- Minimum Qualification :
- Experience Level : Senior level
- Experience Length : 5 years
Job Description/Requirements
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
Religious Freedom and Women's Participation in the Constitution making process in Sudan
- Background:
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is a non-profit organization that implements legal reform programs. ABA ROLI has worked for over 25 years in more than 100 countries to promote the rule of law, advance human rights, strengthen judicial institutions, support legal professionals and advance understanding of the law and rights of citizens by the public. To this end, ABA ROLI has established partnerships with a wide range of actors, including institutions in the justice sector (judges, prosecutors, public defense offices, mediation offices and national human rights institutions, investigators and police), civil society organizations, bar associations, legal aid organizations and lawyers, among others. ABA ROLI’s work in Africa spans a variety of programing around the rule of law, access to justice, atrocity prevention as well as human rights protection and promotion.
ABA ROLI’s Supporting a New Sudanese Constitution program aims to support the Sudanese people in their sovereign pursuit of a new Constitution that will serve as a true social contract for a liberal and democratic Sudan. The program will achieve this goal by implementing activities that advance the following two objectives: (1) Bolster Sudanese stakeholders’ ability to design a participatory, inclusive, transparent and knowledge-driven Constitution making process; and (2) Support Sudanese stakeholders’ legal drafting efforts so that the Constitution’s drafts are consistent with comparative state of the art and international standards.
- Context
Sudan faces a critical juncture following the outbreak of war in April 2023. While several initiatives are working toward a peace settlement, many argue that for Sudan to remain united, it must fundamentally reshape its state structure and government institutions. Its constitutional arrangements—whether interim or permanent—must address the historical injustices, inequality, and the root causes of conflict. Since its creation as a state in 1899 and through its independence in 1956, Sudan has experienced political instability and turmoil. The country’s constitutional frameworks have largely failed to provide a stale foundation for political governance, democracy, and the rule of law. Over nearly 70 years of independence, the constitution-making processes have been continually manipulated by both military and civilian governments, supported by narrow elites, and have not addresses the challenges Sudan faces today. These constitution-making processes, after decades of failed experimentation, have prioritized the interests of the few rather than the inclusive, participatory, and transparent efforts needed to reflect the aspirations and diversity of the Sudanese populace. This project aims to create a pathway for robust, participatory, and inclusive transitional constitutional arrangements and a permanent constitution-making process.
For any future constitution, it is crucial to ensure that the framework embodies the values of transparency, participation, and inclusivity. This process must directly tackle the challenges surrounding religious freedom, women's participation, and the representation of minorities and marginalized populations. These issues are essential to building a just and democratic society where all citizens—regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity—can fully engage in public life. Religious freedom, as a cornerstone of human rights, must be legally protected in Sudan’s diverse society, guaranteeing individuals the right to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or persecution. Similarly, ensuring women's participation in constitutional and decision-making processes is vital to achieving gender equality, social justice, and balanced representation of the population's needs and aspirations. By addressing these fundamental issues, Sudan's constitutional process will strengthen its commitment to human rights, equality, and democratic values, laying the foundation for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
- Purpose:
Conducting Focus Group Discussions on Religious Freedom and Women's Participation in the Constitution making process in Sudan: Engaging Women, Minorities, and Marginalized Populations for Targeted Feedback
This purpose of this activity is to gather targeted feedback from Sudanese women and marginalized populations through focus group discussions (FGDs) focused on religious freedom and women's participation in the constitution-making process. These discussions aim to explore the unique challenges faced by women, minorities, and marginalized groups in relation to Sudan’s constitutional development. By engaging these populations directly, the FGDs will provide valuable insights into their specific needs, concerns, and barriers to participation in both the constitutional process and broader societal and political spheres.
Religious freedom and the inclusion of women and marginalized groups in decision-making are critical issues in Sudan’s path toward a democratic and just society. These FGDs will facilitate open dialogue on how to overcome obstacles to inclusion and participation, ensuring that the voices of those often left out of the conversation are heard and considered. The discussions will also prioritize the identification of actionable recommendations that can inform the development of a more inclusive and equitable constitutional framework. Ultimately, this process will contribute to a more representative, all-encompassing, constitution that addresses the needs and aspirations of all Sudanese citizens.
- Objectives:
The FGD will be purposed to gain several information’s based on the objectives as below:
- To facilitate and guide FGDs with women, minorities, and members of civil society organizations (CSOs) on topics related to of religious freedom, women's participation, and inclusion
- To collect data and insights on the challenges these groups face regarding religious freedom and their involvement in different areas of public life
- To identify practical recommendations for improving the participation of women and marginalized communities in the constitution-making process
- To produce a comprehensive report on the findings from the FGDs, highlighting key recommendations, and actionable steps for policymakers and stakeholders
- Scope of Work:
- Develop a detailed methodology for conducting the FGDs, ensuring that questions are tailored to uncover issues related to religious freedom and the participation of women, minorities, and marginalized populations
- Design the FGD format to foster safe, inclusive, and respectful dialogue, particularly on sensitive topics such as religious freedom and gender equality
- Ensure diverse representation in the FGD methodology to capture a wide range of perspectives
- Accurately document discussions, capturing concerns and recommendations while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to ethical standards
- Analyze the data collected from the FGDs to identify key themes, challenges, and actionable recommendations
- Propose strategies for translating insights from the FGDs into positive change, including advocacy, policy recommendations, and suggestions for further research
- Coordinate and facilitate at least two FGD sessions in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Uganda, engaging with participants and providing guidance throughout the discussions, and submit a comprehensive report based on the findings
- Deliverables Timeline:
DeliverableDeadline (Specific dates to be indicated in final contract)
- A detailed inception report outlining the methodology for conducting the FGDs
Early February 2025
- Conduct a minimum of two FGDs, each consisting of 10-15 participants
Mid-February 2025End February 2025End February 2025
- Continuing until the completion of at least two FGDs
- A final comprehensive report that:
- Summarizes the key findings of the FGDs
- Identifies actionable recommendations to improve religious freedom and women’s participation in Sudan’s constitution-making process
- A detailed document that outlines the key next steps for stakeholders to take in promoting religious freedom and women’s inclusion
- A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Gender Studies, Human Rights, International Law, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred
- Minimum 5-10 years of professional experience in conducting qualitative field research, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, or participatory research
- Strong knowledge of issues related to religious freedom, women’s rights, and the rights of minorities and marginalized groups
- Experience in working with women, minorities, refugees, internally displaced persons, and marginalized groups, including a deep understanding of their specific challenges
- Strong communication, analytical, and writing skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations
- Proven experience in report writing and presenting research findings.
- Experience working in Sudan, Uganda and/or elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, and strong understanding of political context in Sudan
- Experience in social science research, including conducting FGDs preferred.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken). Fluency in Arabic is an advantage
- Reporting and Supervision:
- Budget and Payment:
The consultant will be paid based on the completion of the deliverables as outlined. Payment terms will be negotiated and specified in the contract, with the possibility of milestone payments upon submission of key deliverables.
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