Background

Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) is central to the success of the evolving peace process in South Sudan. As evidence from previous attempts at DDR in South Sudan will attest, it is a complex process, with interconnected political, military, security, humanitarian and socio-economic dimensions. Article 2.2.3.5 of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) peace agreement states that, all forces shall be screened and classified according to known military criteria followed for the purposes of recruitment for the army, police, national security and other services. Ineligible individuals shall be referred to DDR. The DDR program will run through the transitional period.  The objective here is to address the post-conflict security challenges that arise from ex-combatants being left without livelihoods or support networks, other than their former comrades, during the critical transition period from conflict to peace and development. DDR seeks to support the ex-combatants’ economic and social reintegration, so they can become stakeholders in peace.

Cognizant of the need for robust DDR process and program, the peace agreement in article 2.4.9 request for the reconstitution of the DDR Commission.  In 2019, the Terms of Reference for the new Commission were adopted and the Commission was reconstituted. The role of the new/current Commission differ contextually from the previous one because the membership is inclusive of the parties to the agreement. The reconstitution of the Commission is not just a question of personnel but rather how to make this Institution fit for purpose. This demand, looking at performance, efficiency and effectiveness issues.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the DDR programme of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) within the framework of the R-ARCSS, which was signed in September 2018. Actually, DDR is also a key component for the implementation of a broader Security Sector Reform (SSR) process. It continues to be one of the critical priorities of the Republic of South Sudan National Development Strategy (2018-2021).

ICRS Background:
The objective of the Information, Counselling and Referral Services (ICRS) is to support ex-combatants by giving them sound advice on and referral to employment opportunities, income generating activities opportunities, assistance in starting their own business and specialized social services. ICRS will serve to prepare ex-combatants to manage challenges and seize opportunities encountered in civilian life by giving them accurate information about their reintegration assistance and options. The ex-combatants can therefore choose their reintegration solution based on informed decision-making. The system aims at rightly matching the demands or needs of ex-combatants with the supply of services on the ground in the Republic of South Sudan.

ICRS is a crucial component of the socio-economic reintegration of ex-combatants. However, ICRS will be particularly challenging due to the insufficient infrastructure for services, jobs and vocational opportunities in the country. Most of the population is still heavily dependent on agricultural production and livestock. Agriculture is the major source of livelihood and has tremendous potential to expand to a commercial scale. However, up to now the agricultural sector still works predominantly at the subsistence level. Small scale businesses and industries do exist but are mostly found in urban centers. Job opportunities are few and the economy has limited absorption capacity. Despite this, there is a huge potential within the economy to kick-start agriculture, small-scale industries and businesses in the service sector. Ultimately, many ex-combatants will be dependent upon this.

ICRS Operational Framework
ICRS will be provided through systematic case management by the reconstituted DDR Commission with the technical assistance of Partners. The DDR Commission will operate the ICRS through its institutional network of field offices throughout all ten States (state and possibly county level). ICRS counsellors will also be based in each DDR transit facility. An appropriate number of trained caseworkers/counsellors will be assigned by the DDR Commission to take care of ICRS. A ratio of one ICRS caseworker per 50 ex-combatants is aimed for; so, the current projected caseload of 105,000 ex-combatants will rationally need 2,100 Caseworkers.
Against this backdrop, UNDP’s Peace and Community Cohesion Project (PaCC) is seeking an International  consultant who will support the DDR Commission to operationalise the ICRS. The consultant will provide the DDR Commission with a standby capacity to (1) elaborate operationalization of ICRS System, particularly with focus on the development of a national framework for long term reintegration; (2) support continuous improvement in the process as well as systems for program management and qualitative programming to ensure effective delivery mechanism, procedures and systems of administration at both the Commission and local level; and (3) provide technical and programmatic assistance in the following areas: planning, data management, reporting, capacity building, resource mobilization and project management.

Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to support the DDR Commission’s programmes on reintegration of ex-combatants and other related aspects under DDR Commission’s mandate through effective functionality of the ICRS.

Objective of the Consultancy

  • The main objective of the Consultancy is to strengthen the DDR programming on reintegration of ex-combatants.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision and overall guidance of the  Chairperson of the DDR Commission and UNDP, the consultant will:

  • Administer and manage the day to day activities of the ICRS.
  • Represent the ICRS centers.
  • Coordinate the program-related activities with Partners and Stakeholders.
  • Undertake counselling sessions with beneficiaries.
  • Explain the ICRS details and process.
  • Identify reintegration  opportunities.
  • Assist in project development and delivery.
  • Explore and identify the socio-economic activities.
  • Identify existing skills and development of opportunities and entities.
  • Prepare and conduct technical training sessions.
  • Monitor and evaluate beneficiaries progress.
  • Use his/her skills to generate the ICRS’s specific annual activities budget for the Commission.
  • Train/mentor on skills and discharge of their duties for all the DDRC ICRS Caseworkers.
  • Support the reintegration department to determine the types and number of tools needed for the ICRS work, as well as human resource and qualifications.
  • Creatively and innovatively advise the Commission to effectively use the ICRS to manage the expectations of both female and male ex-combatants, which is the cornerstone of DDR Program success.
  • Advise the ICRS  department to properly manage, monitor, evaluate and adjust the challenges related to DDR Commission’s ICRS appropriately.
  • Perform other duties as determined and required by the ICRS department.
  • Support the mid and final term review of the ICRS System.
  • Support the conceptualization and design of new ICRS projects for the commission.
  • Identify and facilitate ICRS training opportunities locally and overseas.

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:

  • Final copy of functional structure of ICRS department is produced.
  • Well-equipped and properly functioning ICRS System is established.
  • Effective use of ICRS to manage the ex-combatants’ expectations on the DDR Program is developed.
  • Procurement of cost-effective and efficient ICRS tools and equipment is completed.
  • New hedge ICRS technology is imparted on the ICRS Caseworkers.
  • System of timely segregated reports is produced.
  • 2,100 Caseworkers are recruited, trained, deployed and managed.
  • Report of resource mobilization initiatives is completed.
  • A good number of national and international ICRS courses is identified and facilitated.
  • Successful reintegration of ex-combatants is achieved.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Professionalism

  • Demonstrates professional competence and expertise of the subject matter.
  • Demonstrates experience in the subject matter.
  • Demonstrates ability to negotiate and apply good judgment.
  • Shows pride in work and in achievements.
  • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning & Organizing

  • Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships.
  • Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines.
  • Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff, partners and beneficiaries to achieve the planned results.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
  • Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organised and easily understood manner;
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

  • Creating synergies through self-control, and tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook to work productively.

Other Corporate competencies:

  • Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment;
  • Excellent supervisory, team-building, diplomatic and interpersonal skills
  • Resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement.
  • Strong communication and advocacy skills;
  • Ability to work in a complex environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple factors;
  • Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
  • Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills, especially resource management systems;
  • Excellent networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Academic Qualifications for the International Consultant

  • Advanced University Degree in ICT, business administration, international relations, or other relevant fields.

Experience

Technical Competencies for International consultant

  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience working on DDR reintegration, including relevant field experience, especially in crisis or post-conflict settings
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience working on ICRS, DREAM etc., issues.
  • Extensive experience of providing policy advice (including report writing) at international level

Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following issues:

  • Reintegration of ex-combatants.
  • System administration for example; ICRS, DREAM etc.
  • ICRS management.
  • ICT.
  • MIS.
  • Counselling.
  • Psychology/physiology.
  • People management.
  • Interviewing in conflict sensitive environment.
  • Extensive experience of providing report writing work at international level.
  • Specific experience in managing inter-agency processes would be an asset.

Language

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Institutional arrangements

  • The consultant can make use of the DDR Commission  offices in South Sudan (COVID 19 related restrictions allow) and is expected to use his own computer/laptop and cell phone.
  • The consultant will be contracted for 6 months.
  • The consultant will report to the Programme Specialist of the Peace and Community Cohesion Project and the Chair of the DDR Commission or a Delegated Representative, who will review and approve delivery of outputs.

Payment Schedule

  • 100 % of monthly rate upon submission of Monthly report approved by DDR Commission and UNDP. Final report must be submitted for the payment of the last month to be made. 

Technical proposal comprising 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

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%.

International Consultant technical evaluation criteria
Criteria to be used for rating the qualifications and Required Skills and Experience is outlined below:

  • Qualifications of the candidate in the required area or course applied for: Advanced University Degree in ICT, business administration, international relations, or other relevant fields (20%).
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience working on ICRS, DREAM and similar issues. (20%).
  • Substantive and technical expertise in the areas mentioned in the criteria (20%).
  • Extensive experience of providing policy advice (including report writing) at international level  (10%).

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 proposals 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.

NB: Candidates who had previously applied for this job post do not need to re-apply.