Job Description

Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference for Establishing and Strengthening Early Warning Committees, Training, Equipping Them to Enhance Their Capacity, and Developing Community-Based Risk Reduction Plans in Afgoye and Wanlaweyn, Southwest State of Somalia.

Tender reference #: WARDI/Care - AART-2025 -DRR Consultancy Training

The contact person for this tender is:

Abshir Mohamed, procurement@wardi.org

About WARDI

WARDI is a national non-governmental organization in Somalia with operational presence across six regions in South Central. Founded in 1993 and fully registered with the Federal Government of Somalia, WARDI’s mission is to provide dignified support to people affected by crises to enable them lead a dignified and prosperous life. WARDI has offices in Mogadishu, Jowhar, Afgoi, Wanlaweyn, Beletweyne and Buloburte in South Central as well a liaison office in Nairobi. WARDI specializes in responding to humanitarian emergencies, bridging the gap between crisis and resilience as well as long-term developmental projects with a track record in implementing high-quality health and nutrition, food security and livelihood, education, protection, and WASH interventions. Our programming has the distinct attributes of applying a bottom-up approach that puts the communities, local authorities, and governments (National and Federal states) we work with at the center of our programs. Currently, CARE/WARDI is implementing Anticipatory Action and climate resilience along the transhuman corridor) project, funded by DANIDA in Afgoye.

2.  Introduction

Somalia is currently grappling with a severe and prolonged drought, a crisis that has been further complicated by ongoing conflict, widespread insecurity, disease outbreaks, and pervasive poverty. In 2023, an alarming estimate of approximately 8.25 million individuals— almost half of the nation's total population—were in desperate need of humanitarian aid and protection services.

The agriculture sector, which is vital to the country's economy and responsible for up to 90 percent of Somalia's exports, has suffered catastrophic damage as a result of the drought. This has led to widespread agricultural failure, increased displacement of rural communities, loss of livelihoods, and the tragic death of about one-third of livestock in the most affected areas. The repercussions of these losses have been profound, undermining food security and economic stability across the nation.

Despite a brief period of recovery following the last Gu season from March to May 2023, which brought some favorable rainfall, Somalia was soon hit by severe flooding connected to the El Niño phenomenon between October and December 2023. These floods have devastated infrastructure and have further strained resources in communities already reeling from the effects of drought.

Currently, these same communities find themselves facing severe drought conditions once again. Notably, several districts in the South West State of Somalia, such as Afgoye, Wanlawayn, Burhakaba, Hudur, and Ceel Barde, have been particularly impacted by the La Niña climate pattern. This situation has resulted in below-average rainfall or even complete rain failures, leading to critical shortages of water and a lack of pasture for livestock. The cumulative effects of these environmental hardships have placed immense pressure on both human populations and the livestock sector, intensifying the need for immediate and sustained humanitarian assistance.

The AART project is acutely aware of the profound and multifaceted impacts that La Niña can impose on vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on Wanlaweyn and Afgoye districts. This climate phenomenon, characterized by heightened rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns, poses significant risks through both severe droughts and devastating flooding. These extreme weather events threaten to dismantle the fragile livelihoods of local populations, whose resilience has already been severely weakened by a series of recent crises, including conflict and economic instability.

In light of these daunting challenges, the AART project, in partnership with various local organizations, is committed to implementing an innovative and proactive strategy. The initiative centers around the development of community-based risk reduction plans, crafted specifically for the unique context of Wanlaweyn and Afgoye districts. This approach emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and customs, ensuring that the plans are not only relevant but also culturally appropriate and sustainable.

3.  Description of the assignment.

The consultant or consulting firm will play a crucial role in enhancing the capabilities of the existing early warning systems and Natural Resource Management Committees. This enhancement will occur through comprehensive training programs focused on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), early warning mechanisms, and anticipatory actions. The objective is to develop tailored community-based risk reduction plans that address specific local challenges.

To achieve this, the consultant will organize a series of workshops and community meetings that encourage active participation and open dialogue among residents. These gatherings will create a platform for collaboration with local leaders and stakeholders, enabling the collection of invaluable insights and experiences from community members. By engaging in these discussions, participants will work together to identify prevalent vulnerabilities within their community and brainstorm potential responses to these risks.

A core emphasis of these assignment is to foster a strong sense of ownership among the community members regarding their disaster preparedness and response strategies. By empowering individuals and groups to take charge of these initiatives, the AART project aims to cultivate resilience within the community, encouraging proactive measures rather than reactive ones.

This initiative not only seeks to bolster the community’s immediate response capabilities but also to lay a robust foundation for a more resilient future. In doing so, it will equip the people of Wanlaweyn and Afgoye with the necessary tools, knowledge, and support systems to effectively withstand and adapt to the various challenges presented by La Niña and other climate-related adversities. Ultimately, the project aspires to foster a self-sustaining culture of preparedness and resilience that can withstand the test of time, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community in the face of future environmental uncertainties.

·         The objective of the Transhumance Corridors Mapping

The primary objective of this assignment is to empower local communities to effectively mitigate climate-related risks while enhancing their capacity to remain stable in the face of environmental challenges. By focusing on preventative measures and strategies, the initiatives aim to minimize or eliminate the adverse impacts that climate change can have on individuals, families, local groups, and their overall livelihoods.

This includes developing comprehensive plans that not only prepare communities for potential climate shocks but also strengthen their resilience against them. Specific efforts may involve creating emergency response frameworks, establishing support networks, and implementing sustainable practices that reduce vulnerability.

Experiences and Qualifications

The consultant should have expertise in DDR and present the qualification of related subjects including Bachelor’s degree in disaster management, environment, agriculture and livestock or a related field of study.

At least 3-4 years of work experience in disaster risk management and recovery with an international/ bilateral/ multi-national agency/non-government organization.

Thorough understanding, technical expertise, and in-depth knowledge of disaster risk management and recovery, including the use of good practices and tools.

Excellent facilitation and training skills.

Demonstrable experience in undertaking similar assignments.

Excellent command of written and spoken English language

Experience working with locals/international organizations.

·         The consulting firm/individual will be responsible for the following:

Engage local authorities and conduct community scooping to identify the most common weather and climate-related shocks.

Identify the existing disaster risk strategies and plans.

Create early warning and natural resource committees in target villages if there is no existing committees

Develop training materials relevant to the context (PPT)

Train early warning and natural resource management committees on DRR

Develop community-based DDR plans.

·         Consultant role and expecting deliverables

DRR training report

DRR community plans

List of trained community committees

Engage local authorities

·         Reporting

The consultant will be expected to maintain daily contact with the AART teams and provide feedback on daily basis during the assignment.

·         Time Frame

The duration of the assignment will be 30 days.

Skills Required

Attachment

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