International Consultant, Strategic Plan Development Process for the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), South Sudan

Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), South Sudan is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit making membership organization focusing on women’s rights. Founded in 2010 by South Sudanese women lawyers as South Sudanese Women Lawyers Association, it later joined the FIDA International family in 2016 officially changing its name to FIDA, South Sudan (Federation of Women Lawyers that is Federación Internacional de Abogadas). The founders established the organization to focus on women and children’s rights due to the existence of negative social and cultural practices in South Sudan. These traditions have prevented women from fully participating in public life and in the development of their own communities making them vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) with inadequate or no access to justice.

FIDA achieves its vision on “A Just South Sudan, where Respect, Protection and Promotion women’s Dignity and Rights is observed’’ and its mission to work to strengthen the capacity of women to spearhead women involvement in decision making, peace building and justice through several focus areas of work

• Access to Justice for women and other vulnerable citizens and populations: FIDA is working to promote legal protection mechanisms for women and children by increasing availability of legal aid services to vulnerable groups (specifically women and children) and by strengthening the promotion of the rule of law and accountability of the justice system. FIDA offers litigation, mediation and pro- bono service to affected persons and communities, and has created referral pathways, facilitated community dialogue meetings and forums for conducting sensitization on the referral pathways. Part of this includes efforts to promote reproductive health rights and prevent and respond to SGBV including through psychosocial and mental health support in the women centres.
• Women Leadership Peace and Security: FIDA is actively involved in ongoing efforts to highlight the role of gender in peace and security in South Sudan by specifically promoting women’s involvement in peacebuilding and the peace process. This is complemented by measures directed at increasing the number of women in leadership positions and various processes and reforms such as transitional justice, constitution making and security sector reforms toincrease their responsiveness to the needs of the entire community and women and girls in particular.  
• Rights advocacy through Socio-Cultural and Economic rights empowerment: FIDA undertakes advocacy for Gender Equality and Equity in macroeconomic policy and Gender Budgeting at national and state level to achieve equitable distribution of resources between women and men, girls and boys. The use of an integrated approach has included research, enhancing capacities of technocrats and legislators to understand the importance of mainstreaming gender in plans and budgets, lobbying relevant stakeholders and empowering citizens to understand their role in the planning and budgeting processes and to demand for equitable service delivery.
• Institutional capacity development: FIDA also develops strategies aimed at strengthening its capacity, governance and leadership through improved policies and management systems.

As a young post conflict country, due to a prolonged conflict, South Sudanese women and girls are the most vulnerable having limited access to their basic socio-economic rights. This is further enabled by harmful ethnic traditions and cultures that are firmly entrenched in the attitudes and behaviour of people. Along with discrimination of females, women and children have been the worst hit whenever conflict and instability occur leaving them homeless and struggling to recover from Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).

Despite this, women actively participated in the peace talks and made their need for change known leading to increased female representation in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) and inclusion of accountability provisions in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018. The implementation of the Peace Agreement will require continuous engagement and consultation with women and other vulnerable groups, creating awareness of their rights and duties in public participation, and building their capacity to implement the R-ARCSS.

Against this backdrop, the FIDA now seeks to develop its three-year Strategic Plan for 2022-2024. The Strategic Plan will constitute a robust blueprint to enhance the leadership implementation on national legal and justice goals including the Sustainable Development Goals and UNSCR 1325 within the context of the R-ACRSS. The plan will help to further advance the Federation’s mandate and strategic themes of drafting South Sudan’s public policies and laws; provision of legal advice and representation; increasing access to justice to women, children and other vulnerable groups; as well as increasing the capacity of the FIDA to discharge its role and influence national policy and reforms to promote human rights respect and accountability.

Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to support FIDA to develop its strategic plan for the period 2022 to 2024 in line with the organization vision and mission. The plan will include specific activities, proposed programmes, timelines, targets and a detailed costing – through a technically grounded, consultative and participatory planning process, to include extensive consultations with our stakeholders and partners.

Scope of Work

The strategic plan will be based on the following core areas.

