Social Safeguard Specialist (CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

Republic of Somaliland

•           Somaliland Empowering Women through Education and Skills (Raja Kaaba) & Somaliland Education for Human Capital Development (SEHCD)

Project Grant No.: TF0B8677, TF0B8653

Assignment Title: Social Safeguard Specialist

Reference No. SO-MOES-532840-CS-INDV-SSS

Place of Assignment: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Submission Deadline: 26-March-2026

The Government of Somaliland through the Ministry of Education & Science has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of Somaliland Empowering Women through Education and Skills (Raja Kaaba) Project and Somaliland Education for Human Capital Development (SEHCD) Project. the RAJA KABA project aims to empower girls and women (age 15-35 years) through enhanced literacy and numeracy skills, skills for income generation, and skills for leadership. The project is supporting expanded provision of second chance education and skills training in priority sectors and increased uptake and completion of higher education degrees in targeted vocations. The project spans interventions across the non-formal education, vocational education of the MoES, and in collaboration with the Commission of higher education in Somaliland.

The Project consists of the following three key components: (1) Skills for Life and Labor Market (2) Higher Skills Development for Women’s Leadership – (3) Project Management.

While Somaliland Education for Human Capital Development (SEHCD) Project in Somaliland, aims to increase access to primary education in underserved areas, with a focus on girls, and to improve quality of instruction. The Project will consist of the expansion of access to quality schooling for the disadvantaged (Component 2) and project management (Component 4).

Responsibilities:

The main aim of the assignment is for the Social Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for managing and monitoring social risks, and to work closely with the Project Coordinator, the social safeguard Specialist.

S/He will be mainly responsible for provide technical advice on the Social Safeguards and is expected to provide technical advice on social risk management and support the PIU with regards to the implementation of the SSFDP in line with the World Bank’s Social safeguards Framework. In addition the responsibilities shall include Risk Assessment,  lead in conducting social screening and scoping of project activities, and will be responsible for developing and updating project-level social risk management instruments in close coordination with the Project Implementation Unit and with the Project’s social safeguard Specialist, as well as implementing the social risk mitigation measures, in addition to regular environmental assessment and monitoring and reporting to both the Government of Somaliland and the World Bank through the Project Coordinator. He/she will undertake all the other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) can be provided upon submission of application (in person or by E-mail) provided below.

Skills and qualifications

Selection will be based on the qualification and experience of the candidate. At a minimum, the candidate is expected to have the following level of qualification and experience:

·         Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Community Development or relevant social science fields

·         Master’s degree will be an added advantage

·         A minimum of Seven 7 years of progressive experience in social risk management or community development work.  three (3) years of which should be with international development organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank and United Nations, with demonstrable expertise in managing social risks.

·         Experience in World Bank’s social safeguard policies (OP 4.12 and OP 4.10) and the ESF is an added advantage

·         Experience in development work in remote areas is a must.

·         Knowledge of Social issues and conditions for social risks related to education development projects

·         Experience in projects by NGO’s, international development organizations, governments and public institutions is essential

·         Experience in social safeguards compliance and Monitoring and Evaluation is essential.

·         Understanding of Somaliland’s unique context

·         Fluency in oral and written Somali and English

·         Readiness to work in multi-cultural and fast – paced environment meeting tight deadlines

·         Reputable person with good ethical and moral character.

·         Possess GBV specific skills to supervise issues related to GBV (e.g., supervise signing of Codes of Conduct (CoCs), verify working GRM for GBV is in place, refer cases where needed) and work with GBV Services Providers as entry points into service provision to raise awareness of the GRM.

REPORTING

The Social Safeguard Specialist will report directly to the Somaliland PIU Project Coordinator and closely work with PIU staff. She/he will work under the overall guidance of the Director General, Somaliland Republic MoES, Somaliland Republic to smoothly run project operations.

The Ministry of Education and Science now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Duration of Assignment

Contract is for One year (1) year with possibility for extension based on requirement. The duty station is MoES, Hargeisa. Travel to the Project districts required.

How to apply

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

Interested applicants may obtain further information including a detailed Terms of Reference from the Ministry in person or by e-mail to the address given below during office hours from 8:30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.

Deadline: Expressions of interest and CV must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail, courier or email on or before March 26, 2026, at 17:00 hours.

“Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged”

Attention; PIU Coordinator

Ministry of Education & Science

 Wadada Madaxtooyada Road1 Next to the Ministry of Finance

Hargeisa-Somaliland

E-mail: [email protected] & cc  [email protected]