Description
Location: Remote
Position Status: Short-term (30 days)
Type: Consultancy
Start Date: August 15, 2025 About the INGO Forum Sudan is currently facing one of the most complex and devastating humanitarian crises in the world. The ongoing conflict has resulted in large-scale displacement, critical protection concerns, restricted humanitarian access, widespread food insecurity, and a collapse of basic services. In this context, humanitarian actors and coordination bodies have increasingly begun to explore the need for a โhumanitarian resetโ โ a fundamental rethinking of how aid is delivered in Sudan. The Sudan INGO Forum, comprising 51 members and 17 observers, serves as a key representation and coordination platform for international NGOs operating in Sudan. It is a permanent member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), co-leads the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG), and plays a key role in collective advocacy, humanitarian policy, and operational coordination. General Purpose of the Consultancy The INGO Forum is seeking a short-term consultant to undertake an independent analysis of the various dimensions of and opportunities around the humanitarian reset in Sudan. The consultancy will be remote and span a period of 30 days. The primary aim is to produce a concise, evidence-based set of recommendations for the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and other coordination stakeholders on how the reset can be most effectively understood, structured, and implemented given the unique context of Sudan. These recommendations will build off of the 10 workstreams identified by the HCT in line with global recommendations, and will be informed by the working groups under each of these workstreams. Key Responsibilities
- Conduct a desk review of existing literature, frameworks, meeting summaries, and policy documents related to the humanitarian reset in Sudan and comparable contexts.
- Engage with key stakeholders remotely (via interviews, focus groups, or surveys) including INGO Forum members, UN agencies, donors, and national organizations.
- Participate as an observer in the workstreams to keep an overall view of the process
- Identify or formulate common positions of the INGO Forum for key workstreams (e.g., localization, access, coordination architecture, funding modalities, protection mainstreaming, etc.).
- Evaluate the implications of different reset scenarios on INGOs, national partners, and affected populations.
- Develop a set of actionable recommendations and options for the HCT and INGO Forum, with a focus on ensuring principled, inclusive, and effective humanitarian action in Sudan. Deliverables
- Inception Note: Outlining methodology, key stakeholders to consult, and a work plan (due within 5 days of contract start).
- Set of key messages for priority workstreams, as identified with the forum (1 page per workstream,)
- Draft Analytical Paper (max 12 pages): Identifying dimensions, challenges, and opportunities of the reset and implications for Sudan (due by Day 20).
- Presentation to the INGO Forum Secretariat and HCT: Summary of findings and preliminary recommendations (Day 25).
- Final Report (max 15 pages): Including refined recommendations tailored to key stakeholders (due by Day 30). Consultant Profile Essential:
- Proven expertise in humanitarian policy, strategy, or system reform.
- Deep understanding of humanitarian architecture, including the IASC system, cluster coordination, and country-level response mechanisms.
- At least 7 years of professional experience in humanitarian settings, with demonstrated analytical and report-writing skills.
- Experience conducting remote consultations and working independently.
- Fluency in English. Desirable:
- Previous work in Sudan or similar contexts (e.g., South Sudan, Syria, Yemen).
- Familiarity with the Sudan INGO Forum or other humanitarian coordination platforms.
- Familiarity with IASC system
- Working knowledge of Arabic is an asset. Accountability Reports Directly To: INGO Access and Advocacy Advisor
Works Directly With: INGO Forum Secretariat, Advocacy working group, OCHA, INGO Forum Members Application Process Interested consultants should submit:- A short proposal (max 3 pages) outlining approach, availability, and daily rate.
- CV (max 3 pages)
- One sample of similar previous work (preferred)