| Background and Context:
The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) signed in September 2018 brought hope of setting South Sudan on the path towards peace and development. However, South Sudan remains highly fragile and the risks of relapsing into conflict are present and persistent. Whilst the ceasefire is holding, overall progress on implementation of the peace agreement has been slow and there is a risk that the positive momentum is stalling, and frustration is creeping in. Communal violence, mainly triggered by access to resources and cattle rustling, continue and pose a risk to implementation of the peace agreement and resurgence of fighting.
The country’s conflict dynamics can only be fully appreciated and understood in the context of the six decades of fighting that have gone before that caused deep and longstanding grievances; social fractures; marginalisation; injustice and exclusion. Inter- and intra-communal conflicts are prevalent and exploited by political dynamics amongst the elite seeking control of power, opportunities and resources. Further, trust between communities is low in South Sudan further slowing down the implementation of the peace agreement.
Lack of basic rights, services and security not only contributes to growing inequality, it also creates a vacuum that allows non-state actors to take control. There is a risk that with weak institutions, law enforcement and checks and balances provide a fertile ground for violent extremism. Other drivers of violent extremism include economic and political exclusion, perceptions of injustice and corruption, inequality, unemployment and alienation; all challenges that plague most South Sudanese youth.
More than half (51 percent) of the South Sudanese population is below the age of 18, and 72 percent of South Sudanese are younger than 30 years of age. Decades of civil wars have contributed to the numerous challenges that majority of the youth face today: lack of job opportunities, high levels of illiteracy, poverty, inadequate life skills, drug addiction and indulgence in criminal activities. Youth are excluded from decision-making at all levels and lack exposure to the experiences that would enable them to participate even if permitted. Young women are doubly discriminated against, expected to marry at or near puberty and to have children to gain some status in society. Deprived of livelihoods, many youth cannot marry and start a family and be recognized as full adults. The inability to fulfil social expectations of their gendered roles leads to tensions and frustrations, which often give rise to alternative practices (such as eloping, cattle raiding and joining youth subculture groups), but also makes the youth vulnerable to radicalization that could ultimately lead to violent extremism.
UNDP takes a development approach to the prevention of violent extremism and looks beyond strict security concerns to development-related causes of and solutions. For this reason, the Peace and Community Cohesion project (PaCC) seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a sociological study on youth subculture in South Sudan. The research is to delve into what caused the emergence of the youth subculture, how it has evolved over time, what factors drive youth towards the subculture groups and what effect the groups have on peace and community cohesion.
Purpose of the research:
UNDP seeks to engage a Consultant to conduct a study on youth subculture in seven locations: Juba, Wau, Bentiu, Rumbek, Yambio, Aweil and Torit. The purpose of the research is to gain a better understanding of youth subculture in South Sudan and identify entry points to actively engage these youth to play a major role in peacebuilding and community cohesion interventions.
Objectives of the research:
The main objective of the study is to provide comprehensive understanding of youth subculture in the seven areas and the root causes to inform interventions to prevent violent extremism and strengthen the role of youth as peacebuilders. This assignment aims to provide guidance on youth programming tailored to the needs of the youth associated with the subculture.
Specifically, the study aims to:
- Provide a thorough understanding of the youth subcultures and social dynamics in the seven areas – Juba, Wau, Bentiu, Rumbek, Yambio, Aweil and Torit.
- Identify the main drivers encouraging young people to join youth subcultures groups.
- Analyse the extent to which the youth subculture members engage in crime and acts of violence and their motivations to do so.
- Assess the vulnerability of the youth in these groups to radicalization.
- Assess the influence of youth subculture on the realization of the peace agreement in South Sudan.
- Provide recommendations on youth specific programming in the seven areas.
- Provide recommendations on youth inclusion in wider programming of UNDP and other stakeholders in the locations.
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| Scope:
The Consultant is expected to have a thorough knowledge and understanding of social dynamics and youth subcultures. The scope of the study is South Sudan, with a focus on seven areas – Juba, Wau, Bentiu, Rumbek, Yambio, Aweil and Torit.
