Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya

Organization: American Friends Service Committee

Closing date: 28 Feb 2022

The Africa Hub (a consortium of organizations lead by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)), seeks to hire an accomplished Consultant (short term), to strengthen its work in the Horn of Africa region.

The Horn of Africa is experiencing uncertainty characterized by civil instability, ecological extremes, economic stress, and prolonged humanitarian emergencies. There is political stagnation in some countries, and relapse into conflict and crises in others. Proxy wars and interstate tensions are, once again, the hallmark of regional politics. The vortex of superpower rivalry and competition around the Red Sea is also destabilizing the diplomatic consensus. Within this context, the Covid-19 pandemic, migrant locusts, and erratic ecology have layered over prevailing conditions, clouding the once optimistic outlook. No regional government or body, or continental and international multilateral agencies have succeeded in tempering these negative trends. In fact, many agencies appear to have been paralyzed by the crises. Lastly, misinformation, disinformation, and fake news have confounded attempts at establishing a credible account of the true extent of the dilemma.

The Africa Hub intends to update its programming to make it consistent with anticipated and recent political and economic developments in the region. We are therefore hiring individuals who will help us better prepare for these regional trends. Below are the specifications:

The Consultant

The Consultant (who shall be based in or hail from the region), will produce a synthesized analysis of recent and emerging developments in the Horn of Africa. What are the trends, patterns, and manifestations of these political dynamics and what do they mean for the stability of the region and for multilateralism? Can regional stability be a function of fragility in some of the countries? The Consultant will conduct research and produce a synthesized analysis examining the causes and consequences of recent political-economy developments, the trajectory of current events, and options for medium to long-term stability.

Consultancy Tasks

• Conduct extensive, multicounty research into entrenched, new, or emerging political and economic trends, patterns, and dynamics in the Horn of Africa, including—as necessary— their origins and trajectory, and implications for regional stability.
• Produce a synthesized written analysis of the research findings in publishable format and quality. The report (done in single space, times new roman) should not exceed 35 pages, including executive summary, table of contents, acknowledgements, and references.
• The analysis must include options for multi stakeholder (civil society, multilaterals, international financial institutions, private sector, etc.,) participation in improving peace and stability and countenancing the multifaceted and multiclausal trends in the region.
• Deliver a presentation of preliminary findings (draft report) before a panel of peers (including academic, civil society, multilateral, and policy actors from the region) to be convened for this purpose. Incorporate insight from the panel into the final report.
• Present the final report in a multi stakeholder policy forum convened for the purpose.

Prospective Consultants or firms should provide or demonstrate the following in their application materials:

• A technical proposal demonstrating thorough understanding of the scope of work in the ToR and an outline of the proposed methodology. The methodology should not exceed half a page
• Extensive experience conducting action-oriented political-economy analysis with specific focus on the Horn of Africa
• A network of official, media and civil society contacts across the region, and impeccable insight into regional policy making processes and environment, including the institutions, issues, and leading member states
• Resume or company portfolio including the contacts for three traceable referees. The portfolio/Resume should include a list of published works, and more importantly, samples of relevant policy research
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrable ability to write in excellently in English
• A work plan including the overall duration of the assignment and a financial proposal

How to apply

Applications materials for the Consultant should be sent via email to infoafrica@afsc.org to the attention of the Search Committee.

NB: Consultancy applications should include a technical proposal, budgets, and timelines. All materials shall be in times new roman, single-spaced and in PDF. The subject heading should be “HoA Consultant”. All applications should be received not later than 28th February 2022 at 5:00pm, East African Standard Time. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

The AFSC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.