Consultancy for Research Brief on Women, Peace and Maritime Security in ASEAN

ASEAN has robust frameworks for cooperation on issues of both maritime security and WPS, yet to date, no analysis has been undertaken of opportunities for these agendas to complement and reinforce each other. Whilst WPS has been applied to a broad range of traditional and non-traditional security issues both globally and within ASEAN, including cybersecurity and trafficking-in-persons, there has been limited consideration of how WPS can be applied to the spectrum of maritime security issues and how existing policy frameworks can support this. ASEAN has also adopted the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework 2021 – 2025 to promote gender mainstreaming across the three ASEAN Community Pillars, but challenges continue in mainstreaming efforts, particularly for cross-sectoral or cross-pillar cooperation approaches.

This project aims to build the knowledge base on the linkages between maritime security and WPS to inform policy and programmatic cooperation among ASEAN actors. The project will provide clear and practical recommendations on how to strengthen this coordination through the production of a research brief targeted at policymakers and actors in ASEAN working on these two portfolios. The brief will ideally be released before, or referenced at, the Maritime Track of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March 2024. As one of the ASEAN-led platforms on maritime issues, there may also be an opportunity to present the brief at the 2024 Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum in Lao PDR, subject to the concurrence of the chair.

The Asia Foundation seeks a consultant or team of consultants who will support APSP in the implementation of the research under the project.   

The consultant/s will:

1. Develop and finalize the scope of the review, methodology, design, and outline of the brief, incorporating feedback from the Foundation.
2. Conduct a small number of key informant interviews as agreed with The Asia Foundation and DFAT to inform the analysis.
3. Collect and analyze data obtained from secondary sources, such as academic papers, reports, research articles, working papers, and statistical databases, and document promising practices.
4. Develop a draft brief.
5. Revise and finalize the brief, incorporating inputs from the Foundation and DFAT;
6. Present the findings at one or more meetings/dialogues as identified by DFAT and The Asia Foundation.
7. Perform any other related tasks as requested by and agreed with the Foundation.