Consultant on Context Analysis and Strategic Engagement in Sudan

Result of ServiceThis work will support ESCWA in identifying strategic entry points for engagement in Sudan, enhancing its capacity to provide evidence-based advice, and design interventions to facilitate dialogue among key stakeholders, and strengthen institutions and promote inclusive recovery process. By mapping opportunities and challenges, the consultancy will enable ESCWA to deliver targeted, timely, and impactful support that contributes to stabilization, social cohesion, and sustainable development. Work LocationRemote Expected duration4 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Objective Sudan is facing severe turmoil due to an ongoing war that erupted in April 2023 as a result of a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has resulted in the displacement of millions of people, the severe erosion of institutional capacity, and a sharp increase in humanitarian needs. The crisis is further exacerbated by economic collapse, soaring inflation, and the growing impacts of climate change. As the international community explores ways to contribute to a Sudanese-led peace process that preserves Sudan’s territorial integrity, there is a critical need to identify effective modalities for supporting Sudanese-owned and Sudanese-led initiatives aimed at restoring peace, governance, and social cohesion. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has extensive experience working in conflict-affected contexts and has developed initiatives in countries such as Syria, Libya, and Yemen to support locally owned dialogue and transition processes. In particular, ESCWA has played a significant role in Syria through its engagement since the launch of the National Agenda for the Future of Syria (NAFS) in 2012. NAFS has served as an inclusive and impartial platform for technical dialogue among Syrians from all walks of life, regardless of political affiliation, and remains the only such platform to systematically assess policy needs for a post-conflict Syria. Through this engagement, ESCWA has provided a safe space for dialogue on post-conflict development trajectories, contributing to conflict prevention, resilience-building, and medium- to long-term recovery planning. Through its work, ESCWA has established itself as a trusted platform for dialogue, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders to address critical governance, economic, and social challenges. Drawing on its regional mandate, ESCWA also benefits from strong partnerships and lessons learned from its work across the Arab region, underscoring the central importance of local ownership and leadership in peacebuilding and governance processes. Against this backdrop, ESCWA seeks to identify strategic entry points to support Sudan by facilitating dialogue among key stakeholders and fostering inclusive governance. A nuanced understanding of Sudan’s political, social, and institutional landscape is essential to ensure that ESCWA’s potential engagement is context-sensitive, relevant, and impactful. This consultancy aims to provide ESCWA with such an understanding while identifying strategic opportunities for engagement that contribute to stability, social cohesion, and sustainable peace in Sudan. The overall objective of this consultancy is to support ESCWA in defining evidence-based and strategic avenues for engagement in Sudan. Specifically, the consultancy will: • Analyze Sudan’s current context, including governance structures, key actors, power dynamics, and emerging challenges. • Identify priority areas and strategic entry points where ESCWA can provide added value and develop evidence-based recommendations to guide ESCWA’s interventions. • Highlight opportunities for developing dialogue tracks and platforms that foster consensus-building, inclusive governance, and social cohesion among key stakeholders. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Cluster Leader on Governance and Prevention at ESCWA, the consultant/s will be responsible for the following tasks: • Output 1: Draft outline and methodological approach for the assignment. • Output 2: Draft contextual analysis of Sudan’s political, social, and institutional landscape. • Output 3: Final analytical report incorporating feedback and comments from ESCWA. Qualifications/special skillsA bachelor’s degree in political science, International Relations, Governance, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, or a related field is required. A master's degree in one of these areas is desirable. A minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in political, governance, or conflict analysis, preferably in Sudan and the Arab region is required. In-depth knowledge of Sudan’s political, social, and institutional landscape, including governance challenges, conflict dynamics, and development needs is required. Demonstrated experience in conducting political economy analyses, institutional assessments, and stakeholder mapping in fragile or transitional settings is desirable - A record of published work in relevant areas is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.