International Consultant to Provide Advisory, Technical and Programming Support on the Constitution Making Process in South Sudan

Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

Following South Sudan’s independence in 2011, a Transitional Constitution came into force which was to be reviewed and replaced with a permanent Constitution within two years. However, the period following independence has been characterized by ongoing, armed conflict impacting most of the territory and its people. In 2018, multiple peace processes finally resulted in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which set out a number of critical activities to be implemented by the parties in support of peacebuilding. Reviving the stalled constitution-making process was one of the milestones included in the R-ARCSS, with Chapter VI setting out several very specific steps to be incorporated into the constitution-making process.

Although the political environment is still relatively fluid, the constitution-making process was launched on 25 May 2021. The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) are leading international efforts to support the process with the technical assistance of Max Planck Institute. The United Nations (UN) also has an important role to play in supporting national government and non-government partners to progress a peaceful, participatory, and inclusive process that is informed by well-researched, locally contextualized constitutional advice and knowledge. To this end, UNDP in collaboration with the rest of the UN system will work with government, non-government, and community organisations to support a peaceful, participatory, well-informed, and transparent constitution-making process.

Technical discussions, support to key stakeholders aimed at ensuring that marginalized groups (including women, young people, people with disabilities and the rural poor) can contribute effectively and coordination among UN entities is underway. In support of efforts of the UN to providd coordinated assistance, UNDP has led the development of a UN Project Document that includes UNMISS, UN Women, UNESCO and UNICEF as participating partners, for which resources are yet to be mobilized. With the launch of the permanent constitution making, it is envisaged that key steps to move the process forward will take place in earnest and consequently, UNDP ought to be prepared to engage at all levels.

In view of this, UNDP through its Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening programme now seeks to engage a Senior Advisor on constitution making processes to increase its capacity to support the implementation of Chapter VI of the R-ARCSS.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

To provide high quality policy advisory, technical assistance and programming support on the constitution making process to UNDP, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, civil society organizations focusing particularly on issues of women and youth and displaced groups and the media. The advisor will provide advice to UNDP on the implementation of Chapter V of the R-ARCSS.

Scope of Work

• Advise UNDP on issues relating to the constitution making, including international best practices and principles;
• Work with the Chief Technical Advisor for Access to Justice and Rule of Law to present and discuss constitution making priorities to different stakeholders in a way that is neutral and resonates with the people;
• Lead the preparation of a strategy for South Sudanese media and a UN Media strategy
• Conceptualize and oversee UNDP’s support to 10 civil society organizations and 3 media organizations to conduct extensive civic education programmes on the constitution making;
• Participate in transitional justice coordination platforms and engage with the UN and other development partners on the constitution making activities and other related strategic priorities;
• Explore and suggest areas of implementing constitution making activities and with an emphasis on implementing initiatives at the state and community level;
• Draft technical and analytical documents to guide UNDP’s management, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and any other institution established within the scope of Chapter VI of the R-ARCSS;
• Support UNDP’s partners to participate in specialized conferences, meetings, and other events;
• Perform other duties as necessary and required.

Deliverables

• A UN Media Strategy: This strategy should include a comprehensive elaboration of constitution making, the basis for its application in South Sudan and how the UN can prioritize and sequence the use of the media and ensure complementarity with other activities of relevance. It should also include an elaboration of the guiding principles for the UN approach and engagement with all forms of media on the constitution making that is context specific, measures to implement the strategy through locally driven processes that are based on a thorough analysis and assessment of the country and local contexts, while pointing to how to achieve coordinated actions, resources and expertise among the UN and of international and regional actors; and other relevant elements necessary for an effective strategy.
• A Strategy for the Media of South Sudan: The strategy should outline the substantive focus and process for participation of different media in participating in the constitution making process. It will be informed by conflict patterns, locations and groups to be consulted, support needs to the media and sequenced actions, all of which will be reviewed by the networks or associations of media houses in South Sudan.
• Development of sensitization materials on constitution making: Develop tailor-made sensitization and awareness messages on constitution making in English and Arabic for the public.
• Concept Note and Implementation of civic education and capacity building activities for CSOs, media, youth and women: Prepare concept notes and tools to take forward the activities in the UNDP Annual Workplan for 2021 on building capacity of the NCRC, CSOs, media and supporting civic education.

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 key deliverables such as the UN media strategy and concept notes meets the highest standard for such documents; and ensure proper editing and clarity.

Duration

• This assignment is for a total of 5 months with effect from 15 June 2021. The consultant will provide support in person and remotely until.

Remuneration

• The consultant will be paid the agreed amount upon the satisfactory delivery of key deliverables.

Supervision

• The consultant will report to and be supervised by Chief Technical Advisor and Programme Manager for Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights.

Competencies

• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Masters level degree in law, political science, international relations, or other relevant subject.
• Qualifications in Law or related field is desirable.

Experience

• At least 15 years of proven experience working in the development or implementation of constitution making strategies in post-conflict settings. Experience of this in South Sudan is preferred.
• A recent example of facilitating a constitution making process. An experience of this support in sub-Saharan Africa is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in training, organizing and conducting consultation and multi-stakeholder discussion is desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of developing country governments, especially those emerging from conflict.
• Excellent knowledge in human rights and gender mainstreaming.

Language

• Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Institutional arrangements

• The consultant will be contracted for 100 working days.
• The consultant will report to the Senior Program Advisor in UNDP and Director General Ministry of Labour, who will review and approve delivery of outputs.

Payment Schedule

• Upon completion of the UN Media Strategy 20%
• Upon development of sensitization materials on constitution making 15%
• Upon completion of the Strategy for the Media of South Sudan 30%
• Upon implementation of civic education and capacity building activities for CSOs, media, youth and women 35%

The available starting date and fees of the assignment which is subject to negotiation should be clearly stated in the Letter of Interest.

Technical proposal shall comprise of the following:

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all prior experience with similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and three (3) professional references
• Brief description (max. 1 page) of why you consider yourself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology (max. 1 page) for how you will approach and complete the assignment

Financial proposal: Indicating the all-inclusive, fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Consultancy Evaluation Criteria

Offers received will be evaluated using a Combined Scoring method, where the qualifications and Required Skills and Experience will be weighted 70%, and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30%.

Technical evaluation criteria

The criteria to be used for rating the qualifications and Required Skills and Experience is outlined below:

• Relevant Educational Experience (20%)
• Relevant Work Experience as per TOR Requirements (50%).
• Competencies, Skills & language (30%)

NOTE: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial evaluation (total 30 points)

All technically qualified candidates will be scored up to 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals receive points according to the following formula: p = y (/z) Where:

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal price of the lowest priced proposal
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Annex 1 - IC Contract Template

Annex 2 - IC General Terms and Conditions