Purpose and Scope of Consultancy
SECTION27 seeks the expertise of an independent consultant with experience in public finance, gender analysis and climate justice to conduct a Gender and Climate Responsive Budgeting Analysis.
This research will evaluate the extent to which South Africa’s 2025/26 health budget is responsive to gender and climate considerations, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement. The study will further provide evidence-based recommendations to inform advocacy towards more inclusive, equitable and climate-resilient health systems, including engagements in the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) and future budget cycles.
The analysis will focus on the national health budget only and will:
- Assess the degree of gender and climate responsiveness in current allocations;
- Identify areas where fiscal policy could strengthen commitments to gender equity and climate resilience; and
- Provide an analytical baseline for future civil-society advocacy.
The scope excludes revenue-raising mechanisms and provincial health budgets.
Framework to Guide the Analysis
The consultant will assess both gender responsiveness and climate responsiveness of the health budget, guided by the following framework:
Gender Responsive Budgeting Components
- Process of budget-making and participation of women in that process;
- Allocations for general programmes that disproportionately affect women (e.g. district health services);
- Allocations for gender-specific programmes (e.g. Women’s Maternal and Reproductive Health, gender-based violence care and support);
- Allocations for employment and professional development within women-dominated cadres of health workers;
- Identification of allocations or measures that negatively impact gender equity; and
- Consideration of austerity measures and their disproportionate impact on women.
Climate Responsive Budgeting Components
- Inclusiveness of the budget process, particularly for people vulnerable to health impacts of climate change;
- Allocations for disease control and health adaptation (e.g. malaria, heat-related illnesses);
- Allocations for climate-resilient infrastructure and systems;
- Allocations that advance mitigation or adaptation, even if not explicitly designed as such;
- Allocations reducing the health sector’s contribution to climate change;
- Identification of environmentally or socially harmful expenditures; and
- Allocations for research on climate change and health.
Intersectional Analysis
The consultant should consider how gender and climate dimensions interact and produce compounding or mutually reinforcing effects, offering recommendations for integrated approaches to fiscal policy.
Estimated Duration of Consultancy
The consultancy period is expected to begin in 1 November 2025 and end in December 2025. The number of days required within that period is to be proposed by the consultant.
Organisation Background
SECTION27 is a public interest law centre working to achieve substantive equality and social justice in South Africa. Guided by the Constitution, SECTION27 uses the law through advocacy, research, rights literacy and community mobilisation to advance socio-economic rights, with a particular focus on the right to health care and the right to basic education.
SECTION27 is based in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, and operates nationally.
Expected Deliverables
- Draft Budget Analysis Report for validation and feedback.
- Final Budget Analysis Report and Presentation including:
- Key findings on the gender and climate responsiveness of the health budget;
- Recommendations for civil society advocacy and future research;
- Summary brief of findings for communication purposes.
Education and Experience
- Master’s degree in economics, public policy, gender studies, environmental studies, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in budget analysis, fiscal policy research, or gender/climate justice advocacy.
- Proven expertise in gender-responsive and/or climate-responsive budgeting.
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills, with demonstrated ability to translate technical findings into actionable advocacy insights.
Budget
A total budget of R50,000 is available for this consultancy.
How to apply
Applicants should submit:
- A brief proposal including methodology, proposed activities, timelines, and key milestones;
- Financial proposal outlining daily rate and number of days;
- CV/profile of the consultant or team;
- References or examples of similar work.
Please email applications to kaseke-palmer@section27.org.za with the subject line: Gender and Climate Responsive Budgeting Consultancy.
Applications must be submitted by close of business on 21 October 2025.
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