Job Description

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Consultancy to Review, Update, and Develop TAAKULO Operational and Institutional Policies.

Date: 2nd Sep, 2025

1.     Background

Taakulo Somali Community (TAAKULO) is a multifaceted, non-governmental, non-profit making, non-political, and non-partisan development and humanitarian organisation established in 2007. Headquartered in Hargeisa, Somaliland, TAAKULO has regional offices across Somaliland, Somalia, and the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

The word TAAKULO means “helping” or “aiding” in Somali, reflecting the organisation’s mission to support disadvantaged communities by providing emergency relief, resilience-building initiatives, and sustainable development programmes, as well as promoting community engagement and self-reliance with dignity. TAAKULO has built strong trust with communities, government institutions, donors, and partners through its impactful work in humanitarian response, resilience building, and sustainable development. To further enhance its governance, accountability, and alignment with international standards for non-profit organizations. 

TAAKULO is seeking to engage a qualified consultant or consultancy firm/Individual person to review, update, and develop key policy documents as well as align with TAAKULO’s organisational system (enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). This initiative reflects TAAKULO’s ongoing commitment to transparency, compliance, and continuous organizational improvement.

2.     Objectives of the Assignment

The main objective of this consultancy is to enhance TAAKULO’s institutional capacity by:

• Reviewing existing policies to ensure they meet current international standards and donor requirements.
• Updating outdated policies to align with best practices and emerging compliance standards.
• Developing new policies where gaps exist to strengthen transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
• Building a coherent and harmonized institutional framework that supports long-term sustainability and credibility.
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3.     Scope of Work

The consultant/consultancy firm will:

• Conduct a desk review of TAAKULO’s existing policies, manuals, and operational guidelines.
• Benchmark policies against international best practices, donor compliance requirements, and sector standards.
• Hold consultations with TAAKULO management, staff, and relevant stakeholders to contextualize policies to the local environment.
• Revise, update, and draft policies in line with international standards.
• Present draft policies to TAAKULO leadership for validation and feedback.
• Finalize policies incorporating inputs and provide user-friendly versions (including staff guidelines and tools for implementation).
• Build staff awareness through a short orientation session on the revised and new policies.

4.     Key Policy Documents

The assignment will cover the following policies (but not limited to):

• Finance & Accounting Policy – Revision/Update
• Supply chain Policy – Revision/Update
• Human Resources Policy – Revision/Update
• Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy – Revision/Update
• Anti-Fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy – revision
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Policy – Revision/Update
• Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy – Revision/Update
• Program Management Policy— Revision/Update.

5.      Deliverables

The consultant/consultancy firm is expected to deliver:

1. Inception Report outlining the methodology, workplan, and timeline.
2. Draft versions of updated and new policies for review.
3. Finalized policies, manuals, and guidelines, ready for adoption.
4. A summary document (policy handbook) for staff reference.
5. One orientation/training session for TAAKULO staff on the revised policies.

6.     Duration and Timeline

The assignment is expected to take 6–8 weeks from the start date, including consultations, drafting, validation, and finalization. A detailed timeline will be agreed upon during the inception phase.

Experiences and Qualifications

1.     Consultant Qualifications

The consultant/consultancy firm should have:

• Proven expertise in institutional policy development for NGOs, INGOs, or charitable entities.
• Strong knowledge of international standards (Sphere, CHS, Core Humanitarian Standards, donor compliance frameworks).
• Demonstrated experience in governance, accountability, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills.
• Familiarity with Somali context and civil society sector (desirable).

8. Reporting and Management

The consultant will report to the Executive Director of TAAKULO (or delegated focal person) and will work closely with the management team and relevant departments.

Skills Required

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