Job Description

1.    Background

Save the Children International (SCI) is a non-governmental non-profit organization whose mission is to fight for children’s rights and deliver immediate and lasting solution to children’s lives worldwide. SCI has been operational in Somalia for over 40 years. SCI is investing in programs and projects addressing all-round problems faced by children, and their parents. The programs aimed at improving Health, Nutrition, Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education and Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) of children and their families in Somalia. Save the Children International profoundly invested in humanitarian and development projects by getting financial and technical support from international donor community. Ambitious 2024-2027 SCI Country Strategic Plan highlights the importance of strengthening the operational capacity of the health and livelihood system through innovative breakthroughs by creating synergies between humanitarian and development intervention with intention of better impact for every child.

Start Network is a UK-based charity, and a company limited by guarantee, functioning as a global networked organization. It has over 90 member organizations across five continents, including large international humanitarian agencies as well as local and national NGOs. Start Network’s mission is to create a new era of humanitarian action that will save even more lives. We aim to operationalize this through locally led action, innovation and early and rapid financing, so that people on the frontline of crisis can themselves provide early, effective responses when and before crises strike.

In May 2019, Start Network became an independent charity, having previously operated as part of Save the Children UK. In Somalia, Start Network staff are hosted by Save the Children and membership is approximately 27 members comprised of 19 INGOs and 8 local NGOs. The Humanitarian Hub, led by Start Network, consists of 8 national and local organizations dedicated to transforming the humanitarian system.

Start Network in Somalia is hosted by Save the Children’s Country Office, where the Network provides support to its members, partners, and government counterparts for the coordination of ARC Replica and Start Ready program

2.    Introduction

To improve early and predictable disaster risk financing for at-risk populations, the Start Network has created various tools and mechanisms that enhance the capacity of humanitarians to analyze risks, access early funding, and implement community-level mitigation strategies. Key initiatives include the Crisis Anticipation Window, which enables members to secure rapid funding in advance of predicted humanitarian crises through training and support in interpreting risk data. Decisions on funding are guided by senior humanitarians and insights from the FOREWARN forecasting network. Additionally, the Start Ready approach integrates scientific modeling, pre-determined triggers, and contingency planning for timely responses, while the ARC Replica program offers a rapid funding scheme for emergency assistance to vulnerable communities in Africa.

Therefore, Start network is looking for a consultant who will carry out Financial Flows and Gaps Analysis For Disaster Risk Finance in Somalia

3.    Objectives Analysis:

The gap analysis aims to evaluate the financial mechanisms for managing disaster-related funds by examining both ex-ante and ex-post financial flows, assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of funding allocations. This comprehensive assessment will identify existing gaps and challenges in the current financial systems, informing strategies to enhance disaster risk financing and improve the mobilization and utilization of funds, ultimately bolstering resilience and preparedness for future disasters in Somalia.

4.    Specific Objectives of this analysis:

This analysis aims to gain an in-depth understanding of ex ante and ex post flow of funds in for disaster in Somalia. The analysis will specifically explore:

▪         How much funding is flowing into Somalia for the windows of opportunity targeted by Start Network.

▪          Source of the main funding streams

▪          Start Network’s strategic focus for Somalia working with local actors and members

▪          Understand who is getting the funding and what proportion is channelled through local actors

▪         Provide a picture to stakeholders through a transparent picture of current state of play for Ex ante and Ex post funding in Somalia through local actors.

5.    Key tasks

The task requires the consultant to undertake secondary data collection and analysis to identify at a national level, in previous emergencies, and pre-positioned prior to future crises, what types and levels of financing are available from different sources.

This Financial Flows and Gaps Analysis will be a summary and mapping exercise of the flow of Disaster Risk Finance and will analyze the source and flow of funds that the humanitarian and development sectors have access to at different stages in the Disaster Risk Management cycle.

6.    The Key Questions this study is hoping to answer are as follows:

•      Where does the source of funds come from in managing disaster risk in Somalia and what are the proportions of these funding sources?

•      What is the proportion of funds used for:

i.            Anticipatory Actions (Ex ante e,g. Start Funds Anticipatory Actions and Start Ready Floods AA)

ii.            Early Actions (Ex post, soon after impact e.g. ARC replica window and Start funds Response window)

iii.            All other Humanitarian response.

•      What proportion of this flows to civil society actors (categorize as directly or indirectly)? What is the allocation between different sectors?

•      If possible: Within the civil society actors, what is the proportion of funding flowing directly and indirectly to local and national organisations?

•      What are the existing ex-ante Disaster Risk Financing strategies that are being implemented for different hazards?

•      What is the proportion that civil society actors get from these instruments? What proportion is going to local and national actors?

•      In which regions/Districts do the funds flow? What is the proportion?

 A gaps analysis should then identify what a DRF strategy should prioritize to meet unmet events and unprotected people, and what existing flows could be enhanced by Anticipatory Action systems.

Specific questions the assessment is focusing on will be jointly developed between Start Network. The analyses are to

be delivered through a presentation as well as outlined in a report. The following tasks will be mutually discussed and implemented:

i.              of existing and planned initiatives from governments, humanitarian and development organizations that address different aspects and risk layers of disaster risk finance

ii.            Secondary data collection and analysis from Global international humanitarian financial flows Financial Tracking System (FTS)

•      Identify local funding mechanisms including on budget and off budget emergency funds and social protection and safety net systems

•      Identify any existing DRF systems from the World Bank, United Nations agencies, regional development banks, Red Cross and governments and IMF

•      Any local information on remittance levels and their role in crisis - Local lending and credit organisation at time of crisis

•      Analysis of financial coverage through the following lenses: Per hazard, per severity of hazard (mild, moderate and severe) and per national geography (district level):

i.      Analysis per sector across the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) cycle: focusing on Anticipatory Action, Early Action and other Humanitarian responses..

ii.    Complete a gap analysis to identify how existing funding channels could be enhanced and identify new Disaster Risk Finance systems which could plug priority gaps

iii.   Explore how system triggers are designed and detail the risk and vulnerability data the systems use

iv.   Mapping of financial flows and humanitarian assistance to local communities, including remittances and other assistances at times of crisis

v.    Mapping of financial flows to Somalia Hub members along with gaps and flow barriers (Translation support available from Start Network).

7.    Deliverables

•      Initial outline of proposed methodology to address the key questions

•      Written report of not more than 10 pages per component

•      Initial presentation to be presented

•      Presentation of results to the Start Network and partners

•      ‘Back-end’ folder of data used in the analysis

8.   SCOPE OF CONTRACT

Further information on the scope of work can be found in section 3 of the Terms of Reference.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BIDDING

9. TIMELINES

Bidders are requested to review and respond to sections 3 and 4, with completed sections and requested documents submitted via email (no hard copies required) to southcentral.supplychain@savethechildren.org and copy nelly.maonde@startnetwork.org.

10. START NETWORK NOT BOUND

This Request for Proposals (RFP) does not constitute an offer and Start Network does not bind itself to accept any

proposal. Start Network reserves the right to accept a proposal in part, rather than in full. If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact us - Abdirashid.Mohamed@startnetwork; nelly.maonde@startnetwork.org; Caroline.bullen@startprogrammes.org.

11. CONFIDENTIALITY

Documentation in relation to this RFP and any proposals received in response to it shall be treated as private and confidential save where the disclosure is required by law.

Bidders shall not:

•    Release any information relating to the RFP and the proposal that they intend to make; other than with professional advisers who need to be consulted with regards to the preparation of the proposal;

•    Canvass directly or indirectly with any other bidder concerning the award of a contract;

•    Canvass directly or indirectly with a member of Start Network’s staff (including its consultants and contractors) concerning the award of the contract.

12.  CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Start Network and any bidders shall declare any conflicts of interest as soon as practicable, to allow for the efficient management of any potential/actual conflicts

13.        CONTRACT

The formal contract will be as mutually agreed.

14. MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT

The consultant will work collaboratively with the Start Network team.

Start will be supporting the consultant(s) on:

•      Providing access to Start Network Members and partners

•      Pointing consultant to additional databases (consultant should demonstrate knowledge of the relevant databases for this piece of work)

•      Final copy editing

15.  KEY SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Relevant documents for review will be shared at a later stage on request, if required. For a general overview, please refer to our website.

16.          TIMELINE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

•      09 Nov 2024: Deadline for proposals

•      Contracting by Nov 18, 2024, and Start of work

•      Draft one is to be delivered by 1st Dec 2024

•      Contracting to be completed and Final draft is to be delivered by 31s Dec 2024

The duration for this consultancy is expected to be for six [6] weeks. Please refer to the table below for the schedule of activities and payment terms which is highlighted in red text.

Experiences and Qualifications

Skills Required

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