National Consultancy for Civil Society Empowerment under the Peace Building Project in Darfur, Rule of Law and Justice Reform Portfolio

Much of Darfur today remains a post-conflict setting, characterized by fragile public institutions, challenged by criminality as well as sexual and gender-based violence/conflict-related sexual violence (SGBV-CRSV), a protracted humanitarian crisis and lack of development. Armed conflict still prevails in the Jebel Marra area of Central and South Darfur, with intermittent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the increasingly radicalized Sudan Liberation Army- Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW), including the fall out of other SLA-factions (Alfouka, Hassabo and Aldouk factions). In addition, inter-communal conflict is still rife throughout Darfur. Both types of conflict are inextricably linked with tensions between host communities, IDPs, including women, and sedentary-farming and nomadic-pastoral communities over access to, use and management of resources, especially land and water. These tensions occasionally lead to localized armed violence, including violent attacks on women and girls being exposed to SGBV.

In addition, the government have been unable to provide the required security and services expected by the people.  This has resulted in decreased level of trust in government among the people, especially IDPs and returnees.  The absence or weak institutions are not only limited to rule of law, such as police and courts, but also include other public institutions that are responsible for provision of basic services such as education, health, water and sanitation. Because of this, the crucial grievances at the origin of the conflict, including access to land and resources, remain largely unaddressed and are root causes of inter-communal violence and conflict in Darfur. While modest improvements have been made in the rule of law area, the presence of legitimate and accountable rule of law institutions is limited in conflict-affected or prone areas, and the justice system struggles to assert its independence, particularly in the investigation and prosecution of conflict-related crimes, with prisons both insecure and overcrowded. The security vacuum coupled with the low numbers of police and other rule of law institutions and rampant impunity has created an environment for armed groups, tribal militias and other groups to consolidate influence through criminal activity. The overall erosion of the rule of law in Darfur during the Bashir regime had already decreased overtime eroding public confidence and trust in the justice system as a critical tool for stabilization and protection. It was in this context, that the Peacebuilding Fund was identified a crucial enabler for transition and to promote stabilization and peace consolidation in Darfur with proposed interventions aiming to tackle the causes of violence by addressing conflict drivers. The project in Darfur, will continue to further strengthen Sudanese rule of law institutions and create the conditions necessary for a functioning administration capable of ensuring public safety services, access to and delivery of justice, access to land and other natural resources and respect for and protection of fundamental rights.

Outcome 2: Good governance is instituted at locality level and confidence of people built: freedom of movement and physical security is taken for granted by men and women and the rule of law is perceived to be applied without fear or favour; quality basic services are accessible to all, and all feel a stakeholder to their provision

Output 2.1: Governance system reinforced at the local level

This outcome encompasses interventions at the institutional level. Working with different duty bearers including, local governance forums, the police, prosecution, courts, corrections, and native administration; the programme will provide targeted support to key governance and justice institutions, enhancing their capacity to provide security and justice while at the same time protecting human rights and accountability.

Objectives of the assignment:

• Identification of key challenges and constraints encountered by civil society in the five Darfur states. Development of a detailed plan to operationalise the work / technical assistance to local civil society capacities and media houses and support participatory governance and social accountability mechanisms
• Map existing local civil society organisations and media houses, and assess capacities including validation workshops to establish gaps / needs and challenges faced by civil society and media at state / locality level
• Train CSOs and media partners as per the capacity assessment findings including on participatory governance, social accountability, lobbying and policy advocacy, rights-based approaches and other identified needs
• Support local initiatives on public outreach and networks on policy advocacy and social accountability.
• Training reports and an End of Assignment Report, noting overall achievements of the assignment since inception, recommendations on how to strengthen civil society in Darfur, and by extension in Sudan. Highlighting what they need and the nature (form / shape) of the capacity building for future technical assistance and support.

As a way of upfronting strategic initiatives UNDP has prioritized building local civil society capacities in the five states of Darfur where the PBF project is being implemented (Tawilla locality in North Darfur; Assalaya-Sheiria-Yassin localities in East Darfur; Jebel moon locality in West Darfur; Greida locality in South Darfur and Umm Dhukun, Nertiti localities in Central Darfur); for them to play an active role in engaging in advocacy and monitoring local government policies and actions as well hold local governance forums and traditional authorities accountable. In addition, the lack of appreciation of the critical role of CSOs including CBOs, FBOs and NGOs etc. in promoting the rule of law, human rights, peace and stability; and inadequate capacity for them to meaningfully advocate for better policies, awareness on human rights standards including holding local authorities accountable remain critical and weak at the locality level. Moreover, civil society who are ‘critical friends and partners’ to government and other actors in playing a crucial role in promoting democratic local governance lack skills including in lobbying and advocacy for policy development.

With support of UNDP, the Consultant will undertake the following:

 Desk review and operational framework

The consultant will in close co-ordination with UNDP and the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and undertake a review of the legal and operational environment for civil society and media houses including constraints that they face in discharging their duties; and deliver a) an initial report detailing a plan to operationalise the technical assistance to strengthen civil society / media capacities and mechanisms for participatory governance and social accountability, and b) mapping and assessment tools to establish operational local CSOs and media houses, and existing capacities including needs, gaps and constraints

Engagement of counterparts and communities and participation in assessments

The consultant will, in close co-ordination with UNDP, consult with, amongst stakeholders, government institutions, CSOs, media houses, non-state actors (to the extent they are relevant/ applicable/ feasible) at both state and locality level authorities to validate the tools and participate in the mapping and assessment exercises.

The consultant will then participate in the UNDP-led mission (s) to engage authorities and communities of the selected target areas at state, locality/village level, to a) map operational CSOs and media houses including areas of programming / services and geographical reach, b) assess capacities, needs, gaps, challenges and make appropriate recommendation.

