Consultancy: Bureaucratic and Administrative Impediments (BAI) Analysis – Sudan Humanitarian Response

Description

Terms of Reference

Consultancy: Bureaucratic and Administrative Impediments (BAI) Analysis – Sudan Humanitarian Response

Duration: 20 days

Location: Remote, with possible travel to interviews stakeholders (as feasible)

Reporting to: Sudan INGO Forum Secretariat (with oversight by the Steering Committee)

Background:

Bureaucratic and administrative impediments (BAIs) continue to pose a significant challenge to humanitarian operations in Sudan. These include—but are not limited to—delays in visa processing, travel permits, registration barriers, constraints on movement, and limited engagement frameworks between authorities and humanitarian actors.

While Forum members and access working groups have been monitoring some BAIs informally—such as visa trends and travel restrictions—there is an urgent need for a more structured and evidence-based analysis. The complexity of Sudan’s current context, requires a focused review of BAIs administered by various actors across the country.

This consultancy seeks to generate reliable, actionable data to inform collective advocacy, support operational planning, and reinforce ongoing access efforts led by the Sudan INGO Forum in coordination with the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

Objective:

To identify, categorize, and analyze bureaucratic and administrative impediments affecting humanitarian access and provide practical recommendations to reduce their impact on life-saving operations.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will:

1. Map and categorize the primary bureaucratic and administrative impediments encountered by INGOs operating in Sudan
2. Design and conduct qualitative data collection through key informant interviews (KIIs) and, where feasible, focus group discussions (FGDs) with operational INGO staff across different locations.
3. Draw comparative insights from similar contexts where INGOs have successfully addressed BAIs, highlighting replicable strategies.
4. Assess the impact of BAIs on operational timelines, program delivery, and humanitarian access, and identifying trends
5. Produce a structured analysis with actionable recommendations tailored for use by the Forum, the HAWG, and the HCT.
6. Develop a summary advocacy brief (internal use) that may inform donor and diplomatic engagement strategies.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report outlining methodology, timeline, and tools for data collection
• Consolidated Analysis Report of BAIs in SAF and RSF areas, including trends, comparative perspectives, and recommended actions
• Presentation to the Steering Committee and Forum members on key findings and implications
• Advocacy Brief summarizing top-line messages for engagement with HAWG, HCT, and relevant stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience:

• Proven expertise in humanitarian access, policy analysis, or operational strategy in complex emergencies
• Experience working with INGOs, NGO coordination bodies, or UN agencies in restricted access environments
• Familiarity with Sudan’s humanitarian landscape, including relevant authorities such as HAC and SARHO
• Strong facilitation and data collection skills (including KII/FGD methodology)
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; Arabic an asset
• Previous experience producing actionable policy or advocacy reports

Notes:

• The consultant will work in close coordination with the Forum’s Access Focal Point and Advocacy Working Group.
• Final outputs are intended for internal and strategic use within the Forum network and its coordination platforms.

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