Job Description

Terms of Reference

Conducting a Feasibility Study for the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement-Affected Communities (SUIDAC) Project in Gabiley district, Maroodi-jeex, Somaliland.

About TAAKULO

Taakulo Somali Community (TAAKULO), founded in 2007, is a leading non-governmental, non-profit, and non-partisan organization based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, with a regional presence in Somaliland, Somalia, and Ethiopia. TAAKULO is committed to addressing the critical challenges faced by vulnerable communities in the Horn of Africa through development initiatives, emergency relief, and resilience-building programs. The organization prioritizes community empowerment by promoting self-reliance and dignity, ensuring interventions are tailored to local needs with a strong emphasis on gender equality and inclusiveness.

TAAKULO was formed in response to recurring crises such as drought, famine, conflict, and war, TAAKULO provides immediate humanitarian aid while delivering sustainable, long-term solutions. Its projects cover key sectors like food security, livelihoods, WASH, health, and protection, while focusing heavily on peacebuilding and integrated programs to create lasting, positive change. Through this holistic approach, TAAKULO continues to be a vital force in fostering resilience and lasting impact across the communities it serves.

Project Background

Knowing that due to various compounding factors including climate change, conflicts and limited opportunities are displacing people in the developing countries from their homes to major and secondary cities. The sub-Saharan Africa hosts around 30% of the displacement affected people worldwide. Additionally, The African development Bank (AFDB) foresees the population in the African cities will grow to 900 million by 2050. This World Banks (WB) also projects that the trend will continue to rise well into 2050, where the urban population is expected to double. This shift, however, puts considerable pressure on cities that are already grappling to meet the needs of the growing populations. The situation is especially acute in the Horn of Africa.

With this, Cities Alliance is financing a multi country programme that aims (impact) to enhance a sustainable integration of Displacement Affected Communities (DACs) in the targeted hosting cities in Ethiopia, DRC, Somaliland, Sudan, Uganda. The implementation of the programme is anchored in two strategic objectives:(i) Improved self-reliance and social cohesion of DACs (women and men) living in the targeted urban and peri-urban areas of Ethiopia, DRC, Somaliland, Sudan, Uganda and (ii) Strengthened readiness and effectiveness of local city administrations, national governments and regional bodies to respond to the needs of DACs in the urban areas. The programme will cover/target the following cities:

Kananga and Tshikapa, DRC

Assosa and Jigjiga, Ethiopia

Borama and Gabiley, Somaliland

Atbara (TBC), Sudan

Koboko and Arua, West Nile Region, Uganda

TAAKULO, in close collaboration with Gabilay Municipality and other key stakeholders, will lead the implementation of the programme (SO1&SO2) in Gabilay. However, the Feasibility Study (FS) findings and recommendations will guide the specific interventions in line with needs of the target groups and the municipality priorities.

The programme comprises two sequential phases, the Diagnostic/Analytical (feasibility study) Phase and implementation Phase. The diagnostic phase intends to inform the next (implementation) phase by providing a comprehensive and actionable recommendations. It will specifically assess;

1. DACs' access to urban services including health (physical and mental), nutrition, WASH, education, GBV support, energy and housing, land, and property.
2. DACs' access to diversified livelihood opportunities and finance with specific attention to tackling

vulnerabilities of informal economy workers.

III.        DACs' access to legal assistance and justice systems, under national and international customary and refugee law protocols and policies.

IV.

the capacity of local authorities to develop and implement strategies and interventions, based on inclusive, integrated, and sustainable approaches to urban development and forced displacement.

Expected Results and Structure of the Feasibility Study (FS)

The FS should be a maximum of 60 pages - excluding annexes - with the following sections.

Section 1: Areas and Needs-Based Assessment

1. Provision of up-to-date information on the needs and gaps:

This area will focus on the needs of the DACs in Gabilay as well as the gaps in service delivery (municipality).

2. Profiling of the Targeted District:

History on migration and displacement as well as urban development including current priorities.

Estimated figures on the population.

Maps of the proposed area of interventions as well as key issues.

Conduct institutional capacity assessment of Gabiley Municipality include current support system ( staffing and technical resources).

3. Identification of Gaps and Priority Areas:

Identification of the gaps and priority areas in line with the programme  (SUIDAC) objectives. .

Section 2: A Perception Survey

1. Perception Survey on access to services, urban planning, economic inclusion, access to markets, job opportunities and the service delivery:

A survey will be conducted to generate up-to-date information on how DACs and hosts in the targeted municipality perceive access to services.

