Somalia: TERMS OF REFERENCE Consultancy for Institutional and Staff Capacity Assessment for Somaliland Government Line Ministries

1.1.Background

For over 90 years, Save the Children International (SCI) has been working to make a difference in children's lives in more than 120 countries. We are the world's largest independent child rights organisation, underpinned by the vision of a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

SCI Somaliland has in the past 40 years focused on improving access to basic health care and education for the poorest and most vulnerable children and families, and securing their livelihoods with an overall aim of protecting and promoting their right to survival, development, protection and participation.

1.2.SCI Focus on Child Protection (CP) work in Somaliland

Child protection focuses on measures, structures, and systems for preventing and responding to abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against children. The goal of child protection is to promote, protect and fulfill children’s right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence as expressed in the UNCRC and other human rights instruments, humanitarian and refugee treaties and conventions, as well as in national laws. One of the key components of an effective child protection system is an aware and supporting public engaged and involved in efforts to respond to child protection issues, and a skilled and committed child protection workforce that has a mandate to prevent and respond effectively to issues facing children.

In Somaliland, even though the government has made considerable improvements in terms of establishing systems and structures over the years, the government still experiences significant capacity constraints in providing protection and empowering of youth, especially in the area of technical knowledge and skills as well as finances to manage structures and systems. Where structures exist, they are weak and further capacity building is required to consolidate the system.

In order to build an effective, skilled, knowledgeable work force at key government partners namely Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF), Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, SCI is planning to support identification of critical knowledge and skills gaps of Child Protection and youth programming of these ministries in Somaliland.

1.3.Purpose of the Capacity Assessment

The main purpose of the capacity needs assessment is to support the above-mentioned ministries to identify possible capacity gaps in providing child protection services and youth empowerment. The findings of the assessment will inform putting in place child and youth friendly systems, services and structures that contribute to the realization of children’s rights and empowerment of youth.

Furthermore, the assessment will help SCI to support capacity strengthening and strategies to enable the staff of line ministries to incorporate child rights issues into their activities while improving the support systems of the aforementioned ministries. In addition to that, the assessment will also highlight capacity gaps in youth empowerment (Economical, Social and Psychological) by government institutions to deliver services of investing youth decent employment and building youth resilience. Particularly, the assessment will look at the capacity needs of the newly established employment forum at MESAF.

The assessment will also come up baseline information that could further inform support, supervision, mentoring and coaching strategies for child protection and youth empowerment at ministerial level.

1.4.The specific objectives of the Capacity Assessment

1. To identify existing knowledge and skill levels and gaps of the targeted government partners involved in Child Protection Programmes and Youth Empowerment.

b. To analyze MESAF and other government organizations institutional structures and systems in relation to promotion and protection of children’s rights in programming, youth empowerment and operations.

1. To assess and analyze the functional relationship among key government ministries mandated on children’s issues and rights and youth empowerment, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and recommend potential areas for improving the robustness of the relationships.
2. Based on the findings, to propose capacity strengthening action plan that will guide capacity development interventions of the ministries.
3. To recommend new and emerging opportunities or methods of capacity development in the CP and Youth Empowerment sectors.

1.5.Scope of Work and Deliverables

1. Carry out a desk review of relevant documents agreed upon and made available prior to the implementation of the assessment.
2. Produce an inception report detailing the methodology including the sampling framework that the consultant is planning to use for the assessment.
3. Suggest and design the capacity assessment tools for data collection and share with SCI for approval.
4. Undertake field-based consultations and interviews with selected government institutions.
5. Analyze the data collected during the desk review from the relevant documents as well as from the field consultations and interviews.

f. Develop a package of capacity-strengthening plans for target ministries including M&E and suggest an implementation work plan to address the gaps.

1. Debrief SCI on the process and preliminary findings of the assessment.
2. Share draft capacity assessment report to SCI for review.
3. Conduct validation workshop and present findings of the assessment to SCI and the ministries.
4. Prepare and submit comprehensive report of the capacity assessment including capacity-strengthening plans in soft to SCI within agreed consultancy period.

All tasks will include feedback mechanisms from the core reference group, whose input shall be considered at all stages.

1.6.Methodology

Following the scope of work, the consultant shall propose specific methods for collecting given data from sources as outlined above. The consultant will work with SCI to agree on the method, sample size and key respondents for the study.

