We are Seeking Terms Of Reference Research Consultant

1.Background

Addis Powerhouse (APH) is a young women-led feminist knowledge production and advocacy hub based in Ethiopia conducts gender research, leads women's rights advocacy projects, and employs evidence-based activism to positively affect young women's inclusion in Ethiopia's socioeconomic and political decision-making spaces. Under our digital civic engagement program, we are implementing "Voices Unmuted: Digital Safety and Resilience Hub, a project that aims to assess online safety risks for women human rights defenders and activists". The project tracks deepfakes, doxxing, disinformation, coordinated attacks, Al driven harassment, and shifts in online systems and behaviors. It monitors how these trends affect women's ability to speak, organize, and participate in civic spaces. It generates evidence, strengthens protection efforts, and informs policy action that supports safer digital engagement for women. Emerging trends indicate that digital violence is becoming more sophisticated and systemic. Abusers are increasingly using Al technologies to generate manipulated content; coordinated disinformation/ misinformation campaigns are targeting rights defenders, activist networks, and political retaliation is extending into online spaces. These trends exacerbate risks for WHRDs and activists, creating a continuum of harm that spans digital and offline spaces. To this end, APH is seeking a research consultant to produce an investigative research report that identifies current threats, maps emerging patterns and delivers insights that will guide policy and advocacy.

2. Objective of the assignment

The Investigative Research Consultant will lead the documentation and analysis of digital violence against Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in Ethiopia, exposing how technologies are weaponized against WHRDs and activists. The report must connect online violence to offline consequences and generate actionable recommendations for feminist movements, civil society, and policymakers. This role requires a deep understanding of gendered online harms, trauma-informed methodologies, and feminist research ethics.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will: Collect and verify evidence of digital attacks, including disinformation, deepfakes, online harassment, and surveillance targeting WHRDs. Conduct in-depth interviews with WHRDs, digital rights experts, legal actors, and mental health professionals. Analyze the intersection between gender, politics, and technology in these attacks. Map patterns of coordination, actor involvement, and institutional response failures. Produce a detailed investigative report featuring verified case studies, data trends, and analysis.

3.1. Deliverables

3.1.1. Inception Report Develop an inception report detailing research methodology, key questions, objectives, scope, and timeline. Design an ethical framework for documentation, including consent, confidentiality, and survivor protection guidelines. Preliminary mapping of key threats, actors, and data sources. Present the inception report to Addis Powerhouse for approval before data collection.

3.1.2.Draft Research Report Conduct qualitative data collection through interviews and focus group discussions with WHRDs, and experts. Investigate patterns of digital violence, including doxxing, deepfakes, disinformation, and politically motivated online harassment. Analyze data to identify systemic trends, power dynamics, and the continuum between online and offline harm. Detailed findings from the investigation, including documented incidents and trend analysis. Assessment of shifts in online systems and behaviors affecting women activists. Preliminary recommendations for policy and advocacy. Sections for feedback and review from Addis Powerhouse team before finalization.

3.1.3 Final Research Report

• Produce a draft investigative report detailing findings, case studies, and policy implications.
• Incorporate feedback from APH
• Finalize and present the investigative report with recommendations.

Deliverables

1. Inception report with methodology and work plan.

2. Draft investigative report on digital violence against WHRDs.

3. Final investigative report with analysis, recommendations, and advocacy framing.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in social sciences, gender studies, human rights, or related fields.
• Practitioners with hands-on experience in investigative research, digital rights, online safety, or women's activism.
• Proven qualitative research and analysis skills.
• Familiarity with digital rights, online harassment, and feminist research ethics.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to feminist values, survivor-centered approaches, and human rights principles.

Skills Required:

• Legal / Law
• Political / Science / Ir
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development