Consultant – Legal and Constitutional Analyst

Nairobi, Kenya, with potential for regional travel

The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. 

With over three decades of working in Sudan and a broad network of relationships across its 18 states, the Carter Center is monitoring the country’s ongoing conflict and transition processes in support of long-term peace prospects. The Center is planning to deploy a remote international observation mission that will monitor developments in Sudan and preparations for a post-conflict political transition. Experts will additionally provide mentorship and technical assistance to citizen observers in Sudan. The mission will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with a potential relocation to Sudan pending political and security developments.

The Carter Center is seeking a highly qualified candidate to serve as a Legal and Constitutional Analyst on its international observer mission. Deployment for the mission is expected from September2024 through August 2025 with the possibility of extension. Applicants must confirm their availability for deployment for the project’s full initial duration. The Legal and Constitutional Analyst will act as the international observer mission’s primary subject-area expert and analyst on issues related to the participatory rights of Sudanese citizens in peace negotiations, national dialogue and/or constitution-making processes.

Desired Qualifications and Experience

Applicants for the position should have:

  • A bachelor’s, master’s, and/or doctoral degree in law, human rights, political science, or a similar field;
  • At least seven years of experience working on constitutional law analysis, international human rights, including participatory rights, and international public law regarding democracy and governance programs, ideally in human rights or election observation or field research;
  • Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict environment; a strong knowledge of and professional work experience related to Sudan is preferred;
  • Demonstrated experience in legal analysis and strong familiarity with international human rights principles, constitution-making processes and legal frameworks, and national dialogue processes;
  • Excellent drafting skills;
  • Leadership skills, personnel management experience, cross-cultural understanding and ability to work as a member of a team composed of individuals of different cultural and political backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity, are essential;
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and a high degree of adaptability to a changing environment and programmatic activities;
  • Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
  • Fluency in English and Arabic is strongly preferred; and
  • Abide by the Carter Center’s Code of Conduct as well as data protection responsibilities when processing the personal data of mission participants.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

  • Analyze various models of constitutional and national dialogue frameworks, familiarizing oneself with relevant historical processes and transitional processes in Sudan;
  • Provide advice to Mission Director on legal issues related to Sudan’s political transition, governing institutions and legal frameworks;
  • Brief long-term observers and interlocutors on mission findings and recommendations;
  • Represent the Carter Center vis-à-vis external stakeholders to assess and analyze legal and constitutional issues related to developments in Sudan and for the country’s future  governance;
  • Prepare assessments and reports on legal and constitutional issues, as well as national consultative processes, as requested by the Mission Director and/or Atlanta; and
  • Contribute to all mission reporting and formulate recommendations.

To be considered for this position, provide your application details and upload a CV/resume and cover letter in support of your application to the following website:

Sudan IO (filerequestpro.com)

Only applications received through this link will be considered.

Given the international nature of this observer project, Sudanese nationals are not eligible for this role. Due to the large volume of applicants, only those candidates selected for an interview or additional consideration will be notified by the Center. No phone calls, please.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. The deadline to apply is currently scheduled for Mon, Aug. 26, 2024.