The consultant will take the lead in development of the capacity assessment tools, pre-test/pre-run, administer the assessment, data analysis and report writing.

1.7. Roles and responsibilities

1.7.1. Core reference group

The core reference group for this short-term consultancy will include the Child Protection Specialist, Head of CRG and CP, and Programme Manager for CRG & CP and Partnership Manager as well as Skills Training and Employment Promotion technical Programme Manager**.** The core reference group will be the point of reference for the consultancy and will provide support required by the consultancy in undertaking the assessment. They will oversee consultancy work and ensure that the consultant produce quality services within the agreed consultancy period.

1.7.2. Consultant

The consultant will take the lead in conducting the assessment as well as be drafting the report. As a priority, the consultant will work with SCI staff in developing tools, mobilizing respondents, data collection and initial data analysis.

1.7.3. Special Provision

All written deliverables produced under this work/order shall be submitted as scheduled to the Programme Manager CP/CRG in both electronic formats, using MS Word and printed hard copies. Changes in the scope of work shall require prior discussion and approval by SCIS with recommendations from the core reference group and this shall be defined in writing.

1.7.Draft and tentative timeline for the Consultancy

Date

Tasks

Comments/responsible

25 working days starting form the date both parties fully sing the contract.

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Closing Date for Submission of technical and financial proposals

Comparative Bid Analysis

Awarding of Consultancy and Contract Signing

The consultant shall be required to provide a technical proposal and plan of implementation. Actual assignable work should take not more than 25 (including travel) contract days.

PROPOSED WORK PLAN

Activity

Number of Days

Date

Produce an inception report with clear methodology

3

Design the institutional and staff capacity assessment tools for data collections

3

Carry out a desk review of relevant documents of which will be agreed upon and made available prior to the implementation of the assessment.

2

Undertake field-based consultations and interviews with the Ministry (MESAF ) officials/staff and other stakeholders)

4

Analyze assessment data, prepare first draft of the assessment report and submit to SCI

3

SCI review of the assessment

3

Organize validation workshop of assessment findings

1

Organize consultation meetings with ministries to develop capacity-strengthening plan based on the assessment findings.

3

Prepare and submit capacity assessment report including proposed instructional and staff capacity development recommendations

3

Total of working days

25

2.1 Support Available

SCI will

· Coordinate meetings and workshops if desired by the consultant

· Assign one project officer to support the consultant

· Ensure prompt payment of professional fee and other costs arising from the contract

· Provide logistical support (transport, accommodation, food, etc during the assignment)

· Provide guidance and support during the exercise

· Support design and development of the tools and the report.

2.2 Expertise Required

The following attributes are required for the selection of the consultant:

· Postgraduate qualifications in social sciences or another discipline relevant to this assignment with a minimum of 5 years work experience

· Competent and experienced researcher in organizational development and government strengthening and capacity building

· Knowledge and experience of using participatory methodologies in child rights work in a developing country context

· Excellent documentation skills including analytical and report writing skills

· Experience of working in post conflict contexts

· Understanding of key working approaches and principles in Child Rights Programming and Child Participation frameworks

· Evidence of quality previous work with civil society and working with Children

2.2 Terms and Conditions

Code of conduct: Because SCI's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. SCI's Code of Conduct sets out the standards, which all staff members must uphold. The consultant is bound by the principles and conditions of SCI’s Code of Conduct (This includes Child Safeguarding Policy, Fraud and Dishonesty Policy, Anti-Terrorism, Anti-Corruption.

A service contract will be signed by the consultant before commencement of the action. The contract will detail terms and conditions of service, aspects on inputs and deliverable. Location: The consultancy will take place in Hargeisa, Somaliland.

Candidates interested in the position will be expected to provide the following documentation to save the children’s somaliland.procurement@savethechildren.org latest on Wednesday17^th October 2018 -

• Cover letter
• Detailed technical proposal to ToR, with specific focus addressing the scope of work, methodology to be used and key selection criteria
• CV(s) of consultant(s) with minimum of 3 traceable and recent references and/or Company’s profile (Firms Only)
• Detailed financial proposal based on expected daily rates
• Initial work plan and availability of the consultant
• Sample report of the same activity previously done Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.