She or he will conduct stakeholders’ workshops to validate results / data and information and based on this deliver reports for each of the activities and develop a capacity building programme.

Support to capacity building and final reporting

The consultant will in close co-ordination with UNDP, conduct a training programme for building core capacities and knowledge development including lobbying and advocacy for policy development with a special focus on peace, mediation, human rights, social accountability for government. The consultant will also support local initiatives on public outreach and networks on policy advocacy and social accountability.

She or he will deliver reports on the trainings including beneficiaries, training themes, etc. and an End of Assignment Report, noting overall achievements of the assignment since inception, recommendations on how to strengthen civil society in Darfur, and by extension in Sudan; highlighting what they need and the nature (form / shape) of the capacity building for future technical assistance and support.

Institutional Arrangements

1. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Peace Building Fund Project Manager
2. The consultant is expected to report to PM on the progress of activities weekly. Up on completion of the assignment, he/she should submit final report detailing the activities, achievements, challenges and recommendations for future similar initiatives, among others;
3. In his/her day-to-day activity, the consultant is expected to liaise with the Programme Officer and ROL portfolio staff in Khartoum and other project staff in Darfur;
4. During this consultancy, the UNDP Darfur will be responsible for:

• Provision of any necessary background information on UNDP project activities in Darfur region;
• The payment of the consultancy fee; and
• Provision of office facilities.

Duration of Work

 It is anticipated that this consultancy will take a total of 3 months (1st November 2021 – 31 January 2022). The consultant is expected to start immediately after signing of the contract.

Duty Station

This assignment will be based in El Daein with frequent travels as required to Nyala, El Geneina, Zalingei and Ed Daein.

Selection criteria and basis of evaluation 

Submissions will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis of the technical evaluation (weight: 70%) and financial criteria (weight: 30%). Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points from the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation.

A Master’s degree in Law, Governance, Human Rights and/ or Development Studies with extensive experience in rule of law reform consultancies, capacity building initiatives and supporting implementation of projects.

At least of minimum of 8 years’ experience in governance and rule of law sector, particularly in supporting implementation of projects, civil society engagement, empowerment and capacity building including mapping, capacity assessment, working with grass-root CBOs and communities.

Extensive experience in Excellent knowledge of current political affairs in Darfur and at large Sudan; experience of working with government authorities, rule of law and justice sector institutions, IDP populations, grass-roots communities and civil society.

Prior experience with UNDP, and knowledge of its procedures and processes will be a distinct advantage; action-oriented research/reviews including rapid assessments to distill pertinent issues for intervention to strengthen capacities of the institutions / organisations personnel.

Experience in facilitating interactive capacity building workshops for a diverse audience to achieve high quality outcomes; ability to translate challenges faced in a complex environment into strategic planning and implementation and sustainable recovery.

Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments

• The consultancy fee should be determined on a lump sum basis, prorated to each month. The lump sum amount must be all-inclusive, and the contract price must be fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. Payments will be made upon submission of monthly reports and as specified in the deliverables.
• All travel costs outside the duty station, including air tickets and Daily Subsistence Allowance, will be paid separately by UNDP project based on the actual mission/s undertaken and in line with UNDP policies and procedures.

 Schedule of Payment:

Deliverable 1: 30%

Detailed plan to operationalise the work / technical assistance to local civil society capacities and media houses and support participatory governance and social accountability mechanisms.

Coordinate with HAC (or relevant NGO body) in the 5 states of Darfur to develop mapping and assessment tools to establish operational CSOs and media houses (at least ten) and assess their capacities / gaps and challenges.

 Deliverable 2. 40%

Engagement with key stakeholders to validate mapping and assessment tools; map operational CSOs and media houses and assess their capacities / gaps and challenges and conduct stakeholders’ workshops to validate data / field information.

develop a training programme in respect of the capacity assessments for building capacities.

Deliverable 3: 30%

Equip at least 10 CSOs and media houses with skills / knowledge to build core capacities including in lobbying and advocacy for policy development with a special focus on peace, mediation, human rights, social accountability for government; support local initiatives on public outreach and networks on policy advocacy and social accountability.

Training reports and an End of Assignment Report, noting overall achievements of the assignment since inception, recommendations on how to strengthen civil society in Darfur, and by extension in Sudan; highlighting what they need and the nature (form / shape) of the capacity building for future technical assistance and support.

To Review the TOR and Offerors Letter please go through the below link:

http://196.202.143.140/DPAcclab/JAdv/CSOEmpower/

Language and other skills:

• Ability to translate challenges faced in a complex environment into strategic planning and implementation and sustainable recovery;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic;
• Demonstrated initiative and perseverance; self-starter, highly motivated and comfortable in a multi-cultural team setting; Personal sensitivity and commitment to the values of the United Nations;
• Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines.

 Qualification of Successful Bidders and Recommended Presentation of Offer

The consultant is required to have the following profile:

Education Requirement:

•  A master’s degree in Law, Governance, Human Rights, Development Studies and Rural Development;
• Relevant experience of minimum 8 years in governance and rule of law sector, particularly in supporting implementation of projects, civil society engagement, empowerment and capacity building including mapping, capacity assessment, working with grass-root CBOs and communities.

Experience:

• Excellent knowledge of current political affairs in Darfur and at large Sudan;
• Experience of working with government authorities, rule of law and justice sector institutions, IDP populations, grass-roots communities and civil society;
• Prior experience with UNDP, and knowledge of its procedures and processes will be a distinct advantage.

The following should be included in the offer:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references.
• Brief description of why the candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided