Research consultants or research teams on Economic Justice and Family Law in selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean

Four individual research consultants or research teams – LAC Consultancy Title: Research consultants or research teams on Economic Justice and Family Law in selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean Organisation Unit: Legal Equality, Program LAC Reports To: Legal Advisor, LAC Location: Remote, with candidates preferably based in one of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile or Mexico. Languages: Spanish Application Deadline: May 15, 2026 Duration: 3 months Consultancy Amount: USD 3,000 per consultancy (inclusive of taxes) ABOUT EQUALITY NOW: For more than 30 years, Equality Now has worked to secure the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination and violence against all women and girls – paving the way for a more stable, just, and prosperous world for all. Since our inception in 1992, we’ve played a pivotal role in the reform of 135 discriminatory laws worldwide. Our campaigns are centred on four program areas: Legal Equality, End Sexual Violence, End Harmful Practices, and End Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique needs of adolescent girls. We are truly global, with a team of 80+ people located around the world. We have team members in Benin, Beirut, London, Geneva, San Jose, El Salvador, Argentina, Nairobi, Tbilisi, New York and Washington, DC among others. We offer a great experience for talented people who are passionate about equality. To work here, you’ll need to share our core values of integrity and accountability, inclusiveness, resilience, and empathy. For more information, visit equalitynow.org BACKGROUND : This consultancy builds on previous regional analysis conducted by Equality Now on family law in Latin America and the Caribbean, which generated valuable evidence on a range of legal frameworks related to gender equality. The previous research examined key areas including child marriage, pension frameworks affecting women, gender-based violence legislation, maternity leave policies, assisted reproductive technologies, and the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Building on these findings, the present research seeks to deepen the analysis by focusing on those aspects of family law that directly affect women’s economic autonomy. This includes issues related to the distribution of resources within the household, the legal recognition of unpaid care work, access to economic rights in the context of marriage and divorce, as well as the effectiveness of enforcement mechanisms and access to justice. In this sense, the present research not only expands the scope of the previous analysis, but also provides a more focused examination of the relationship between family law and economic justice as a structural dimension of gender inequality in the region. OBJECTIVES: Develop structured documentary research inputs on family law and economic justice in selected countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (Mexico, Cuba, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina), with a view to contributing to the preparation of a regional comparative report. The research will aim to identify gaps, discriminatory practices, and progressive developments in legal frameworks, judicial practice, and public policy relating to the protection of women’s economic rights within the family sphere. The analysis will be based on documentary research and targeted qualitative data collection. Four Research Consultants will be engaged under this consultancy. Each consultant will be responsible for the research and development of inputs for one or more assigned countries, as follows: Researcher 1: Mexico Researcher 2: Cuba and Colombia Researcher 3: Brazil Researcher 4: Argentina and Chile The research will cover, inter alia, the following areas: Alimony and child support, including their enforcement and compliance mechanisms, as well as caregiving arrangements and related economic responsibilities; Marital property regimes and the economic consequences of divorce or separation; Inheritance rights, including survivor pensions and property transfers. The research will be conducted through the following cross-cutting analytical perspectives: Economic violence and mechanisms for protection; Legal recognition of care work and double burden; Barriers to access to justice in these areas. The analysis will examine both legal frameworks and practices that perpetuate structural inequalities, as well as those that constitute progressive, rights-protective developments and advance women’s economic autonomy. During the contract period, the Consultants will deliver the following: Phase 1: Legal research Comparative analysis matrix Completion of the comparative analysis matrix for the assigned countries, using the template and methodological guidance provided by Equality Now. Legal frameworks analysis report Analytical report on the legal and policy frameworks applicable to the assigned countries, including relevant legislation, jurisprudence, and institutional mechanisms related to the thematic areas of the consultancy. This report is expected to be submitted midway through the consultancy period. Phase 2 – Qualitative and Practice-Oriented Research Practice and implementation analysis report Second analytical report focusing on the implementation and practical application of legal frameworks, including findings from qualitative interviews and identification of barriers, challenges, good practices, and