Hiring an Independent Consultant to Develop Age-Appropriate and Culturally Relevant Child Rights Messages on Alternative Care

Date: 6th /06/2026

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Hiring an Independent Consultant to Develop Age-Appropriate and Culturally Relevant Child Rights Messages on Alternative Care

Consultancy Title	Independent Consultant to Develop Age-Appropriate and Culturally Relevant Child Rights Messages on Alternative Care
Supervisor	Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development
Location	Mogadishu, Somalia
Duration of Contract	30 calendar days
Reference Number	Activity 1.0 CP/RWP-2025/2026
Expected Start Date	1st Juley, 2026

 

1.  Background

The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development of the Federal Government of Somalia is mandated to promote and protect the rights, welfare, dignity, and best interests of children.

The Ministry is establishing and convening a National Alternative Care Steering Committee to strengthen national coordination, oversight, accountability, and inter-institutional collaboration in relation to alternative care for children. The Committee will support the development of Terms of Reference, governance arrangements, national standards, procedures, coordination mechanisms, and official institutional representation for alternative care in Somalia.

Alternative care refers to care provided to children who are temporarily or permanently unable to live with their parents or primary caregivers. It may include:

• Kinship care;
• Foster care;
• Kafala and other family-based care arrangements;
• Emergency and temporary care;
• Supported independent living for older adolescents;
• Residential care, where necessary and appropriate;
• Family tracing, reunification, and reintegration services; and
• Other community-based care arrangements.

Public understanding of alternative care remains limited. Misconceptions, stigma, inadequate information, and weak awareness of children’s rights may expose children without adequate parental care to discrimination, exploitation, unsafe placement, unnecessary institutionalization, or separation from their families without sufficient justification.

The Ministry therefore intends to recruit a qualified consultant to develop a comprehensive package of age-appropriate, culturally relevant, child-friendly, and rights-based messages on alternative care. The messages will be tailored to children of different age groups and to relevant adult audiences, including parents, caregivers, communities, service providers, religious and traditional leaders, government officials, media professionals, and the wider public.

1.  Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to develop, test, validate, and finalize age-appropriate and culturally relevant child rights messages on alternative care that can be used in public awareness campaigns, schools, community engagement activities, caregiver training, media platforms, digital communication, and child-protection programmes.

The consultancy will contribute to the Ministry’s wider efforts to establish a nationally coordinated, child-centred, family-based, and culturally appropriate alternative care system.

1.  Overall Objective

To develop a nationally relevant package of child-friendly and culturally appropriate messages that promote:

• The rights and best interests of children in alternative care;
• Family preservation and prevention of unnecessary family separation;
• Safe, appropriate, and family-based alternative care;
• Protection from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination;
• Meaningful participation of children in decisions affecting their lives;
• Community responsibility for the protection and well-being of children; and
• Access to reporting, referral, and child-protection services.

1. Specific Objectives

• Review existing national and international documents relating to child rights, child protection, family support, and alternative care.
• Identify communication gaps, public misconceptions, harmful attitudes, and information needs relating to children in alternative care.
• Develop clear and age-appropriate messages for children at different developmental stages.
• Develop complementary messages for parents, families, caregivers, communities, service providers, government officials, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and the general public.
• Ensure that the messages are appropriate to the Somali cultural and social context.
• Promote family preservation and prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families.
• Promote kinship care, family-based care, and community-based care as preferred options where safe, suitable, and in the best interests of the child.
• Address stigma and discrimination affecting children without parental care or children placed in alternative care.
• Promote children’s right to receive information, express their views, participate in decisions, and safely report concerns.
• Test the messages with children and relevant adult stakeholders.
• Revise and finalize the messages based on consultation, message testing, and validation findings.
• Develop practical guidance for using the messages through different communication channels.

1. Scope of Work

• Inception Phase

• Hold an inception meeting with the Ministry;
• Clarify the scope, methodology, deliverables, and reporting arrangements;
• Prepare a detailed work plan covering the full 30-day assignment;
• Develop a stakeholder consultation plan;
• Prepare a child-safeguarding and ethical participation protocol;
• Develop tools for interviews, focus group discussions, and message testing; and
• Identify potential risks and mitigation measures.
  • Desk Review

The consultant will review relevant materials, including:

• National laws, policies, strategies, and action plans relating to children and families;
• Alternative care policies, guidance, standards, and procedures;
• Child-protection case-management and referral procedures;
• Existing awareness and communication materials;
• Relevant international and regional child rights frameworks;
• Guidance on family preservation and prevention of unnecessary separation;
• Materials on kinship care, foster care, family reunification, and residential care;
• Child-safeguarding and ethical child-participation standards; and
• Relevant research on Somali family structures, caregiving practices, language, traditions, and community-based child-support systems.

The desk review should identify areas where public awareness is weak and where communication materials are missing or inadequate.

• Stakeholder Consultations

The consultant will conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders, including:

• The Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development;
• Members or proposed members of the National Alternative Care Steering Committee;
• Relevant federal ministries and government institutions;
• Federal Member State representatives, where applicable;
• Child-protection and social welfare professionals;
• Children and young people with experience of alternative care, where safe and appropriate;
• Parents and family members;
• Kinship and foster caregivers;
• Residential care providers;
• Religious and traditional leaders;
• Community representatives;
• Organizations of persons with disabilities;
• Civil society and child-focused organizations;
• Teachers and education professionals;
• Health and psychosocial support professionals;
• Media and communication experts; and
• Development partners working on child protection.

All consultations involving children must comply with informed consent, child assent, confidentiality, safeguarding, ethical participation, and referral requirements.

• Communication Needs Assessment

• What children understand about alternative care;
• Common misconceptions concerning children without parental care;
• Community attitudes towards kinship care, foster care, kafala, residential care, and family reunification;
• Stigma experienced by children in alternative care;
• Information needs of families considering or providing alternative care;
• Barriers that prevent children from reporting abuse or raising concerns;
• Communication needs of children with disabilities;
• Literacy and language considerations;
• Trusted communication channels within Somali communities;
• Cultural practices that support child protection and family care; and
• Cultural attitudes or practices that may expose children to harm, stigma, discrimination, or unnecessary separation.
  • Alignment with Somali Culture

All messages developed under this assignment must be appropriate to the Somali cultural and social context, while promoting the dignity, safety, protection, participation, development, and best interests of every child.

• Review Somali family structures, caregiving practices, traditions, language, and community-based child-support mechanisms.
• Use culturally appropriate Somali terminology, examples, illustrations, stories, and communication approaches.
• Reflect the important role of parents, extended families, relatives, caregivers, elders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and community structures in caring for and protecting children.
• Promote positive Somali traditions of family solidarity, kinship care, compassion, community responsibility, and support for vulnerable children.
• Ensure that messages do not stigmatize children in alternative care, children without parental care, caregivers, or vulnerable families.
• Ensure that messages are appropriate for children and communities in urban, rural, displaced, pastoralist, and other Somali settings.
• Avoid language, images, illustrations, or examples that could be misunderstood, discriminatory, culturally inappropriate, or harmful.
• Clearly distinguish between positive cultural practices that strengthen children’s care and practices that may undermine their safety, dignity, participation, development, or best interests.
• Consult cultural experts, community representatives, traditional leaders, caregivers, children, and child-protection professionals during the development and validation of the messages.

The Ministry will review and approve the messages to ensure consistency with Somalia’s alternative care priorities and cultural context.

• Development of Alternative Care Messages

1. Children’s Rights in Alternative Care

• Every child has the right to care, protection, dignity, and respect.
• Children in alternative care have the same rights as other children.
• The child’s best interests must guide every care decision.
• Children must receive information and be heard in decisions affecting their care.
• Children must be protected from violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination.
• Children have the right to education, healthcare, identity, family relationships, development, and participation.
• Children should maintain safe relationships with their families and communities where appropriate and in their best interests.

1. Prevention of Unnecessary Family Separation

• Poverty alone should not be a reason for separating a child from their family.
• Families should receive appropriate support before separation is considered.
• Care decisions should be based on a proper assessment of the child’s circumstances and best interests.
• Family strengthening and community support should be prioritized.
• Separation should occur only when remaining at home would place the child at serious risk and no safe alternative is available.

1. Family-Based Alternative Care

• Kinship care and other family-based care options should be prioritized where safe and appropriate.
• Alternative caregivers must provide a safe, caring, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment.
• Caregivers should receive assessment, preparation, supervision, and support.
• Placements should be regularly reviewed.
• Siblings should remain together whenever possible and in their best interests.

1. Residential Care

• Residential care should not be the first or automatic care option.
• It should only be used when necessary, appropriate, and in the child’s best interests.
• Children in residential care must receive individualized care, protection, education, healthcare, and psychosocial support.
• Residential care facilities must be registered, monitored, and accountable.
• Children should not remain in residential care longer than necessary.

