Tender Description

Background

Somalia has endured over two decades of civil war, which has led to widespread desolation and suffering across the country. Currently, 43% of the population lives below the poverty line, with southern regions being the most affected. Over the last 25 years, Somalia has faced recurring droughts, including a particularly severe one in 2016-2017 when rains failed for three consecutive seasons. This has devastated subsistence agriculture, triggered food scarcity, and worsened malnutrition, leading to outbreaks of diseases like cholera.

These dire conditions have forced large segments of the rural population to migrate to urban centers like Kismayo, further straining already limited resources. Kismayo, a strategic town located at the mouth of the Juba River and surrounded by the Indian Ocean, serves as a commercial hub for the region. Its relative stability, due to the presence of a regional government, has attracted internally displaced persons (IDPs) from less secure farming areas. However, the influx of vulnerable populations has overwhelmed the town’s infrastructure, resulting in severe shortages in water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities, and heightening concerns about food security.

Compounding these challenges, armed militia groups continue to control much of South-Central Somalia, limiting access to the most vulnerable communities and exacerbating the food insecurity crisis. Although there has been political progress, including the democratic election of a president in 2017, security constraints remain a critical issue, particularly in agricultural regions, affecting farming production and access to essential resources.

To address these challenges, the Promoting Climate Resilient Food Security in Jubaland project, funded by BMZ, was launched in October 2023. The project seeks to improve the preconditions for implementing climate adaptation strategies that enhance food security. The initiative focuses on three key fields of action:

1.     Climate-Smart Agriculture & Risk Management: Improving access to nutrient-rich foods for vulnerable households.

2.     Income Generation: Enhancing the financial resources of households in target communities.

3.     Institutional Capacity for Affordable & Safe Drinking Water: Strengthening institutions to manage safe drinking water supplies for target communities.

GIZ-CFSP's political partner for the project is the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in Kismayo, which serves as the main point of contact. The project also collaborates with other key ministries, such as the Ministry of Water, as well as with the District Commission, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations, all working together to address food security and resilience in the region.

The current security situation in Kismayo and its surrounding areas presents significant challenges for project implementation. While Kismayo has enjoyed relative stability, ongoing militia activity in rural areas makes it difficult for CFSP technical personnel to travel to the field and consistently monitor project activities. The presence of armed groups and the general volatility of the region restricts access to farming communities in Luglow and Gobweyn, where CFSP activities are critical. This limitation impacts the project’s ability to directly engage with local communities, assess progress, and provide hands-on support in the field.

Call for Bids

CFSP aims to enlist the services of a local consulting firm/ contractor to help monitor and facilitate project activities in Luglow and Gobweyn. This team will be responsible for representing CFSP at the community level, ensuring that project activities continue smoothly despite the restricted access for GIZ personnel. The consulting team will work closely with the CFSP technical team based in Kismayo, with the three experts reporting directly to CFSP technical staff in Kismayo.

Skills Required

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