Country: Ethiopia
Closing date: 25 Nov 2016
http://www.ipss-addis.org/y-file-store/Vacancies_/vacancy_nrg_background_paper.pdf
Background
The Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa has established itself as a leading platform for informal, but critical, debate and reflections on peace and security issues in Africa. The 6th Tana Forum, set to take place on 22-23 April 2017 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, will focus on the theme of “Natural Resource Governance in Africa.” In many ways, this choice reflects the centrality of natural resources in both historical and contemporary times in understanding: i) the far-reaching implications on state-society relations within the continent, and ii) Africa’s disadvantageous position in global production and exchange since the earliest days of European penetration and colonialism. It also seeks to showcase how, over time, the exploitation of the continent’s rich and diverse natural resources, on land, air and sea, have created several paradoxes; in particular, those leading to inequality and poverty, corruption, unemployment, environmental degradation, violent conflicts, and the elusive quest to realize Africa’s full developmental potentials.
Objectives
The annual report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa (SPSA) is one of the key documents that help to set the tone and guide the conversation at the Tana Forum, ultimately shaping the debate around the selected theme of the year. As such, the SPSA Report is expected to provide a succinct overview and analysis of the most salient conflict trends and offer a nuanced understanding of the efforts and responses that are designed to manage complex peace and security challenges in the continent. The Report also situates the theme of the year within the broader context of conflict trends around continent with a view to offering an in- depth analysis of the issues surrounding it. Working closely with a lead consultant tasked to compile the SPSA Report, the solicited consultant will prepare a background paper that explores the nexus between natural resource governance, development and conflicts in Africa from historical and contemporary perspectives.
The background paper should:
- Position natural resource governance (NRG) in Africa within the broader context of emerging politico-security trends in the continent and globally;
- Scan the African peace and security landscape to expose how the management of natural resources triggered, aggravated, and/or sustained conflicts in the continent, vis-a-vis how they positively contributed to peacebuilding and state building;
- Present an overview of existing mechanisms that regulate access to as well as the utilization and control of natural resources focusing on some of the major aspects of NRG, such as the extractive industry, land, water, sea, forest and biodiversity;
- Conduct a brief overview/horizon scanning of natural resources in Africa focusing on the extractive industry, land, water, sea, forest and biodiversity and provide facts and figures related to these resources.
Deliverables and tasks
The consultant should demonstrate familiarity with the unique features of the Tana Forum (www.tanaforum.org) in terms of its mission and format, including assessing the peculiarities of the Forum as a high-level “practitioners’ workshop” in sharp contrast to being a platform for scholarly or expert discussion. The consultant should then develop a concept paper of up to 15 pages that includes an overview of the debate on the nexus between natural resource governance, development and conflicts in Africa that addresses the following questions:
- What are the existing national, regional and international NRG mechanisms/institutions that regulate access to and control of natural resources in the continent?
- What is the current state of these mechanisms, particularly from the vantage point of inclusivity, transparency and furthering sustainable development in the continent?
- What regional and global imperatives have emerged and shifted policy and thinking around NRG, conflict and fragility in Africa?
- What are the contemporary discourses/debates on the nexus between natural resource governance, development and conflicts with particular focus on Africa? To what extent have the discourses/debates influenced the policies and decisions on NRG in Africa?
- To what extent do NRG mechanisms, or lack thereof, influence/shape the peace and security dynamics on the continent in reference to actual and potential conflict scenarios in Africa?
- What steps need to be taken towards a more effective African NRG regime that, inter alia, is simultaneously conflict-sensitive and geared towards sustainable development?
- What concrete examples can be provided to highlight the immense potential of effective NRG as a source of resilience and sustainable development?
- What practical recommendations could be made to align an effective African NRG regime with the continent’s other developmental agenda/priorities in peace and security-related visions and aspirations such as Agenda 2063 or Silencing the Guns by 2020?
- What other considerations should guide discussions at the Tana Forum?
In addition to the background report, the consultant should also produce a separate two-page executive summary suitable for consideration by members of the Tana Forum Technical Committee as well as the Board. The work shall be completed in close coordination with the Head of the Tana Forum Secretariat and the Coordinators of the Reports Unit at IPSS. The consultant is invited to share an early draft for feedback by 10 February 2017, and a final draft by 27 February 2017.
Time frame
The contract will begin on 10 December 2016 and conclude on 3 March 2017.
How to apply:
Expressions of interest
Expressions of interest should provide relevant information on the following:
- Brief background information that captures an understanding and interpretation of the scope of work;
- Aims and objectives of the study;
- Suggested approach that outlines your interpretation of the scope of work and articulates your approach to the study;
- A recent writing sample on a related subject;
- A sample bibliography;
- Profile of researchers or organisation;
- Financial offer;
- Detailed timeline;
- Contact details.
Place of assignment and travel
This contract is home based. No travel is envisaged.
How to apply
Interested applicants must submit their expressions of interest by 25 November 2016 to tanaforum@ipss-addis.org.