Terms of Reference for Consultancy to Conduct Policy Review And Analysis In Somalia

TERMS OF REFERENCE

TITLE: CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT POLICY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS IN SOMALIA

REPORTS TO: ICLA MANAGER  

INTERACTIONS: ICLA Manager/PDM/Specialist/ICLA ADVISER, HEAD OF PROGRAMME, AND COUNTRY DIRECTOR.

SUBJECT: POLICY REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

REFERENCE NO: 8303995

 BACKGROUND

An estimated 8.25 million people in Somalia require humanitarian assistance. More than 3.8 million people are now displaced in Somalia, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation where some 6.7 million people are struggling to meet their food needs. More than half a million Somali children are severely malnourished[1].  Deteriorating humanitarian conditions have been worsened by climate conflict and economic shocks, the effects of COVID-19, and gender-based violence. Protection concerns remain high, with people impacted by violence having limited access to justice and the rule of law. Continued conflict and instability in the country combined with flooding have resulted in large-scale internal and cross-border displacement.  A toxic mix of conflict, severe drought, and devastating floods has forced more than 1 million people in Somalia to flee their homes in just 130 days – a record rate of displacement for the country. Prolonged flooding, due to abnormal rainfall, impacts agriculture and intensifies the existing vulnerabilities of affected people. The cumulative impact of recurrent flooding also contributed to the destruction and damage to water facilities, leaving vulnerable people in urgent need of WASH services and limited access to basic services including health and education.

In Somalia, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) operates through mobile and static modes of response. Our mobile rapid response team provides multi-sectoral lifesaving assistance across the country. The team responds to sudden onset shocks and emergencies. The rapid response mechanism that has been designed in close coordination with other humanitarian actors allows for improved coordination and harmonized approaches. It enables us to reach vulnerable people in hard-to-reach areas. NRC responds to protracted crises through our ongoing operations and provision of integrated services within our core competencies. Access constraints, like bureaucratic impediments and insecurity, continue to heavily affect the overall humanitarian operation and the ability to reach people in critical need.

SCOPE  OF WORK

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is looking for an experienced policy analyst (consultant) [initially for 2 months, with the possibility to extend] with a strong legal profile to support the programme of work of the Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) core competence and its Housing Land and Property thematic area and related Durable Solutions (DS) Initiatives. This includes analysis related to policy gaps, impact, and measurement thereof; sustainable and inclusive normative and institutional frameworks; policy monitoring and evaluation; and national, local or thematic policy reviews. Outputs may involve both cross-country and country-specific analysis and span the national policy process from design through to implementation and evaluation of performance.

We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can contribute to the ICLA, HLP and DS work by providing new evidence on the value of legal and policy review. The person will work under the supervision of the ICLA Specialist/Programme Development Manager and the Regional ICLA Adviser.

This position is 80% home-based, with limited travel to the NRC Somalia Head Office in Mogadishu and NRC Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the ICLA Specialist/ Programme Development Manager , ICLA Regional Adviser, the Consultant will focus on the following:

·        Carry out research  and analysis on trends, laws, policies, and specific aspects of the broader framework, including all ICLA thematic areas and DS

·        Analyse policies and issues of relevance, including conducting literature reviews, analysis of documentary and statistical material, undertaking case studies, and developing policy recommendations to assist in the design of projects geared towards developing new laws and policies.

·        Draft and edit substantive papers, including synthesis reports, country case studies, proceedings and analytical papers.

·        Prepare briefings, meetings, incl. gathering in-house and external information and knowledge, seeking inputs from relevant colleagues. Substantively review and analyze the key documents to ensure that all are accurate and complete.

·        Liaise with the NRC Regional and SS Country Office to coordinate various activities including support for outreach and compilation of country policy briefs and relevant knowledge products as assigned.

·        Ensure necessary follow ups with the NRC Team and external partners are made on time and feedback to the team provided.

·        Support the preparation of background documents as assigned by the Team.

·        Prepare publicity and outreach material including brochures, presentations, fact-sheets and other communication with internal and external partners on policy gaps et al.

·        Support research activities, including initiating, coordinating or conducting research in priority thematic areas as well as facilitating institutional processes of production of analytical products, as needed.

·        Present on the policy environment at the HLP AoR/Protection cluster or to relevant stakeholders, as assigned.

DELIVERABLES:

·        Prepare a 10-page inception report on the process upon signing the contract.

·        Prepare 2 policy briefs (3 pages max) on Housing and Land policy reform in Somalia (1 on Housing and the other on land);

·        Produce a 25-page report including annexes (ensure the report identifies research priorities for further development and implementation therein.

·        Prepare a powerpoint presentation summarising the process and outcomes of the consultancy

COMPETENCIES

Core:

• Excellent intercultural communication skills;
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of political and ethical issues in different contexts.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the NRC values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of NRC;
• Previous similar work experience

Respect for Diversity:

• Understanding of the NRC systems, operations, and structures, this includes demonstrating keen political awareness, particularly in relation to the principles of development effectiveness and transparency.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability.