International Consultant, Strategic Plan Development Process for the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, South Sudan
Contract
This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.
Background
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for South Sudan was created when the country achieved its independence in 2011. The ministry performs functions such as representing the government in legal matters, drafting statutory laws, disseminating any legal-related documents to the public, and overseeing the legal profession in South Sudan. Consisting of 5departments including Directorate Public Prosecutions, Civil Directorate, Legal Drafting, Legal Aid and Women and Juvenile unit, the Ministry is decentralized at the state level to better serve the population.
The formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) in February 2020 is a significant milestone in progress toward meaningful implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018. By coming together, the R-TGoNU has committed to moving forward by rebuilding state institutions and implementing reforms necessary to achieving a more accountable, transparent, and responsive government. This, in turn, provides a new platform upon which the Ministry can reorganize itself to enhance the discharge of its duties.
In 2018, the Ministry developed a policy framework with the support of UNDP to enhance justice and efficiency in the justice sector. Developed through a participatory process, the framework was informed by the review of existing laws and recommended changes in the legal system; proposals for the reorganization of the Ministry’s structure including the staffing levels and separation of the Directorate of Public Prosecution and provision of legal aid making them independent institutions. The framework, which was to be approved by the Council of Ministers provides the basis for developing a strategic plan for the Ministry to serve as the policy’s implementation mechanism and incorporate programmatic and budgetary details.
The Ministry now seeks to develop its three-year Strategic Plan for 2021-2023. The Strategic Plan will constitute a robust blueprint to enhance the Ministry’s leadership implementation on national legal and justice goals including the Sustainable Development Goals over the three years. The plan will help to further advance the Ministry’s mandate and strategic themes of drafting South Sudan’s laws, provision of legal advice and representation, increasing access to justice geographically and financially disadvantaged communities and individuals, as well as increasing the capacity of the Ministry to discharge its role under the R-ARCSS and influence national policy to promote human rights respect and accountability. Objective:
The objective of the consultancy is to support the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to develop its strategic plan for the period 2021 to 2023 in line with the Ministry’s gazette provision, the R-ARCSS and including institutional arrangements, specific activities, proposed programmes, timelines, targets and a detailed costing – through a technically grounded, consultative and participatory planning process, to include extensive consultations with public sector partners and the private sector.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work:
The consultant will work with the Ministry under the guidance of the Under Secretary. The Ministry has already undertaken considerable groundwork through the preparation of policy framework. The consultant will lead and guide the process of developing the full three-year strategic plan. This will include:
- A review of existing Ministry plans, policy frameworks, laws, R-ARCSS, national implementation plans and other relevant documents;
- Development of an economically sound methodology for the strategic plan for how the Ministry can most effectively meet its objectives;
- Needs assessment of the Ministry 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 2021-2023 including a log frame, and a detailed implementation plan for 2021 and general activities for 2022-2023.
- 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 the Ministry. These will include the existing policy frameworks, action plans, legislation governing the Ministry, 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 the Ministry to build a common approach to the assignment.
- Conduct a needs assessment of the Ministry, 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 Ministry’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, 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 ministry 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 Ministry’s staff.
- Together with the Ministry, 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 2021-2023. 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 Ministry.
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 Ministry. 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 Ministry and the implications for its organization and relation with justice actors and other partner entities;
- A needs assessment and strategic analysis for the Ministry;
- 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 Ministry’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 including central Government and the country strategies and funding cycles of development partners
- Timeframe for the delivery of each year’s strategic objectives
- Monitoring and Evaluation strategy.
Competencies
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:
- 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 and Arabic is a must.
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.
Required Skills and Experience
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.
Qualifications and experience:
The following qualifications and experience are required:
Education:
- JD/PhD in a technical field relevant to law or International Development
- South knowledge and understanding of government policy formulation, strategic planning and public sector planning and funding cycle.
Experience:
- Experience working for or with developing country governments, especially those emerging from conflict;
- Proven understanding of governance, justice and constitutional issues with reference to policy research and development;
- Experience in leading strategic planning processes and good group facilitation skills;
- Experience and understanding of South Sudan is an added advantage.
Language:
- Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Arabic;
Duration:
This assignment is for a total of 30 working days with effect from 1 October 2020 and must be completed by 31 November 2020 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 Under Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs or the Under Secretary’s designated technical lead.
Evaluation Criteria:
Evaluation Criteria: Offers received will be evaluated using a Combined Scoring method, where the qualifications and proposed methodology will be weighted 70%, and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30%. Below is the breakdown of technical proposal on 100% which will be brought to 70%:
- Relevant Educational Experience (20%): PHD Degree in Law.
- Relevant Work Experience as per TOR Requirements (50%): At least 20 years of proven experience working in the rule of law or legal sector; A minimum of 5 years in the area of government policy formulation and strategic planning. Understanding of government public sector planning and funding cycle is required;A recent example of facilitating a government department to develop its strategic plan is required. An experience of this support in South Sudan is an added advantage; Strong working knowledge of developing country governments, especially those emerging from conflict. 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 and Arabic is a must.
Financial submission:
- Please contact the Procurement Unit; ATT: Jacqueline Kulang;mailto:[email protected]; to avail you with the financial submission template.