Terms of Reference (TOR) For Consultant to Strengthen Access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) through Referral Pathways, Capacity Assessment, and Training

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Services: Professional short-term service 

Position: Consultant

Operation Areas: Hargeisa

Assignment: Consultant to Strengthen Access to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) through Referral Pathways, Capacity Assessment, and Training

1.     ABOUT NAFIS NETWORK

Network Against FGM/C in Somaliland (NAFIS) is a non-political, non-governmental, and humanitarian network. NAFIS was established in November 2006 in Hargeisa, Somaliland, by several local NGOs working to eradicate FGM/C. Currently, NAFIS has 20 member organizations operating in all the regions of Somaliland. As the only nationwide network of its kind, the primary purpose of NAFIS is to combat all forms of FGM/C in Somaliland through coordination and networking, policy framework, research, documentation, and capacity building for the key stakeholders and media awareness.

2.     ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

The NAFIS network, in close collaboration with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), is promoting Access to Justice by establishing and operationalizing Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres in Hargeisa, Togdheer, Sool, and Sanaag under the Program ‘Strengthening the Social Contract through Access to Justice in Somaliland’ funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The program aims to foster a social contract in Somaliland by increasing the legitimacy of justice institutions. The overall goal of the program is expected to be achieved through three (3) intermediate outcomes: (1) improved access to an Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) mechanism and referral pathways, especially for vulnerable groups; (2) enhanced access to formal justice for vulnerable groups through holistic support to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and affected communities; and (3) increased participation of citizens in Somaliland in accountability processes relating to the provision of security and justice. The specific mandate of each Centre is to facilitate the practice of ADR and settle claims and disputes at the community level, facilitating and increasing access to justice for the local population, particularly vulnerable categories.

3.     Background of the Assignment

Under the programme Strengthening the Social Contract through Access to Justice in Eastern Regions of Somaliland, implemented by the Ministry of Justice in partnership with NAFIS and Media-Ink, with support from IDLO, psychosocial assistance has been a core component of survivor support, alongside legal and protection services

Between 2022 and 2025, ADR Centres supported 1,879 survivors of GBV and violence against children through integrated legal, psychosocial, and medical responses. Psychosocial assistance was among the most frequently accessed services, with over 800 survivors receiving direct psychosocial counselling, and hundreds more supported through combined packages that included transportation, livelihood assistance, nutritional support, and medical referrals

These services were delivered primarily through ADR Centres, with outreach support extended to IDP settlements, homes, and health facilities, ensuring access for survivors in remote and displacement settings.

To strengthen the quality of psychosocial responses, the programme previously provided specialized psychosocial support training to ADR Centre staff, social workers, and community-based paralegals. These trainings enhanced frontline actors’ capacity in trauma-informed care, empathy, survivor confidentiality, and ethical case handling, contributing to improved survivor trust and service uptake

However, the final report also highlights that psychosocial support services remain unevenly available, referral pathways are not fully systematized, and access for rural populations and persons with disabilities continues to face barriers. Building on these achievements and gaps, 2024 and 2025 seeks to move from ad hoc psychosocial support to a structured and institutionalized MHPSS referral pathway. Strengthening this component will ensure that survivors accessing ADR and justice services receive timely, appropriate, and coordinated mental health and psychosocial care, contributing to more holistic recovery and sustainable justice outcome.

4.     Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen survivor-centred justice delivery by formalizing and enhancing access to MHPSS within the existing justice and ADR referral system.

Building on the psychosocial assistance already provided to survivors through ADR Centres including counselling, trauma-informed support, and referrals the assignment aims to systematize MHPSS services by mapping existing providers, assessing their capacity, establishing a clear referral pathway, and strengthening the ability of frontline actors to identify trauma, provide psychological first aid, and make safe and appropriate referrals. The overall goal is to ensure that survivors of GBV, child abuse, and other traumatic incidents receive holistic, coordinated, and accessible support that addresses both legal and psychosocial needs.

