Consultancy: Safety & Security Assessments

Introduction

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation is an international, survivor-centred, rights-based organisation working to change the response to conflict-related sexual violence. We support survivors’ demands for a world where sexual violence as a weapon of war is no longer tolerated, and bears consequences for individual perpetrators and states. We work for a future where survivors receive the holistic care and compensation, they need to rebuild their lives. We create opportunities for survivors to speak out and be heard, and where they can organise to create change, influence policies, and demand justice and accountability. We are working towards a future where sexual violence in conflict is no longer seen as inevitable but is recognised for what it is: a crime that should have serious consequences for both the perpetrators as well as states that tolerate or condone it. We want the international community to draw a red line against wartime sexual violence and strengthen accountability for states and perpetrators. See also www.mukwegefoundation.org.   

The Mukwege Foundation’s ‘Voice’ programme focuses on strengthening survivors’ agency to actively influence and participate in policy and practice concerning them at national and international levels.

At the global level, SEMA – the Global Network of Victims and Survivors to End Wartime Sexual Violence – offers a safe global platform for survivors to come together for solidarity, to share experiences and knowledge, to advocate powerfully for the abolition of the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war, and to lobby for the recognition of the rights of survivors to quality holistic care and to restorative justice. The global dimension is essential for peer-learning, bringing survivors from different generations and cultures together.

At the national level, the Mukwege Foundation supports the initiation, development, and strengthening of in-country survivor networks, creating safe spaces for peer-to-peer support, to break the silence and building survivors’ capacities to enable them to actively engage in advocating for their rights. The in-country networks vary according to their context and capacities, but in all cases these networks organise to raise awareness about the reality, causes and consequences of wartime rape in the respective countries; to combat stigma, impunity and harmful myths around CRSV; to increase access to survivor-centred holistic care and to commemorate and recognise the many victims of these atrocities by creating a collective memory of survivors’ experiences.

The Mukwege Foundation currently supports survivor networks in Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Iraq, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Nepal, Syria, South Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, and is in the process of expanding its programme to Chad and Sudan in 2026.

Scope of the consultancy

The conflict in Sudan has been characterised by widespread and systematic conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), resulting in significant displacement of women, girls, men and children into neighbouring countries. Sudanese survivors of CRSV both within Sudan and in displaced countries face ongoing protection risks including insecurity, stigma, discrimination, retaliation, exploitation, restricted access to services, and limited opportunities to participate safely in decisions affecting their lives.

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation is implementing the Our Voice Our Justice (OVOJ) project from June 2026 up to December 2028. The project is supporting Sudanese refugee CRSV survivors to organise in survivor-led networks, access protection and psychosocial support, and safely engage in advocacy for accountability and justice. One of the project’s core objectives is to strengthen the conditions under which Sudanese survivors can safely participate in survivor networks and collective action. The project is implemented in eastern Chad (in camps in and around Adré), South Sudan (in Juba and in camps around Juba), and Uganda (in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement). Additionally, the Mukwege Foundation has secured funding to implement activities in Sudan under a separate project.

MF’s experience working with survivor networks globally demonstrates that survivors who serve as advocates, community mobilisers, peer supporters and human rights defenders often face distinct safety, security, and protection challenges. These include threats and intimidation, social exclusion, exposure of personal information, digital security risks, restrictions on freedom of movement and association, and risks associated with participation in documentation, advocacy and justice processes. The combination of the project’s volatile operating contexts, border regions and ongoing armed conflicts creates an exceptionally precarious environment, significantly heightening security and protection risks for survivors.

To address these challenges, MF seeks to engage qualified individual consultant(s) or a consulting team to conduct country-specific safety and security assessments in Chad, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. The assessments will analyse survivors’ critical protection concerns, risks, and the current operational environment in each specific location. Crucially, this assessment will systematically integrate physical security and safety risk mapping to develop a survivor-centred safety and security framework with actionable country-specific recommendations for risk mitigation and safe participation in survivor-led advocacy and collective action. Subsequently, the consultancy will aim to deliver a training package (including toolkit and curricula) to strengthen the capacities of Sudanese survivor networks in the region and their accompanying organisations through practical and contextualised trainings. These recommendations will help enhance the resilience, safety, and effectiveness of survivor-led advocacy efforts.

Specific objectives and deliverables of the consultancy

In line with MF’s overall strategy on the Sudan regional response, the consultancy will undertake the following key areas of work:

Objective 1: Conduct country-specific Safety and Security Assessments to identify critical protection risks, provide an analysis, and recommend practical and adaptable mitigation measures for CRSV survivor networks in Chad, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Period: September to December 2026

The country assessments will identify key systemic barriers to meaningful and safe participation of survivors in network activities and provide evidence-based mitigation recommendations to enhance networks’ resilience. The analysis will look at the following key elements:

Analyse the political, security, legal and conflict dynamics affecting the operational environment of CRSV survivor networks, including emerging trends that may increase or decrease protection risks.

Identify individual, collective, and structural barriers that limit the safe participation of survivors in network activities.

Map actual and potential sources of risks (state actors, armed groups, community members, political actors, criminal actors, and online threats) as well as existing protective actors, allies, and support structure.

Conduct a differential and intersectional risk analysis of threats faced by survivor network members and leaders, considering factors such as gender, ethnicity, age, geographic location, and displacement status.

Assess priority protection needs, organisational capacities, existing protection mechanisms, referral pathways, support systems and community-based coping strategies, including their effectiveness, coherence and accessibility.

Identify existing strengths, resources and opportunities that can be leveraged to strengthen protection, risk management, and network resilience.

Develop practical and evidence-based recommendations to mitigate identified risks, strengthen protection capacities, and enhance individual and collective resilience.

Related deliverables

Three in-country visits organised to Chad, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Sudan-specific modality: given security constraints, the assignment in Sudan is expected to take place remotely.

Four country-specific safety and security assessment reports for Chad, South Sudan, Uganda and Sudan, including risk analysis, capacity assessment, and actionable recommendations

Objective 2: Develop a trauma-informed, survivor-centred Safety and Security Toolkit providing practical guidance to CRSV survivor networks and their accompanying organisations.

Period: September to December 2026

Findings from the country assessments will directly inform the development of a trauma-informed, survivor-centred safety and security toolkit. The toolkit will provide practical and adaptable guidance to survivor networks and be structured around the following framework:

Understanding the operational environment (context analysis)
Identifying vulnerabilities and threats (risks, barriers, and systemic vulnerabilities)
Building resilience and leveraging strengths (capacities and strengths)
Action protocols and mitigation strategies (adaptative and preventive actions)

The toolkit should also include associated mechanisms for regularly reviewing risks, monitoring changes in the operating environment, and updating safety and security plans as contexts evolve.

The toolkit should address the following areas:

Intersectional vulnerabilities

Understanding the layered vulnerabilities and protection risks faced by survivor human rights defenders, including women, refugees, internally displaced persons and other groups exposed to intersecting forms of discrimination.

Practical guidance on intersectional risk profiling

CRSV survivor safety

Personal safety and protection measures for CRSV survivors

Collective security and protection approaches for survivor networks

Information and data protection

Safe documentation, information management and data protection practices

Digital security and protection of sensitive information

Data sharing protocols, consent procedures, and confidentiality safeguards

Coordination and support mechanisms

Referral pathways and support mechanisms with relevant protection actors

Guidance for the use of protection funds by survivor networks

Advocacy and public engagement

Visibility, safe advocacy and public engagement strategies

Risk assessment and decision-making tools for public advocacy activities

Crisis response

Contingency and emergency preparedness planning

Incident management and response

Related deliverables:

Survivor Safety and Security Toolkit, available in English and Arabic.

Objective 3: Develop an accessible and practical training curriculum to operationalise the Safety and Security toolkit for CRSV survivor networks.

Period: January-February 2027

Building on the findings of the country-specific Safety and Security assessments (Objective 1) and the Survivor Security and Safety toolkit (Objective 2), this objective will develop a practical training curriculum designed to support survivor networks in applying the toolkit’s guidance and strengthening their individual and collective safety practices. A Training of Trainers package (ToT) package, including facilitator guide, participant handbook, session plans, exercises and other supporting materials will be provided to support dissemination.

The curriculum should translate technical safety, security and protection concepts into practical skills and tools that can be readily applied by survivor networks in diverse operational contexts. It should promote ownership of safety planning processes by survivor networks and strengthen their confidence and capacity to identify, assess and manage risks.

