Consultant to support gender norms audit in Solomon Islands

WFD is seeking a qualified Solomon Islands-based local consultant to provide technical assistance and carry out a gender norms audit for the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI), from September to December 2026.

Location: Solomon Islands

Overview
Westminster Foundation for Democracy ("WFD") is the UK public body dedicated to supporting democracy around the world. Operating internationally, WFD works with parliaments, political parties, and civil society groups as well as elections to help make political systems fairer, more inclusive and more accountable.

We are a problem-solving, practitioner-led organisation that offers:

• Specialist analysis, research, and advice to inform policy makers on a range of democratic governance issues;
• High quality and impactful programmes that directly support the full spectrum of institutions in political systems to develop inclusive political processes, more accountable political systems, protection of rights and freedoms, and more pluralistic societies; and
• International elections observation on behalf of the UK.

Programme Context
Supported by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), WFD has been working in Solomon Islands since November 2022 towards the desired impact for increased democratic resilience through greater inclusive representation, accountability and transparency in Solomon Islands parliamentary institutions, systems and practices. The 2024 Solomon Islands general election brought 48% new MPs and an historic four women MPs, creating renewed appetite for reform. Pending Temporary Special Measures (TSM) legislation offers an unprecedented window to advance women’s political participation since independence.

Having established partnerships with the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI), WFD can now support connecting civil society actors directly to the institutional levers necessary for structural reform. This holistic programme delivers three mutually-reinforcing outputs based on a behavioural change model:

1) Enhancing NPSI Members and Secretariat knowledge and skills of inclusive and representative parliamentary practice, building on regional lesson-learning (capability);
2) Generating shared purpose across a broad coalition of political actors – including civil society, women’s organisations, and community leaders (motivation); and
3) Engaging NPSI members and Secretariat with support around processes/ mechanisms that improve accountability and create space for conversations on women’s political inclusion (opportunity).

By supporting NPSI to exercise effective oversight and meaningfully address structural barriers to inclusion, this intervention aims to foster an even more inclusive and resilient Solomon Islands parliament.

Scope and objectives of the consultancy

To appoint a qualified Solomon Islands-based local consultant to provide technical assistance and carry out a gender norms audit for NPSI. The consultant will be responsible for:

1. Work with international consultant to conduct desk-based research and review of audit tools that may be relevant to gender norms.
2. Co-development of framework for reviewing and/or auditing gendered political norms within institutions with WFD’s Head of Practice (HoP) Inclusion.
3. Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with local stakeholders as needed, supported or led by international consultant, to test the framework and alignment with context.
4. Co-development of assessment guidance and tool for gendered political norms audit, supported by HoP Inclusion and international consultant.
5. Work with international consultant to pilot assessment tool with local political actors and institutions e.g. committees, political parties as relevant or CSOs depending on design of the tool.
6. Co-draft the report with international consultant, including at least two revisions based on feedback, and supporting slide deck for presentation to relevant stakeholders.

Key deliverables

1. Providing assistance to international expert to conduct desk-based research and co-development of framework for reviewing and/or auditing gendered political norms within institutions with WFD’s Head of Practice (HoP) Inclusion.
2. Interviews of KIIs and FGDs of local stakeholders as needed to test the framework and alignment with the context.
3. Assessment guidance and tool for gendered political norms audit.
4. Piloting assessment tool with local political actors and institutions e.g. committees, political parties as relevant or CSOs depending on design of the tool.
5. Final Gender Norms Audit Report (co-draft with international consultant).

Reporting

The consultant is expected to report to the WFD Solomon Islands team after each deliverable and on a regular basis as agreed upon.

Working arrangement

The consultant will provide technical support primarily in-country, with coordination with international consultant via online setting. The expected number of days for this activity is 10 working days. The consultant will report to Vatina Devesi, WFD Solomon Islands Country Director.

Payment

• Applicants should submit quotations of consultancy fee in GBP per day, with a maximum of 10 working days;
• Transportation and logistics costs occurred during this activity will be covered directly by WFD, and should not be included in the quotation.

Desired qualifications

• In-depth understanding of Solomon Islands’ political and governance landscape, particularly regarding women’s political participation and leadership.
• Proven track record in conducting gender-sensitive research, with expertise in gender and inclusion.
• Advanced degrees and/or significant research experience in political science, gender studies, or relevant fields.
• Experience working with civil society, policymakers, political leaders, and stakeholders in Solomon Islands’ democracy and governance sector.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills.

Quote submission

All proposals or quotes should be submitted by 31 August 2026 in writing and include:

• The applicant’s name and contact details;
• A CV setting out relevant experience, expertise and qualifications;
• Examples of relevant documents written by the applicant, such as research papers, commentary or analysis products focusing on gender and inclusion,
• A quotation for the assignment as described under “Payments” above.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a short interview (online) as part of the selection process.

The proposal or quote should be sent electronically and addressed to Vatina Devesi, WFD Solomon Islands Country Director, at Vatina.Devesi@wfd.org, and copy to Jimmy Kaluae, WFD Solomon Islands Programme Coordinator, at Jimmy.Kaluae@wfd.org, and Chompunut Chalieobun, WFD Regional Programme Manager, at Chompunut.Chalieobun@wfd.org.

The same email addresses should be used for any questions related to this RFQ.

WFD’s standard terms and conditions for tendering and key policies are found at Policies | Westminster Foundation for Democracy (wfd.org) and you can find a copy of WFD’s Code of Conduct at Code of Conduct | Westminster Foundation for Democracy (wfd.org).