDI works to ensure that health systems, laws, and policies are inclusive and rights-based, particularly for marginalized and vulnerable populations including women and girls, youth, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and historically marginalized communities.

Despite notable progress in strengthening sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Rwanda, opposition actors, particularly coordinated anti-rights movements and faith-based institutions, continue to challenge rights-based reforms. These actors deploy moral framing, disinformation, coordinated media narratives, and institutional influence to shape public discourse and policy outcomes. In a context of shrinking global SRHR funding and emerging rollback threats, civil society requires stronger collective preparedness, structured monitoring mechanisms, and coordinated rapid response strategies.

With support from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) under the Gender & Security project funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), HDI seeks to engage a qualified consultant to support the development of a coordinated Opposition Monitoring and Mitigation Framework. 

2, Consultancy objectives

The consultancy objective is to design a coordinated, context-responsive Opposition Monitoring and Mitigation Framework that strengthens civil society preparedness to anticipate, analyze, and respond to anti-rights threats affecting SRHR and civic space in Rwanda.

Under the direct and overall supervision of the Deputy Executive Director, the Consultant shall work under the following terms and conditions:

3. Key tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct a rapid desk review and political-economy analysis of anti-rights actors, narratives, tactics, and emerging threats affecting SRHR and gender inclusion in Rwanda.
• Map key institutional, faith-based, media, and online actors influencing anti-rights discourse, and identify trends, alliances, and vulnerabilities affecting women and marginalized populations.
• Design and facilitate a national consultative meeting with government, civil society organizations, media actors, and other relevant stakeholders to analyze opposition dynamics and co-create strategic responses.
• Prepare facilitation materials, background notes, and structured tools to guide discussions on risk forecasting, and coordinated mitigation strategies.
• Develop a practical and operational Opposition Monitoring and Mitigation Framework that includes early warning indicators, information-sharing mechanisms, and clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Provide recommendations to strengthen collective security, strategic communications, and long-term sustainability of the monitoring mechanism.
• Prepare a comprehensive consultancy report summarizing findings, key risks, agreed actions, and the finalized framework and tools.
• Ensure confidentiality, security-sensitive facilitation, and alignment with human rights principles throughout the consultancy process.
• Perform other related tasks necessary to ensure successful delivery of the consultancy objectives within the agreed timeframe.

4. Qualifications and experience

• Advanced degree in law, human rights, political science, gender studies, public policy, social sciences or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of demonstrated experience in human rights advocacy, SRHR programming, civic space protection, strategic communications, or governance.
• Strong knowledge of anti-rights movements, rollback dynamics, and disinformation strategies affecting gender and SRHR.
• Experience working with civil society organizations in Rwanda or the East African region.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and facilitation skills and ability to work under tight deadlines and deliver high-quality outputs within a short timeframe.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of French and/or Kinyarwanda is an added advantage.

5. Deliverables

• Inception report including methodology and workplan 
• Consultative meeting agenda, facilitation package, and meeting report.
• Opposition Monitoring and Mitigation Framework (final version) including a country focused threat map.
• Terms of reference for Rapid Response Team for Rwanda.
• Final consultancy report with recommendations.

All deliverables must be submitted in English no later than the end of March 2026.

6. Other skills

• Strong strategic thinking and risk analysis capacity.
• High level of discretion and ability to handle sensitive information.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to produce clear, structured, and practical guidance tools.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage competing priorities within a short
  implementation window.

HDI provides equal opportunities to all people regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, background, or any other status.

Gender diverse individuals are highly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Interested candidates should submit a CV, cover letter, and technical and financial proposal
to finance@hdirwanda.org or submit hard copies in a sealed envelope to the HDI Rwanda head office at KK 649 No. 34, Kicukiro, and Kigali by Monday 16th March 2026 at 12 AM