Consultancy: Bureaucratic and Administrative Impediments (BAI) Analysis – Sudan Humanitarian Response

Job Posting Organization:
The Sudan INGO Forum is a collaborative platform that brings together international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Sudan. The Forum aims to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian response efforts by facilitating coordination, sharing information, and advocating for the needs of affected populations. Established to address the complex humanitarian landscape in Sudan, the Forum works closely with various stakeholders, including local authorities, UN agencies, and other humanitarian actors. The organization is committed to improving access to humanitarian assistance and ensuring that the voices of those in need are heard. The Forum operates in a challenging environment, where bureaucratic and administrative impediments significantly impact the delivery of aid, necessitating ongoing analysis and advocacy efforts.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position focuses on conducting a comprehensive analysis of bureaucratic and administrative impediments (BAIs) that hinder humanitarian operations in Sudan. The consultant will be responsible for identifying, categorizing, and analyzing these impediments, which include delays in visa processing, travel permits, registration barriers, and constraints on movement. The objective is to generate reliable, actionable data that will inform collective advocacy efforts and support operational planning for humanitarian actors. The consultant will engage with various stakeholders through qualitative data collection methods, including key informant interviews and focus group discussions, to gather insights on the challenges faced by INGOs in the region. The role requires a strategic approach to understanding the complexities of the current humanitarian context in Sudan and developing practical recommendations to mitigate the impact of BAIs on life-saving operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key responsibilities, including:

• Mapping and categorizing the primary bureaucratic and administrative impediments encountered by INGOs operating in Sudan.
• Designing and conducting qualitative data collection through key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with operational INGO staff across various locations.
• Drawing comparative insights from similar contexts where INGOs have successfully addressed BAIs, highlighting replicable strategies.
• Assessing the impact of BAIs on operational timelines, program delivery, and humanitarian access, while identifying trends.
• Producing a structured analysis with actionable recommendations tailored for use by the Forum, the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG), and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).
• Developing a summary advocacy brief for internal use that may inform donor and diplomatic engagement strategies.
• Delivering an inception report outlining methodology, timeline, and tools for data collection, as well as a consolidated analysis report of BAIs in SAF and RSF areas, including trends and recommended actions.
• Presenting key findings and implications to the Steering Committee and Forum members.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this consultancy position should possess proven expertise in humanitarian access, policy analysis, or operational strategy in complex emergencies. Experience working with INGOs, NGO coordination bodies, or UN agencies in restricted access environments is essential. Familiarity with Sudan’s humanitarian landscape, including relevant authorities such as the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), is highly desirable. The consultant should also have strong facilitation and data collection skills, particularly in key informant interviews and focus group discussion methodologies. Excellent writing and communication skills in English are mandatory, while proficiency in Arabic is considered an asset. Previous experience producing actionable policy or advocacy reports will be beneficial.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant educational background, typically a graduate degree in international relations, humanitarian studies, public policy, or a related field. Advanced qualifications or certifications in humanitarian response, access analysis, or related disciplines will be advantageous and may enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The consultancy requires a significant level of experience, ideally a minimum of 5 years, in humanitarian access, policy analysis, or operational strategy within complex emergency settings. Experience working directly with INGOs or in coordination roles within humanitarian contexts is crucial. The consultant should demonstrate a track record of successfully navigating bureaucratic challenges and implementing effective strategies to improve humanitarian access in similar environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to produce written reports and communicate findings effectively. Proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable, as it will facilitate engagement with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to gather qualitative data from diverse sources.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is expected to last for a duration of 20 days, with the possibility of remote work and travel to conduct interviews with stakeholders as feasible. The consultant will work closely with the Forum’s Access Focal Point and Advocacy Working Group to ensure alignment with the Forum's strategic objectives. The final outputs of this consultancy are intended for internal and strategic use within the Forum network and its coordination platforms, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality and sensitivity in handling the information gathered.