Job Description

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy on assessment on the disability inclusion and development of disability inclusion toolkit in the Peace processes in target FMSs in Somalia

Date of issue:  14/11/2024

Project title: Strengthening democratic and inclusive local governance in Somalia (STRONG) project

Target locations 4 districts in the target FMs (Jubbaland, Galmudug, and Banadir Regional Administration - BRA).

Deadline for submission of offers:  5th December 2024 at 5 p.m. (East Africa Time Zone)

Contracting authority:

FCA Somalia Country Office

Contact: Procurement Committee

Email: tenders.soco@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi 

1. Introduction:

FCA Somalia works to enable people to break the circle of poverty and violence. FCA is a rights-based actor and a Finnish organization with 70 years of experience with operations in 15 countries. FCA is Finland’s largest NGO in development cooperation and the second largest provider of disaster relief. Our action is guided by international human rights standards and principles. We realize our mission and vision through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and advocacy work. We contribute to positive change by supporting people in the most vulnerable situations within fragile and disaster-affected areas. We are specialized in three thematic areas as central to sustainable change: the right to peace (R2P), right to livelihood (R2L) and right to quality education (R2QE). For more information, please visit www.kua.fi

  2. The STRONG Project Background Information

As part of FCA’s ongoing Local Governance, Peace, and Reconciliation efforts, FCA and its partners have commenced the implementation of the project funded by the Swedish Embassy (SIDA). This project aims to foster sustainable peace and good governance in Somalia by enhancing local capacity and encouraging inclusive community participation.

The overall objective of the Strong Project is to strengthen the capacity and participation of the local community, especially women, and enhance inclusive local governance and administration for effective and accountable basic public service delivery in two Federal Member States of Somalia (FMS) through District Council Formation (DCF). To achieve the project's overall and specific objectives, FCA has designed the following key outcomes:

·         Outcome 1: Enhanced local capacity and inclusive participation of the community, including women, youth, and marginalized groups in peacebuilding, reconciliation, and local governance processes,

·         Outcome 2: Strengthened inclusive and sustainable local governance and administration for effective basic public service delivery,

·         Outcome 3: Strengthened safe, inclusive, and protected civic spaces and women’s capacity for their meaningful participation and leadership in strategic advocacy.

The project is being implemented in close coordination with government institutions, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliations (MOIFAR), the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development and institutions, and the Ministry of Education at the FMS level, and in partnership with local partner organizations (that FCA refers as “Implementing Partners or Partners”). The project target locations are in 2 FMS Galmudug and Jubbaland and Banadir Regional Administration (BRA) with emphasis on a maximum of 5 new districts to be formed through DCF and support for Banadir Regional Administration (BRA).

Additionally, the project targets peace education activities in selected schools in target Federal Member States of Somalia. A flexible programming approach will be adopted, with the programme being annually reviewed to adapt and adjust the interventions to new development around political context and strategy of the government. The Project Advisory Board and the Project Implementation Team continues to work closely to assess the context and risks, and provide recommendations, mitigation actions, and requests to SIDA for possible adjustment of interventions and/or shift in implementation modalities based on the change in context and risks. 

3. Background information of the consultancy

In Somalia, FCA has been working on advancing reconciliation, peacebuilding and inclusive local governance through district council formation. While there are tangible results in the meaningful participation of women and youth in the formed local councils, the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in district council formation process, local council decision-making and inclusive basic service delivery has been identified as a concrete development area and a gap in current programming as informed by recent evaluations of FCA’s ongoing peacebuilding and governance work. As such, with funding from SIDA, FCA seeks to address this gap by enhancing disability inclusion in peacebuilding, reconciliation and DCF in Somalia.

Leveraging a MoU with Abilis, FCA will partner with Abilis[1] to develop concrete tools for disability inclusion in Somalia district council formation processes. To ensure that these learnings benefit the global organisation as well as the broader peace sector, the learnings will be utilised as a country case study and integrated into a broader global tool developed by NRTP[2], FCA and Abilis.

This consultancy will have two tangible outputs (1) a baseline on specific gaps, needs and entry points of disability inclusion in peacebuilding processes in Somalia and (2) tool development to enhance disability inclusion in peace, informed by the baseline and consultation outcomes. 

In this regard, the FCA Somalia Country Office seeks a qualified independent consultant(s) to conduct an assessment and development of a tool on the disability inclusion in the peace process in Somalia, including relevant policies, laws and tools available at the global level and specifically in Somalia that can be utilized to advance a whole-of-society approach for persons with disabilities in peacebuilding efforts. The consultant(s) will utilize and intersectional approach, unpacking the overlaying distinct barriers that face persons with disabilities also based on their gender, age, ethnicity, and other relevant identity areas. 

4. Objective of the assessment on disability inclusion in the peace process

The main objective of the task is to gather information on disability inclusion in the peace process and develop a tool for enhancing people with disabilities in local governance and peacebuilding process in Somalia. The goal of the entire task is to enhance the meaningful participation and inclusion of persons living with disabilities in matters related to peacebuilding, reconciliation, decision making processes, and district council formation process in target Federal Member States of Somalia.