The Consultant is expected to:
- Provide an authoritative overview of the most active youth subculture groups in Juba, Wau, Bentiu, Rumbek, Yambio, Aweil and Torit.
- Give a historical background of youth subculture in South Sudan from 2011 to today and identify current trends.
- Analyse youth perceptions, needs and aspirations.
- Assess the capacity of the local authorities and NGOs to meet the needs of youth in the areas studied.
- Identify organizations working with youth associated with subcultures and identify lessons learned in their specific programming interventions.
Methodology:
The assessment will be carried out in accordance with UNDP guidelines and policies, United Nations Group Norms and Ethical Standards; OECD/DAC principles. The Assessment will employ a quantitative assessment method including, but not limited to:
- Desk review of secondary materials
- Focus group discussions
- Key informant interviews
- Mapping of youth focused interventions in the four areas: who is doing what, where, for whom, when
Thus, the consultant will review all relevant documents as secondary data and conduct field visits. The consultant is expected to follow a participatory and consultative approach that ensures close engagement with the PaCC Project Manager, PMSU and other key stakeholders.
Research Products/Deliverables:
The consultant will produce the following deliverables:
- Assessment inception report (10-15 pages). The inception report should be carried out following and based on preliminary discussions with UNDP after the desk review and should be produced before the assessment starts (before any formal assessment interviews or field visits).
- Assessment debriefings. Immediately after field data collection is completed, the consultant will give a presentation on the preliminary findings for PaCC project staff and key stakeholders.
- Draft assessment report (max 35 pages). UNDP and stakeholders will review the draft assessment report and provide an amalgamated set of comments to the assessor within 10 days, addressing the content required (as agreed in the inception report) and quality criteria as outlined in the UNDP guidelines.
- Assessment report audit trail. Comments and changes by the assessor in response to the draft report should be retained by the assessor to show how they have addressed comments.
- Final assessment report.
- Presentations to stakeholders.
Time Frame:
Activity Deliverable Time allocated
Assessment inception report (10-15 pages). Inception Report 8 days
Primary and secondary data collection Debriefing of initial findings immediately after the field visit 38 days
Reporting First draft report maximum 35 pages 8 days
Review the report after comments by UNDP and other stakeholders Assessment final report 6 days
Total number of working days 60 days |
Corporate Competencies:
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations
- Strong communication, team building, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills
Professionalism:
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matter
- Demonstrates experience in subject matter
- Demonstrates ability to negotiate and apply good judgment
- Shows pride in work and in achievements
- Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results
Planning & Organizing:
- Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships
- Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines
- Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff, partners and beneficiaries to achieve the planned results
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Education:
- Minimum Master’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Development Studies, International Development, or any other relevant university degree.
Experience:
- Extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience in the field of youth programs (especially on youth subculture related project/research), Peace building and conflict analysis, inclusive participation, gender mainstreaming and human rights promotion.
- Minimum 10-15 years of professional experience in areas of youth subculture related programs, peace and community cohesion interventions; international human rights law or international relations, regional development, gender equality and social services.
- At least 5 years of experience in conducting assessments and evaluations of on youth, peace and community cohesion and related programs.
- Direct experience working with youth and peace and community cohesion is an added advantage.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills with a strong background in report drafting.
- Demonstrated ability and willingness to work with people of different cultural, ethnic and religious background, different gender, and diverse political views.
- Ability to use critical thinking, conceptualize ideas, and articulate relevant subject matter concisely.
Language:
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.
Institutional arrangements:
The consultant can make use of the UNDP offices in South Sudan and is expected to use their own computer/laptop and cell phone.
The consultant will be contracted for 60 full-time working days.
The consultant will report to the Programme Specialist of the Peace and Community Cohesion Project, who will review and approve delivery of outputs.
Payment Schedule:
- Inception report that contains Assessment design, methodology, detailed work plan and tolls delivered 20 %
- After field debriefing and Draft Assessment report Delivered 45 %
- Finalization of Assessment report by incorporating additions and comments and production of knowledge product as agreed in the inception phase 35%
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