Consultant – South Sudan Contextual Analysis At Polish Humanitarian Action – Polska Akcja Humanitarna

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Position: Consultant – Contextual Analysis for FSL, WASH, ES/NFI, and Protection Sectors
Responsible To: Country Director
Location: Greater Pibor Administrative Area (Pibor, Gurumuk Verteth, Likuangole) and Upper Nile State (Nassir, Manyo, Renk), South Sudan
Provisional Time Frame: 45 Calendar Days- Including Weekends for data collection and the final Approved Report

1. BACKROUND – About PAH in South Sudan
Since 2006, Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) has maintained a strong presence in South Sudan, providing critical humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict, displacement, and chronic vulnerability. PAH’s efforts are focused on addressing both emergency humanitarian needs while also laying the foundation for long-term recovery and community resilience. Our humanitarian portfolio focuses on emergency response and resilience-building in the following sectors:
– WASH: Increasing access to safe drinking water, constructing/rehabilitation of sanitation infrastructure, and promoting hygiene practices
– Protection: GBV prevention, Supporting GBV survivors, delivering psychosocial support, and advancing child protection
– NFI and Shelter (ES/NFI): Essential items and housing support for displaced households
– Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL): Support for sustainable agriculture and recovery

PAH currently has a strong operational presence in Jonglei State, the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA), and Upper Nile State. In these states, we are currently implementing four projects supported by a dedicated team of 33 staff and one local partner organization.

In light of evolving humanitarian dynamics; including border-area displacement, epidemics like cholera outbreaks, climate-related shocks, and increasing returnee movements from Sudan, PAH seeks to conduct a multi-sectoral contextual analysis to inform its strategic positioning and adaptive programming.

The analysis will focus on seven priority counties:

  • In GPAA: Pibor, Verteth, Likuangole, and Gumuruk
  • In Upper Nile: Nassir, Renk, and Manyo

The purpose of this contextual analysis is to:

  • Generate up-to-date, field-based insights into humanitarian needs, conflict dynamics, population movement, access constraints, and service delivery gaps;
  • Align programming with PAH’s commitment to the Triple Nexus (humanitarian-development-peace) and localization agenda;
  • Identify opportunities for deeper engagement with local actors, community structures, and systems.

The analysis needs also take into account existing assessments and ongoing coordination with relevant clusters and peer INGOs to ensure alignment, complementarity, and avoid duplication of efforts.

2. OBJECTIVE OF CONSULTANCY
The Objective of this Consultancy is to produce a comprehensive contextual analysis that will inform PAH’s strategic planning and programmatic decision-making across priority counties. Specifically, the analysis will:

  • Assess the political, social, conflict-related, and environmental dynamics that influences outcomes in key sectors including FSL, WASH, ES/NFI, and Protection.
  • Identify key operational and strategic, challenges, risks and opportunities for integrated, context-responsive programming aligned with the Triple Nexus approach.
  • Contribute to the strengthening of real-time data collection systems and adaptive management practices to enhance responsiveness and program quality.
  • Facilitate joint analysis and learning among humanitarian, development, and peace actors operating in the same geographic areas.
  • Support the capacity development of local partners, in line with PAH’s commitment to localization, sustainability and inclusive programming.
  • Assess the feasibility of cash-based interventions, with particular attention to market functionality, financial service accessibility, community preferences, and security considerations.
  • Provide actionable recommendations to enhance PAH’s programming and response strategies.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will be responsible for leading a multi-dimensional contextual analysis through a combination of desk review, field-level data collection, and stakeholder engagement. The scope of work includes:

A. Desk Review:

  • Review internal PAH previous assessments and monitoring reports, and data related to FSL, WASH, ES/NFI, and Protection in the target areas.
  • Analyse relevant external sources, including Humanitarian Needs Overviews (HNOs), IPC reports, conflict analysis, and inter-agency assessments.
  • Analyze national and sub-national government strategies, donor frameworks, and local peacebuilding initiatives.

B. Field-Level Data Collection:

  • Use a mix of qualitative and quantitative tools/methods such as FGDs, KIIs, community mapping, and direct observation.
  • We prefer that all primary data through survey must be collected electronically using digital tools (e.g., Kobo Toolbox, ODK) to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and real-time quality control. For applicants intending to propose data collection using paper-based questionnaires please indicate this clearly in the proposal document and justify the approach and the reasons.
  • Ensure all data collection approaches are conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive, and inclusive of marginalized groups.
  • Where security or access constraints exist, collaborate with local partners to facilitate remote data collection.

C. Contextual Analysis Components:

  • -Political & Governance: Local administrative structures, traditional leadership, decentralization process, presence of security actors/forces.
  • Conflict Dynamics: Intercommunal violence, displacement trends, the role of armed groups, peacebuilding efforts.
  • Livelihood & Climate Risks: Agro-pastoral systems, seasonal climate shocks, market functionality, community-level coping strategies.
  • Sectoral Deep Dives: Status of needs and service coverage in FSL, WASH, ES/NFI, Protection sectors.
  • Triple Nexus Entry Points: Areas where humanitarian needs intersect with, development and peacebuilding opportunities.
  • Access & Operational Constraints: Security conditions, infrastructure limitations, seasonal barriers, bureaucratic challenges.
  • Feasibility of Cash-based Modalities: Assessment of market systems, Functionality and resilience of local markets, availability and accessibility of financial service providers, community preferences regarding transfer modalities and aid delivery, and overall security risks associated with cash distribution.
  • Identify gender, age, and disability-specific needs and vulnerabilities in the sectors.

D. Strengthening Real-Time Data Collection and Use:

  • Review PAH’s current MEAL systems/tools; identify gaps and recommend actionable improvements for more timely and disaggregated data collection.
  • Suggest user-friendly tools and feedback mechanisms to support adaptive program management.
  • Identify opportunities for community-led data collection, including participatory analysis and local validation process.

E. Facilitating Joint Program Reviews:

  • Organize participatory dialogue sessions with humanitarian, development, and peace actors operating in targeted areas.
  • Facilitate joint sense-making around key findings, and implications to promote shared understanding and improved coordination and synergy.
  • Provide concrete recommendations to improve cross-sectoral collaboration in nexusrelevant programming. F. Local MEAL Capacity Strengthening:
  • Identify capacity gaps among PAH’s local implementing partners in MEAL.
  • Provide practical entry points for building partner MEAL Capacity with emphasis on ownership, participatory monitoring, learning systems, and evidence-based reporting.
  • Ensure alignment with localization goals/principles and PAH’s broader sustainability commitments.

4. DELIVERABLES

  1. Inception Report – Detailed Methodology, workplan, data collection tools, stakeholder engagement plan – to be delivered two weeks after contract signing
  2. Draft Contextual Analysis – Report Full draft report including contextual findings, sector-specific analysis, risk/opportunity matrix – due date To Be Determined
  3. Presentation/Workshop – Presentation of preliminary findings to PAH team and partners, participatory validation session – due date To Be Determined
  4. Final Report – Final contextual analysis incorporating feedback from PAH and partners, including annexes – due date To Be Determined
  5. Data Collection Tools and Guidance – Finalized tools and guidance notes to support ongoing real-time and community-led data collection – due date To Be Determined
  6. Stakeholder Mapping – A detailed list of stakeholders, including contact details and roles, relevant to PAH’s operations. – due date To Be Determined.

5. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS (HYBRID APPROACH)

This consultancy is open to:

1. Individual Consultants with relevant qualifications and experience who can deliver the assignment directly or through associate experts (e.g., enumerators, translators).

2. Consulting Firms/Organizations with demonstrated institutional capacity and relevant technical expertise. Firms must nominate a Lead Consultant who meets the minimum qualifications below and will serve as the primary focal point.

Minimum Qualifications for Lead Consultant (applies to both individual and firm proposals):

  • Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field.
  • At least 7 years of progressive experience in emergency and fragile contexts, including multi-sectoral contextual analysis in FSL, WASH, ES/NFI, and Protection sectors.
  • Proven track record in developing and implementing real-time adaptive data collection systems and facilitating joint program reviews incorporating Triple Nexus principles.
  • Demonstrated expertise in gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and inclusive programming approaches.
  • Strong analytical, writing, and facilitation skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders including community representatives, local authorities, cluster leads, and donors.
  • Excellent written and spoken English; knowledge of Arabic or local languages of South Sudan is an asset.
  • Significant work experience and in-depth contextual knowledge of South Sudan (or similar fragile settings).

For Firms:

  • Demonstrated institutional capacity in delivering similar multi-sectoral studies in fragile or conflict-affected contexts.
  • A qualified multidisciplinary team with clear roles and relevant sectoral expertise.
  • Capacity to manage field logistics, local partnerships, and data collection in insecure and remote areas.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH)

PAH will be responsible to:

  • Provide/ assigned staff for coordination on planning and oversight of the contextual analysis process including facilitating the mobilization of stakeholders at national and local levels for interviews, focus groups, and validation workshops if required.
  • Covering the costs of consultancy fees. PAH only pays the costs stated in the financial proposal.
  • Provide feedback on the inception report, tools, and draft report. Upon satisfaction, approve the tools and reports.
  • Provide available population data and secondary information to support sampling for the target location and site selection.
  • Provide the consultant with necessary training materials (flip chart, notebooks, marker pens, projector, and training space).
  • Provide relevant security briefings and organize relevant travel permits/clearances if required. This will include the provision of necessary security updates and guidance during the stay of consultant in respective Counties.

7. CONDITIONS OF WORK

  • If accommodation in Juba and in the field is required, the consultant will be expected to arrange this.
  • The consultant will be required to abide by PAH security procedures and other relevant policies, e.g. Code of Conduct, safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, which are outlined in the contract for this Job.
  • All raw data collected, interview notes, transcripts, and reports generated will remain the intellectual property of PAH and the consultant will have no claim to ownership or use of the data or findings after the end of the contextual analysis after the completion of the consultancy.

8. TIME FRAME

  • This assignment will last approximately for 45 calendar days starting from the date the contract is signed.
  • The entire assignment including fieldwork, analysis, report writing, validation, and submission of the final approved contextual analysis report should be completed in a maximum of 45 calendar days from the start date including the final approved report for the contextual analysis

How to apply

9. APPLICATION PACKAGE

All applicants should include the following:

Technical proposal: The technical proposal should clearly demonstrate the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, preferably maximum of 5 pages and should include:

  • A brief profile/explanation about the consultant or lead consultant and any associate consultants with particular emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work.
  • A clear understanding of TOR and the task to be accomplished
  • A proposed methodology and approach including data collection techniques, sampling strategy that ensure representative findings, and analysis framework.
  • A draft work/implementation plan including a time-bound activity schedule.
  • Data Quality Control and Analysis Plan

Financial proposal: A separate financial proposal outlining the budget breakdown, including:

  • Consultancy fees – Propose consultancy fee for entire contextual Analysis team including enumerators and translators, travel, accommodation and food costs, VAT and Tax etc. Daily rates and total days and cost per activity line, as applicable.

Capacity statement:

  • For organizations: An organizational capacity statement, including relevant past performance and institutional qualifications.
  • For individual consultants: A personal capacity statement, particularly noting any sub-contracting plans (like hiring of enumerators or field support).

Supporting Documents:

  • Up-to-date resume/CV of the consultant or lead consultant (and key team members, if applicable).
  • Three (3) references from previous assignments of a similar nature, preferably in the humanitarian or development sector including at least two samples or copies of previous similar work (e.g., contextual analysis or needs assessment reports conducted in South Sudan.

10. EVALUATION CRITERIA

The evaluation criteria are based on technical and financial criteria:

  • Proven track record – Demonstrated reliability in delivery of timely and quality services.
  • Technical quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology
  • Relevant field/ country (South Sudan) experience (individual/firm)
  • Relevant sector specific technical experience or expertise & qualifications
  • Relevant monitoring and evaluation and adaptive data collection experience
  • Cost-Effectiveness of Financial Proposal and value for money

11. SUBMISSION

Interested applicants should submit application by 5th September 2025 through:

Email to: procurement@pah.org.pl