1. Family Tracing, Reunification, and Reintegration

• Safe family reunification should be considered whenever it is in the child’s best interests.
• Reunification must be carefully assessed, planned, and monitored.
• Children and families should receive preparation and follow-up support.
• Reintegration must not expose the child to further abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination.

1. Child Participation

• Children have the right to express their views.
• Their views should be considered according to their age, maturity, and evolving capacities.
• Children should receive information in language and formats they understand.
• Children should be able to ask questions and raise concerns without fear, intimidation, or punishment.

1. Complaints, Reporting, and Referral

• Children should know how and where to report abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment.
• Complaints and reporting mechanisms should be confidential, safe, accessible, and child-friendly.
• Children should receive information about available protection, referral, and support services.
• Relevant materials should include the National Child and Women Hotline 116, where appropriate.
• Children should not face retaliation or punishment for reporting concerns.

1. Non-Discrimination and Inclusion

• Children must not be discriminated against because they are in alternative care.
• Children with disabilities must receive accessible, appropriate, and inclusive care.
• Girls and boys must receive equal protection, care, and opportunities.
• Messages should challenge stigma, harmful labels, and negative stereotypes.

1. Responsibilities of Caregivers and Service Providers

• Caregivers must protect the child’s dignity, privacy, safety, identity, and development.
• Physical punishment, humiliation, exploitation, discrimination, and neglect are unacceptable.
• Service providers must comply with approved standards and safeguarding procedures.
• Confidential information concerning children must be protected.
• Suspected abuse or exploitation must be reported through approved referral mechanisms.

1. Target Audiences

• Children and Young People

• Children aged approximately 6–9 years;
• Children aged approximately 10–13 years;
• Adolescents aged approximately 14–17 years; and
• Young people transitioning from alternative care.
  • Adult and Institutional Audiences
• Parents and family members;
• Kinship caregivers;
• Foster caregivers;
• Residential care staff;
• Community members;
• Religious and traditional leaders;
• Teachers and school administrators;
• Social workers and child-protection practitioners;
• Health and psychosocial support providers;
• Government officials and policymakers;
• Law-enforcement and justice actors;
• Media professionals; and
• Humanitarian and development partners.

1.  Communication Formats

• Child-friendly booklets;
• Posters and leaflets;
• Illustrated cards;
• Community dialogue guides;
• School awareness materials;
• Social media cards;
• Short videos and animations;
• Radio messages and radio dramas;
• Television public-service announcements;
• Audio materials for persons with limited literacy;
• Religious and community engagement materials;
• Training materials for caregivers and service providers;
• Frequently asked questions;
• Hotline and referral materials; and
• Accessible formats for children with disabilities.

The consultant is not necessarily required to produce final graphic designs unless this is included in the contract. However, the consultant must provide recommendations on wording, tone, imagery, illustrations, audience, and intended use.

1. Message Development Standards

All messages must be:

• Age-appropriate and suitable for the developmental stage of the intended audience;
• Child-friendly, clear, and easy to understand;
• Relevant and acceptable within Somali culture;
• Based on the dignity, safety, protection, and best interests of the child;
• Supportive of family preservation and prevention of unnecessary family separation;
• Respectful of children’s identity, family relationships, language, background, and community connections;
• Gender-sensitive and disability-inclusive;
• Non-stigmatizing and free from harmful stereotypes;
• Trauma-sensitive and conflict-sensitive;
• Available in clear Somali and English;
• Suitable for children and adults with different literacy levels; and
• Practical for use in urban, rural, displaced, pastoralist, and other Somali communities.

The messages must not:

• Blame or stigmatize children, parents, families, or alternative caregivers;
• Promote unnecessary separation of children from their families;
• Encourage unnecessary placement of children in residential care;
• Use language, images, or examples that violate children’s dignity or privacy;
• Reinforce harmful cultural, gender, disability, or social stereotypes;
• Present unfamiliar concepts without clear explanation and cultural adaptation;
• Promise services that are not available; or
• Promote practices that expose children to abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, or harmful separation.

1. Message Testing

The consultant will conduct structured message-testing sessions to assess:

• Understanding;
• Language clarity;
• Cultural acceptability;
• Age appropriateness;
• Emotional impact;
• Relevance;
• Memorability and recall;
• Potential misunderstanding;
• Possible stigma or safeguarding risks;
• Accessibility for children with disabilities; and
• Suitability for different communication channels.

