TOR – PEACE & SECURITY – SENIOR CONFLICT PREVENTION CONSULTANT

PEACE & SECURITY – SENIOR CONFLICT PREVENTION CONSULTANT

 TERMS OF REFERENCE

Assignment        :         Peace & Security: Senior Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Consultancy

Type of Contract:          Consultancy Contract

Duty Station     :           APRM Secretariat

Reporting Division:       Office of the CEO/ Chief of Staff

Duration          :           6 months

BACKGROUND

The African peer review Mechanism (APRM) is an autonomous entity of the African Union (AU). It is a self-monitoring tool for promoting good governance on the continent. Launched in 2003, the APRM is a voluntary exercise that offers African states the opportunity to systematically assess and review the governance performance. The mechanism provides a platform, where the reviewed states share best practices and improve the formulation, adoption and implementation of their governance policies in conformity with established standards and principles. Currently there are thirty-eight (38) Member States of the African Union that have acceded to the APRM – representing more two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the African Union and 80% of the continent’s population.

As an innovative and ambitious initiative, the APRM monitors governance in four thematic areas i. e Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Corporate Governance and Socio-Economic Development. The APRM analysis of governance in peer-reviewed countries exposes the existence of common governance challenges. The most recurrent governance bottlenecks identified, commonly referred to as cross-cutting issues are: diversity- related conflicts, electoral processes, gender inequality, corruption and youth unemployment, to name a few. These structural governance factors have been identified as highly contentious and constitute a potential trigger for political instability and conflicts on the African continent.  In this in this context that the APRM, has mandate through its Base Document adopted by the AU Summit in July,2002, to institute a review where there are early signs of impending political or economic crisis in a member country.

The APRM as in institution of the AU is guided by the AU Agenda 2063 and its Ten-Year Implementation Plan, which is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for the realisation of the AU vision of a: “united, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.” The African Union Agenda 2063, Ten Year Implementation Plan, and Aspiration 3: An Africa of Good Governance, Democracy, Respect for Human Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law, goals and priority goals are amongst others:  Democratic values, practices, universal principles of human rights, justice and the rule of law entrenched; Capable institutions and transformative leadership in place and a Peaceful and Secure Africa

In order to realise the Ten-Year Implementation Plan of AU Agenda 2063 and Aspiration 3 the AU Policy Organs adopted the following pertinent decisions in realisation to the APRM:

1. The AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 28th Ordinary Session held in January 2017 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, through Decision, Assembly/AU/ Dec.631 (XXVIII), requested APRM to take the necessary steps towards tracking the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of key governance areas on the continent.
2. The AU Assembly also at its 30th Ordinary Session held in January 2018 through Decision, Assembly/AU/Dec. 686 (XXX), welcomed steps taken to position the APRM as an early warning tool for conflict prevention on the continent, in the context of harmony and synergy between the APRM, the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture. (AGA).
3. The AU Peace and Security Council at its 791^st Meeting on the theme: ‘Peace, Security, Prosperity and Embracing the Value of Democracy and Governance: Is the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance Adequate, called on all Member States to consider the APRM as a guide for deepening and consolidating democracy in Africa.
4. The PSC at its 819^th Meeting on the review reports of various countries, acknowledged the importance of the APRM as one of the most effective mechanisms for promoting conflict prevention, as it contributes in addressing some of the structural root causes of conflicts on the continent, particularly those relating to governance. It encouraged the APRM Panel of Eminent Persons to work, where appropriate, in close collaboration with the AU Panel of the Wise, particularly in preventive diplomacy efforts.

In its efforts to deliver on mandate of the APRM as outlined in its Base Document, key AU Policy and Decisions that conferred an expanded mandate to the APRM, APRM Secretariat is seeking to recruit an expert in AU peace, security and governance initiatives and in particular conflict prevention and early warning: The expert will be recruited as a senior consultant to to guide the APRM Secretariat to implement its mandate as et out in the Base Document and the  expanded mandate as set out by  the AU Policy Organs and  outlined  out in the ToR as outlined below.

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The APRM Continental Secretariat in Midrand, Republic of South Africa, is requesting for services of a Peace & Security – Senior Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Consultant to assist the Secretariat in the implementation of its mandate as wet out in the APRM Base Document, Assembly Decision, Assembly/AU/Dec. 686 (XXX), AU Peace and Security Council Decision of its 791^st Meeting and that of its 819^th Meeting as well as other Decisions of the AU Policy Organs and APRM Organs on conflict prevention and early warning.

The Consultant will thoroughly study Base and Targeted Country Review Reports by spotting all potential peace and security and liaise with  the AU Continental Early Warning System, the Panel of the Wise, the Peace and Security Department and the Peace and Security Council, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanism in order to ensure that issues identified in the reports are filtered through to the decision making structures.

