SARD, a regional feminist oral history network operating across the Arabic-speaking region, has announced a call for applications for a Governance Consultant to support its next phase of institutional and governance development. The remote consultancy offers experienced governance and organizational development professionals an opportunity to facilitate a participatory process that will help shape SARD’s future institutional structure.
The consultancy will run from 15 August to 23 December 2026, combining remote collaboration, online meetings, and one in-person governance workshop. Interested consultants must submit their applications by 11 August 2026.
About SARD
SARD is a regional feminist oral history network established in February 2022 by four feminist organizations:
• Al-Rowat for Studies and Research
• Badael
• Knowledge Workshop
• Women and Memory Forum
The network works across the Arabic-speaking region to document, preserve, and amplify the lived experiences, political agency, and collective memory of feminist activists, grassroots communities, and marginalized groups.
As SARD enters a new stage of growth, it seeks to strengthen its governance systems and identify the most appropriate institutional model to support its long-term sustainability and collaborative mission.
About the Consultancy
The Governance Consultant will guide SARD members through a participatory governance exploration process designed to facilitate informed collective decision-making regarding the network’s future governance arrangements.
The consultant will design and facilitate an inclusive, feminist-led process that enables members to:
• Assess existing governance structures.
• Explore institutional alternatives.
• Identify governance needs.
• Evaluate organizational implications.
• Recommend an appropriate institutional pathway for the network.
The consultancy places strong emphasis on participatory leadership, collective reflection, and consensus-building.
Scope of Work
The assignment is divided into four key phases.
Phase I: Governance Assessment
The consultant will:
• Review SARD’s existing governance structure and decision-making mechanisms.
• Assess the current host organization model.
• Conduct interviews and consultations with founding members.
• Identify governance strengths, challenges, and institutional gaps.
• Prepare an inception report outlining the proposed methodology and work plan.
Phase II: Governance Exploration
Responsibilities include:
• Mapping governance models suitable for regional and transnational feminist networks.
• Presenting comparative case studies of collaborative alliances and membership-based organizations.
• Facilitating discussions on governance opportunities, challenges, and institutional implications.
• Supporting members in evaluating different governance approaches.
Phase III: Participatory Governance Facilitation
The selected consultant will:
• Design and facilitate a series of participatory governance sessions.
• Lead one two-day in-person governance workshop.
• Encourage inclusive dialogue and collective decision-making.
• Document discussions, emerging themes, areas of agreement, and outstanding issues.
Phase IV: Institutional Roadmap
Following the governance consultations, the consultant will:
• Consolidate findings from all consultation processes.
• Develop a governance roadmap outlining:
• Recommended institutional pathway.
• Governance arrangements.
• Transition phases.
• Governance milestones.
• Priority implementation actions.
• Prepare a concise two-page final consultancy report.
Required Qualifications
SARD is seeking an experienced consultant with demonstrated expertise in governance, institutional development, and participatory facilitation.
Applicants should possess:
• Proven experience designing and facilitating multi-stakeholder participatory processes.
• Strong experience facilitating feminist dialogue and collective decision-making.
• Experience supporting regional networks, coalitions, or collaborative partnerships.
• Expertise in organizational governance, institutional development, or organizational transformation.
• Excellent understanding of civil society and feminist movements across the Arabic-speaking region.
• Strong knowledge of feminist facilitation methodologies and collective leadership approaches.
• Ability to translate complex discussions into practical recommendations.
Language Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate:
• Excellent written Arabic.
• Excellent spoken Arabic.
Strong communication and facilitation skills are essential throughout the consultancy.
Application Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Technical proposal outlining the proposed methodology and implementation approach.
• Financial proposal.
Applications should clearly demonstrate relevant governance experience and the applicant’s capacity to facilitate inclusive institutional development processes.
Consultancy Details
Key information includes:
• Position: Governance Consultant
• Location: Remote, with online meetings and one in-person workshop
• Contract Duration: 15 August – 23 December 2026
• Application Deadline: 11 August 2026
This consultancy presents a unique opportunity for governance specialists committed to feminist leadership, participatory governance, and institutional strengthening to contribute to the long-term sustainability of one of the region’s leading feminist collaborative networks.
