Summary:

These Terms of Reference are for a three-month consultancy (approx. 60 days from 1st November 2020 to 31^st January 2021, with some flexibility) to support a scoping process to inform the programme design of a pilot project.

Background:

Saferworld is at the beginning of implementing a one year pilot aimed at supporting the integration of more conflictsensitive practices into the policies, practices and programmes of aid actors in Sudan. It draws upon Saferworld’s extensive experience of supporting similar processes in a range of contexts, coupled with our deep contextual knowledge and long-term, established relationships with Sudanese civil society from across the country. Over the past three years for example, Saferworld has successfully designed and built up the Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility (CSRF) in South Sudan. The CSRF has successfully supported aid actors to promote deeper and more nuanced understanding of how aid interacts with conflict and to help them to build coherent and effective responses to the challenges of operating in South Sudan.

The proposed project will support individuals and organisations to develop a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the context within which they are operating, with the aim of ensuring that interventions do not aggravate conflict and instead contribute to peace. It will support aid actors to do this by providing high-quality analysis, technical advice and capacity building, and by supporting lesson learning and the sharing of knowledge about complex conflict issues in Sudan. The approach will be informed by continuous consultation with a diverse range of local and international actors, and will adopt a flexible, iterative and adaptive approach.

The pilot year will begin with a three-month scoping period, which will provide more in depth information on the specific context and lay the groundwork to further define the remit of the programme. It is important to get the starting point right, to adequately analyse the context and dynamics to inform the Theory of Change, and to understand the main challenges with regards to conflict sensitivity. The scoping process will also define key issues and themes for the facility to focus on, define the process for the creation of an evidence base, and how to capture learning. The process should seek to build an understanding of ‘conflict sensitivity’ which moves beyond catch all technical terms to be strongly rooted in the Sudanese context i.e. to support agencies to develop a clear and nuanced understanding about what adopting a conflict sensitive approach means in practical terms in the Sudanese context. To that end, it will be essential to work closely with local Sudanese actors and civil society to define what this means on their terms.

CONSULTANCY:

• These Terms of Reference are for a Sudan-based consultant who will support this scoping process, working with a small team over a three-month period. This small team will include a Lead Consultant who will design and lead the process, representatives of Saferworld’s Conflict Advisory Unit, and the Saferworld Sudan country team, and other partners.

Objectives of the consultancy:

• Support the design and implementation of a scoping process which will define the course of the pilot year of the project, working closely with the Lead Consultant and Saferworld colleagues.
• Play an active role in contributing to the scoping report and detailed programme document which will lay out a proposed way forward for the pilot, working closely with the Lead Consultant and Saferworld colleagues.

Key deliverables:

• Adaptable support for overall scoping process, including conducting and informing analysis, context/risk analysis specific to project, mapping of relevant aid actors, conducting outreach on behalf of the project, and playing a key role in strategy development and programme design.
• Design and facilitate focus groups with communities (using appropriate methodologies to adapt to COVID-19 requirements), aid actors and other relevant stakeholders (including in field locations around Sudan).
• Conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders.
• Written reports detailing research findings.
• Support design of conflict sensitivity capacity building methodology and training.
• Completion of scoping report and detailed programme document (as part of team).

Person specification:

• A Master’s degree in relevant field with commensurate professional experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with commensurate field experience.
• Demonstrated experience conducting both desk and field-based analysis, preferably in Sudan.
• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles.
• Experience working in humanitarian aid, development or peacebuilding sectors
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Sudanese aid sector, including donor coordination mechanisms, UN Agencies and NGOs (national and international)

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent (fluent/native) Arabic oral ability.
• Excellent (fluent/native) English oral and writing ability.
• Strong oral presentation and facilitation skills (previous experience of training desirable).
• Demonstrated analytical skills (strong understanding of conflict sensitivity desirable).
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work with consortium based in different countries and time zones.
• Strong ability to work in teams and collaborate on projects with a diverse team.
• Strong networker and effective at outreach, both online and in person.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field (subnational) level in Sudan.
• Ability to plan and work within agreed timeframes
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and work well under pressure.
• Ability to manage budgets and handle administration and finance tasks for self at minimum.

Location of work:

• The work will be based in Sudan, with travel to relevant field locations.

Timeframe:

• The consultancy is to be completed within a three-month period, with periodic monthly reviews/updates to adapt the process and approach.
• The consultant must be available in the period November 2020 – January 2021.

Application process:

• We are an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified applicants.
• To apply, please send your CV and covering letter to jobs@saferworld.org.uk, including references similar work done, and daily rate required.
• Deadline for submissions: 20th October 2020