Terms of Reference (ToR) To Conduct Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment IN SOUTH CENTRAL SOMALIA, PUNTLAND AND SOMALILAND

 

 

Terms of Reference (ToR) To Conduct Multi-Cluster Needs Assessment IN SOUTH CENTRAL SOMALIA, PUNTLAND AND SOMALILAND

• Introduction

SOS Children’s Villages is a non-governmental social development organization that has been active in the field of child care, children’s rights and committed to children’s needs. It is an active member of the worldwide federation of SOS Children’s Villages International, the umbrella organization of all national, independent SOS Children’s Villages Associations (based in Innsbruck, Austria since 1949).

SOS Children’s Villages Netherland in collaboration with SOS Children’s village Somalia/Somaliland aims to engage a qualified consultant to undertake a multi- sectoral need assessment in south central Somalia , Puntland and Somaliland.

• Background

Somalia’s politics, security and development collectively create a complex environment, with much of the country’s recent past marked by recurrent climatic shocks, armed conflict and violence. With most Somalis dependent on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, climate change is a major concern, as disruptions to the weather lead to phenomena such as drought and flood, two common factors that drive humanitarian need in the country.

In light of the current humanitarian crisis like desert locust outbreak and the global pandemic of the COVID-19 which disrupted the livelihoods of vulnerable and households with malnourished children in both rural and urban areas like IDPs. In Somaliland and Somalia, from February to September 2020, the population in IPC Phases 3 (Crisis) and 4 (Emergency) is expected to rise by 40 percent, from 1.1 million to 1.6 million people. Drivers of this food insecurity include climate shocks, conflict, and macroeconomic crises.

The COVID-19 pandemic presents direct and indirect impacts on food insecurity in Somalia. As of September 17, 2020 Somalia, has 3,390 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 98 related deaths.

There is also growing concern for the spread of COVID-19 within IDP settlements. While data on the direct impacts of COVID-19 on individuals who have contracted COVID-19 within Somalia are limited, health shocks are associated with increased difficulty earning income or engaging in livelihood activities. Further, the population’s vulnerability to the direct health impacts of COVID-19 is very high, based on existing high acute malnutrition prevalence and poor access to health services and WASH infrastructure.

The economic impacts of COVID-19 on the global and Somali economy are leading to a decline in foreign exchange earnings from external remittances and exports of livestock and other products. External remittance flows from the Somali diaspora constitute 1.4-2 billion USD every year and contribute 23-32 percent of Gross Domestic Product, according to the World Bank. However, after the onset of COVID-19, money vendors report that the volume of cash transactions declined approximately 30-40 percent from March to May. Usually, remittances reach an estimated 40 percent exhibited steep price increases of 20-30 percent compared to 2019, though prices are comparable to the five-year average.

According to the Somali Health and Demographic Survey 2020, across the country, only around six out of ten households, at 57 percent, have an improved sanitation facility that they do not share with other households.

According to UNCHR, approximately 2.6 million people are internally displaced in a protracted situation in Somalia as of April. In terms of new or temporary displacement, the scale of displacement due to the 2020 Gu floods (412,000) is comparable to the number of people displaced during the 2019 Deyr floods (363,000 people).

• Rationale and overall objective of the Mult -sectoral needs assessment

The aim of the study is to provide an update on the Humanitarian Needs in the context of ongoing COVID-19, locust, drought and displacement crisis in south central , Puntland and Somaliland  by providing updated nation-wide, district-level, multi-sectoral analysis of current and forecasted severity of needs among the crisis-affected population for future programming.

This study is also expected to meet the following specific objectives: –

• To provide a detailed overview of the current humanitarian needs and gaps of crisis affected population (by sector and across sectors) in south central , Puntland and Somaliland
• To understand the severity of needs of the assessed population, including living standard gaps, use of coping mechanisms in light of the COVID-19 outbreak in Somalia.
• To identify variations in need amongst population groups and geographical areas in order to inform response prioritization and strategic planning by SOS CV.

Questions to be addressed:

• What are the main household needs and priorities (sectoral and multi-sectoral) in Somalia and Somaliland?
• What proportion of households have moderate and severe needs within and across sectors? Where are they located?
• What livelihood has been affected most by the (1) drought (2) Desert Locust (3) COVID-19
• What do their survival, emergency, and livelihood problems consist of? What is the level of household access to basic services? Are any groups excluded from accessing basic services? If excluded, why?
• Which population groups are the most vulnerable? Which are the main factors exacerbating or mitigating their needs?
• What protection concerns currently affect population groups in Somalia? How do they intersect with other needs?
• What knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding COVID-19 are currently held by population groups in Somalia?
• what are possible interventions that can bring durable solutions to the population

affected by natural hazards?

• Timing of the Mult-sectoral Need Assessment

The Mult-sectoral need Assessment will take place between 25^th Oct – 15^th Nov 2020. The duration of the assignment will be 20 days including travel days. Time line can be adjusted after mutual agreement.

