Job Description

Position Title: National Consultant – NDP III Prioritization Support
Duration: 4 months
Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somaliland
Reporting to: Director General, Ministry of Planning and National Development

Background:

The Republic of Somaliland is currently implementing its third National Development Plan (NDP III), covering the period 2023–2027. Building on the gains of NDP I and II, the current plan articulates the country’s development priorities under four Vision 2030 pillars: Economic Development, Infrastructure, Good Governance, and Social Development. NDP III also places a strong emphasis on resilience, inclusive growth, and sustainable development, aligning with both national aspirations and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To ensure effective implementation of NDP III amidst constrained resources and competing demands, the Ministry of Planning and National Development (MoPND) seeks to undertake a comprehensive prioritization of development interventions. This prioritization exercise will enable the government to allocate public resources and development assistance toward the most impactful, cost-effective, and equitable programs.

Informed by lessons learned from previous planning cycles, the Government of Somaliland recognizes the importance of evidence-based decision-making to strengthen policy coherence, maximize returns on investment, and enhance coordination with development partners. As such, the consultancy will support MoPND in applying analytical tools and participatory processes to identify priority interventions at the sectoral and regional levels. The output of this consultancy will serve as a key instrument for guiding national budgeting, partner alignment, and implementation planning across government and non-government actors.

This prioritization exercise comes at a critical moment, as global development aid is shrinking and competition for limited financing is intensifying. In this constrained environment, Somaliland must adopt a more strategic approach to planning—one that ensures every dollar is directed toward the most impactful and cost-effective interventions. The Somaliland Development Fund (SDF), now entering its third phase, continues to serve as a key mechanism for aligned, transparent, and results-oriented financing. However, its success—and that of broader national development efforts—relies on a well-prioritized agenda rooted in evidence and national consensus. By supporting the Ministry of Planning and National Development in identifying and sequencing key priorities, the consultant will contribute to strengthening national systems for planning, budgeting, and accountability—ensuring Somaliland can navigate fiscal uncertainty while staying firmly on course toward its Vision 2030 goals.

Objective

Support the Ministry of Planning and National Development (MoPND) in conducting a structured, evidence-based prioritization of NDP III initiatives, to ensure alignment of public and partner resources with the most impactful, cost-effective, and inclusive development outcomes.

Contribute to the preparation of the NDP III Mid-Term Progress Report by providing analytical inputs, synthesizing sectoral data, and integrating prioritization findings to inform evidence-based adjustments in implementation.

Enhance institutional capacity within MoPND for strategic planning, prioritization, and results-based reporting—ensuring that the tools, methodologies, and frameworks developed during the consultancy are transferable and sustainable

Roles and Responsibilities

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Planning and National Development (MoPND), particularly the Director General, and in close coordination with relevant technical departments and development stakeholders. Key responsibilities will include:

• Review NDP III and all relevant national policy and planning documents.
• Prepare a detailed work plan and methodology for prioritization exercise.
• Collect and review data on current implementation status of NDP III sectors.
• Identify and analyze key critical output indicators relevant to development priorities.
• Assess budget allocations, spending efficiency, and sector-level impact.
• Identify key government, development partners, civil society, and private sector stakeholders.
• Organize and facilitate consultations and workshops to gather insights on priorities and resource gaps.
• Document stakeholder inputs and integrate them into analysis.
• Design a prioritization framework/matrix with criteria such as cost-effectiveness, impact, feasibility, and alignment with Vision 2030.
• Score and rank NDP III interventions using the developed framework.
• Draft a comprehensive report summarizing findings, prioritized interventions, and recommendations for resource allocation.
• Present findings and recommendations to MoPND top management.
• Incorporate feedback and finalize the report.

Deliverables

• Inception report with methodology and work plan.
• Stakeholder consultation summary.
• Prioritization matrix with justification.
• Draft report.
• Final report and presentation to MoPND and stakeholders.
• A 2–3 page summary that distills the prioritization outcomes into actionable messages for decision-makers, Parliament, or donor roundtables. This improves usability beyond the technical report.

Experiences and Qualifications

1. An advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in economics, development studies, public policy, planning, or a related social science field.
2. A specialization in development planning, public sector reform, or results-based management is an asset.

Experience Requirements:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in development planning, public policy analysis, or strategic resource allocation, preferably in a governmental or international development context.
• Proven experience in conducting policy or programme prioritization exercises, mid-term reviews, or results-based planning at the national or sectoral level.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, including with government institutions, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to work with quantitative and qualitative data for decision-making and planning.
• Previous experience working in fragile or low-resource settings, preferably in the Horn of Africa or similar contexts, is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Somaliland’s institutional landscape and national development planning frameworks is an advantage.

Language:

• Excellent writing skills and oral proficiency in English is required and fluent Somali is a must.

Eligibility:

• Somaliland nationals only

Skills Required

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