South Sudan country-level consultancy for Risk Mapping and Analysis

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
PLAYMATTERS 3.0
Terms of Reference
For South Sudan country Risk Mapping, Analysis and Development of the Crisis Modifier Risk Matrix
Assignment : South Sudan country-level consultancy for Risk Mapping and Analysis
Country : South Sudan
Target areas :
PlayMatters target locations in South Sudan. Specifically:
Eastern Equatorial State (EES)- Magwi,
Central Equatorial State (CES)-Yei, Kajo Keji, Torit
Unity State-Rubkona,
Jonglei State-Bor South,
Upper Nile State -Renk and Malakal
Northern Bahr Ghazal State- Aweil East County and Aweil Municipality
Lakes State- Yirol West and Rumbek East
Duration : 25 days
Proposed period :
START DATE: 1st October 2026
END DATE: 31st December 2026
Reporting : Project Team Lead with technical backstopping from EiE Technical Advisor.
1. Background and Purpose
PlayMatters 3.0 (2026–2030) is a four-year education initiative implemented by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Plan International and War Child Alliance in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. The programme aims to improve the well-being and holistic learning outcomes of pre-primary and primary school-aged children, including children affected by conflict and crisis, by strengthening education systems to deliver quality education through Learning through Play (LtP).
PlayMatters has three outcomes. Outcome 3 focuses on protecting children’s holistic development during acute crises. Its Crisis Modifier (CM) provides a flexible mechanism for preparedness, anticipatory action, rapid multisectoral response and transition, while keeping a clear link with the programme’s longer-term education systems work.
The CM is not intended to replace existing government or humanitarian response mechanisms. It is designed to work with them and to allow PlayMatters country teams to act quickly when a significant shock or deterioration affects children, education services or the wider conditions needed for learning and well-being.
The first phase of the CM risk work is a country-level consultative risk mapping and analysis. This phase will establish a clear, evidence-informed understanding of the priority shocks and stresses affecting PlayMatters operational areas, their geographic and population impacts, existing capacities and key gaps. It will build on existing government, humanitarian/cluster, inter-agency, IRC-led and other relevant risk and early-warning analysis rather than creating parallel assessments. The findings will provide the country-specific evidence base for the subsequent development of triggers, indicators and response options in a later phase.
2. Purpose of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to establish a clear, evidence-informed understanding of the priority shocks and stresses that may affect children, education services and holistic well-being in PlayMatters target areas in South Sudan. The analysis will draw on existing risk assessments, vulnerability and hazard analysis, conflict and climate information, displacement and disease data, preparedness documentation, and relevant early-warning and coordination information, complemented by targeted consultations where additional information is required.
The consultancy will provide the South Sudan PlayMatters country team with a validated understanding of the main risks, where and who is most likely to be affected, the potential implications for education and children’s well-being, existing capacities and preparedness arrangements, and key gaps requiring attention.
The findings will provide the evidence base for subsequent Crisis Modifier preparedness work and the development of the country Trigger & Response Matrix.
3.Specific Objectives
Identify and analyze the main shocks and stresses (including conflict, displacement, climate-related hazards, disease outbreaks and other relevant risks) affecting children’s access to education and holistic development in PlayMatters target areas of South Sudan.
Conduct a consultative risk mapping and prioritization process to assess the likelihood, severity and potential geographic and population impacts of priority shocks and stresses, including consideration of seasonality and existing early-warning information.
Consult with relevant IRC crisis response programmes, government, humanitarian and education actors, community representatives, consortium partners and other relevant system actors to understand existing capacities, preparedness and response arrangements, identify gaps, and strengthen complementarity with existing mechanisms.
Work with the Project Management Committee (PMC) and Regional EiE Adviser to translate the risk analysis into a country-level priority risk map/Matrix providing the basis for which triggers, early-warning indicators, thresholds and response options will be developed in the subsequent phase.
4.Scope of the Assignment
4.1. Inception and planning
Conduct a desk review of existing risk, vulnerability, hazard, conflict, climate, displacement, disease and education assessments, contingency plans, and Education Cluster/sector preparedness documentation for South Sudan.
Build on relevant existing government, humanitarian/cluster, inter-agency, IRC-led and other risk analysis, risk mapping and early-warning products, identifying where existing evidence can be adopted and where information gaps require additional analysis.
Agree on the methodology, actual geographical locations to be covered (taking into consideration security and access), consultation plan, stakeholder list, analytical framework and work schedule with the Project management Committee (PMC) Lead and Regional EiE Adviser.
Submit an inception report setting out the proposed approach, workplan, stakeholder/data-source mapping, consultation plan, analytical framework and expected outputs.
4.2. Risk mapping and analysis
Conduct key informant interviews and focused consultations with PMC members, relevant IRC staff, government education actors, humanitarian and education coordination actors, community leaders, national partners, consortium actors and other relevant system actors identified in the workplan’s reach group.
Map historical and anticipated shocks and stresses specific to PlayMatters operational areas, considering geographic variation, population exposure/vulnerability, seasonality and relevant existing risk m