access to justice issues, with particular attention to priority populations identified in coordination with Equality Now. This report is expected to be submitted one month after the delivery of the Legal Frameworks Analysis Report. Final Revised Research Inputs Revised versions of all research inputs, incorporating feedback and comments provided by the Equality Now team. REPORTING AND COORDINATION: The Consultants will work under the supervision and in close coordination with the Legal Advisor and Equality Now LAC team. The Consultant will collaborate with other researchers as required and participate in periodic check-ins to ensure alignment with the agreed methodology and timelines. Consultants may also be requested to participate in a virtual or in-person regional validation meeting related to the research findings, tentatively scheduled for October–November 2026. DURATION: This is a three (3) month consultancy PAYMENT: Consultancy fees will be paid in installments, subject to the satisfactory completion and approval of agreed deliverables, and upon submission of invoices, in accordance with Equality Now’s consultancy policies. The payment schedule will be structured as follows: 30% upon submission and approval of the completed comparative analysis matrix for the assigned countries; 70% upon submission and approval of the practice and implementation analysis report, incorporating feedback and comments provided by the Equality Now team. CONSULTANT PROFILE & QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience Advanced degree in law, human rights, gender studies, social sciences, public policy, or a related field; At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in research, legal practice, or policy work related to family law, gender equality, economic justice, or access to justice in Latin America; Demonstrated experience in legal and/or socio-legal research, preferably in areas relevant to the scope of this consultancy; Proven experience in litigation, legal practice, or direct engagement in family law cases, or demonstrable experience in the design, implementation, or analysis of public policies in these areas; Technical and Functional Skills Strong knowledge of family law, civil law, and legal frameworks related to economic justice and care systems in Latin America; Understanding of women’s rights, gender equality, and human rights frameworks, including international and regional standards; Familiarity with feminist, intersectional, gender, and child rights approaches; Experience in qualitative research methods, including conducting and analysing interviews; Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, structured, and policy-relevant outputs; Ability to work with structured research tools (e.g., matrices, templates, data organisation tools). Competencies Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail; Ability to synthesize complex legal and policy information; Ability to work independently, remotely, and meet deadlines; Effective communication and collaboration skills in a remote working environment. Commitment to gender equality, human rights, and social justice principles. Ability to work collaboratively with researchers and stakeholders across different countries and regional contexts; Availability and flexibility to participate in coordination and follow-up meetings throughout the consultancy period; APPLICATION: Applications may be submitted by individual consultants or by small research teams with demonstrated experience relevant to the scope of this consultancy. In the case of team applications, each team member must submit an individual application. All members of the team should include the same joint cover letter, clearly identifying all proposed team members and the designated primary focal point for communication and coordination with Equality Now. The cover letter file name should include the word “TEAM” for identification purposes. Interested candidates should submit (all in one PDF file): A CV (maximum three pages), for each proposed consultant A sample of previous work, such as a publication or research paper authored or co-authored by the applicant, related to the thematic areas of this consultancy. A cover letter (maximum 3 pages) including: Work experience or knowledge in the scope countries, and thematic areas of focus (for example, issues affecting Indigenous women, women with disabilities, migrant women, or other groups facing intersecting forms of discrimination); Proposed work plan and timeline. In the case of team applications, a brief description of the proposed division of responsibilities among team members. HOW TO APPLY Please visit: and submit a resume/CV, cover letter. Deadline for applications is June 5, 2026. Due to the volume of applicants anticipated for this role, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Equality Now is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Equality Now offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, savings, health and vacation benefits, and is an Equal Opportunity employer. Equality Now employees are selected on the basis of ability without regard to race, colour, religious beliefs, sex, gender identity and expression, language, political or other opinion, nationality, ethnic or social origin, disability, pregnancy, mental status, HIV status, age, marital status, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Candidates are selected on the basis of ability, in accordance with all country and location-specific laws. 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