Job Description

MER C Y C OR PS
Scope of Work
Initial Assessment: Civic Ecosystem, Stakeholder and Political Economy Analysis, with Conflict Sensitivity and GEDSI Lenses, Erigavo District
Consultancy title: Civic Ecosystem, Stakeholder and Political Economy Analysis Consultant
Program: Support to Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion, Inclusive Development and Responsive Local Governance in Erigavo (Wadajir Program)
Donor: Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) Implementing partners Mercy Corps (lead), SONSAF (sub-awardee), and SONSAF members GSDO, SDF, and SSO
Location: Erigavo District, Sanaag Region, Somaliland
Consultancy type:  Individual consultant, with knowledge of Sanaag
Duration: Up to 25 calendar days (5–30 November 2026).
Closing date for applications: October 30, 2026

1.About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global. Learn more here. As the transition is being
implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used
concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and
commitments continue without interruption.
Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better
world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner
to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger
communities from within, Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) has worked in
Somaliland since 2005, maintaining an established office in Hargeisa, a team of Somaliland-based
staff, and over two decades of operational experience in the area. Our programming spans multiple
sectors and is framed by a high-level strategy for advancing resilience and peace. Seeing ability
in vulnerability, we work with and through local communities, including IDPs and returning
refugees, to address immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while supporting and
strengthening systems that facilitate collective advancement towards long-term and inclusive
socio-economic growth, peace, and prosperity. Grounded in core resilience principles of systems
thinking, partnership and facilitation, and adaptive management, Mercy Corps’ (Prosper Global)
approach encourages crisis-affected populations, the private sector, government, and civil society
to work together towards meaningful and lasting change. Our long-standing relationships with the
local communities and administrative systems provide a strong understanding of political, clan,
economic, and conflict dynamics, as well as an established platform for locally informed analysis,
convening, and program delivery.

2.Program Background
Mercy Corps has extensive experience across the Horn of Africa, with an operational presence
throughout the region. Through Mercy Corps (Prosper Global), our strategic focus is on dryland
communities, with programming that addresses governance, social cohesion, market systems
development, adaptation, climate change, and other key areas. Across a diverse portfolio of
interventions, we support communities to build resilience and strengthen sustainable livelihoods.
In line with this regional focus, Mercy Corps (Prosper Global), in partnership with the Somaliland
Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) and its downstream partners—Sanaag Development
Foundation (SDF), Sanaag Sisters Organization (SSO), and Gibilsame Sustainable Development
Organization (GSDO)— is implementing a two-year Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) funded
program “Support to Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion and Inclusive
Development in Erigavo” known in Somali as the Wadajir Program. The Civic Engagement
Facility (CEF) aims to expand civic space and strengthen citizen participation by enabling
collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector around community
cohesion, sustainable development, and other shared priorities. CEF works to expand civic space
and catalyze collective action. Its core mission is to bridge divides, promote non-violent dialogue,
and support locally led civic action that contributes to peace, inclusion, and sustainable
development.
The WADAJIR Program is being implemented in Erigavo and surrounding communities, an area
that has experienced significant political and inter-clan tensions, including violent clashes in late
2024 that displaced approximately 13,566 people and disrupted essential services. Although the
peace agreement signed following the 2025 Grand Peace Conference helped reopen dialogue,
challenges remain. Drought and water scarcity intensify competition over natural resources, while
youth unemployment, limited civic participation, limited-service delivery continue to undermine
trust and collective problem-solving.
Despite these challenges, Erigavo has strong foundations for peacebuilding, including traditional
elders, religious leaders, and civic actors who have demonstrated their ability to mediate disputes
and facilitate dialogue. The Program seeks to build on these locally rooted mechanisms and
strengthen their links with formal governance structures rather than replace them. It will promote
inclusive participation and representation across the clans of Sanaag Region, strengthen
community–government engagement, and support locally led approaches to peace, social
cohesion, and inclusive development, in alignment with the Somaliland National Development Plan
III (2023–2027).
Goal: Strengthened peace, social cohesion and resilience in Erigavo by enabling inclusive,
participatory community engagement and responsive, accountable local governance.

Experiences and Qualifications

• Advanced degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, governance, development studies or related fields.
• At least 7 years' experience in political economy, governance, peacebuilding, or conflict analysis for international NGOs, donors, or research institutions.
• Demonstrated experience applying Do No Harm or conflict sensitivity frameworks, and in actor or network mapping.
• In-depth knowledge of Somaliland's governance systems, clan dynamics and civil society; experience in Sanaag is strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to facilitate participatory workshops with local organizations.
• Credibility and acceptability across Erigavo's communities, with a gender-balanced team.
• Excellent written English.
• Strong commitment to ethics, confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection.
8.Ethics, Safeguarding and Conflict Sensitivity
This assessment touches on politically and socially sensitive issues in a contested setting, so Do No Harm applies to the assessment itself, not only to the program. The consultant and team will comply with Mercy Corps' Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies (including PSEA and Child
Safeguarding) and data protection standards, and will:

Skills Required

Attachment

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