Disability and Sexual Violence Advocacy Consultant – Kazakhstan

Terms of Reference Disability and Sexual Violence Advocacy Consultant – Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan 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 Central Asia, Equality Now works to advance legal, policy and institutional reforms to address gender-based violence against women and girls, with a particular focus on sexual violence and access to justice for women and girls with disabilities. As part of this work, Equality Now has engaged with national authorities and civil society partners in Kazakhstan, including through the presentation of the report Seeking Justice: Sexual Violence Against Women with Disabilities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. This consultancy will support Equality Now’s advocacy in Kazakhstan 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, with a focus on sexual violence and women and girls with disabilities. 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 Kazakhstan on gender-based violence against women, with a particular focus on sexual violence and the rights of women and girls with disabilities. The Consultant will work closely with Equality Now to identify and advance opportunities for legal, policy and practical change; engage with relevant government authorities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders; and support the development of concrete advocacy proposals, recommendations, correspondence, submissions and other materials aimed at strengthening protection, access to justice and accountability in Kazakhstan. 3. Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities In close coordination with the Equality Now, the Consultant will be responsible for the following: 3.1. Strategic advocacy planning The Consultant will: Work with Equality Now to develop a Kazakhstan advocacy action plan for 2026-2027, setting out key objectives, priority advocacy opportunities, target institutions, proposed activities, deliverables, timelines and responsibilities; Identify realistic entry points for advancing legal, policy and practice reforms on gender-based violence against women, with a focus on sexual violence and women and girls with disabilities; monitor relevant legal, policy, institutional and political developments in Kazakhstan and advise Equality Now on opportunities for strategic engagement; support Equality Now in prioritising advocacy steps based on feasibility, timing, institutional openness, potential impact and risks. 3.2. Engagement with authorities and stakeholders The Consultant will: Follow up with relevant Kazakhstan authorities on the presentation of Equality Now’s report Seeking Justice: Sexual Violence Against Women with Disabilities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, previous correspondence and any commitments, responses or points of engagement arising from those exchanges; maintain regular communication, as agreed with Equality Now, with relevant government authorities, parliamentary bodies, national human rights institutions, UN agencies, civil society organisations, disability-led organisations, experts, service providers, lawyers, media actors and other relevant stakeholders; identify key officials, institutions and processes relevant to reforming laws, policies and practices on sexual violence and access to justice for women and girls with disabilities; assess stakeholder interest in cooperation with Equality Now, including through consultations, expert discussions, technical assistance, trainings, guidance materials, joint advocacy or other formats; support, participate in and, where agreed, conduct meetings with government authorities, civil society organisations, UN agencies and other stakeholders on behalf of, or together with, Equality Now. 3.3. Development of concrete reform proposals and advocacy materials The Consultant will: support Equality Now in developing concrete, Kazakhstan-specific proposals for reforming legislation, policy and institutional practice concerning gender-based violence against women, with a particular focus on sexual violence and women and girls with disabilities; draft structured recommendations addressed to relevant authorities, assessing feasibility, institutional responsibility and possible advocacy pathways; contribute to the preparation of legislative, policy or practice-oriented proposals, including draft amendments, policy recommendations, implementation measures, guidance notes or advocacy briefs, as agreed with Equality Now; draft outreach letters, formal correspondence, information requests, follow-up letters, briefing notes, submissions and other written materials for engagement with national authorities, international mechanisms and other stakeholders; prepare requests for information, including on case statistics, investigation and prosecution practices, accessibility of justice procedures, support services, reasonable accommodation, protection measures and implementation of relevant recommendations; support the preparation of joint letters or joint advocacy initiatives with Kazakhstan-based partners, where appropriate and agreed with Equality Now. 3.4 Stakeholder mapping, documentation and follow-up The Consultant will: prepare and maintain a stakeholder map of relevant authorities, institutions, civil society organisations, disability-led organisations, experts, lawyers, service providers, UN agencies, donors and media contacts; document responses received from authorities and other stakeholders, including commitments, concerns, opportunities for further engagement and recommended next steps; track outgoing correspondence, pending responses, follow-up deadlines and agreed actions; provide Equality Now with concise written updates on advocacy developments, stakeholder engagement and recommended next steps; identify potential partners and opportunities for coalition-building or coordinated advocacy in Kazakhstan. 4. Expected Deliverables Expected deliverables may include, but are not limited to, and will be agreed with Equality Now based on priorities, feasibility and the available level of effort: Kazakhstan advocacy action plan for 2026-2027, setting out key objectives, target institutions, proposed advocacy steps, deliverables, timelines and responsibilities. Summary of follow-up with authorities concerning Equality Now’s report and correspondence, including responses received, outstanding issues and recommended next steps. Mapping of relevant legal, policy and institutional developments affecting sexual violence, gender-based violence, access to justice and the rights of women and girls with disabilities in Kazakhstan. Stakeholder map covering relevant authorities, parliamentary actors, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, disability-led organisations, experts, lawyers, service providers, UN agencies, media and other relevant actors. Kazakhstan-specific recommendations and reform proposals addressing legislation, policy and practice on gender-based violence against women, with a focus on sexual violence and women and girls with disabilities. Draft correspondence and advocacy materials, including outreach letters, information requests, follow-up letters, briefing notes, submissions and other materials for national or international advocacy. Records of stakeholder engagement, including meeting notes, summaries of responses, agreed follow-up actions and pending next steps. Monthly progress updates and time reports, summarising work completed, time spent on specific tasks, challenges, opportunities and proposed next steps. 5. Qualifications and Experience Essential: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in advocacy, legal reform, human rights, gender-based violence, sexual violence and/or disability rights in Kazakhstan; Proven track record of engaging with government authorities, national institutions, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders; Strong understanding of Kazakhstan’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 with disabilities in accessing justice, protection and support in cases of sexual and gender-based violence; Fluency in Russian and/or Kazakh, 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 Kazakhstan. Experience working with international human rights organizations. 6. 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: 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 Kazakhstan. 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 Kazakhstan 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 Apply To This Job