5.     Scope of Work

The Consultant will undertake the following tasks in close coordination with IDLO, the Ministry of Justice, and programme partners:

1. Review of Existing Psychosocial Assistance under the ADR centers

• Review current psychosocial support services provided through ADR Centres, including counselling, referrals, and outreach support to survivors
• Examine how psychosocial assistance is currently integrated within legal and protection services
• Identify strengths, gaps, and lessons learned from existing practices

2. Mapping of MHPSS Service Providers outside ADR centers

• Identify and map existing MHPSS service providers in the programme’s target areas
• Document services offered, geographic coverage, referral requirements, and accessibility
• Pay particular attention to access for:
• Survivors in rural and remote locations
• Internally displaced people
• People with disabilities
• Women and children

3. Development of an MHPSS Referral Pathway and who best ADR centers can be connected to MHPSS services available in their locality

• Develop a clear, practical, and survivor-centred MHPSS referral pathway linked to ADR Centres, police, and other frontline actors
• Define referral steps, roles, feedback mechanisms, and coordination arrangements
• Ensure alignment with existing justice referral systems and safeguarding standards

5. Capacity Building of MHPSS for ADR Centers staff

• Design and deliver training for ADR focal points, police, and other frontline actors on:
• Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Recognizing signs of trauma and distress
• Safe, ethical, and confidential referrals to MHPSS services
• Use practical, scenario-based and participatory training approaches

The consultancy will be implemented over a total of seventeen (17) working days. This period will cover the review of existing psychosocial assistance, mapping and capacity assessment of MHPSS service providers, development of an MHPSS referral pathway, delivery of training for frontline actors, support to community awareness activities, and submission of all required reports and deliverables.

6.      Deliverables

·       Inception note outlining understanding of the assignment, methodology, workplan, and tools.

·       Analytical brief reviewing existing psychosocial assistance provided through ADR Centres, including key strengths and gaps.

·       Mapping report of available MHPSS service providers, detailing services offered, geographic coverage, referral criteria, and accessibility (with attention to rural populations and people with disabilities).

·       Capacity assessment report of mapped MHPSS providers, identifying technical, operational, and coordination gaps.

·       Training curriculum and materials on psychological first aid, recognizing trauma, and safe MHPSS referrals for frontline actors.

·       Delivery of training for ADR focal points, police, and other frontline actors.

·       Final consultancy report consolidating findings, tools, training outcomes, and recommendations.

·       Completed and signed consultancy time sheet.

7.     Reporting and Supervision

The Consultant will work under the overall leadership of MOJ, in close coordination with the IDLO and relevant implementing partners. Strategic guidance and technical oversight will be provided by IDLO, while coordination with MOJ will ensure alignment with national justice and protection frameworks.

All key deliverables, including the inception note, assessment reports, referral pathway, training materials, and final consultancy report will be submitted to IDLO for review and validation, with input from MOJ and programme partners incorporated as appropriate.

The Consultant will provide regular progress updates during the assignment and participate in coordination or review meetings as requested to ensure timely completion of outputs within the agreed 16 working days.

1.     Qualifications and experience

The Consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications and experience:

• Advanced university degree in Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health, Public Health, Psychiatry, Human Rights, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of professional experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), GBV response, child protection, or survivor-centred programming.
• Demonstrated experience in mapping services, conducting capacity assessments, and developing referral pathways, preferably within justice, protection, or humanitarian contexts.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering training on Psychological First Aid (PFA), trauma-informed care, and survivor-centred approaches for frontline actors such as police, social workers, or justice personnel.
• Strong understanding of GBV, child abuse, and trauma-related mental health needs, including ethical engagement, confidentiality, and safeguarding.
• Experience working in fragile, humanitarian, or post-conflict settings, preferably within Somaliland or similar contexts.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills in English; fluency in Somali is required for consultations, trainings, and community engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to do-no-harm principles, safeguarding, PSEA, and ethical survivor engagement.

1.     APPLICATION PROCESS 

Interested and qualified consultants are invited to submit the following documents:

·       Cover Letter outlining suitability for the assignment and relevant experience in MHPSS and survivor-centred programming.

·       Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing qualifications and relevant professional experience.

·       Brief Technical Proposal (maximum 3 pages) describing the proposed approach, methodology, and understanding of the assignment.

·       Financial Proposal indicating the proposed daily rate and total cost for 17 working days, inclusive of all applicable costs.

Applications should be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than 25th February 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment.