Gendered Conflict Assessment (GCA) Consultancy

Job Description

Introduction

The IRC is part of the Complementary Action for Resilience Building (CARB) consortium project led by NRC and partners ACTED and DRC In September 2018, South Sudan signed a revitalized peace agreement (R-ARCSS) and formed a Unity Government in February 2020. Despite this, the context is characterized by intercommunal clashes, localized violence, cattle raiding incidents, and tensions in the displacement camps. Violence affecting women and girls include rape, physical assault, emotional abuse, and forced marriage. Cattle keepers have become increasingly militarized, weakening the ability of traditional authorities to intervene in and manage conflicts. Conflict and insecurity are key drivers of food insecurity in South Sudan. Unity State remains heavily fragmented along political and military lines, affecting communities’ ability to effectively manage conflict. Gender norms contribute to both conflict and peace.

The CARB project seeks to improve food and nutrition security in Western Bahr El Ghazal and Unity States through adding value to existing resource pipelines. CARB is informed by a Theory of Change (ToC) as follows: IF households have increased food production and access to livelihood opportunities through resilience design systems that help to restore productive agroecosystems if their nutrition and well-being is improved if they are buffered from climate extremes and extreme weather events AND IF humanitarian response mechanisms are strengthened AND IF social cohesion is improved, and the political, security and protective environment remains conducive, THEN households will be more resilient to shocks and stressors and have improved food and nutrition security. The specific pathway for change related to this consultancy is that;

“If social cohesion is improved, and the political, security and protective environment remain conducive, then households will be more resilient to shocks and stressors and have improved food and nutrition security”.

To inform gender and conflict-sensitive programming, the IRC is seeking an experienced consultant to undertake a gender and conflict assessment in the two IRC project locations of Mayendit and Panyijiar counties of Unity state. IRC CARB intervention targets communities living in Mayendit and Panyijiar.

Duties and Responsibilities

The specific objectives of the consultancy are, therefore, to:

a. Understand key overall gender and conflict dynamics in Mayendit and Panyijiar in relation to Unity state in terms of-

i) Key active and dormant conflicts (historical and current), types of conflict, conflict actors, root causes and drivers and triggers of conflict (including climate-change-related conflict drivers).

ii) Engendered conflict dynamics - consider gender norms and how they interact with conflict dynamics – in relation to gender identities and gender inter-sectionality.

b. Assess how gendered conflict dynamics will affect the CARB program implementation. Identify critical conflicts that hinder food and nutrition security (to be recommended for immediate joint dialogue and mitigation with clear resolutions as immediate outputs).

c. Identify conflict “dividers” and conflict sensitivity risks, and analyze the potential effects of conflict on the project CARB program, especially regarding target groups such as; women, women groups, community leaders, elders, local authorities, marginalized groups and young people from the Panyijiar and Mayendit communities.

d. Identify “connectors” or local capacities for peace such as existing conflict management mechanisms, practices (including indigenous knowledge systems) and structures and analyze the extent to which these can be used as vehicles for enhancing dialogue and social cohesion between or among communal groups. Further, find out the timeline of previous attempts to solve conflicts. Identify opportunities for the smooth running of project activities and opportunities for further Conflict assessment.

e. Design a conflict monitoring and sensitivity mitigation plan (based on conflict scenarios) to be used to monitor and mitigate conflict in good time and provide conflict-sensitive recommendations for IRC CARB interventions to inform programmatic activities in the target locations and advocacy.

f. Analyze gender in terms of access, dignity, participation and safety to market and other livelihoods opportunities that will improve the resilience and livelihoods of the most vulnerable groups

g. To identify the link between flood risk reduction measures implemented by IRC and social cohesion dynamics of the area.

h. Identify how social cohesion is maintained and promoted through all CMDRR activities

Key Milestone Deliverables

a) Submit inception report detailing the technical methodology, work plan and budget.

b) Two area-based analyses (up to a maximum of 30 pages each) covering Mayendit and Panyijar including all raw data gathered during the study:

c) Conduct primary field research, including engagement with among others, women groups, local female community leaders, peace actors, traditional elders, security providers and relevant local authorities.

Draft Report and PowerPoint presentation with synthetized findings and recommendations, which will be presented both at field and at Juba-levels. One assessment final report with research findings, analysis, limitations, advocacy points, and recommendations

Qualifications

Estimated Timeline and Duration

The consultant will report to the IRC/CARB Social Cohesion Technical Working Group on the content production and closely with the IRC Program Manager for overall field coordination and liaison.

Competencies

i. Excellent research skills

ii. Proven impartiality and conflict-sensitive research approaches.

iii. Ability to network and build strong relationships with local actors using inter-personal skills

iv. Excellent analytical and communication skills

v. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and show flexibility

vi. High level of proficiency in the English language, particularly in writing – Nuer language is a plus.

vii. Good knowledge of Unity State context particularly Mayendit and Panyijiar.

IRC Responsibility

Cover and arrange the consultant’s travel and accommodation to and in the field. Provide ongoing security advice and support as necessary for travel to field sites. Facilitate engagement with key stakeholders. Provide all necessary project documents.

Note: The payments will be in two instalments, 30% after submission of Inception report, and 70% after the completion of the task and submission of final acceptable report to IRC.

Please note that a partial payment hold-back will be in effect until a final report has been approved by IRC.

Consultants Profile

Academic Qualifications: University degree in social science, sociology, political science or any other related field. MA is a plus.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in conducting research. Previous experience in conducting conflict analyses and specifically experience in gender assessments is necessary and theoretical knowledge of conflict sensitivity processes and application.

Documents to be Submitted

• A technical proposal outlining the consultant’s own understanding of the required scope of work

• Updated CV of the consultant that clearly spells out his/her qualifications and experience

• A financial proposal showing daily rate

• Examples of similar work completed in past years

• 2 reference contacts

How to Apply

Send details to Jimmy.Okori@rescue.org and dominic.wani@rescue.org by March 30, 2022