Participatory and Inclusive By-law Development Researcher/Consultant

1. Background

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) is implementing an initiative to strengthen participatory and inclusive by-law development at the local level. The initiative seeks to create opportunities for citizens, particularly women, persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalized and vulnerable groups, to meaningfully participate in discussions on local governance and by-law development.

As part of this initiative, TISL will conduct community consultations across several selected provinces. The consultations will provide platforms for communities to identify governance priorities, barriers to participation and access, and issues that should be reflected in local by-laws. The process will also draw on lessons from disaster response, including barriers and challenges experienced by vulnerable and marginalized communities, to inform discussions on inclusive and responsive local governance.

TISL is therefore seeking a qualified Participatory and Inclusive By-law Development Researcher/Consultant to provide technical and research support for the consultation process, document community perspectives, and translate consultation findings into practical inputs and recommendations for the development of a model by-law framework that promotes inclusive citizen participation in local governance and decision-making.

 

2. Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of the assignment is to support inclusive, community-led consultations across selected provinces and translate community perspectives into practical inputs for participatory local by-law development.

The consultant will support the meaningful participation of women, persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalized groups through accessible and locally appropriate consultation approaches. The assignment will also incorporate lessons from disaster response, particularly barriers faced by vulnerable communities, into discussions on local governance and inclusive decision-making.

 

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to:

1. Develop an appropriate approach/methodology and framework for the seven community consultations, taking into consideration local contexts, GEDSI, accessibility, and meaningful participation.
2. Design consultation tools, and participatory methods to facilitate structured discussions on local governance and by-law development.
3. Provide technical support to ensure that consultations are inclusive and accessible, including consideration of the participation needs of women, persons with disabilities, youth, and other marginalized and vulnerable groups.
4. Conduct seven community consultations across selected provinces, working closely with TISL staff and local stakeholders (Consultations to be arranged by TISL).
5. Ensure that the consultation process captures community priorities, governance concerns, barriers to participation and access, and recommendations relevant to local by-law development.
6. Incorporate lessons from disaster response, including barriers experienced by vulnerable and marginalized communities, into the analysis of community governance priorities and by-law-related recommendations.
7. Review relevant local government laws, existing by-laws, model by-laws, policies, circulars and other relevant frameworks to assess opportunities and considerations for strengthening citizen participation and inclusivity through local by-law mechanisms.
8. Develop a model by-law framework for inclusive citizen participation in local governance and decision-making, incorporating community priorities, GEDSI considerations, accessibility requirements, participatory mechanisms, transparency and accountability measures, and relevant legal and institutional considerations.
9. Conduct research and provide technical support to translate consultation findings into practical inputs and recommendations for model by-law framework.
10. Work closely with TISL throughout the assignment to ensure that the consultation findings and recommendations are practical, locally relevant, and responsive to community needs.

 

4. Key Deliverables

The consultant will be required to produce the following deliverables:

1. Inception note and workplan setting out the proposed approach, methodology, consultation framework, tools, and timeline.
2. Consultation tools and guiding questions for the consultations, incorporating GEDSI, accessibility, participation, local governance, and disaster-response considerations.
3. Technical support for seven community consultations including support for participatory and accessible consultation processes.
4. Legal and policy review of relevant local government laws, existing and model by-laws, policies, circulars and good practices relating to citizen participation, inclusive governance, and local decision-making.
5. Model By-law Framework for Inclusive Citizen Participation, informed by the seven community consultations and legal and policy review. The framework should provide practical provisions and mechanisms to strengthen inclusive, accessible, transparent, and meaningful citizen participation in local governance and decision-making, with particular consideration for women, persons with disabilities, youth, and marginalized and vulnerable groups.
6. Final consolidated report incorporating the Model By-law Framework for Inclusive Citizen Participation as a substantive component/annex.

 

5. Methodology

The assignment should adopt a participatory, inclusive, community-centred, and context-sensitive methodology. This may include:

• Review of relevant local government, by-law, participation, inclusion, and governance frameworks;
• Development and use of accessible and locally appropriate consultation tools;
• Participatory group discussions and community consultations;
• Targeted engagement with women, persons with disabilities, youth, and marginalized groups;
• Identification and documentation of barriers to participation and access;
• Incorporation of lessons from disaster response and community experiences;
• Comparative analysis of findings across the seven TISL branch locations; and
• Translation of community perspectives into practical by-law development inputs and recommendations.

The consultant is expected to work closely with TISL’s team throughout the assignment.

 

6. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy will be for the duration of November 2026 to March 2027.

A detailed workplan will be agreed upon with the selected consultant.

 

7. Required Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should have:

• A postgraduate qualification in law, public policy, social sciences, development studies, governance, gender studies, human rights, or another relevant field;
• Demonstrated experience in participatory research, community consultations, local governance, policy research, or related areas;
• Experience in facilitating consultations involving women, persons with disabilities, youth, marginalized communities, or other vulnerable groups;
• Strong understanding of participatory and inclusive governance and community engagement in Sri Lanka;
• Experience in analysing qualitative/community-generated information and translating findings into practical policy or governance recommendations;
• Strong analytical, facilitation, writing, and communication skills;
• Proficiency in English and Sinhala; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with TISL staff and deliver high-quality outputs within agreed timelines.
• Knowledge or experience relating to local government legislation, by-law development, participatory governance, or public participation mechanisms will be an advantage.

 

8. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to TISL’s project focal point. Regular check-ins will be scheduled to review progress, provide feedback, and ensure alignment with project objectives and requirements.

All deliverables must be submitted in English.

 

9. Payment

The technical proposal must indicate an all-inclusive consultancy fee for the assignment, subject to satisfactory completion and acceptance of the agreed deliverables.

Travel from TISL office and all other logistical arrangement related to the seven community consultations will be done by TISL, in accordance with the organization’s applicable policies and procedures.

The payment schedule will be agreed upon with the selected consultant and linked to the satisfactory completion of agreed deliverables.

 

10. Application Process

Interested applicants are requested to submit:

1. A brief technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology and consultancy fee
2. Updated CV
3. At least one relevant writing sample

 

Applications should be submitted to tisl@tisrilanka.org with the subject line:

“Consultancy for Participatory and Inclusive By-law Development”

Deadline for applications: 30^th September 2026