• Promotion of access to justice through provision of legal aid services to women and children;
• Research and documentation on women’s legal issues to guide public and private sector operations;
• Consolidation of the gains for women in the constitution and secure effective implementation of all gender responsive laws;
• Strategic alliances with like-minded organizations and individuals in order to harness the collective power of women to achieve social justice;
• Proactive influencing of institutional structures to recognize, comply and be responsive to women’s rights at county, national, continental and international levels; and
• Strengthening the capacity and visibility of the organization to secure sustainability.

The consultant will work with the FIDA under the guidance of the Policy Advisor. The consultant will lead and guide the process of developing the full three-year strategic plan. This will include:

• A review of existing FIDA plans, policy frameworks, laws, R-ARCSS, UN1325, national implementation plans and other relevant documents;
• Development of an economically sound methodology for the strategic plan for how FIDA can most effectively meet its objectives;
• Needs assessment of the organization covering its budget, geographical presence, staffing levels, equipment and tools;
• Stakeholder mapping and consultation;
• Situation analysis, including identification of constraints and opportunities for justice reform and development, promotion of justice delivery, work force enhancement and coordination with other justice chain actors;
• Plans for new programmes and sector sub-strategies that address the constraints and create the needed support systems and incentives;
• Development of a vision and mission statement;
• Development, validation, finalization and costing of a strategic plan 2022-2024 including a log frame, and a detailed implementation plan for 2022 and general activities for 2023-2024; and
• Monitoring and evaluation strategy and communications plan.

Specific Tasks

The Consultant will:

• Carry out a desk review of documents relevant to an understanding of the mandate, legal framework, work and context of FIDA. These will include the existing policy frameworks, action plans, legislation governing the organization, national legislation relevant to justice sector reform and constitutional development, the National Development Strategy, the R-ARCSS and existing assessments of the South Sudan justice sector;
• Review other current relevant policy frameworks, laws, approaches and national implementation plans on justice and constitutional issues;
• Develop an understanding of the current situation of justice and constitutionalism in South Sudan, paying special attention to issues of sustainable development, access to justice, constitutional development, human rights promotion, law reform, legal aid and anti-corruption.
• Hold discussions with the management and staff of FIDA to seek their views and inputs, and further build a common approach to the assignment.
• Conduct a needs assessment of the organization, which will include a review of its existing structure and institutional arrangements with a view to developing a “strategy for expansion”. This will be a component of the final plan.
• Develop a methodology and work plan for a participatory process of the development of the FIDA’s strategic plan with a view to achieving both support, concrete co-operation and programming with relevant justice and other institutions such as the Judiciary, Ministry of Interior (Police and Prisons), the Law Review Commission, Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare and other relevant agencies, and international partners including donors.
• Hold consultations and facilitate interviews with relevant stakeholders including but not limited to: relevant government departments, civil society/NGOs, private sector, UN Agencies in South Sudan and the donor community. At all stages, the organization will be closely involved with the process.
• Develop an advanced draft strategic plan for discussion with staff and the methodology for a wider consultation process which will closely include the FIDA staff.
• Together with FIDA, lead a thorough programme of consultations to receive feedback on draft strategic plan.
• Finalize the strategic plan, including a log frame and a detailed implementation plan for 2022-2024. The plan should include jointly developed vision and mission statements, priority programmes and sector sub-strategies, baselines and targets, timelines and resource allocations and a monitoring plan and communications plan.
• Ensure that the strategic plan is professionally costed and includes a plan for how to integrate the strategic plans of sub-sectors and subvention agencies of the FIDA.

Deliverables

Inception Report: This report should include:

• A comprehensive desk review of documents relevant to an understanding and execution of the assignment
• An elaboration of a methodology, work plan, list and contacts of key stakeholders to be engaged.

Draft Strategic Plan: The draft Plan should be at an advanced stage of completion including all relevant sections outlined in Section 3 of this ToR. It will be availed to reviewers for feedback and additional consultations to address the gaps identified during the review.

