UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background and Justification

The UNICEF contribution to Africa’s development agendas has been completed and submitted to the Executive Board during its session of September 2024. Given that related programmes and activities, which will be delivered through UNICEF’s Country Offices across the ESAR through a dynamic and fast changing political environment, are in their first year of implementation, UNICEF Security Section would benefit from receiving specific updates on pre-defined themes focusing on political and socio-economic developments and trends pertinent to support the adequate formulation of security risk management processes and mechanisms enabling the strategic implementation of related programmes.

Long standing expertise is required on South Sudan political dynamics at national and state levels. With ongoing security and strategic developments in South Sudan strongly related to political dynamics, it is essential to obtain a clear understanding of the inner circle and possible spoilers in the political arena. 

Scope of Work

1. Goal and objective: Under the supervision of the ESARO Security Section, the consultant will provide a detailed briefing paper (about 10 pages) on political dynamics in South Sudan at the level of decision making. The main goal of the paper is to better understand President Kiir’s strategy and inner circle, as well as those spoilers and help better inform ESARO Security Analysis and interactions in South Sudan.
2. Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: This consultancy will strongly complement the work and analysis being understand at the Regional Security Section.
3. Activities and Tasks:  Provide a detailed briefing paper (10-15 pages) on political dynamics in South Sudan. The main goal of the paper is to better understand President Kiir’s inner circle and influential allies and spoilers. The briefing paper should focus on mapping actors/key members within the government and opposition, at both national and state levels, and detailing their positions/links/possible tensions with President Kiir and their level of influence on decision making. The paper should also focus on highlight possible spoilers, as well as regional linkages and dynamics with influence on Kiir’s strategy and inner cycles. The paper will need to include a visual actor mapping.
4.  Work relationships: The consultant will undertake the research based on his/her own knowledge and networks in country.
5. Outputs/Deliverables:

• By end of February 2025, the consultant should deliver the research paper, including a details actor mapping visual, contributing to better informed analysis and forecasting.
• By end of March 2024, the consultant should be available to provide a briefing to UNICEF Senior Leadership and select colleagues on the subject matter.
• By mid February, the consultant will outline the status of his research and outline of the research paper, in a discussion with the DRSA.
• The DRSA will ensure the timeliness, goals, quality of work through rtouch-base conversations or emails.

For all contracts, please ensure that the due date of the last deliverable leaves a buffer for the supervisor of the assignment to review the final output before paying. This ensures that internal quality assurance is performed so that the work is up to standard before the final payment. In addition, the final payment cannot be less than 10% of the total payment as per policy. 

Payment Schedule

Payment is a lump sum on completion of deliverables and satisfactory completion of deliverables.

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

1. Education: PhD degree in International Relations, Political Science, Anthropology, Social Sciences or related degrees, combined with minimum 5 years of experience; or Master Degree in International Relations, Political Science, Anthropology, Social Sciences or related degrees, combined with minimum 8 years of professional experience.
2. Expertise and previous published and peer reviewed work on political and security dynamics in South Sudan, Sudan and the region. Provision of sample material and examples of two recent publishes pieces required.
3. Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:

1. Care
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Trust
5. Accountability
6. Sustainability

4. Competencies: builds and maintains partnerships; demonstrates self awareness and ethical awareness, thinks and acts strategically.
5. Strong command and experience of the English Language.

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).   To view our competency framework, please visit  here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will

be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

Administrative issues

• Provision of services will not commence unless a contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant.
• All materials developed are subject to Intellectual property considerations under the UNICEF General Terms and Conditions of contract.
• The awarded consultant will work from own premises, and not the UNICEF office. The consultant will not be provided with a workstation and can work remotely.
• No travel is planned or included for this consultancy.
• The consultant will only be paid upon satisfactory submission of a deliverable in line with the contract and specified deliverables.

Conditions

Please indicate any related conditions such as the following:

• The awarded consultant will work from own premises, and not the UNICEF office. The consultant will not be provided with a workstation and can work remotely.
• No travel is planned or included for this consultancy.
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advances purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary.
• Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.
• Individuals engaged under a consultancy contract will not be considered ‘staff members’ under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants.
• The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract.
• Consultants are responsible for determining and meeting their tax or duty liabilities in accordance with local or other applicable laws. UNICEF does not issue statements of earnings to consultants.
• UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterward in your assignment.

Risks

All reasonable and risks associated with the consultancy assignment should be identified, and a relevant risk response and possible mitigation action defined.

How to apply

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter and their technical proposals to the online recruitment portal (Talent Management System) or email provided.

Provision of sample material and examples of two recent published pieces on South Sudan required.

Interested candidates to indicate their ability, availability, and rate (daily/monthly) expressed in US$ for international consultants or KES for national consultants to undertake the terms of reference. The fees should be inclusive of other costs incurred such as travel/return ticket, VISA and subsistence allowances for international consultants who will be based in Nairobi.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements