Remote Review of the Durable Solutions Exercises in Darfur, Sudan, 2020-22

1. Who is JIPS?

JIPS is an interagency service established in 2009 to bring governments, communities, humanitarian and development actors together to collaborate towards collective outcomes and durable solutions to displacement situations. It does so by supporting collaborative and responsible data processes including profiling, developing the capacities of governments and key stakeholders, and advancing global discourse towards sound global standards. Field-focused and committed to enhancing local ownership and capacity, JIPS is a globally recognised impartial broker that draws on extensive field experience in diverse displacement contexts and a unique combination of technical, soft and political skills to drive change in the contexts it supports and the global discussions it informs.

1. Purpose of the consultancy – altered due to current events

The purpose of the evaluation is to provide insights and lessons learned from the collaborative Durable Solutions analyses and resulting Locality Action Plans, co-designed and applied by JIPS, the Sudan Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG) co-chairs (UNHCR, UNDP and DRC), under the PBF-funded Darfur Programme in 2020-2022 (implemented by UNHCR, UNDP, UN-Habitat, FAO, IOM, and UNICEF) and supported by BPRM.

The scope of the evaluation has been drastically altered given the current events in Sudan with the outbreak of fighting in April 2023: from an in-country evaluation based on primary data collection in Khartoum and several Localities in Darfur with involved actors incl. communities and local authorities, it is now re-shaped into a remote review of the process and impact of the Durable Solutions analyses and Action Planning, including critical reflections and lessons around sustainability of such collaborative Solutions processes in instable contexts.

The review will aim to assess the performance and immediate outcomes of the process and outputs, which aimed at advancing towards Durable Solutions for displacement-affected populations in eight different Localities across the five State of Darfur. Concretely, the purpose of this revised review is to examine:

• The relevance of the Durable Solutions analysis and Action Planning process and of the resulting policy and programming outputs at the time of the project (2020-22) as well as potential use/relevance in the future (considering the current events).
• The sustainability of the collaborative process that underpinnedthe Durable Solutions analysis and the Locality Action Planning;
• The role, efficiency, and effectiveness of the delivery of JIPS’ technical support to the DS analysis process;
• The outcomes directly attributable to the process and/or resulting evidence, specifically linked to the collaborative aspect and to national and/or locality-level policies, strategies, and programmes.

The results of this review will be used to assess and enhance the process and methodology used by JIPS in its technical support capacity across contexts to improve area-based Durable Solutions analyses and Action Planning. Importantly, this review also aims to provide critical reflections and insights to the sustainability and relevance of such collaborative and locally focused Durable Solutions processes in fragile and instable contexts.

Simultaneously, JIPS is also working closely with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Solutions to Internal Displacement to implement the UNSG’s Action Agenda and accelerate progress towards Solutions for IDPs in priority countries. This evaluation will provide timely insights to inform these efforts, including on fit-for-purpose coordination on Solutions at the country level and use of data to achieve Durable Solutions.

1. Background

In April 2023 fighting erupted between the regular Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces (RSF); the alliance of the two forces broke down during negotiations involving the transition from a military government to civilian rule. The conflict has sent tens of thousands of people fleeing across Sudan’s borders, while the UN has halted all aid operations in a country where nearly 16 million people already were in need and close to 3.7 million[1] people have been internally displaced. Sudan has been undergoing a turbulent transition to civilian rule in the wake of the April 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir. A power-sharing government that brought together military and civilian leaders was then also toppled in a coup in October 2021.

In 2020, in the context of the signed Juba Peace Agreement, that established Durable Solutions as a priority area alongside rule of law and peacebuilding, and of the drafting of the National Strategy on Solutions for IDPs, Returnees, Refugees, and Host Communities, a large-scale collaborative analysis covering eight localities across Darfur was implemented under the UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) in 2020-2022. Specifically, the Localities of of Tawila, Assalaya, Yassin, Sheiria, Gereida, Jebel Moon, Nertiti and Um Dukhun were included in the study, which focused at all displacement and conflict-affected communities (IDPs – Internally Displaced Persons, neighbouring non-displaced residents, nomads, IDP returnees, and refugee returnees). The studies built and expanded on the approach piloted in 2016-2019 in the urban and peri-urban area of El Fasher, Darfur, including the lessons learned from it captured in an external evaluation, and was grounded in a participatory and multi-stakeholder process. Later in 2021, the same exercise was replicated with UNHCR under CERF funding in an additional 8 localities across Darfur States, Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the CERF-funded exercises are, however, not covered by this evaluation).

The Durable Solutions exercises resulted in in-depth analysis of key obstacles to Solutions and peacebuilding for each of the 8 localities (Locality level reports); trends analysis across the localities outlining recommendations for policy and programming (5 Thematic Briefs and an on-line story-map); as well as locality level Action Plans, developed based on the evidence, community engagement processes and multi-stakeholder workshops. Upon completion of the Locality Action Plans, the documents were handed over to UNHCR and the DSWG, for further dissemination, programming, and implementation.

1. Detailed objectives

The review will examine the performance of the Durable Solutions analysis process and Action Planning, the related outputs generated through JIPS’support between 2020-2022, and the immediate outcomes directly attributable to the project. The review aims to provide insights to JIPS to enhance the process and outcomes of collaborative Durable Solutions analyses as well as data use strategies, including evidence-based and community-led Action Plans. Furthermore, the insights around sustainability of approach taken in context of instability, and the relevance of DS focused processes and outputs in such contexts will be shared with HDP nexus actors more broadly.

Specifically the review will look at:

1/ The relevance of the Durable Solutions analysis and Action Planning process and of the resulting policy and programming outputs at the time of the project (2020-22) as well as possible use/relevance in the future (considering the current events) for key stakeholders. (While initially the evaluation aimed to include the perspective of displacement-affected communities, national and local authorities, as well as international humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors in Sudan, the current situation and the remote nature of this review, will limit the scope to include views only of accessible actors); Focus will be on:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Collaborative set-up (e.g. relevance of stakeholders included and level of engagement (Locality and community)) 2. Collaborative nature of the process (e.g. effectiveness of inclusion means for different stakeholders; facilitation methodologies, degree to which approaches used were contextualised sufficiently and tailored to different stakeholders’ needs such as communities and local authorities); 3. Degree to which policy and programming outputs, including the Locality Action Plans and Thematic Briefs, were tailored to different stakeholders’ needs.

2/ The sustainability of the collaborative process that underpinnedthe Durable Solutions analysis and the Locality Action Planning. Reflecting on the Sudanese context specifically and of volatile post conflict, fragile contexts generally, the evaluation aims to identify missed and generated opportunities during the process and after hand-over of outputs that can positively contribute to the uptake of Durable Solutions analysis results and Action Plans.

3/ The role, efficiency, and effectiveness of JIPS’ technical support to the DS analysis and Action Planning process across the different Localities, including but not limited to:

• Agile problem solving and adaptation to the needs of involved stakeholders;
• Knowledge sharing and capacity building throughout the project.

4/ The intermediate outcomes/changes directly attributable to the process and/or resulting evidence, specifically linked to the collaborative aspect and to national and/or locality-level policies, strategies, and programmes;

1. Scope of work and methodology

The remote review will encompass 3 components:

1/ Desk review of all documents pertaining to the Durable Solutions analysis and Locality Action Plan process, including its methodology, tools, operationalisation and outputs/deliverables.

2/ Remote Key Informant Interviews with relevant and accessible stakeholders involved in the process. (JIPS will support in suggesting actors and establishing contacts).

3/ A critical assessment of the first 2 components to formulate recommendations that can enhance the impact of JIPS’ work and Durable Solutions analysis processes (incl. Locality Action Planning) in the future, while also offering lessons to HDP actors on sustainability of DS analysis processes in the context of Sudan and other post-conflict, volatile contexts.

The applicant will suggest a methodology approach taking into account the limitations of the current situation in Sudan. The consultant will work in close collaboration with JIPS, who will provide feedback to methodology approach, share all relevant documents for review, and provide contacts to potential interviewees. In addition to the final report and a short Brief, the consultant will provide a presentation of results and recommendations to JIPS and its partners.

Relevant documents to be included in the review include:

• Technical Working Group minutes/presentations;
• The DS analysis/profiling methodology & tools;
• Training material and community mapping;
• 6 Locality–level Durable Solutions Analysis reports (covering the 8 Localities);
• 5 Durable Solutions thematic briefs and related data story (and web pages)
• 2-pager summary note for the Resident Coordinator Office’s dissemination
• Sudan-related articles published on JIPS’ website
• Locality Action Plan Methodology & tools;
• Locality Action Plan workshop reports and outputs;
• Locality Action Plan Brief
• PBF evaluation conducted in 2022-2023 (tbc)

Limitations:

The review will be conducted under significant limitations to its original scope and depth, due to the outbreak of fighting in Sudan as of April 2023; specifically:

• Limited access to key stakeholders of the process and targeted Localities, including community members involved in the process as well as local authorities at Locality and State level – the review will likely be prevented from including adequately the perspectives of the most key beneficiaries and partners of the project.
• Evacuation of all international actors in Sudan, will potentially cause delays/challenges in accessing these actors for interviews in a timely manner.
• The limited time that has passed since the completion of the project (2022) and the outbreak of conflict now will drastically impact the use of outputs and thus the longer term impact/outcomes that can be reviewed.

1. Deliverables

The applicant is responsible for the satisfactory delivery of all below outputs:

• An inception report
• Description of the methodology approach for the review, incl. relevant tools (such as interview guides)
• A final, internal evaluation report
• A final advocacy brief (around 2-3 pages)
• A final presentation to JIPS and partners

1. Duration, timeline, payment

The total expected duration to complete the deliverables is 3 months, between July and September 2023. Please see Annex I for the intended detailed timeline.

The consultants will receive 40% of the total fee at the signature of the contract and the remaining 60% on satisfactory delivery of services at the completion of all deliverables. The consultants’ fee must include all taxes and other changes, including any VAT costs. Any specialized technical equipment needed to fulfil services should be included in the rate.

The financial proposal (bid form) must be in CHF.

1. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Eligibility: The consultant has the authorisation to work remotely. The Consultant must be available upon request during the timeframe of the contract between July and August 2023.

Qualifications, experience, and skills

• Expertise in the Sudanese context.
• An advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) in political science, social science, or any other related field;
• 5-7 years of prior experience conducting evaluations in the humanitarian or development field, including evaluating activities and programs linked to forced displacement;
• Previous experience working with multiple stakeholders in evaluations, including communities, government officials, UN, NGOs and civil society;
• Previous experience with research/project performance and outcome evaluations;
• Working experience in Sudan or on the Sudanese context;

Desirable

• Excellent spoken Arabic skills;
• Previous experience working on large scale data collection exercises;
• Previous experience with Durable Solutions analysis and processes;

Required documents:

• CV
• A portfolio with relevant examples of previous work to showcase the consultant’s work and capabilities against this TOR

1. Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work with JIPS’ key focal points for this evaluation project: its Head of Field Support & Capacity Building, Margharita Lundkvist-Houndoumadi, lundkvist@jips.org, and its Knowledge Sharing and Communications, Corina Demottaz, demottaz@jips.org, and where relevant collaborate with other JIPS team members. Regular meetings will be scheduled to support and guide the consultant.

1. Location and support

Remote work. The Consultant will provide their own computer and mobile telephone.

1. Travel

No travel required.

1. Submission process

Please refer to the RFQ document.

1. Evaluation of bids

Please refer to the RFQ letter invitation.

Only those shortlisted will be contacted for an interview with the panel to ensure their understanding of the consultancy services.

JIPS reserves the right to negotiate based on the availability of the budget allocated to this consultancy.

[1] As per IOM, 2022.