Curriculum design approach

The curriculum should be:

Survivor-centred and trauma-informed, prioritising autonomy, choice, dignity and psychological safety.

Participatory and experiential, recognising the lived experience of survivors as a critical source of knowledge and expertise.

Designed to minimise risks of retraumatisation and support participant wellbeing throughout the learning process.

Accessible to participants with different literacy levels and learning preferences, including the use of visual materials, case studies, practical exercises, group work and simplified language where appropriate.

Based on a holistic protection framework, including the Protection Equation approach, ensuring that safety planning addresses immediate threats, underlying vulnerabilities, existing capacities and broader structural protection risks.

Strengths-based and resilience-focused, supporting participants to identify and leverage individual, collective and community resources.

The curriculum should include clear learning objectives, facilitator guidance, participant materials, practical tools, assessment methods and feedback mechanisms. The training package should be designed for delivery over three days for groups of approximately 20-25 participants.

Core training modules

The core modules should follow the same structure as the toolkit and integrate modules on:

Advanced risks analysis and profiling

Trauma informed safety planning: personal and collective security planning

Digital security, secure communications, data protection and confidentiality

Community resources, referral pathways, and coordination

Safe advocacy strategies: maximizing advocacy impact while minimising risks; public engagement, media interactions

Emergency preparedness and incident response

Self-care, wellbeing and resilience

Country-Specific Modules

Sudan and regional conflict dynamics and protection implications in displacement settings.

Security risks linked to survivor and refugee activism.

Political and ethnic sensitivities.

Cross-border protection concerns and mitigation strategies.

Participation in regional justice and accountability processes.

Safe documentation of CRSV and human rights violations.

Validation and refinement

The curriculum will be piloted and validated through the participatory workshops and consultation sessions with survivor representatives from the SEMA’s Advisory committee, national survivor networks and relevant partner organisations. Feedback should be incorporated into the final curriculum and training materials.

Related Deliverables:

Training curriculum and Training of Trainers (ToT) package, including facilitator guide, participant handbook, session plans, exercises and other supporting materials, in English and Arabic.

Curriculum validation workshop(s) and validation report summarising participant feedback and final revisions.

Objective 4: Deliver Capacity Strengthening Trainings on Safety and Security for CRSV Survivor Networks

Period: March-April 2027

Building on the Safety and Security Toolkit (Objective 2) and Training Curriculum (Objective 3), the consultant(s) will support the delivery of trainings in Chad, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

The trainings will aim to strengthen participants’ knowledge, skills and confidence to identify, assess and mitigate protection and security risks, apply individual and collective safety measures, and operationalise the tools and guidance developed through this consultancy.

The training package should be delivered as follows:

One training workshop in each country (4 total).

Each training should be delivered over a maximum of three days.

Each training should target approximately 20-25 participants, including survivor network members and relevant partner organisations. Participant selection will be coordinated by Mukwege Foundation (MF) teams based on agreed participation criteria.

Training delivery should apply survivor-centred, trauma-informed and participatory methodologies and incorporate practical exercises, scenario-based learning and peer exchange.

Sudan-specific modality

Given operational constraints, the training in Sudan will be delivered by a designated implementing partner. The consultant will provide technical guidance, training materials, facilitation support and mentoring to the implementing partner to ensure consistency with the curriculum and training methodology developed under Objective 3.

Roles and cost responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for:

Preparation and adaptation of training materials.

Facilitation of trainings in Chad, South Sudan and Uganda.

Technical guidance and support to the implementing partner delivering the training in Sudan.

Consultant professional fees and travel-related costs associated with training delivery.

Mukwege Foundation will be responsible for:

Training logistics and participant support costs, including venue rental, interpretation, training materials production, participant transportation, accommodation and catering, where applicable.

Coordination with participants and local partners.

Logistical arrangements for the Sudan training delivered through the implementing partner.

Related Deliverables

Four capacity strengthening training workshops delivered (including one delivered through a partner organisation in Sudan under the consultant’s technical supervision).

Training attendance records, participant evaluations and training materials.

Final Training Implementation Report summarising activities, participant feedback, project-specific indicator results, lessons learned, recommendations and adaptations made during delivery.

