Terms of Reference for developing National Drought Anticipatory Action Framework for Somalia

Background

Somalia is on a positive trajectory with significant progress in recent years, especially in establishing and rejuvenating the Disaster Risk Management institutional set up and improving policy frameworks, resulting in – the government to be able to take the lead once again. However, a considerable proportion of the Somali population continues to face difficulties that are triggered by natural hazards such as droughts and floods, posing a challenge to a thriving country.

Despite the efforts being made by the government, humanitarian organizations, and international partners to enhance disaster preparedness and response measures in the country (UNDP Somalia, 2020; OCHA, 2020), the government and the majority of humanitarian organizations often actively engage in their response operations only after a disaster has taken place.

Repeated disaster events and their impacts also spawn competition and conflict over resources, which in turn impacts security levels and economic activities of the country (NDP 2020-2024) hence disaster anticipatory action will reduce the impacts on the population, damages and losses.

Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) is a national agency established for disaster preparedness, risk mitigation, emergency response, and humanitarian purposes with a vision of all Somali people live in a safer, resilient life and sustainable development through disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Somalia.

As part of the partnership between CARE Somalia and the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) under the framework of AART project, came to an agreement to support the development of a national drought Anticipatory Action framework, the key outcome of this partnership is to come up with a robust national AA framework for drought risk management which will guide the efforts to enhance resilience to drought events and that emphasizes on a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive anticipatory approaches. The framework will help achieve the long-term objective of the government to develop technical and institutional capacity to mitigate the potential impact of droughts in an effective, efficient and sustainable manner.

In this regard, SoDMA intends to hire a consultant (i) to support the development of a national drought anticipatory action framework through stakeholder engagement approach, and (ii) to systematically capture and document the findings during consultations, and (iii) to prepare a draft national drought anticipatory action framework for Somalia as per the sectoral needs and national priorities.

Expected Deliverables of the Technical Support Consultancy

The consultant will work closely with the relevant DRM institution, i.e., Department of Disaster Risk Management under the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) and concerned sectoral authorities of the country and AA stakeholders through the AA TWG in carrying out the assignment. It would be necessary to consult research and knowledge institutions, development partners operating in the country and CSOs working in the DRM/AA fields upon guidance by the hosting lead Agency/authority.

Main deliverable

The main delivery of this assignment is a draft national drought Anticipatory Action framework which is aligned to the national, regional and international DRM policies/strategies, acceptable to the relevant authority and to be validated at the national stakeholder’s workshop.

• Draft national drought Anticipatory Action framework which is aligned to the national, regional and international DRM policies/strategies.
• Anticipatory action framework document that provides clarity of proposed trigger mechanisms for drought (and potentially other hazards relevant to transhumance corridors), impact indicators (pasture, water, livestock health, etc.), and defined danger levels and probability
• Early Action Protocols, SOP and potential financing mechanism aligned with AART EW systems
• Framework implementation modality – feasibility, community integration and engagement of stakeholders.

Intermediary deliverables

1. Inception Report with proposed methodology and Work Implementation Plan;
2. First Draft of the national drought AA framework and plans;
3. Report of national consultations meetings, exercises, significant events in the process, challenges, lessons learned
4. Second and final Draft of the drought AA framework and Plans;
5. Facilitate validation workshop and report

Methodology

The exercise will entail:

• Secondary review of available literature and producing a draft implementation framework for further consultations. The purpose of engagement is forward looking focusing on how things will be done differently and what needs to change to enable this.
• Organize a consultation meeting with key relevant stakeholders from Federal and State level. Also undertake informal and formal meetings and structured interviews tailored for specific individual partner stakeholders and teams

Time scale

Specific activities

Activities	Days
Ø Participate in a briefing about the scope, methodology and expected results with the officials responsible for guiding this consultancy at SoDMA office.	1 day
Ø Inception report with work implementation plan	1 day
Ø Desk review and KII consultations with the TWG and stakeholders and peer review group (Government, CARE, IGAD/ICPAC, WFP, OCHA, FOA, UNICEF, Save the Children, DRC, etc.)	7 days
Ø First draft of a national drought AA framework	6 days
Ø Facilitation of a consultation workshop	2 days
Ø Second and final draft of the drought AA framework	3 days
Ø Facilitation of a validation workshop	1 day
TOTAL PERIOD OF EXECUTION	21 DAYS

Required qualifications and experience of the consultant

This assignment will require the engagement of a person/firm with deep understanding of drought risk management and risk governance and institutional development experience including disaster risk reduction and management skills, and strategic development with strong background in project management.

Qualifications

• At least a Master’s degree in Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Science, rural development, or social studies from recognized University.
• At least 10 years’ experience in a relevant field such as general development work agriculture /rural development. Extensive Knowledge of development policies and frameworks that guide the implementation of DRM at the national or regional level, and development planning will be a strong advantage.
• Understanding of on-going strategic policy framework processes, analysis and formulation that would lead to the implementation of a national drought AA framework in Somalia.
• Experience of undertaking assignments of similar nature in the country or region will be an asset.
• Strong facilitation skills and ability to source information from various stakeholders particularly high-level sector and international stakeholders, in a participatory fashion and within a short time frame.
• Knowledge of Somalia context with specific reference to the AA TWG as well as other ongoing or completed AA activities in the country.

Submission & approval of the framework and related reports

The framework documents and other reports have to be acceptable to the beneficiary government agency need to be submitted in time and together with the execution report will be approved by the DRM department director under the SoDMA Commissioner.

How to Apply:

Qualified and interested individual consultants or consulting firms are invited to submit a complete application package to the email address below:

📧 Procurement.head@sodma.gov.so

Application documents must include:

1. A cover letter expressing interest and availability

2. A detailed technical proposal, including methodology and work plan

3. A financial proposal in USD, inclusive of all applicable taxes

4. CV(s) of the consultant(s) or company profile outlining relevant experience

5. Valid business registration certificate (for firms)

Please include the following subject line in your email:

Subject: Application – Development of National Drought Anticipatory Action Framework – Somalia

Deadline for submission: 22 July 2025 at 17:00 East Africa Time (EAT)

Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next steps.

 

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