Testing should include children from different age groups and backgrounds, as well as relevant adult stakeholders.

The consultant must document:

• The categories of participants involved;
• How the messages were revised.

No identifying personal information about participating children should be included in the report.

1. Expected Deliverables and Schedule

The entire assignment must be completed within 30 calendar days.

No.	Deliverable
1	Inception report, methodology, detailed work plan, consultation plan, and safeguarding protocol
2	First draft package of age-appropriate and culturally relevant messages in Somali and English
3	Final approved message package, message-use guide, and final consultancy report

 

1. Duration of the Consultancy

The assignment will be completed within a maximum period of one month, equivalent to 30 calendar days, starting from the date of contract signature.

The consultant must submit a realistic and detailed work plan demonstrating how the desk review, stakeholder consultations, message development, testing, validation, revision, translation, and final reporting will be completed within this period.

Any amendment to the assignment period will require prior written authorization from the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development.

1. Required Qualifications and Experience

• An advanced university degree in child rights, child protection, communication, social and behavioural change, psychology, social work, education, development studies, public health, or a related field;
• At least five years of relevant professional experience;
• Demonstrated experience in developing age-appropriate and child-friendly communication materials;
• Strong knowledge of alternative care, family strengthening, child protection, and safeguarding;
• Experience conducting consultations or research involving children;
• Experience in message testing and audience segmentation;
• Strong understanding of Somali family, community, cultural, and caregiving practices;
• Knowledge of the Somali child-protection context;
• Excellent written and spoken Somali and English;
• Strong analytical, facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills; and
• Ability to produce high-quality work within the 30-day assignment period.

Experience working with government institutions, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, or child-focused institutions will be an advantage.

 

1. Evaluation Criteria

Criterion	Weight
Relevant academic qualifications	30%
Experience in child protection and alternative care	20%
Experience developing child-friendly communication materials	20%
Understanding of the assignment	15%
Financial proposal	15%
Total	100%

 

1. Application Requirements

Interested and qualified consultants must submit:

• A technical proposal demonstrating their understanding of the assignment;
• A detailed work plan showing how the assignment will be completed within 30 calendar days;
• A financial proposal;
• An updated curriculum vitae;
• Contact details for at least two professional references; and

1. Child Safeguarding and Ethical Requirements

The consultant must comply with strict child-safeguarding and ethical participation standards. The consultant must ensure that:

• Children’s participation is voluntary, meaningful, and safe;
• Informed consent is obtained from parents or authorized caregivers where required;
• Children provide informed assent;
• Children understand the purpose of their participation;
• No child is pressured to disclose personal or traumatic experiences;
• Confidentiality and privacy are protected;
• Personal information is not disclosed;
• Interviews and discussions are conducted in safe, child-friendly environments;
• Referral arrangements are available where protection concerns arise;
• No photographs, recordings, or personal stories are used without proper authorization; and
• Children are not given unrealistic promises of assistance or services.

Any safeguarding concern identified during the assignment must be immediately reported through the Ministry’s approved reporting and referral procedures.

1. Confidentiality

All information collected during the assignment must be treated as confidential. The consultant may not:

• Share personal or case information;
• Publish findings without authorization;
• Use children’s photographs, recordings, or testimonies for another purpose;
• Disclose Ministry documents to third parties; or
• Retain identifiable information after completion of the assignment without written approval.

All data, records, and materials must be securely stored and transferred to the Ministry upon completion of the assignment.

1. Ownership of Outputs

All outputs produced under the consultancy will become the exclusive property of the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development, including:

• Reports;
• Draft and final messages;
• Consultation tools;
• Message-testing findings;
• Audio and video scripts;
• Communication matrices;
• Guidance materials;
• Presentations; and
• Other related intellectual products.

The consultant may not reproduce, publish, distribute, or use any output without prior written authorization from the Ministry.

1. Payment Schedule

Payment	Milestone	Percentage
payment	Approval of the final message package, message-use guide, and final report	100%

Payments will be made only after the relevant deliverables have been reviewed and formally approved by the Ministry.

1. SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Applications should be submitted no later than 18 June, 2026 to the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development by email at info@mfhrd.gov.so or delivered to the Ministry’s tender box. Applications received after the deadline may not be considered.

Email subject: Independent Consultant – Age-Appropriate and Culturally Relevant Child Rights Messages on Alternative Care.

 

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