Call Title: Sudan Mapping Study**
Theme: Constitution-making process in Sudan
Location: Khartoum, Sudan
Contract Type: Consultant (Regional consultant preferred)
Duration of Assignment: 20 working days in December 2020/January 2021
Introduction
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is embarking on a project entitled: “Supporting a New Sudanese Constitution”. The project aims to support the Sudanese people in their sovereign pursuit of a new Constitution that will serve as a true social contract for a liberal and democratic Sudan. The program will achieve this goal by implementing activities that advance the following two objectives: (1) Bolster Sudanese stakeholders’ ability to design a participatory, inclusive, transparent and knowledge-driven Constitution making process; and (2) Support Sudanese stakeholders’ legal drafting efforts so that the Constitution’s drafts are consistent with comparative state of the art and international standards.
The ABA ROLI approach recognizes the need to reach short-term tangible milestones to create momentum, while supporting the longer-term institutionalization of reforms critical to a stable democracy. To achieve this, our project team along with local partners in Sudan will implement the program through the following strategic approaches:
· Convening spaces for meaningful participation and collaboration
· Putting gender, diversity and inclusion (GDI) front and center
· Applying lessons learned from past Constitution making processes in Sudan and in the region
· From tribal courts to Shari’a Law: taking legal pluralism seriously
To meet the project objectives, ABA ROLI will implement activities in collaboration with local partners and provide financial and technical assistance to support the process. To inform programing over the course of the coming year(s) the project intends to conduct a stakeholder mapping study.
Purpose of the Consultancy and Scope of work (Given that there are objectives, the scope of work should perhaps also be divided into 2 parts).
ABA is seeking a consultant who will conduct an inclusive mapping exercise to further the two key objectives of the project related to both the process of making the constitution as well as drafting the constitution in accordance with international standards.
The consultant will meet and listen to a diverse range of stakeholders to understand their views about the root causes of conflict in Sudan, their current situation and how the constitution-making process can achieve their aspirations as well as promote an inclusive, transparent, and participatory exercise that will lead to a more durable peace.
The consultant will also meet with key stakeholders to understand views on substantive issues that are emerging for their future constitution, which may include the status and limitations imposed on the Sudanese Armed Forces, and civil-military relations in general; effective decentralization of power and resources to the ten Federal states; representation and inclusion of ethnic minorities; the power and role of the judiciary, including the Constitutional Court; and mechanisms to promote robust political parties that fulfill their role in a liberal democracy.
The consultant will prepare a study that will draw from the consultations with key stakeholders to reflect the vision for the way forward from diverse actors, including how they wish to engage with the process, the preferred road map for the constitution making process, and an outline of the key issues that are emerging at this juncture in the process. The findings of the study will inform ABAROLI and its partners strategic interventions and targeted support to the constitution making process in Sudan over the course of the next year(s).
Methodology
The Consultant will be expected to work independently but in close consultation with ABAROLI’s local partner organization(s) in Sudan. S/he will be expected to consult a wide range of stakeholders and related materials to inform the study. S/he will be expected to elaborate on this methodology in the inception Report. S/he will apply the most appropriate technique/methodology that will focus on the objectives highlighted above, mainly by using desk review and key informant interviews. S/he will further be expected to provide the preferred methodology in the inception report.
Key deliverables
1) Inception report - Building on the initial proposal submitted, the selected Consultant will be expected to prepare an inception report within 3 days of being awarded the contract. The report must include a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference, description of the methodology, identification of key stakeholders to be consulted, detailing the process of how the criteria will be developed and a work plan with a clear timetable proposed to execute the assignment.
2) Mapping study – consultant will prepare/draft the mapping study with findings based on stakeholder interviews and consultations and desk research.
Qualifications and Experience sought
· Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree in International Law, Human Rights or related field (specialization in constitutional law preferred) Conflict or Peace Studies, or other related field.
· At least 5-10 years of relevant professional experience, and demonstrated experience with similar assignments;
· Candidates should ideally have knowledge of the current context in Sudan and emerging issues related to Sudan’s transition, as well as key stakeholders, and gender and diversity issues.
· Demonstrated experience working with Sudan’s civil society, including youth and women’s groups;
· Experience with gender and diversity issues in engaging local communities;
· Experience with conducting desk and field research for similar studies;
· Excellent report writing skills;
· English and Arabic fluency
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified applicants Interested applicants are requested to submit a proposal, including the following: cover letter, 2 letters of reference, outline proposed structure of the research; estimated budget and work plan to claire.duguid@americanbar.org by the 13th of December, 2020.
How to apply:
Application Procedure
Interested applicants are requested to submit a proposal, including the following: cover letter, 2 letters of reference, outline proposed structure of the research; estimated budget and work plan to claire.duguid@americanbar.org by the 13th of December, 2020.