Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)
Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs Assessment in Somalia to Inform 2027 Response Planning
Organisation: ActionAid International Somalia (AAIS)
Item Details
Locations Jamame and Baardhere (Jubaland State); Beledweyne and Jowhar (Hirshabelle
State), subject to confirmation
Consultancy /
Duration
National consultant or firm; approximately 30 calendar days
Reporting Line AAIS Area Manage, with technical supervision from the MEAL Coordinator
1. Introduction and Background
ActionAid International Somalia (AAIS) has operated in Somalia since 1992, supporting women, young
people and marginalised communities through humanitarian and development programming. Its human
rights-based approach promotes local leadership, feminist principles, gender equality, accountability and
resilience. AAIS works with Somali civil society, national NGOs and community structures to address food
insecurity, displacement, climate shocks and barriers to essential services.
Somalia’s humanitarian crisis is driven by recurrent droughts and floods, armed conflict and insecurity,
displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, economic shocks and limited access to essential
services. These interconnected pressures disproportionately affect displaced populations, women and
girls, children, minority and marginalised communities, older people and persons with disabilities. Funding
constraints further underscore the need for evidence-based prioritisation and context-specific responses.
AAIS will commission a Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs Assessment (MSNA) across selected districts
to generate a credible evidence base for humanitarian planning and potential 2027 funding proposals,
including opportunities under DG ECHO’s Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2027. Official HIP
priorities and requirements will be verified once published; anticipated themes will not be treated as
confirmed donor requirements. The assessment will build on existing inter-agency evidence and avoid
duplication. National partners, including NAPAD, SSWC and DAN, where relevant to their geographic
presence, will support contextual engagement and safe access planning.
2. Purpose and Objectives
The assessment will independently and rigorously examine the severity, distribution and interrelationships
of humanitarian needs across the target districts, informing geographic and population prioritisation,
integrated response design, programme development and coordination for 2027.
The specific objectives are to:
• Assess the scale and severity of needs across food security and livelihoods, health, nutrition,
WASH, protection, education and shelter/NFI.
• Identify priority locations and population groups based on displacement, vulnerability, shock
exposure, service gaps and barriers to assistance.
• Analyse how conflict, drought, flooding, displacement, livelihood losses, disease and service
disruptions compound humanitarian needs.
• Examine protection risks, gender- and disability-related barriers, safe access to services, and
community priorities and preferences.
• Assess market functionality and the feasibility and appropriateness of multipurpose cash, sectoral
cash/vouchers, in-kind assistance and service-based responses.
• Review early-warning information, preparedness and opportunities for anticipatory action where
supported by evidence.
• Map existing actors and interventions, identifying response gaps, duplication risks, coordination
opportunities and pathways for meaningful localisation.
• Recommend feasible, integrated and accountable response options for 2027, clearly distinguishing
evidence-based findings from unconfirmed donor priorities

Experiences and Qualifications

1. Institutional Experience
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience conducting humanitarian and development assessments,
preferably MSNAs, in Somalia or the Horn of Africa.
• Proven track record of delivering similar assignments for NGOs, UN agencies, or other
humanitarian organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based reports and actionable
recommendations.
2. Technical Expertise
• A multidisciplinary team with relevant humanitarian sector expertise.
• Strong experience in mixed-methods research, sampling, data collection, analysis, and
triangulation.
• Proficiency in digital data collection, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and data visualisation.
3. Operational Capacity
• Experience conducting assessments in fragile, insecure, and hard-to-reach locations.
• Good understanding of Somalia's humanitarian context and operational challenges.
• Capacity to manage field teams and deliver assignments within agreed timelines.
4. Quality Assurance and Safeguarding
• Established procedures for data quality assurance, safeguarding, PSEA, and data protection.
• Commitment to gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and Accountability to
Affected Populations (AAP).
5. Legal Compliance
• Valid business registration and authorisation to operate in the assessment locations.
• Compliance with applicable tax and statutory requirements.
6. Desirable Experience
• Previous experience with DG ECHO, EU, or other institutional donor-funded assessments.
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and evidence-based response
planning.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Individual Consultants
1. Academic Qualifications
• A Master’s degree or higher in Humanitarian Affairs, Public Health, Development Studies, Social
Sciences, Statistics, MEAL, or a related field.
• Additional training in humanitarian assessments, research, or data analysis is an asset.
2. Professional Experience
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in humanitarian assessments, MEAL, or applied
research.
• Proven track record of completing at least three (3) similar assignments, preferably MSNAs,
baseline studies, or evaluations.
• Experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or other humanitarian organisations, preferably in
Somalia or similar contexts.
3. Technical Expertise
• Strong skills in mixed-methods research, sampling, data collection, analysis, and triangulation.
• Proficiency in KoboToolbox, ODK, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and data visualisation.
• Ability to conduct sectoral and intersectoral analysis and produce high-quality reports with
actionable recommendations.
4. Humanitarian Principles and Safeguarding
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, gender equality, protection, disability inclusion,
and conflict sensitivity.
• Knowledge of localisation, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), safeguarding, PSEA, and
ethical data management.
5. Contextual Knowledge and Field Experience
• Strong understanding of Somalia's humanitarian context, including conflict, displacement,
climate-related shocks, and service delivery gaps.
• Experience conducting assessments in insecure and hard-to-reach locations and engaging with
affected communities and relevant stakeholders.
6. Team Composition and Capacity
• Applicants proposing a team must clearly identify team members, their roles, qualifications, and
relevant experience.
• The proposed team must demonstrate adequate sectoral, research, data analysis, GIS, and field
coordination expertise.
• The lead consultant shall ensure technical quality, effective coordination, and timely delivery of
the assignment.
7. Language and Communication Skills
• Excellent written and spoken English is required, including strong analytical and report-writing
skills.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
8. Desirable Experience
• Previous experience with DG ECHO, EU, or other institutional donor-funded assessments.
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and evidence-based response
planning.

Skills Required

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