Job Description

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA 

                    MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, FEDERAL AFFAIRS AND RECONCILIATION

BULSHO PROJECT - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience. 

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) 

Individual Selection of Consultant

Country: Federal Government of Somalia

Project ID No. P508408

Name of the Project: Bulsho Project - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience

Consulting Service: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning - MEAL Specialist  

Individual/Firm: Individual

Ref No: SO-MOIFAR-498744-CS-INDV

Duty Station: Mogadishu

Deadline: 18th November, 2025

1.         BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408) is under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and responsible for the national program called Bulsho, the Somali word for society. The Bulsho Program puts citizens and communities at the center of the government’s action.  The Bulsho Program is a Somali government-led initiative designed to strengthen community and local institutions, fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. As Somalia continues its recovery from two decades of civil war, the program places a strong emphasis on enhancing service delivery, rebuilding the social contract, and promoting community-centered governance. This uniquely Somali-owned and -driven initiative underscores government ownership and leadership at federal, member state, and district levels, ensuring institutional sustainability and the realization of key policy outcomes.

The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the Government of Somalia has established the Bulsho Program Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by the FGS Minister of Federal Affairs and Reconciliation. The PSC is composed of senior level representatives (ministers or deputy ministers) from relevant FGS ministries (i.e. Finance, etc.) and FMS MoI. The PSC’s primary role is to make strategic decisions related to the program planning and implementation, including approving this project operations manual (POM) and subsequent substantial revisions (POM approval can be exercised virtually) and addressing disputes related to district eligibility, participation and suspension.

MoIFAR, FGS has established a Project Coordination Unit – PCU headed by a National Project Coordinator, which has the overall responsibility for the day-to day management of the WB-funded Bulsho project. FMS MoI have established Project Implementation Units - PIUs, headed a State Project Managers, which have the responsibility for the activities that take place in their states.

The Project Coordination Unit - PCU is responsible for: (i) preparing procurement plans, including consolidating procurement plans from FMS; (ii) carrying out procurement for FGS-level activities and overseeing FMS procurement; (iii) preparing quarterly narrative and financial reports for the overall project, based on inputs from FMS; (iv) providing quality assurance and technical backstopping to FMS (this includes preparation of training curricula and training of trainers); (v) preparing and implementing the E&S plan (this includes verifying FMS E&S appraisal of local investments); (vi) consolidate FMS sustainability plans; (vii) preparing security management plans and oversees FMS security management (this includes reporting security incidents directly affecting project staff, contractors and assets) and (viii) carrying out general oversight, supervision and field monitoring (this could be joint monitoring mission) at all project locations with the support of the MoIs FMS..

The MOIFAR, FGS is seeking to use a portion of the Bulsho Project to finance the recruitment of a Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL Specialist as a part of National Project Coordination Unit - PCU.

2) Responsibilities: For MEAL activities, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator and in close consultation and coordination with the National Project Coordination Unit – PCU and the Project Implementation Units – PIUs at the FMS level.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL Specialist will lead the implementation of the Bulsho Project’s M&E system within the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), ensuring high-quality data collection, analysis, reporting, and learning, in line with the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Project Operations Manual (POM), the project Results Framework (RF), the project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (MEP) and World Bank requirements.

The MEAL Specialist will coordinate and closely working with the PCU & PIUs Social Safeguarding, Environmental Specialist, the Community Development and Local Governance Specialist, FMS PIUs MEAL Specialists and also Third-Party Monitoring and Digital Innovation Firms to ensure that all M&E activities comply with the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), ethical research standards, and SEA/SH prevention measures. Specifically, the MEAL Specialist will:

1.     Coordinate with Digital Innovation Firm on the development of the Bulsho MIS, including the fintech platform and the project management system for Bulsho-funded local investments.

2.     Oversee the operation and maintenance of the Bulsho MIS, ensuring timely and accurate entry of project data from all components.

3.     Produce indicator tracking tables and progress dashboards based on reports from PIUs, data from the MIS and the surveys and also validate data from Federal Member States (FMS) and districts for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.

4.     Generate periodic MIS reports for project management and government stakeholders and also coordinate with the Knowledge Management and Research Firm on baseline, midline, and endline surveys.

5.     Facilitate periodic learning and reflection sessions with PCU and PIU teams to translate monitoring results and research findings into adaptive actions.

6.     Support the Knowledge Management and Research Firm in the preparation of learning briefs, thematic notes, case studies and operational research by promptly providing project data and reports, and technical advice.

7.     Provide training and backstopping to FMS and district staff on data collection, reporting, and use of the project MIS and also build capacity within MoIFAR-FGS, MoIs FMS, PCU and PIUs to interpret and use M&E data for adaptive management.

8.     Ensure that all M&E activities comply with the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), ethical research standards, and SEA/SH prevention measures and also conduct periodic data quality audits and spot checks on MIS data received from districts to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency with source documents.

He/she will undertake all the other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) that can be found at the following www.somalijobs.com or can be provided upon submission of application (in person or by E-mail). 

Experiences and Qualifications

3) Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

1. Educational Background

-          University Master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related field.

1. Professional Experience

-          A minimum of 10 years of experience in M&E for donor-funded projects in fragile/conflict-affected contexts, preferably in Somalia or the East Africa region.

-          Experience with MIS platforms, statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R), and data collection tools (e.g., KoBoToolbox).

-          Demonstrated experience in Knowledge Management (KM), including developing and curating knowledge products and supporting organizational learning.

-          Proven ability to use M&E and research evidence for adaptive programming, decision-making, and continuous improvement of project delivery.

-          Knowledge of World Bank M&E requirements and results frameworks is an advantage.

1. Skills and competencies

-          Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.

-          Proficient in designing M&E frameworks and tools (e.g., logframes, indicators).

-          Skilled in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

-          Experience with data collection, analysis, and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Power BI).

-          Ability to synthesize complex information into accessible knowledge products and facilitate collaborative learning processes across diverse teams.

1. Knowledge

-          In-depth understanding and knowledge of M&E principles, RBM, and Theory of Change.

-          Familiarity with donor M&E requirements (e.g., World Bank, UN, USAID).

-          Strong understanding of Knowledge Management concepts, tools, and platforms for learning and evidence sharing.

-          Knowledge of Somalia’s socio-political and institutional context and Understanding of cross-cutting themes: gender, inclusion, conflict sensitivity.

-          Experience with statistical software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R) and digital data collection tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK).

1. Language skills/requirement.

-          Excellent command of Somali language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential

-          Excellent command of English language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential.

3. REPORTING

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL Specialist will report to the National Project Coordinator at the National Project Coordination Unit - PCU.

4.         TIMING Duration of Assignment:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning – MEAL Specialist shall be contracted for up to 12 months with 3 months of probationary period) and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MOIFAR, FGS now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Skills Required

Attachment

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