Assessment:

Specifically, the assessment on disability inclusion in the peace process will employ the following key specific objectives, including; 

·         Review of existing tools, laws, regulations, and policies, including the Wadajir framework and National Reconciliation Framework on disability inclusion in peace processes in Somalia, as well as review existing tools and policies at the global level that can be utilized in Somalia. This should be done in partnership with Abilis. 

·         Develop a framework in consultation with NETW, FCA and Abilis to conduct a fact-finding exercise to identify the existing gaps and entry points in disability inclusion in local governance, peacebuilding and reconciliation process in Somalia. 

·         Arrange and conduct consultations with relevant district, state and federal authorities on their implementation (gaps, support needs), including the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, MOIFAR, MOIs, and Parliamentary committees on the current opportunities, barriers to participate in peacebuilding, reconciliation and decision-making process. 

·         Prepare a brief report on the current status of disability inclusion in local governance and peacebuilding and reconciliation process in Somalia inclusive of analysis of   capacity strengthening needs for the right holders and duty bearers. 

Developing training manual on disability inclusion for persons with disabilities  and for relevant district authorities: Develop a tool on disability inclusion informed by the analysis. 

5. Methodology and Approach Process

The assessment exercise is expected to adopt a qualitative approach to gather key data to identify the existing gaps in implementing the Wadajir Framework and National Reconciliation Framework with regards to inclusion of persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) in the peace process.

The assessment will be carried out through a participatory approach where key stakeholders in the target FMS and key technical structures/committees spearheading the DCF process, community leaders, clan elders, religious leaders, representative of the community groups, particularly women and youth and other local government officials, are consulted.

The study is expected to be conducted in four project target districts in two FMS (Galmudug and Jubbaland) and Banadir Regional Administration (BRA).

The disability inclusion tool should be developed using the study findings and available tools. The tool should be in line with the existing government policy. The draft tool should be simple and easy to follow by Somalian organizations who work on disability issue. It is expected that the consultant will interview key government and non-government officials to develop the tool. 

6. Data Analysis and Reporting The collected data will be analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative method to generate findings and insights. A comprehensive assessment report will be produced, including:

• Key gaps in disability inclusion in the peace process;
• Key challenges and identified support need to include disability in the local governance and reconciliation process; and
• Key recommendations to include disability in the peace process.

·         Simple tool to be used by relevant government and non-government agencies to increase disability participation in local governance and peacebuilding issue. 

7. Deliverables

The consultant(s) will deliver:

·         Inception Report: Detailing the methodology, work plan/schedule, and data collection tools.

·         Assessment Report: Presenting key findings and feasible recommendations.

·         Disability inclusion tool: A simple tool to enhance disability participation in local governance and peacebuilding process.

  8. Duration of contract

Duration of this contract is 45 days over the period of three months period.

9. Budget

Budget limit range is 25,000 US$ which depends on the proposed methodologies and approach put forward by tenderers to most effectively and efficiently address required service. Bids outside this range will not be eligible for evaluation.

Applicants’ proposals must include a detailed and competitive budget inclusive of all fees, costs and taxes.

Consultant(s)/service providers are responsible for managing their own tax contributions. The proposed budget and its detailed break-down is to be presented in US$ in the financial proposal.

  10. Service Terms

FCA Somalia country office intends to contract qualified consultant(s) for 45 days. However, the validity of the contract will be for 3-months. 

11. Duty Station

The independent consultant(s) will undertake in-country field work and reporting based on agreed work-plan and methodology. The assessment will take place in four districts in the target FMs (Jubbaland, Galmudug, and Banadir Regional Administration - BRA) by relevant line ministries at Federal and state levels. 

12. Transport & Logistics

The consultant(s) will cover field transport and accommodation arrangements, translator and/or interpreter needs, focal points and other contact points on the field and other logistical arrangements concerning consultant’s visit(s).

  13. Validity

Tenders/Offers shall remain valid and open for acceptance for a period of 90 days after the closing date for the submission.

Experiences and Qualifications

Individual consultant experienced in conducting similar study on disability inclusion in local governance and peacebuilding are encouraged to apply. Specially, the proposed lead consultant should demonstrate the key following educational and experience in his/her CV.

• Experience: Minimum 3 years of leading and conducting research on local governance, peacebuilding, reconciliation and/or disability inclusion in any projects in Somalia.

·         Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the Somali context, with specific expertise in the disability rights.

·         Education: Master's degree in social sciences, peacebuilding, or related field.

With a team having minimum Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as economic statistics, developmental studies, peace and conflict management, public administration, social anthropology, or development communication.

·         Skills: in line with the study methodology and internationally recognized assessments/evaluations criteria and other relevant skills such as;

o   Proven experience designing and implementing mixed-method research instruments (surveys, focus group guides, interview protocols).

o   Strong qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills.

o   Excellent report writing skills, clearly presenting complex findings in a concise and informative way.

o   Fluency in Somali and English (both written and spoken) for effective communication with stakeholders and communities.

o   Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully with diverse communities.

o   Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

Skills Required

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