Consultant for Policy Research and Report on Civil Society Participation in the APSA’s Mediation Support Structures: Lessons from the AU, ECOWAS and S 194 views0 applications

Invitation to Bid

Reference No. 83330844

GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH) is looking for a:

Consultant for Policy Research and Report on

Civil Society Participation in the APSA’s Mediation Support Structures: Lessons from the AU, ECOWAS and SADC

1. Background

Civic involvement in state-driven conflict management and prevention is not only indispensable to achieve popular ownership of peace efforts and to ensure the representation of citizens’ interests in institutions for common security, it is also necessary to prevent resurgent authoritarianism and the capture of intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) by autocratic regimes. The report to be prepared should therefore analyses avenues, benefits and challenges of civil society participation in mediation support structures of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).

African IGOs have assumed a pivotal role in managing and preventing violent intrastate conflicts through mediation, preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and as guarantors of transitional governance processes. The African Union (AU) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) have incrementally developed the continental APSA and responded to numerous crises by facilitating negotiations and transitions. However, whilst the African Standby Force (ASF) comprises a civilian component, the level of civil society participation in Mediation Support Units (MSUs), Mediation Reference Groups (MRGs) and the sub-regional structures of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) varies sharply between IGOs. The AU and RECs/RMs mention civil society in policies, maintain structures to engage CSOs and consult them in mediation processes. Yet, thus far, civic participation has had little priority in AU and RECs/RMs peace efforts.

The GIZ project „Support to the African Union for the prevention and management of violent conflict and consolidation of peace within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA)” is implemented with funding from the German Ministry for Development Cooperation and Economic Affairs over a period of three years, from July 2018 to June 2021. The module is part of the GIZ programme for “Cooperation with the African Union in the area of Peace and Security”. Within our implementation efforts GIZ depends on up-to-date and empirically-grounded research findings on the existing policies and practices on civil society participation in AU and RECs/RMs conflict management and prevention in order to understand the challenges and benefits of civic involvement. GIZ therefore would like to commission a study on civil society participation in AU and RECs/RMs mediation support structures.

2. Scope of the consultancy

The overall objective of the study to be prepared is to generate policy-relevant and up-to-date empirical insights on the role civil society participation in the workings of APSA institutions, peace processes and policies on conflict management and prevention of the AU and RECs that form part of the APSA. The overarching goal is to identify obstacles, conditions and opportunities for civil society participation in APSA institutions and AU- RECs/RMs-facilitated peace processes, as well as analyze the challenges and benefits civic participation may have for the functioning of APSA institutions and their effectiveness of conflict management and prevention.

2.1. Tasks of the consultant

The following research activities should be carried out to achieve the above research objectives pertaining to the role of civil society participation in the APSA mediation support structures:

· Review of existing literature

· Analysis of AU and RECs/RMs policy documents and guidelines for peace diplomacy

· Interviews with AU and RECs/RMs officials, civil society representatives and experts

· Data management and analysis,

· Production of the report (including layout, editing etc. according to the GIZ Corporate Design)

Deliverables:

· Code and transcribe interviews

· Analyze data and write up report

· Edit language and peer-review

· Do layout of report

· Review project and reporting

· Submit report on Civil Society Participation in the APSA’s Mediation Support Structures to GIZ

3. Required Qualifications, Expertise and Experience

The consultant must be a dynamic and result-oriented individual, with the capacity to support with professionalism and dedication. In this regard, the following qualifications are required.

· University qualification Ph.D. in Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies or a related field in social sciences

· 10 years of professional experience in the African peace and security sector and specifically experience of the African Peace and Security Architecture

· General professional experience: At least 5 years’ research experience in Peace and Security including Mediation and Conflict Prevention.

· Specific professional experience: At least 5 years research experience in Civil Society involvement and its contribution to peace processes

· Excellent knowledge of the African Union

· Excellent knowledge of the Regional Economic Communities, ECOWAS, SADC

· Knowledge of one of African Union working languages; knowledge of French is an added advantage

Key competencies, skills and experience

· Strong organizational skills, collaborating and partnering

· Demonstrated ability coordinating the activities of experts/consultants on field missions

· Excellent IT skills including web development and data base management (QDAS)

· Working or cooperation experience with the AU, RECs/RMs or AU missions is an added advantage

· Good drafting and report writing skills

· Policy briefs and result-based reporting skills

Interested bidders who fulfill the following criteria can obtain the bid document from the office specified below starting from Friday, 5^th of August 2019, 8:30am on working hours or can request the document via an email address: : [email protected]

If you have any further questions in the connection with the tender, please contact only Benyam Abebe, benyam.abebe@giz

4. Duration

The duration of the consultancy is for 50 days. Provisions of travel to Abuja, Nigeria for 10 days, Gaborone, Botswana for 10 days and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for 10 days is part of the contract. Provision for travel costs up to 30 days are within the contract. The contract is expected to start 30th of August until 30th of November 2019.

5. Submission of bid

For local applicants, all Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope, indicating the Reference No. 83330844 on the outside; to the address stated below, at or before 4:00pm local time on Thursday, 15^th of August 2019.

German Development Cooperation

GIZ Office, Kirkos Sub City, Kebele 18 (Behind Intercontinental Hotel)

P.O.Box 100009

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

OR

Only via Email address: [email protected]

Bidders should submit their Technical and Financial Proposals as per the issued tender document.

GIZ – APSA Project reserves the right to cancel the bid fully or partially.