The survey will also explore the level of awareness among the DACs and hosts of what Gabilay municipality is doing in terms of urban planning, economic inclusion, access to markets, job creation and opportunities and the service delivery in general.

2. Vulnerability mapping/profiling:

The survey will also profile the most common vulnerabilities of urban households to improve livelihoods and ensure greater access to quality basic services for all, incorporating with gender and inclusion lens.

Section 3: Project Description and Activity Selection

1. Detailed Project Description:

The FS will provide a detailed description of the proposed project activities, including the scope, objectives, deliverables, and timeline to execute in the next (implementation)phase.

2. Service Delivery Capacity and Sustainability Considerations:

The FS will assess the Service Delivery institutional capacity and sustainability aspects considering national and local policy frameworks.

The FS will recommend how best to strengthen the existing systems (institutions and frameworks) to enhance participatory planning and social inclusion and cohesion.

Section 4: Environment Analysis

1. Examination of the project environment:

Identification of potential partners and economic perspectives in Gabiley district.

Mapping of active partners, international development partners, local and national partners, and relevant authorities necessary for the successful development of the project.

Mapping of the local, national, and regional legal environment around the topic of migration and displacement (e.g., what legal documents or financing mechanisms is the city/country involved in).

Section 5: Risks Assessment

Identification and analysis of potential risks, including market risks, technical risks, financial risks, and operational risks, along with mitigation strategies.

Include a short climate analysis as part of the Risks Assessment.

Section 6: Technical and Organizational Analysis

1. Evaluation of Organizational Structure:

Evaluation of the organizational structure, management capability, staffing requirements, and human resource considerations.

TAAKULO and Gabiley Municipality will;

1. Provide the consultant firm with all the necessary project information

1. Assure the quality of the entire exercise (study process)

III.        Organize and facilitate meetings during the data collection and field work activities (inviting KIIs, DACs and other target participants)

1. Review the feasibility study reports (inception and final) and provide feedback to the consultant firm

The Consultant is responsible for;

Designing the methodology and the implementation the feasibility study

Facilitate methodology (tools and timelines) review and validation workshops

Develop and present inception report share with TAAKULO for review and input

Lead and carry out fieldwork (data collection and analysis) to drive reasonable recommendations Produce comprehensive final feasibility study report. This should include the areas stated above

Expected Results

The successful consultant shall submit an inception report detailing the plans in undertaking the study. Both the draft and final report shall be soft copy in accessible format providing detailed in each deliverable. The report shall be in English. The final report shall undergo stakeholders’ validation process before adoption. The final report shall be widely shared with all stakeholders and the recommendations discussed for wider adoption and implementation. For increased utilization, the report shall not be longer than 60 pages plus annexes in Cities Alliance format template. In summary, results for the consultancy are as follows:

Verification and analysis of the given data and assumptions of the project planning.

Relevance and contextual appropriateness of the proposed project.

Timeline and budgetary cost effectiveness of the proposed approach to best reach the overall objective.

Sustainability of the proposed project regarding the post-project-phase.

The institutional capacities of the municipality and the TIP and possible fields of further strengthening.

A comprehensive report on the feasibility as per the project ToR.

Listed in Inception and Final report (incl. Annexes) of feasibility study submitted in electronic copies.

A summary Power Point presentation of highlighting main findings and actionable recommendations.

Experiences and Qualifications

The Consulting team should have the following attributes among others:

Extensive expertise and experience in conducting feasibility study, research, environmental analysist, risk assessments, project designing, technical and organizational analysis. Demonstrable expertise in working with government through the devolved structures. Knowledge of driving the public sector responsiveness to enhance the sustainable integration of displacement affected communities (DACs).

Proven ability to conduct high feasibility study, meet deadlines and respond to requests and feedback provided timely and appropriately.

Must have strong background in conducting feasibility studies, experience with international NGOs and donor funded projects is an asset.

Proven record of carrying out similar tasks in the country and other east African countries. Excellent track record in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation.

Ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including ability to facilitate and work in a multidisciplinary team.

Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings.

Ability to draw practical conclusions and to prepare well‐written reports in a timely manner and availability during the proposed period.

Planned Timelines:

Issued date:

Questions due:

Inception Report due by:

First Draft Report due by:

Finalised Report due by:

29th September 2024

5th October 2024 at 11:59 pm in EAT

20th October 2024

20th November 2024

30th November 2024

Skills Required

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