National Post: Job Title: Consultant Legal expert , IC, NOC, Port Sudan

The Position:

The main objective of this consultancy is to conduct a thorough desk review of the legal framework and its practical application to identify gaps, barriers, and  opportunities regarding the protection of children born of rape in Sudan. The findings will inform strategies to enhance legal protection, access to justice, and the realization of rights for these children.

The consultant will report to GBV AoR coordinator in close coordination with the CP AoR. Regular check-ins and technical support will be provided throughout the consultancy.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Assess the relevant legal provisions, customary practices, and implementation
challenges affecting children born of rape in Sudan, providing actionable
recommendations for policy reform and advocacy.

You would be responsible for:

The Legal Expert will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review Relevant Legal and Policy Frameworks

o Analyse national laws, including but not limited to the Personal Status Law, Child Act, Criminal Act, and Family Law, that impact children born of rape.
o Examine the constitution and relevant international instruments ratified by Sudan (e.g., the Convention on the Rights of the  Child, CEDAW) and their applicability.
o Identify customary laws and practices that affect the legal status and rights of children born of rape.

2. Assess Implementation and Access to Justice

o Investigate challenges and good practices in the practical application of laws, including registration of births, acquisition of nationality, inheritance rights, and access to education and healthcare.
o Analyse the role of courts, law enforcement, and administrative bodies in enforcing rights and protections for children born of rape.

3. Identify Social and Structural Barriers

o Explore societal attitudes, stigma, practices and discrimination faced by children and their mothers and the impact on legal outcomes.

4. Provide Comparative Legal Analysis

o Highlight relevant practices and legal frameworks from other countries that have successfully addressed similar issues.

5. Develop Recommendations

o Propose actionable legal, policy and programme recommendations to strengthen the protection framework for children born of rape.

Duration and working schedule:

15 days over 1 month period

Place where services are to be delivered: Main office in Port Sudan

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

1. Inception Report outlining methodology, detailed work plan, and key sources to be reviewed.

2. Comprehensive Desk Review Report, no more than 15 pages, including:

o Analysis of laws and their implementation.
o Identification of gaps, barriers, and best practices.
o Legal and policy recommendations.

3. Executive Summary and Policy Brief for dissemination.

4. Annexes of existing laws

Monitoring and progress
control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Day 1–2: Inception Phase

Deliverable: Draft Inception Report
- Introductory meetings
- Review of TOR and objectives.
- Develop detailed methodology and work plan.
- Identify key legal sources, policies, and documents for desk review.
-
Day 3–8: Desk Review and Analysis

- Deliverable: 1st Draft Comprehensive Desk Review Report
- Activities:
- Conduct detailed desk review of legal frameworks and policies.
- Analyse implementation, gaps, barriers, and identify best practices.
- Draft legal and policy recommendations.
-
Day 9: Submit 1st Draft Desk Review Report in soft

- Deliverable: Draft Desk Review Report (max 15 pages)
-
Day 10: UNFPA Review and Feedback
- UNFPA in consultation with CP AoR provides consolidated feedback
on the draft.
-
Day 11–12: Finalization of Report
Deliverables:
- Final Desk Review Report
- Annexes (relevant laws and regulations reviewed)
-
Day 13–14: Executive Summary and Policy Brief
- Deliverables:
- Executive Summary
- Policy Brief (for dissemination, 2–3 pages)
-
Day 15: Submission and Wrap-Up
- Submit all final deliverables:
- Inception Report (final version if updated)
- Desk Review Report (final)
- Annexes
- Executive Summary
- Policy Brief

Debriefing with UNFPA Supervisory arrangements:

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced degree in Law, Human Rights, or related fields.

Knowledge and Experience: 

5 Years  of Experience in the same role or relevant filed . 

Proven expertise in legal research and analysis, preferably with
experience in child rights & child protection, GBV, and access to
justice.
• Familiarity with Sudanese legal frameworks and customary law.
• Strong understanding of international human rights and child protection
standards.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Interested candidates should submit:
• A detailed CV.
• A brief technical proposal (max 3 pages) outlining the proposed
approach, methodology, and work plan.
• A financial proposal indicating the consultancy fee.
• 1–2 relevant writing samples

Languages: 

Fluent Arabic and English .

Required Competencies: 

Values:

Exemplifying integrity, 

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

Embracing cultural diversity, 

Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

Achieving results,

Being accountable,

Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

Thinking analytically and strategically,

Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.