• Geographic scope

The Mult-sectoral need Assessment will be carried out maximum five regions in a south central Somalia , Puntland and Somaliland

• DELIVERABLES

• An inception plan clearly indicating activities, timelines, assessment tools and delivery plan.
• A comprehensive participatory Mult-sectoral needs assessment report based on the objectives in soft copy and hard copy
• Organize a one-day dissemination workshop for the stakeholder.

• REPORT CRITERIA

The Need Assessment will result in the concise Multi-sectoral need Assessment report, in English with a maximum length of 15 pages including an Executive Summary. All confidential information should be kept in a separate annex to protect participants. The final report should be provided electronically and in hard copy.

The report format below must be strictly adhered to:

• Cover page

• • Title of the report
  • Country, programme, date of assessment
  • Name and contacts information of consultant

• Executive summary (maximum 2 pages; cross-reference pages or paragraphs in the main body)

• • Assessed action
  • Purpose and methodology (incl. limitations and challenges)
  • Main conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned

• Main body

• • The structure of the main body is determined by the desired results (See 2.3)
  • For each key conclusion, there should be a corresponding recommendation that is realistic, pragmatic, and operational

• Annexes

• • Terms of Reference
  • List of persons interviewed and sites visited
  • Map of areas covered by the programme
  • Bibliography/references
  • Data collection instruments/tools.
  • GPS enabled photos.

• CODE OF CONDUCT:

SOS CV international work is based on deeply held core values and principles of child safeguarding, and it is essential that our commitment to children’s rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff and other people working for and with the Village. The Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to and the consultant is bound to sign and abide by.

A contract will be signed by the consultant before commencement of the exercise. The contract will contain details of the terms and conditions of service, aspects on inputs and deliverables.

It is expected that the consultant will treat as private and confidential any information disclosed to her/him or with which she/he may come into contact during her/his service.

The Consultant will not therefore divulge the same or any particulars thereof to any third party or publish it in any paper without the prior written permission of SOS CV Mogadishu. Any sensitive information (particularly concerning individual children) should be treated as confidential.

A contract with a consultant will be rendered void if SOS CV Mogadishu discovers any corrupt activities have taken place either during the sourcing, preparation and implementation of the consultancy agreement.

• REQUIRED SKILLS FOR THE CONSULTANTS

External Consultant who will work in close collaboration and support from the MEAL and-programme team will undertake the Multi- sectoral need Assessment exercise. Therefore, the applicant researcher should have the following qualifications and experiences, but not limited to:

• At least 5-8 years practical experiences in conducting assessments in the area of child protection system approach
• Demonstrate expertise and experience on conducting similar assessments
• Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills in English
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Proven experience in conducting assignments in complex institutional environments   
• Demonstrated experience in report writing
• Knowledge of the region and practical work experience in the country is a strong asset
• Practical knowledge on the situation of vulnerable children (and ideally of children without parental care and those at risk of losing parental care in the country)
• Knowledge of legislation, policies, strategies and programmes related to this target group in the location.
• Able to work independently to collect the information of the target group from the said locations
• Ideally, the persons will have experience in conducting social research. A social science background, at least MA/MSC degree in social work, psychology, community development, or economics.

Additionally, the consultant should provide;

• Consultant (individual/firm) should submit CV of the lead evaluator as well as name(s) and basic information of the consulting firm submitting the proposal.
• Names and professional qualifications of the representatives of the firm that will be conducting the study.
• List of the firms or entities, including the names and contact information, for which the bidder had conducted similar studies. Include a brief summary of the purpose of the study and any measurable results to date.
• Describe in detail the approach or process that your firm will undertake to gather research, including identifying potential demand generators, conducting personal and/or group interview sessions.
• Describe the methods for presenting the findings, conclusions, and recommendations that will enable SOS Children’s Villages Somalia/Somaliland and potential stakeholders to make informed decisions.
• Provide a schedule and time frame for completion of the study.
• The proposers will acknowledge receipt of all Addenda, if any, in their proposals. SOS CV Somalia/Somaliland reserves its right to issue Addenda to this RFP up to seven (7) days prior to the bid due date as needed to clarify SOS CV Somalia ’s desires, or to make corrections or changes to the RFP document or submittal process. All project information will be updated and can be accessed through SOS CV Somalia procurement committee, under “Bid Opportunities” and/or “Bids & RFPs.” It is the proposer’s responsibility to obtain the information directly from the procurement committee regarding this project. Proposals shall be valid for a period of sixty (60) days from the date due.

 

The criteria for selection are:

Method: The proposed method for assessment the programme is suitable

Timetable/work plan: The timetable/work plan is realistic and meet the needs of the programme

Cost: The cost of the proposal is reasonable and feasible, given the other aspects of the proposal

Experience: The training and experience of the consultants in Need Assessment and recommendations from organisations for which the consultant(s) has previously worked.

Interested consultancy firms or independent consultant(s) can apply. The application should be accompanied by:

• Technical proposal not exceeding 5 pages typed in New Times Roman size 12, single spaced, including a summarized firm profile, CVs of the lead and (possibly) associate consultants.
• One recent example of similar assignment report written by the applicant
• Financial proposal.

 

All correspondence and submissions should be done through the Procurement email on

procurement@sossomalia.org

Please send your completed applications not later than 22^nd Oct, 2020.