Life & Peace Institute Seeks Consultant for Major Horn of Africa Border Governance and Peacebuilding Research Project

Horn of Africa Borderlands Research Consultancy Opportunity at Life & Peace Institute (LPI) – Global Consultancy Application Deadline July 2026 The Life & Peace Institute (LPI) is seeking an experienced consultant to undertake a comprehensive research and analytical study examining the connections, complementarity, coherence, and gaps among policies, frameworks, and agreements that shape borderland governance in the Horn of Africa. Job Title: Consultant – Research and Assessment of Connections and Complementarity Among Various Horn of Africa Borderlands-Relevant Policies, Frameworks and Agreements Organisation: Life & Peace Institute (LPI) Job Location: Global Closing Date: 3 July 2026 Contract Type: Consultancy Assignment (Approximately 9–10 Weeks from Contract Signing) The consultancy will focus on regional, continental, and national instruments governing cross-border trade, mobility, peacebuilding, regional integration, and border governance. The assignment will specifically assess how these frameworks interact in practice and their implications for peacebuilding, resilience, inclusion, and regional cooperation across borderland communities. The study will pay particular attention to gender, intersectionality, and the needs of pastoralists, women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Assignment Purpose The consultancy aims to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the complementarity and interaction among relevant Horn of Africa borderlands policies, frameworks, and agreements, with emphasis on: Peacebuilding and regional cooperation Trade facilitation and cross-border mobility Inclusive border governance Socio-economic resilience Policy coherence and harmonisation Geographic Focus Areas The study will focus on borderland areas across the Karamoja and Moyale Clusters, particularly cross-border corridors involving: Kenya–Ethiopia South Sudan–Kenya Kenya–Uganda South Sudan–Ethiopia Uganda–Kenya Uganda–South Sudan Key Frameworks and Agreements to be Assessed The consultant will examine, among others: African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Informal Cross-Border Trade and Cross-Border Security Governance initiatives African Union Border Governance Strategy (AUBGS) African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) National border governance and trade policies Bilateral agreements and policy frameworks Regional peacebuilding and cross-border cooperation initiatives. Key Responsibilities The consultant will be responsible for: Inception Phase Reviewing relevant background documentation Developing an inception report, methodology, analytical framework, work plan, and data collection tools Desk Review and Policy Mapping Conducting comprehensive literature reviews Mapping regional and continental agreements Assessing national border governance policies Reviewing cross-border trade and mobility frameworks Identifying institutional arrangements and key actors Stakeholder Consultations Conducting consultations with: Regional and continental policy actors including the African Union and IGAD Government institutions Border authorities Civil society organisations Traders’ associations Peacebuilding actors Development partners and experts Comparative and Analytical Assessment Assessing policy complementarity and convergence Identifying legal and operational overlaps Evaluating coordination mechanisms and implementation challenges Identifying opportunities for harmonisation Assessing implications for trade, mobility, peacebuilding, and regional integration Validation and Finalisation Presenting preliminary findings to stakeholders Facilitating a physical validation workshop Incorporating stakeholder feedback into final deliverables Expected Deliverables The successful consultant will deliver: Inception Report Data Collection and Analysis Report Draft Study Report Validation Workshop Presentation Final Study Report Policy Brief Application Requirements Interested consultants should submit: Technical proposal outlining methodology and approach Financial proposal Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) Samples of relevant previous work At least three professional references Applications from consultants based in the Horn of Africa are strongly encouraged. Evaluation Criteria Criteria Weight Technical Approach and Methodology 40% Relevant Experience and Expertise 35% Team Composition and Qualifications 15% Financial Proposal 10% Ethical Considerations The selected consultant will be expected to adhere to: Conflict-sensitive research principles Do-no-harm approaches Confidentiality and informed consent standards Gender and inclusion considerations Safeguarding and ethical standards, including LPI’s Code of Conduct How to Apply Interested candidates should submit their applications via email to: procurement.addisababa@life-peace.org Applicants may also review the full Terms of Reference and application details through the official Life & Peace Institute careers page: Life & Peace Institute Consultancy Assignment Details Application Deadline: 3 July 2026 Only suitably qualified consultants with demonstrated expertise in border governance, regional integration, cross-border trade, and peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa are encouraged to apply before the closing date.