Background 

The Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation (MF) 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.    

MF supports survivors of conflict-related sexual violence across four pillars of survivor support — medical care, psychological and psychosocial support, socio-economic reintegration, and legal support and access to justice — known as the Panzi Holistic Model. 

Scope of the consultancy  

This consultancy has three objectives: 

• Assess the current state of Ayder One Stop Centre (OSC) infrastructure against standards recommended by Panzi and MF for a centre of excellence for holistic care for survivors of sexual violence. 

• Identify and assess the risks (operational, safety and security, environmental, financial, and reputational) and environmental factors (site conditions, climate, water and power supply, waste management, accessibility) relevant to the centre’s development and long-term sustainability. 

• Determine renovation and infrastructure needs and produce a feasibility assessment with findings, options, indicative costs, and recommendations for developing Ayder One Stop Centre into a centre of excellence. 

The consultancy runs from November 2026 to March 2027, comprising 20 days of consultant time. Work is organised into three phases, including one visit to Mekelle. Precise day allocations are indicative and may be adjusted by mutual agreement. 

Phase 1: Desk review and scoping (approx. 5 days) 

The consultant will review existing documentation on Ayder One Stop Centre, agree the assessment methodology with MF, and prepare for the visit. 

Activities: 

• Review of existing documentation on Ayder One Stop Centre 

• Introductory consultations with MF and relevant partner staff to confirm objectives, scope, and lines of coordination with hospital administration and government counterparts. 

• Development of an assessment methodology and relevant tools covering infrastructure, risk, and environmental factors. 

• Agreement of site visit logistics and stakeholders to be consulted. 

Phase 2: In-situ assessment in Mekelle (approx. 8 days) 

The consultant will travel to Mekelle to assess Ayder One Stop Centre on site, combining facility assessment with stakeholder consultations. 

Activities: 

• Site visit to Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and the One Stop Centre to assess current facilities, patient flow, and integration of services across medical, psychosocial, and legal functions. 

• Structural and environmental assessment of the current premises, including space, accessibility, privacy and confidentiality, water and power supply, waste management, and climate and weather exposure. 

• Identification and assessment of risks relevant to establishing a centre of excellence, including safety and security risks, environmental risks, operational and staffing risks, and financial and sustainability risks. 

• Consultations with hospital management, One Stop Centre staff, regional health authorities, and other relevant partners. 

• Preliminary identification of renovation and expansion needs, including options for improving space, privacy, safety, and service flow. 

Phase 3: Analysis, feasibility report and recommendations (approx. 7 days) 

The consultant will analyse findings from the desk review and field assessment and produce a feasibility study with recommendations. 

Activities: 

• Analysis of findings against centre of excellence standards. 

• Development of renovation and infrastructure recommendations, including indicative scope, phasing options, and order-of-magnitude cost estimates. 

• Risk assessment summary with proposed mitigation measures, covering operational, environmental, safety and security, and sustainability risks. 

• Drafting of the feasibility study report, including findings, options, recommendations, and a proposed roadmap for developing Ayder One Stop Centre into a centre of excellence. 

• Presentation of findings and recommendations to MF and relevant stakeholders, and incorporation of feedback into a final report. 

Expected deliverables 

Phase 1: Inception note: confirming methodology, assessment tools, and the in-country visit plan, agreed with MF before travel to Mekelle. 

Phase 2: In-country visit report following the site visit. 

Phase 3: Feasibility study report: findings on the current state of the centre, risk and environmental assessment, renovation and infrastructure needs, and recommendations with indicative costs and a phased roadmap. 

Timeframe 

The assignment is expected to last a total of 20 working days with the following phased activities: 

Working arrangements 

The consultant will work primarily remotely, with one visit to Ayder Hospital in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia during Phase 2. Travel, visa, and any required security arrangements will be coordinated with MF, and costs reimbursed in accordance with MF travel and expense policy. The consultant is expected to comply with applicable security protocols for travel to and within Tigray. 

The consultant will report to the Senior Holistic Care Specialist, who is the primary contact and decision authority for this engagement. A brief progress update will be shared at the end of each phase. 

All data and information accessed during the engagement, including any survivor-related or otherwise sensitive data, must be handled in accordance with GDPR, MF data protection policy, and applicable local data protection and ethical requirements, which the consultant will be required to sign at the outset. Any engagement with survivors or survivor representatives must follow recognised ethical and safety guidelines for research or consultation on gender-based violence. 

Consultant profile 

MF is looking for a consultant with: 

• Experience conducting feasibility studies, infrastructure or facility assessments, or capital project appraisals, ideally for health, protection, or care facilities in humanitarian or fragile and conflict-affected settings. 

• A technical background in health facility planning, architecture, engineering, or a related field, with the ability to assess renovation needs and produce indicative cost estimates. 

• Experience conducting environmental and social risk assessments in complex or conflict-affected operating contexts. 

• Familiarity with One Stop Centre or holistic care models for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and with the Panzi model or comparable approaches, is an advantage. 

• Understanding of the operating context in Tigray and Ethiopia, including security, access, and coordination with government, UN, and NGO actors. 

• Ability and willingness to travel to Mekelle, Tigray, and to work sensitively and safely in a conflict-affected setting involving survivors of sexual violence. 

• Excellent written and spoken English is required, Tigrinya is an asset. 

Submission 

Please send your cover letter/proposal and CV, in English, no later than 8 November 2026 to Lucy Shanahan, Office Manager, at vacancies@mukwegefoundation.org,  including “Consultancy: Feasibility study” in the subject line.  

Please note that the Mukwege Foundation complies with the GDPR policy on personal data security. If you are not selected for this role, we will delete all applicant data from our records within three months of the vacancy deadline.