WFD Seeks Consultant to Support Gender Norms Audit in Solomon Islands|Apply by 30 Aug 2026

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) is seeking a qualified Solomon Islands-based local consultant to provide technical assistance and support a gender norms audit for the National Parliament of Solomon Islands (NPSI).

The consultancy will run from September to December 2026 and will focus on examining gendered political norms, identifying structural barriers to women’s political participation and helping develop practical recommendations for a more inclusive parliamentary environment.

• Position: Consultant – Gender Norms Audit
• Location: Solomon Islands
• Contract type: Consultancy
• Duration: Up to 10 working days
• Assignment period: September–December 2026
• Application deadline: 30 August 2026
• Quote submission deadline: 31 August 2026
• Payment: Applicants should quote a daily consultancy fee in GBP
• Qualification: Degree or equivalent relevant experience

About Westminster Foundation for Democracy

The Westminster Foundation for Democracy is a UK public body that works internationally to strengthen democracy and promote more inclusive, accountable and representative political systems.

Its work involves partnerships with:

• Parliaments and parliamentary institutions.
• Political parties.
• Civil society organisations.
• Elections and democratic governance actors.
• Policymakers and community stakeholders.

WFD provides specialist research, analysis and advice while implementing programmes designed to strengthen political institutions, participation, accountability and the protection of rights.

Programme Context in Solomon Islands

WFD has worked in Solomon Islands since November 2022 with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The programme seeks to strengthen democratic resilience through greater inclusive representation, accountability and transparency within parliamentary institutions and practices.

The 2024 general election resulted in significant changes to Parliament, including 48% new Members of Parliament and four women MPs, representing a historic development for women’s political representation in the country.

The potential introduction of Temporary Special Measures also creates an important opportunity to advance women’s participation in political leadership.

The consultancy will therefore contribute to a broader programme focused on improving the capability, motivation and opportunities of political actors to create a more inclusive parliamentary system.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The selected consultant will work alongside an international consultant and WFD’s Head of Practice for Inclusion to conduct a gender norms audit within the National Parliament of Solomon Islands.

The assignment will examine gendered political norms and help identify how institutional practices, attitudes and structures may influence women’s participation and leadership.

The consultant will be expected to:

• Conduct desk-based research on relevant gender norms and political inclusion issues.
• Review existing gender norms audit tools.
• Co-develop a framework for assessing gendered political norms.
• Conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
• Test the assessment framework with local stakeholders.
• Develop an assessment guide and audit tool.
• Pilot the tool with relevant political and institutional actors.
• Co-draft the final Gender Norms Audit Report.
• Support the preparation of presentation materials.

Key Responsibilities

The consultant will play an important role in ensuring that the audit reflects the Solomon Islands political and cultural context.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Working closely with the international consultant.
• Providing local knowledge and contextual analysis.
• Supporting stakeholder consultations.
• Engaging political actors and institutions where appropriate.
• Contributing to gender-sensitive research and analysis.
• Testing whether the audit methodology is appropriate for the local environment.
• Incorporating stakeholder feedback into the final report.
• Participating in revisions of the report and supporting presentation materials.

The consultant will report regularly to the WFD Solomon Islands team and will work under the supervision of Vatina Devesi, WFD Solomon Islands Country Director.

Expected Deliverables

The consultancy is expected to produce several important outputs.

These include:

• Desk-based research supporting the gender norms audit.
• A framework for reviewing gendered political norms.
• Interviews and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders.
• Assessment guidance and a gender norms audit tool.
• Pilot testing of the assessment tool.
• A final Gender Norms Audit Report.
• Supporting presentation materials for relevant stakeholders.

The consultant is expected to contribute to at least two rounds of revisions to the final report based on stakeholder feedback.

Working Arrangement and Duration

The consultant will provide technical support primarily in-country in Solomon Islands, while coordinating with the international consultant through online meetings.

The assignment is expected to require approximately 10 working days between September and December 2026.

Transportation and logistics costs associated with the assignment will be covered directly by WFD and should therefore not be included in the consultancy fee quotation.

Applicants should instead provide a daily consultancy rate in GBP for a maximum of 10 working days.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity is particularly suited to a researcher, governance specialist, gender expert or political inclusion professional with strong knowledge of Solomon Islands.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of Solomon Islands’ political and governance environment.
• Understanding of women’s political participation and leadership.
• Experience conducting gender-sensitive research.
• Strong expertise in gender and inclusion.
• An advanced degree or significant research experience in political science, gender studies or a related discipline.
• Experience working with civil society and political stakeholders.
• Experience engaging policymakers and political leaders.
• Excellent analytical and research skills.
• Strong writing and facilitation abilities.

Local knowledge will be particularly important because the assignment requires the consultant to assess political norms within the specific institutional and social context of Solomon Islands.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit a written proposal or quotation containing:

• Applicant’s full name and contact details.
• A CV outlining relevant qualifications and experience.
• Examples of relevant research, analysis, commentary or other written work focused on gender and inclusion.
• A quotation stating the proposed consultancy fee in GBP per day for up to 10 working days.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to participate in a brief online interview.

Important Application Deadline

The advertised application deadline is 30 August 2026, while proposals or quotations are specifically requested by 31 August 2026.

Applicants should submit their materials electronically to Vatina.Devesi@wfd.org, copying Jimmy.Kaluae@wfd.org and Chompunut.Chalieobun@wfd.org.

The same contacts should be used for questions concerning the request for quotation.

Why This Consultancy Matters

This consultancy offers an opportunity for a Solomon Islands-based gender and governance professional to contribute directly to efforts to strengthen women’s political participation and institutional inclusion.

Through research, stakeholder engagement and practical assessment tools, the assignment will help WFD and the National Parliament of Solomon Islands better understand the gender norms that influence political participation and identify opportunities for meaningful institutional reform.

For professionals with strong local knowledge, gender research expertise and experience working within Solomon Islands’ governance environment, the consultancy provides an opportunity to contribute to a significant democratic inclusion initiative.

Join Our WhatsApp Community

Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the  organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.