Transversal considerations

Throughout the assignment, the consultancy shall apply survivor-centred, trauma-informed, gender-sensitive, intersectional and do-no-harm approaches and ensure strict adherence to safeguarding and confidentiality standards in line with MF’s code of conduct.

Operational scope and resources requirements

Timeframe and consultancy budget

The assignment is expected to take place over 9 months, beginning in September 2026 and ending in April 2027.

Only financial offers of up to 66 000 Euros inclusive of consulting fees, travel and all other assignment-related costs, VAT and other taxes, will be accepted.

Logistical information

The consultants/consulting organisation must provide brief timesheets to MF alongside invoices, in line with contract requirements and deliverables, with sufficient detail as to allow MF to verify the amount claimed for payment.

All costs related to language translation and interpretation in Arabic and English are covered by the consultant/consulting organisation.

Travel to Chad, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda will be organised and travel expenses covered by consultants/consulting organisation. Overseas daily subsistence and accommodation allowances will be reimbursed in accordance with the donor’s approved rates and applicable policies: Chad: per diem 35 EUR, hotel 155 EUR ; South Sudan: per diem 42 EUR, hotel 159 EUR ; Uganda: per diem 37 EUR, hotel 207 EUR
Training costs (including transport, refreshments and/or materials for the participants) will be covered by MF. Training fees for consultants deployed to work on the assignment will be covered by the consultants’ team.

Selection criteria

MF seeks proposals from qualified team of consultants with demonstrated expertise in survivor-centred protection, security, and capacity strengthening. The successful consultancy team should demonstrate:

Organisational Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in protection, safety, security, humanitarian action or human rights programming.

Proven experience conducting security and protection assessments in conflict-affected and displacement settings.

Strong understanding of the operational, political, and protection dynamics of working in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, with experience in Chad, Sudan, South Sudan and Uganda being an asset.

Experience supporting civil society organisations, human rights defenders, women’s rights defenders or survivor-led groups.

Fluency in English and Arabic; French is an asset.

Technical Expertise

The proposed team should collectively demonstrate expertise in:

Physical security and risk management.

Protection, intersectional approaches to protection, and safeguarding.

Gender-based violence and conflict-related sexual violence.

Refugee protection and displacement.

Trauma-informed and survivor centred approaches and programming.

Do no harm, conflict sensitive approach and accountability to affected population methodology.

Human rights and accountability processes.

Adult learning and participatory training methodologies.

Approach and Methodology

Preference will be given to organisations that demonstrate:

Strong survivor-centred and trauma-informed approaches.

Experience adapting existing protection methodologies rather than developing generic security curricula.

Understanding of the specific risks faced by CRSV survivors engaged in advocacy and leadership roles.

Ability to produce practical, accessible and contextually relevant tools and training materials.

Commitment to meaningful survivor participation throughout the consultancy process.

Proposal submission

To bid

Interested consultant(s) should submit:

Technical proposal including detailed methodology (maximum 15 pages)
Itemised budget of a maximum of 66 000 euros all costs included
Proposed workplan
Team composition, relevant expertise and attached CVs
Demonstrated relevant experiences of similar assignments from the past 3-5 years in similar contexts.
A minimum of two professional references from recent assignments of a similar nature.
Administrative documents (not applicable to individual consultants), including proof of legal registration, tax registration, and evidence of an active bank account held in the name of the firm. Equivalent documents issued by the relevant national authorities will be accepted.

Diversity

The Mukwege Foundation is an international organisation with a diverse, international team and its main office in the Netherlands. As the Mukwege Foundation, we believe in the value of a diverse team. We believe that a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace is essential to our work. We welcome people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences.

In line with our commitment to representation, women and candidates from the region are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission

Proposals must be submitted by August 15th 2026, in English, via email to Ms. Lucy Shanahan, Office Manager, at vacancies@mukwegefoundation.org including “Consultancy for Survivor-Centred Safety, Security and Protection Capacity Strengthening-Sudan” in the subject line.

For any questions related to this consultancy, please contact Apolline Pierson at apolline@mukwegefoundation.org. We encourage serious applicants to send in questions for clarification, if any, before the end of the day on August 10th 2026.