Terms of Reference (ToR): Development of a Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection Act for the Member House of the People (MP) of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia. 

Somalia Non-State Actors (SONSA)

Terms of Reference (ToR): Development of a Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection Act for the Member House of the People (MP) of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

1. Background

The House of the People of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia occupies a central role in legislation, representation, oversight, and democratic accountability. As Somalia advances its  democratic  institutions,  there  is  a  growing  need  to  reinforce  ethical  standards,  transparency, accountability, and public trust in the conduct of its members.

Under the Gole-Kaab Project, SONSA has supported civil society engagement with the House of the People, including ongoing dialogue with the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Ethics, Discipline and Immunity. Through these engagements, the Committee expressed interest in developing a Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection Act, drawing on inputs from institutional and civil society stakeholders.

This Terms of Reference defines the scope of technical support required to develop two linked but distinct instruments of the House of the People for Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection act. The process will be consultative, evidence-based, and grounded in the constitutional framework of the  Federal  Republic  of  Somalia, the Rules  of  Procedure  of the  House  of the People,  relevant legislation, and international good practice.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The assignment aims to support the House of the People of the Parliament of the Federal Republic

of Somalia in developing a clear, practical, and context-appropriate Code of Conduct and Immunity Policy. The Code of Conduct will define expected standards of ethical behavior, integrity, accountability, and responsible public service for Members. The Immunity Policy will clarify the principles, procedures, safeguards, and institutional responsibilities that govern the privileges and immunities of Members.

Together, both instruments are intended to strengthen institutional integrity, public confidence, and the responsible exercise of the functions of the House of the People.

3. Specific Objectives

The assignment will:

• Review the existing constitutional, legal, procedural, and institutional framework relating to conduct, ethics, discipline, privilege, and immunity of Members of the House of the People.
• Assess relevant good practices on codes of conduct, ethics systems, disciplinary procedures, and immunity arrangements in legislative institutions.
• Consult key stakeholders, including the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Ethics, Discipline and Immunity; leadership and Members of the House; secretariat staff; legal experts; civil society actors; and other relevant parties.

• Develop a draft Code of Conduct and Immunity for Members of the House of the People.
• Facilitate review and validation of both draft instruments and incorporate stakeholder feedback.
• Produce final versions of both instruments, along with practical implementation guidance.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant/technical expert will:

• Conduct a desk review of relevant constitutional, legal, procedural, and institutional documents.
• Review selected good practices on legislative codes of conduct, ethics, discipline, privilege, and immunity.
• Consult key stakeholders from the House of the People, relevant committees, the secretariat, legal experts, and civil society.
• Prepare a draft Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection for Members of the House of the People (MP).
• Present both draft instruments for stakeholder review and validation.
• Revise and finalize both documents in light of feedback received.

5. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following:

• Inception Report: Covering methodology, work plan, consultation plan, and a list of documents to be reviewed.
• Legal and Institutional Review Note: Summarizing existing provisions and identifying gaps and opportunities related to conduct, ethics, discipline, privilege, and immunity.
• Stakeholder Consultation Summary: Documenting key issues, recommendations, and stakeholder inputs.
• Draft Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection act for Members of the House of the People (MP).
• Validation and Presentation: Summarizing both draft instruments and key issues for stakeholder discussion.
• Finalization Code of Conduct and Immunity Protection Act for Members of the House of the People (MP).

6. Methodology

The assignment will follow a participatory and evidence-based approach, combining desk review, stakeholder consultations, technical drafting, validation, revision, and finalization. Both documents must be practical, legally sound, institutionally usable, and appropriate to the mandate and operating context of the House of the People of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia. 

7. Duration and Proposed Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within three months of contract signing, according to the following schedule:

Week 1	Inception, desk review, legal and institutional analysis, and consultation planning.
Week 2	Stakeholder consultations, key informant interviews, and drafting of both instruments.

 

Week 3	Validation session and revision
Week 4	finalization, and submission of final documents.

8. Required Qualifications and Experience: –

The consultant should have:

• An advanced degree in law, governance, public policy, political science, legislative studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in legal drafting, institutional policy development, governance, ethics, accountability, or legislative reform.
• Strong understanding of rules of procedure, ethics, privileges, immunities, and accountability mechanisms in legislative institutions.
• Experience working with legislative bodies, public institutions, or governance reform programmes.
• Knowledge of the legal, political, and institutional context of the Federal Republic of Somalia is strongly preferred.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, drafting, and communication skills.
• Ability to produce high-quality written outputs in Somali and English.

9. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will  work under the overall guidance of SONSA  and in close coordination with the Committee on Rules of Procedure, Ethics, Discipline and Immunity of the House of the People. SONSA will facilitate communication with relevant stakeholders, provide available project documents, and support the coordination of consultations and validation sessions.

10. Ethical Considerations

Throughout  the  assignment,  the  consultant  must  uphold  neutrality,  confidentiality,  professionalism, and respect for the institutional processes of the House of the People of the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia. All consultations must be conducted in a non-partisan, inclusive, and respectful manner. The consultant must ensure that stakeholder views are accurately reflected and that both instruments are aligned with institutional needs, legal principles, and public accountability standards.

11. Application Process

Interested consultants/firms should submit:

• Technical and financial proposals
• CVs of team members
• Relevant samples of previous work.
• Proposed work plan and timeline

Deadline for submission: 28^th May 2026. Submission email/contact: info@sonsaplatform.org

 

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