He/she will initiate a Policy Framework on APRM as an early warning tool for conflict prevention in Africa with emphasis on APRM structures complimenting and supporting APSA and AGA initiatives on conflict prevention and the reporting framework to the continental early warning system and the PSC. The Consultant will ensure that the Draft Policy Framework is validated by the relevant organs of the APRM and adopted by the AU Policy Organs. The consultant will ensure that the APRM builds strategic partnerships in order to prevent all potential conflicts in the continent. The Consultant will advise the APRM Secretariat on ways and means of APRM contributing to the continental early warning system and conflict prevention initiatives of the APSA and AGA. He/she will advise the Secretariat on modalities on how APRM continental and national Structures can complement and support APSA and AGA initiatives on impending crises. The incumbent will advise the Secretariat on a reporting framework between APRM structures complimenting and supporting APSA and AGA initiatives on conflict prevention to the continental early warning system and the PSC.

• REQUIREMENTS
  

1. Qualifications and Years of Experience
   

The Consultant is expected to have obtained a Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration or Policy, Conflict Prevention, Peace and Security Studies, International or related field and 5-7 years of experience in the related of conflict prevention, resolution, mediation and early warning.

2. Expertise and Experience Required for the Position:

• Knowledge of the African Peer Review Mechanism;
• Knowledge of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the Africa Governance Architecture (AGA);
• Knowledge of the African Union Decision making structures and processes;
• Knowledge of the structures and process of multilateral organizations that work closely with the AU on conflict prevention and early warning initiatives;
• Knowledge of the strategic partnerships of the AU and that assisting the AU and its Organs in peace, security and stability on the continent;
• Experience working within the AU, RECs/RM, UN or other multilateral organizations;
• Experience in Conflict Prevention and Early Warning;
• Substantial knowledge of conflict prevention and early warning approaches and methodologies;
• Substantial experience in developing conflict prevention and early warning documents and strategies;
• Substantial experience in generating dialogue and consultation process in areas burdened with legacy of human rights violations, with focus on divided local communities;
• Teaching experience in conflict prevention, resolution, reconciliation, early warning or transitional justice;
• Substantial knowledge of international legal, programmatic and expert documents related to conflict prevention and early warning;
• Substantial experience in creation of partnership with CSOs and involvement of CSOs in dialogue and consultation process;
• Political intuition – ability to grasp political dimensions of the context that will permeate and influence the process;
• Experience in Consultancy work with international organizations;
• A collaborative work style;

3. Other skills

• Computer literacy;
• Working knowledge of policy development and analysis;
• Management experience, excellent interpersonal skills and ability to organize and motivate others;
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment;
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills;
• Good communication and negotiating skills;
• Good planning and organizational skills.

4. Language Requirement:

Proficiency in at least two (2) of the African Union working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese). Knowledge of more than two (2) working languages would be an added advantage.

5. Gender Mainstreaming:

The APRM Secretariat AU is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

6.        KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant shall:

• Thoroughly study Base and Targeted Country Review Reports by spotting all potential peace and security and liaise with the AU Continental Early Warning System, the Panel of the Wise, the Peace and Security Department and the Peace and Security Council, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanism in order to ensure that issues identified in the reports are filtered through to the decision making structures.
• Initiate a Policy Framework on APRM as an early warning tool for conflict prevention in Africa with emphasis on APRM structures complimenting and supporting APSA and AGA initiatives on conflict prevention and the reporting framework to the continental early warning system and the PSC.
• Ensure that the Draft Policy Framework is validated by the relevant organs of the APRM and adopted by the AU Policy Organs.
• Ensure that the APRM builds strategic partnerships in order to prevent all potential conflicts in the continent.
• Advise the APRM Secretariat on ways and means of APRM contributing to the continental early warning system and conflict prevention initiatives of the APSA and AGA.
• Advise the Secretariat on modalities on how APRM continental and national Structures can complement and support APSA and AGA initiatives on impending crises.
• Advise the Secretariat on a reporting framework between APRM structures complimenting and supporting APSA and AGA initiatives on conflict prevention to the continental early warning system and the PSC.

6. REPORTING

The Consultant reports to the Chief of Staff with a dot line to the Chief Executive Officer.

7. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The contract is effective from 1^st September 2019 to 31^st March 2020 not exceeding a total of 60 days of engagement (6 months) within this period.

8. REMUNERATION

The Consultant will be paid on monthly deliverables basis on the ToR stipulated above for the APRM Secretariat.

9. EVALUATION CRITERIA

How to Apply

All applications must be sent to this email address [email protected]

Closing date: 30^th AUGUST 2019 at 15:00, Republic of South Africa time.

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