About Us
1. What is it for and who can use it?
The Helpdesk is an expert call-down facility that provides a flexible, responsive and easy-to-use service to UK officials from multiple departments, including all Integrated Security Fund (ISF) portfolio teams. It is intended primarily for desk-based advisory support, but can include short trainings and accompaniment support that require physical interaction.
- Common areas of support are:
- • Analysis of gendered drivers and impacts of security and conflict issues, including thematic research, to integrate in wider conflict or security policy and programmes. This includes analysis at local, national, regional and international level, and desk-based research and/or consultations.
- • Identification of intersectional, gender-responsive, and gender-transformative design options and ideas for targeted programmes.
- • Literature reviews and summaries of evidence on issues related to gender and security, and WPS.
- • Advice to UK officials in the UK and at missions on integrating gender-responsive policy and programming within their ongoing interventions. This includes providing short trainings on WPS, gender and conflict analysis, as well as carrying out programme reviews, assessment of ‘gender marker’ status, gender-responsive monitoring, evaluation, and learning support, and short-term tailored accompaniment for strategy and team development.
The Helpdesk is available free of charge to eligible UK government departments and ISF Portfolios. UK officials can submit a request by emailing wpshelpdesk@saferworld.org.uk. The Helpdesk management team will follow up to confirm the request and arrange next steps.
2. Who is behind the WPS Helpdesk?
The WPS Helpdesk is a partnership between six organisations led by Saferworld and bringing together Conciliation Resources (CR), Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Reform (DCAF), Researchers without Borders (Rewib), and the University of Durham. We work with WPS experts from a diverse range of contexts. Â
We provide high-quality expert helpdesk services that contribute to the integration of WPS concerns in conflict/security-focused policy and programming, and boost UK capacity to sustain the integration and advancement of WPS in line with its National Action Plan.Â
If you are part of the UK government and would like to know more about how the WPS Helpdesk works, including how to request support from the Helpdesk, you can download the guidance note and the Terms of Reference template by clicking on the buttons below.