Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is inviting applications from qualified consultants to conduct a comprehensive impact study of the African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI). The study aims to critically assess the institute’s legacy, effectiveness, and broader contribution to feminist leadership across Africa. It will also guide the strategic revitalization of AWLI, ensuring that it remains relevant and responsive to the evolving realities faced by feminist leaders across the continent. Introduction Akina Mama wa Afrika is a Pan-African feminist leadership development organisation established in 1985 with a mission to advance feminist consciousness, collective action, and transformative social change. The organisation’s work is grounded in: Intersectional feminist analysis Structural justice and equity Collective leadership and solidarity Agency and empowerment of African women and gender-expansive persons Through its programs and initiatives, AMwA seeks to build a dignified and equitable feminist society across Africa. To support the next phase of AWLI’s development, the organisation is commissioning a feminist researcher or consultancy team to conduct an in-depth impact study of the institute. Background The African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI) was established in 1997 and is rooted in feminist and transformative leadership theory. Its methodology is built around the Personal Mastery, Organising Skills, and Taking Action (P.O.T) framework, which integrates: Personal consciousness and self-awareness Collective organizing and advocacy skills Transformative leadership in both personal and public spheres Over nearly three decades, AWLI has played a critical role in shaping African feminist leadership by equipping women leaders with tools to: Challenge patriarchal systems Influence policy and governance processes Mobilise collective action for social justice Key milestones include: Over 10,000 African women and girls reached across the continent and diaspora Development of a vibrant alumni network known as “AMwAzons” Between 2021 and 2024, AMwA convened 16 AWLI institutes, engaging 345 participants across 17 African countries These achievements position AWLI as one of Africa’s most influential feminist leadership development initiatives. Justification for the Study The global and regional context for feminist leadership has changed significantly in recent years. Across many regions, feminist movements are navigating increasingly complex environments marked by: Democratic backsliding Shrinking civic space Economic inequality Climate-related crises Rising anti-gender and anti-rights movements These evolving realities make it essential for AMwA to pause and reflect on the relevance and effectiveness of AWLI’s leadership development model. The proposed impact study will help the organisation: Examine how AWLI’s leadership approach has been applied across different contexts Identify gaps in thematic focus and training methodologies Evaluate whether the institute adequately addresses emerging feminist needs Ultimately, the study will provide insights that ensure AWLI continues to nurture transformative feminist leaders capable of responding to contemporary challenges across Africa. Objective of the Study The overall objective of the study is to critically analyze the impact, legacy, and effectiveness of AWLI and assess its broader contribution to social transformation in Africa. Specific objectives include: Documenting AWLI’s journey in shaping feminist transformative leadership Examining the effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of the AWLI model and pedagogy Assessing thematic coverage in relation to contemporary feminist leadership needs Providing clear, actionable recommendations to guide strategic revitalization and future programming Scope of the Study The consultancy will cover two major thematic areas. Review of AWLI’s Journey and Legacy The consultant will: Conduct a desk review of institutional documents and relevant materials Engage key stakeholders, including: AWLI alumni Faculty and facilitators AMwA staff Strategic partners Document the history, vision, and milestones of AWLI Assess AWLI’s contribution to feminist leadership development across Africa Assessment of the AWLI Model, Pedagogy, and Thematic Coverage The consultant will also: Analyse the AWLI model and the P.O.T framework Review the institute’s pedagogy and thematic focus areas Assess relevance to current feminist leadership challenges Identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities for improvement Recommend areas requiring strengthening or adaptation Key Deliverables The selected consultant or consultancy team will be responsible for producing the following outputs: Inception Report Methodology Data collection tools Workplan and timeline Draft Impact Study Report Validation Process Facilitate stakeholder validation of the draft findings Final Impact Study Report Incorporating feedback and recommendations Duration of the Assignment Applicants are invited to propose a realistic timeline that aligns with the scope of work and deliverables. The proposed schedule should demonstrate feasibility and efficiency while allowing sufficient time for stakeholder consultations and analysis. Consultant Qualifications AMwA is seeking consultants with strong experience in feminist research and leadership development. Required qualifications include: Advanced degree in: Gender Studies Social Sciences Political Science Development Studies Or a related field Demonstrated expertise in feminist research and leadership development Strong grounding in African feminist theory and praxis Experience in: Participatory research methodologies Tracer studies Feminist evaluation approaches Proven understanding of adult learning methodologies Strong skills in: Research and data analysis Report writing and documentation Expression of Interest Interested applicants should submit the following documents to: consultancy@akinamamawaafrika.org Subject Line: AWLI Study Required application materials include: Letter of Interest Technical Proposal outlining: Understanding of the Terms of Reference Proposed methodology Workplan and timelines Financial Proposal with detailed budget Curriculum Vitae of consultant(s) Samples of relevant previous written work VIEW THE TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization seeking for consultancy. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, 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.