TERMS OF REFERENCE
Program Name: Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (CEWERS).
Specification: High Level Women’s Conference on National Peace and Conflict Issues in South Sudan
Position Required: Consultancy-Speaker and Moderator
International and National (Co-facilitator)
Timeframe: December 14- 15, 2017.
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Background
The South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (SSPRC) in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is set to hold a High-Level Women’s Conference on National Peace and Conflict Issues in South Sudan. The SSPC is overseeing the management and implementation of the national CEWERS (Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System) alongside the Inter-Governmental Authority in Development (CEWARN/IGAD) in the Republic of South Sudan. This conference will be co-organized by the SSPC and its partner organization, the Conflict Early Warning and Early Response Unit (CEWERU), and will host at least 200 participants, the majority of whom will be women. It will be an opportunity for women to contribute their views and opinions on national peace and conflict issues affecting women and entire population in the country. -
Justification of the consultancy:
The purpose of the High-Level Women’s Conference on National Peace and Conflict Issues is to ensure that women’s views are on issues pertaining to peace and conflict in regions of South Sudan are both represented and heard. Until now, the inclusion of women in high-level peace and conflict resolution discussions is unfortunately rare. Women represent the largest share of the population in South Sudan, yet unfortunately suffer from a high illiteracy rate of over 90%. The transitional constitution stipulates that a minimum of 25% of the representation in public institutions and political posts should be held by women. Yet when the number of states was increased from 10 to 28 and then 32, the transitional constitution, including this rule on women’s representation, did not hold. None of the governors appointed were female, and women’s role in political office was broadly reduced to the county level. This has affected women’s participation in matters affecting their communities and in decision making, and has stifled them from making critical contributions to their communities and civil society. CEWERS, as the mechanism that addresses and mitigates violent conflicts, considers women’s roles as vital in national peace and conflict issues. Catholic Relief Services, in partnership with South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission, is therefore looking for a competitive independent consultant or firm to facilitate a two-day conference. The consultant will be expected to provide quality results from this conference on national conflict and peace issues.
- Objectives of the Consultancy:
• To lead in facilitating a participatory two-day high-level women’s conference in Juba, South Sudan.
• To produce a report informed by the insights shared by approximately 200 women’s conference attendees from Bhar El Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile on national peace and conflict issues.
• To provide a well-designed facilitation methodology and tools for conducting the conference, and present to CEWERU and CRS teams on critical issues emerging from the conference.
- Scope of work
4.1. High Level Women’s Conference on National Peace and Conflict Issues.
• Conduct and facilitate a two-day conference of 200 high level women from greater Equatoria, Bhar El Ghazal and Upper Nile regions.
• Produce a report with key recommendations and resolutions from the conference.
• Provide a brief presentation and debrief on post conference findings, recommendations and resolutions to the CEWERU and CRS representatives.
4.2. Theme of the conference: Women and National Peace and Conflict Issues
The consultant will be responsible for the following deliverables as part of facilitating the conference:
Phase 1: Develop and produce the conference facilitation method and tools (TOR).
In collaboration with the CRS technical team (Program Manager, Peacebuilding Advisor) and the CEWERU, develop the agenda and review the method and tools to be used during the conference. The agenda should focus specifically on national peace and conflict issues that directly affect and influence women’s lives, decisions, and their contribution to peacebuilding and conflict resolution in their communities, states and at the national level. It should be informed by robust knowledge of the specific dynamics of the conflict and peace in South Sudan including social and economic issues and other driving factors.
Phase 2: The convening of the conference (for 2 days)
The consultant will take the lead in facilitating the conference and, in collaboration with SSPRC and CRS representatives, ensure the success of the conference in using a participatory process.
• Phase 3: Report and debrief of the CEWERU and CRS on the resolution
The consultant will provide feedback to the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission (CEWERU) on the outcome of the conference by debriefing CEWERU head and CRS. The consultant will provide the following:
a. Submit detailed final reports with explicit recommendations and/or resolutions from the conference.
b. Present to the program management and CEWERU after the conclusion of the conference before leaving the country.
c. Provide insights and observations from the conference to CEWERU and CEWERS management.
Requirement
• High-level professional qualifications (Postgraduate/PhD) degree in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, development studies, international law and Gender, Conflict and Development Studies.
• 7-10 years proven experience with public speaking / lecturing / presenting.
• Experience hosting forums, conferences, and/or large high-level meetings.
• Familiarity and awareness of the context in South Sudan, especially as it related to gender and conflict sensitivity.
• Female academic and professional speakers and experienced consultants are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested applicant should submit application to [email protected] or hard copy to Catholic Relief Service HR Department office Juba Not later than 17th November 2017