Final Draft Strategic Plan: The final product of the process will be a final draft of the 2021-2023 strategic plan for the FIDA. Features of the final draft will include, among other things:

• An executive summary;
• A succinct review of the context of justice and constitutional development in South Sudan;
• An overview of the mandate of the FIDA and the implications for its organization and relation with justice actors and other partner entities;
• A needs assessment and strategic analysis for the FIDA;
• A succinct Vision Statement (should be easy to remember);
• A succinct Mission Statement;
• Key Strategic Priorities;
• A detailed implementation plan which will include all implementable strategic priority activities that balance the short-term quick results and long term strategic work that deliver the most results within the capacities and resources and time frames for 2021-2023;
• Summary analysis of principal partners for the successful implementation of the FIDA’s programme and detailed priorities;
• Logical Framework for the implementation of the Strategic Plan including objectives, baselines and targets, defined timelines and resource allocations, in both financial and human terms, as well as relevant indicators and regular evaluations of their results and impact;
• Detailed cost estimation for the implementation of the Strategic Plan, mapped to possible funding options
• Timeframe for the delivery of each year’s strategic objectives
• Monitoring and Evaluation strategy

Commitment to Quality Work

The consultant shall use an evidence-based approach and ensure the highest standard of work and timely deliverables at every stage of this assignment. In particular, the consultant shall ensure clarity of objectives and process during the wider consultations; countercheck all facts and figures cited; ensure that the content and format of the Draft Strategic Plan meets the highest standard for such documents; and ensure proper editing and clarity.

Corporate Competencies

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.
• Strong communication, team building, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills.

Professionalism

• Knowledge of key concepts related to protection of civilians, gender and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence/Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. Shows ability to suggest ways to mainstream gender and address sexual violence perspectives into governmental processes and mechanisms.
• Good drafting, monitoring, and reporting skills.
• Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, formulate options.
• Draws conclusions and make effective recommendations, particularly in relation to addressing the needs of women and girls in post-conflict situations. Ability to formulate policy advice, position papers and reports for the attention of senior managers.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 

Communication

• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from
• others and responds appropriately. 
• Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. 
• Tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match audience.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain harmonious working
• relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity for diversity.
• Ability to motivate, listen and integrate all members of a team. Ability to develop a consensus among people with varying points of view.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping other team members informed.

Technological Awareness

• Keeps abreast of available technology.
• Understands applicability and limitation of technology with regards to the work of the office.
• Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
• Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Planning & Organizing

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships.
• Plans, coordinates, and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
• Establishes, builds, and maintains effective working relationships with staff, partners and beneficiaries to achieve the planned results.

Qualifications and experience

The following qualifications and experience are required:

• Master’s degree in Law, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human rights, and other related studies Experience;
• At least eight years of experience working in the area of women’s rights, youth, people with disability, gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Wide knowledge of feminist approaches and how to translate to South Sudan context;
• Specific technical knowledge on current women’s rights issues including generation equality, movement building and SDGs and how to translate them to the South Sudan context;
• South Sudan general knowledge and understanding of policy formulation, strategic planning and public sector planning and funding cycle;
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills. Communication and writing skills in Arabic is an added advantage;
• Experience working for or with civil society organisations in country that are emerging from conflict and fragile;
• Proven understanding of human rights, justice and constitutional issues with reference to policy research and development; and
• Experience in leading strategic planning processes and good group facilitation skills.

Duration

This assignment is for a total of 30 working days with effect from 27 September 2021 and must be completed by 27 November 2021 or before.

Remuneration

The consultant will be paid the agreed amount in three lump sums upon the satisfactory delivery of key deliverables of the Final Draft Strategic Plan.

Supervision

The consultant will be supervised by the Policy Advisor and Program Manager of FIDA South Sudan.  

Evaluation Criteria

Relevant Educational Experience (20%)

Master’s degree in law, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Human rights, and other related studies Experience

Relevant Work Experience as per TOR Requirements (50%)

At least eight years of experience working in women’s rights, youth, people with disability, gender equality and women’s empowerment;

South Sudan general knowledge and understanding of government policy formulation, strategic planning and public sector planning and funding cycle

A recent example of facilitating the development of a strategic plan is required. An experience of this support in South Sudan is an added advantage.

Strong working knowledge of civil society organisations, especially those working in conflict, post conflict and fragile settings. Local working experience in South Sudan is preferred.

Excellent knowledge in gender mainstreaming is desirable

Competencies, Skills & language (30%)

Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, delivers on time and within cost and quality standards

Excellent communication and reporting skills.

Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required.

Proficiency in English.