[Hiring] Consultancy - Political Economy Analysis (PEA) @IDLO - International Development Law Organization

Role Description

With financial support from the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) will implement the Damal Programme Phase II – Strengthening the Social Contract through Access to Justice in Somaliland (2026–2030). The programme seeks to strengthen the social contract in Somalia by improving the legitimacy, effectiveness, and inclusiveness of justice sector institutions at national, regional, and district levels. Building on the achievements of Damal Programme Phase I (2021–2026), Damal II will consolidate and expand access to justice interventions through three mutually reinforcing outcomes:

• Improved access to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and referral pathways, particularly for vulnerable groups;
• Enhanced access to formal justice through integrated support for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and other vulnerable justice seekers;
• Increased citizen participation in accountability processes relating to justice and security.

The programme will commence with a preparatory phase designed to establish the strategic, operational, and analytical foundations for implementation. During this period, IDLO will undertake a series of complementary assessments, including:

• Baseline Assessment and Legal Analysis
• Political Economy Analysis (PEA)
• Conflict Sensitivity Assessment (CSA)
• Gender Analysis

The overall objective of this assignment is to undertake a comprehensive Political Economy Analysis (PEA) that establishes the political, institutional, economic, social, conflict, and governance evidence base for the implementation of the Damal Programme Phase II. The assessment will analyse:

• Power dynamics, incentives, interests, formal and informal institutions, and contextual factors that influence access to justice, ADR, justice sector reform, and community security.

The PEA will build directly on the evidence, operational experience, and institutional partnerships developed under Damal Programme Phase I. The analysis will cover all existing Damal I ADR Centres that will continue under Damal II, together with the additional districts and implementation locations introduced under Damal II.

In accordance with IDLO's Political Economy Analysis methodology, the assignment will:

• Define the Development Problem by analysing the principal governance, justice, conflict, and institutional challenges relevant to programme implementation.
• Analyse the Political Economy Drivers by examining structural, political, economic, historical, social, legal, and institutional factors.
• Examine Processes of Change by assessing ongoing political, institutional, legal, and social reforms.
• Identify Operational Implications by translating the political economy findings into practical recommendations for programme implementation.

The PEA will enable IDLO and its partners to adopt a politically informed, conflict-sensitive, and adaptive approach throughout the implementation of the Damal Programme Phase II.

Deliverables

• Preparatory Phase Report, including detailed methodology, work plan, research tools, stakeholder mapping, and data collection plan.
• Political Economy Analysis Presentation to IDLO and key stakeholders outlining preliminary findings.
• Draft Political Economy Analysis Report incorporating political, institutional, governance, conflict, stakeholder, and programme analyses.
• Validation Workshop to present and validate findings with IDLO, government counterparts, consortium partners, and selected stakeholders.
• Final Political Economy Analysis Report, incorporating comments received from IDLO and validation workshop participants.
• Executive Summary and Action Matrix summarising key findings, operational implications, implementation risks, adaptive management recommendations, and priority actions for the Damal II preparatory phase.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Governance, Economics, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, or another relevant discipline.

Requirements

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience undertaking Political Economy Analyses, governance assessments, conflict analyses, justice sector assessments, or institutional diagnostics.
• Demonstrated experience working on justice sector reform, governance, peacebuilding, rule of law, or state-building programmes.
• Previous experience working with international organisations, development agencies, government institutions, or civil society organisations in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Proven experience facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and producing high-quality analytical reports.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of political, governance, justice, security, economic, and conflict context in the Horn of Africa in general and in Somalia in particular.
• Demonstrated knowledge of political economy analysis methodologies and adaptive programming approaches.
• Excellent analytical, research, facilitation, report-writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Somali.

Terms & Conditions

The consultancy will primarily be home-based, with travel to programme implementation areas and stakeholder locations as required to undertake field research, institutional consultations, and validation workshops. The consultancy period, level of effort, remuneration, and payment schedule will be specified in the consultancy contract.

All work produced under this assignment, including reports, datasets, interview records, analytical tools, presentations, and supporting documentation, shall become the property of IDLO. The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the assignment and comply with IDLO's policies on research ethics, data protection, safeguarding, and information security.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application deadline: 23 August 2026 (23:59hrs Rome Time).