Technical Consultant - Inclusive Science, Gender, and Strategic Programme Development

Terms of Reference – OWSD Consultancy

Duration: 1 December 2025 to October 2026

Location: Home-based with potential travel 

Supervision: Reports to the OWSD Coordinator

Background

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is a pioneering international initiative established in 1987 and hosted by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in Trieste, Italy. Operating as a programme unit of UNESCO, OWSD is the first global platform dedicated to promoting the leadership, visibility, and contributions of women scientists from the Global South.

OWSD is advancing an ambitious agenda aimed at transforming global science systems to be more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to global challenges. Two flagship programmes - WISDOM (Women in Science Displacement Outreach Masters) and GEMS (Gender, Education, and Migration in Science) - anchor this work by generating research, fostering networks, and shaping policy discussions at the intersection of science, gender, displacement, and systemic inequality.

In alignment with the TWAS Strategic Plan 2026–2030, OWSD is contributing to priorities including science diplomacy, support for displaced scientists, gender equity, social science inclusion, data-driven research, and the engagement of diasporas. OWSD’s Gamechangers initiative further supports leadership pathways for women scientists and builds connections with policymakers.

To support this strategic growth, OWSD seeks a Technical Consultant to provide high-level advisory services across programme development, research, science diplomacy, social science integration, and partnership engagement.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

 1. Programme Management, Strategic Advisory, and Research Integration

• Advisory support to OWSD’s strategic planning, coordination, and results-based management
• Technical guidance across OWSD work streams related to gender, science diplomacy, education, migration, displacement, and inclusion
• Support OWSD efforts to invest in research by staff, consultants, and fellows, ensuring alignment with TWAS priorities and emerging global trends
• Promote the inclusion of social science and humanities perspectives in OWSD programme design, analysis, and research 

 Deliverables:

•  Verbal and written inputs or summaries from advisory sessions, including suggested improvements to planning, monitoring, or evaluation tools and technical recommendations for integrating social science and humanities perspectives
• Contributions to research outputs that strengthen OWSD alignment with emerging data and trends

 2. Resource Mobilization, Partnerships, and Strategic Advocacy

• Support the development of OWSD’s fundraising and partnership strategies, identifying opportunities aligned with programme priorities and donor interests
• Contribute to programme assessments and prepare concise concept notes, donor briefs, or proposals that highlight impact, sustainability, and policy relevance
• Provide advisory support to strengthen OWSD’s positioning within global science diplomacy and gender equality efforts, in line with OWSD Strategy and TWAS Strategic Plan
• Co-design advocacy and communications outputs with technical experts in communications or media to enhance storytelling, visibility, and donor engagement

• Facilitate or participate in strategic sessions with management to refine approaches to fundraising, partnerships, and advocacy

  Deliverables:

• At least two high-quality concept notes, donor briefs, or engagement documents developed in collaboration with management and technical teams
• Written inputs or recommendations from strategic planning and coordination sessions
• Contributions to advocacy or communications materials supporting fundraising, partnerships, and policy visibility

 3.        Gender and Displacement in Science International Conference 

• Technical input on the call for applications and proposal review
• Drafting of the conference agenda and materials
• Preparation and delivery of a high-level panel focusing on gender, displacement, social sciences, and science diplomacy
• Facilitation of an invitation-only expert roundtable during the conference
• Travel to Rome and on-site participation at the conference 

 Deliverables:

• Annotated draft agenda and technical notes
• Facilitation of high-level panel and/or roundtable
• Participation in the conference and post-event recommendations

 4.        GEMS Book Project

•  Guidance on research tools, ethics, methodology, and social science approaches
• Review preliminary findings and contribute to a research progress report
• Review drafts, provide guidance to researchers, and oversee chapters with special focus on gender, science, displacement, and science diplomacy relevance
• Overall editorial support and coordination with publishing partners 

 Deliverables:

• Annotated outlines and editorial advisory services
• Technical planning notes on research / project implementation

 5.        Advisory Support for WISDOM Programme Implementation and Expansion

• Strategic advisory services on WISDOM design and delivery, including workflows, alumnae network development, and social science integration
• Plan and facilitate an in-person research and training workshop for WISDOM scholars at an existing partner institution, including:

1. Development of full workshop agenda and all training materials
2. Travel to the partner institution
3. Delivery of workshop sessions and tailored consultations

• Identify, engage, and support the setup of a new partner institution, including:

1. Outreach materials and presentations for potential partners
2. Review of institutional profiles and advisory support for contracting and partnership setup
3. Technical input into call for applications, scholar guidelines, procurement and selection procedures
4. Liaison with partners for outreach to displaced women scientists
5. Advisory input to the selection process and inception activities for new scholar cohorts 

 Deliverables:

• Workshop agenda and full training materials, including facilitation of multi-day workshop and consultations
• Outreach and engagement presentations for new partner institution(s)
• Technical guidance on partner profiles, contracting, call for applications, and selection processes
• Advisory inputs to partner meetings, selection processes, and inception activities

6.     Strengthening networks for displaced and diaspora women scientists

•  Provide guidance on network structure, governance, and member value
• Strengthen the visibility and support for displaced and at-risk women scientists
• Recommend ways to include contributions from diaspora women scientists
• Position the network as a mechanism contributing to science diplomacy for inclusion and peace 

 Deliverables:

• Draft engagement strategy
• Technical note on structure, governance, diaspora inclusion, and science diplomacy role