Consultancy: Advancing Localization in the 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 fostering collaboration among its members and advocating for the inclusion of local actors in humanitarian processes. The organization is committed to supporting the global humanitarian reform agenda, particularly in the context of localization, which emphasizes the importance of local actors in humanitarian response. The Forum operates within a complex humanitarian landscape characterized by diverse national and local responders, including established NGOs, community-based organizations, and mutual aid groups. The organization recognizes the need for meaningful inclusion and leadership of local actors in response coordination, planning, and funding mechanisms, and is dedicated to critically examining and enhancing its own structures and processes to achieve this goal.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position focuses on advancing localization within the Sudan humanitarian response by providing clear and realistic recommendations for the Sudan INGO Forum and its members. The consultant will assess current engagement with local actors and propose a structured approach to strengthen the Forum's localization strategy. This involves reviewing and analyzing existing practices, mapping coordination structures, and identifying barriers and opportunities for enhancing partnerships with local responders. The consultant will engage with a diverse range of local actors through key informant interviews and focus group discussions, aiming to gather insights that will inform the development of a forward-looking Localization Strategy. The ultimate goal is to operationalize the Forum's commitments to localization in alignment with global best practices and the specific operational realities in Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key tasks, including:

• Assessing current localization practices within the Forum’s structures, working groups, and coordination efforts, focusing on membership composition, partner engagement, and participation in strategic decision-making.
• Mapping national NGO (NNGO) coordination structures and analyzing the impact of the ongoing conflict, funding crisis, and other relevant factors on localization efforts.
• Engaging directly with a diverse range of local actors, including national NGOs, mutual aid groups, and Emergency Response Rooms, through key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
• Identifying key barriers and opportunities to enhance meaningful partnerships with local responders, particularly in hard-to-reach or de facto-controlled areas.
• Reviewing comparative localization strategies from other humanitarian contexts and extracting relevant lessons applicable to the Sudanese context.
• Drafting a Localization Strategy that outlines specific actions the Forum can take to operationalize its commitments, including membership models, coordination protocols, and collaborative planning mechanisms.
• Delivering an inception report detailing the proposed methodology, stakeholder mapping, and engagement plan, as well as a localization landscape review summarizing current gaps and practices.
• Presenting findings and proposed actions to the Steering Committee and Forum members, and creating a one-pager brief for internal and external sharing on the Forum's positioning and intent.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this consultancy position should possess proven experience in humanitarian localization or organizational change within complex or conflict settings. They should demonstrate the ability to engage diverse local actors in sensitive and trust-based consultations, showcasing a deep understanding of power dynamics, partnership models, and equitable funding structures. Experience working with NGO coordination bodies, membership networks, or humanitarian policy platforms is essential. Additionally, strong research, writing, and facilitation skills in English are required, while proficiency in Arabic is preferred to facilitate effective communication with local actors.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant educational background, typically including a degree in international relations, humanitarian studies, social sciences, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialized training in humanitarian response, localization, or organizational development may be advantageous and enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The consultancy requires a significant level of experience, ideally several years, in the humanitarian sector, particularly in roles focused on localization, organizational change, or humanitarian coordination. Candidates should have a track record of successfully engaging with local actors and navigating complex humanitarian environments, demonstrating their ability to adapt to various contexts and challenges.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as strong writing and communication skills are essential for drafting reports and engaging with stakeholders. Proficiency in Arabic is highly preferred, as it will facilitate direct engagement with local actors and enhance the consultant's ability to gather insights and foster trust during consultations.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last between 30 to 45 working days, with the possibility of remote work and travel for engagement across Sudanese response actors. The consultant will work closely with the Forum’s Secretariat and Steering Committee, ensuring that geographic and identity diversity among consulted local actors is prioritized. The outputs from this consultancy will not only guide the Forum's strategy but may also inform donor and UN engagement on localization efforts in Sudan.