Terms of Reference (ToR): Development of Consultancy for the Development of a Strategic Plan Framework on Democratization (2026–2031)

Somalia Non-State Actors (SONSA)

Tell:252612008723, info@sonsaplatform.org, executivedirector@soscensa.org, www.sonsaplatform.org

Terms of Reference (ToR): Development of Consultancy for the Development of a Strategic Plan Framework on Democratization (2026–2031)

1. Background

Somalia has made notable progress over recent years in rebuilding its democratic governance structures following decades of conflict and institutional collapse. Key achievements include the re-establishment of federal and state-level institutions, incremental electoral processes, constitutional review initiatives, and increased engagement of civil society organizations in democratic governance, civic education, and accountability. These developments represent important milestones in the country’s democratization journey.

Despite this progress, democratization efforts remain constrained by fragmented coordination, uneven institutional capacity, and limited coherence between federal and state institutions, particularly the Ministries of Interior, as well as civil society actors working on democracy promotion and good governance. Effective democratization in Somalia increasingly depends on strengthening institutional capacities, clarifying roles, and fostering structured collaboration between government institutions and civil society organizations.

Somali Non-State Actors (SONSA) is a multi-sectoral, non-partisan civil society platform in Somalia that works closely with government institutions, civil society, and international partners to advance democratization, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance by ensuring that the voices, priorities, and lived realities of non-state actors and local communities meaningfully inform national and international policy-making processes. Through its commitment to state-building, reconciliation, inclusive politics, SONSA is developing the National Democratization Strategic Plan and a Strategic Engagement Framework that strengthens coordination, capacity, and structured engagement between government institutions and civil society democratization actors, while promoting effective advocacy, policy dialogue, public awareness, and good governance in Somalia.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to develop a National Democratization Strategic Plan and a Strategic Engagement Framework that strengthen coordination, capacity, and structured collaboration between federal and state Ministries of Interior and civil society actors, led by Somali Non-State Actors (SONSA), to advance inclusive democratic governance, effective advocacy, and good governance in Somalia.

Specific Objectives

• Review existing democratization strategies, policies, and frameworks to assess alignment, relevance, and coherence.

• Identify gaps, overlaps, capacity constraints, and coordination challenges in current democratization efforts.

• Develop a revised National Democratization Strategic Framework and draft the National Democratization Strategic Plan with clear priorities, roles, and implementation approaches.

• Engage relevant federal and state institutions, civil society actors, and partners through inclusive consultations.

• Organise validation workshops, incorporate feedback, and finalize the National Democratization Strategic Plan and Strategic Engagement Framework for adoption.

Roles and responsibilities of the consultant

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing democratization strategies, policies, and relevant frameworks at federal, state, and civil society levels.

• Undertake a strategic gap and needs analysis to identify coordination challenges, capacity gaps, and opportunities for strengthening democratization efforts.

• Design and develop a revised National Democratization Strategic Framework aligned with Somalia’s federal system and democratization context.

• Draft the National Democratization Strategic Plan, including vision, strategic objectives, thematic priorities, implementation arrangements, and coordination mechanisms.

• Facilitate structured consultations with federal and state Ministries of Interior, civil society organizations, non-state actors, and relevant partners.

• Plan, organize, and facilitate validation workshops to review and refine draft strategic documents.

• Incorporate stakeholder feedback and finalize the National Democratization Strategic Plan and Strategic Engagement Framework.

• Ensure the strategic documents are conflict-sensitive, inclusive, and aligned with principles of good governance, advocacy, and democratic accountability.

• Provide regular progress updates and technical inputs to the contracting organisation throughout the assignment.

Expected deliverables

3. Expected Deliverables

Deliverable	Description	Timeline
Inception Report	Outlining the methodology, workplan,	Week 1
	and stakeholder engagement approach.
Review and Gap Analysis	Assessing existing democratization	Week 2
Report	strategies, frameworks, coordination
	mechanisms, and capacity gaps.
Draft National Democratization	Defining the vision, strategic	Week 3
Strategic Framework	priorities, thematic pillars, and
	coordination arrangements.
Draft National	Including objectives, implementation	Week 4
Democratization Strategic Plan	modalities, roles and responsibilities,
	and a results framework.
Stakeholder Consultation and	Documenting inputs, feedback, and	Week 4-6
Validation Workshop Reports	consensus reached.

5. Duration and Timeline.

The assignment is expected to take approximately 6 weeks from 12^th January 2026 to 1^st March 2026.

6. Qualifications and Experience

The consultant/firm must demonstrate:

• Proven experience in developing or reviewing multi-year strategic plans for government institutions or civil society organizations.

• Legally registered consulting firm with at least 7 years of experience in strategic planning, governance, or institutional development.

• Demonstrated expertise in democratization, democracy promotion, good governance, or decentralization, preferably in fragile or post-conflict contexts.

• Strong experience working with government institutions, including national and/or sub-national authorities.

• Proven capacity to deliver results frameworks, M&E systems, and costing/implementation plans.

• Experience facilitating stakeholder consultations and validation workshops; knowledge of Somalia or similar contexts is an asset.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant/firm will report to the SONSA executive director and work closely with a designated Project Steering Committee or Technical Working Group.

8. Budget and Payment Terms

Payment terms, 20% will be paid initial contract, 20% inception report period and 60% upon completion of deliverables.

9. Ethical Considerations

The consultant is expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and respect for diversity and inclusion in all stakeholder interactions.

10. 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: 10^th January 2026.

Submission email/contact: info@sonsaplatform.org

---

………………………………………………………………………………………

QaranJobs.com

………………………………………………………………………………………

PLEASE JOIN US – QARAN JOBS

Follow us on our Social Media: