Terms of Reference for a Capacity assessment, Capacity development strategy and monitoring framework development for National Reconciliation Framework implementation

1.    Introduction & Background

FCA Somalia Country Office is looking for qualified independent consultant(s) to undertake a Capacity assessment, develop subsequent capacity development strategy and monitoring tools for the implementation of the National Reconciliation Framework actions geared towards the National Reconciliation Process (NRP). This consultancy is carried to support delivery of the MIDEEYE Project: Support of the National Reconciliation and Local Governance in Somalia, between the 10th of January and the end of February 2024. Duration of the contract is 45 days.

FCA is the biggest development cooperation organization and second biggest humanitarian aid organization in Finland.  FCA is currently operating in 13 countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East and is specialized in three thematic priority areas: Right to Peace (R2P), Right to Livelihood (R2L) and Right to Quality Education (R2QE). In Somalia, FCA began its operation in 2007 through support to peace building initiatives in Somaliland and Puntland. Following the success of the interventions, FCA Somalia expanded its operation to other parts of South Central of Somalia in 2013, evolving from community level peace building initiatives to state building and state formation interventions at FGS and FMS levels.

National Reconciliation Framework (NRF)

The NRF frames the reconciliatory process in terms of repair of social relationships and the rebuilding of trust between conflicting communities in Somalia. The National Reconciliation Process (NRP) has been adopted as implementation mechanisms of the NRF. It carries 14 milestones and 85 activities under its five pillars. 

National Reconciliation Framework goal is to contribute to a sense of sustained peace and stability by laying the ground for genuine, comprehensive national reconciliation for the Somali people by restoring trust among themselves and increasing confidence in all levels of government institutions, resulting in peaceful coexistence, renewed relationships, and social and economic recovery.

Pillar I: Re-imagining a national heshiis bulsho (social contract) by developing a shared vision of an interdependent, fair, and secure society

Pillar II: Acknowledging and dealing with the past

Pillar III: Restoring and transforming community relationships

Pillar IV: Building trust in government institutions and structures

Pillar V: Supporting economic and social recovery activities

To realize key objectives outlined in the NRF and contribute to national peace and state-building, the FCA defined MIDEEYE goals as follows:

MIDEEYE project is a joint initiative of Finn Church Aid (FCA) and Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP). The project is aiming to contribute to Somalia’s peacebuilding efforts by addressing grievances and strengthening inclusive governance. MIDEEYE, translates as “unifier” from Somali to illustrate its aim to create trust and social cohesion by strengthening efficiency and inclusivity of governance on several levels. The project’s approach to reconciliation is largely informed by the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF), a strategy document approved by the FGS and cabinet members in 2019 and reviewed during 2023, is expected that the NRF under review will be finalized and approved by the cabinet by commence of the consultancy. As a result, the Mideeye project has the following two main outcomes.

Outcome 1: Increasing the capacity of the Federal Government and selected FMS to implement the NRF and thereby strengthening the legitimacy and trust in government institutions, and

Outcome 2: Improving inclusive governance and administration in selected Federal Member States (FMS) to achieve more effective service delivery, in line with the NRF and Wadajir National Framework for local governance.

The four-year (2021 to 2024) MIDEEYE directly supports national reconciliation capacities of variety of government institutions, such as the line ministries, district councils, traditional and religious leaders, leaders of women’s groups, and youth representatives in selected FMS.
MIDEEYE supports MoIFAR and relevant FMS line ministries to implement the NRF according to their respective mandates.

To this end project will carry out a capacity assessment to identify the level of current capacities of key staff and structures of the key ministries to implement the recommendations and actions outlined in the reviewed NRF geared towards implementation of the National Reconciliation Process, to develop a Capacity building strategy based on findings to strengthen the existing capacities for the same, finally to develop a monitoring framework to support the stakeholders to effectively monitor the implementation of NRF relevant to their mandate. The capacity assessment is carried out in close cooperation with MoIFAR, Ministries of the Interior of Southwest state, and Galmudug and the Ministry of the Reconciliation and peacebuilding in the state of Hirshabelle.

Objectives of the Capacity assessment, Capacity Development strategy

Capacity assessment:

Identify, assess technical capacities, and develop recommendations;

Identify and asses available resources, and structures, and policies geared towards facilitating processes geared towards national reconciliation process in accordance with implementation of the National Reconciliation Framework and monitoring and evaluating for progress:

·         Assesses the current level of staff capacities to effectively implement that NRF as per their role and the mandate in the selected ministries to effectively implement the desired actions regarding NRF; to identify any gaps particularly technical and thematic areas for peacebuilding, social healing, mediation, and related skills.

·         This capacity assessment includes the review of existing resources and strategic plans, policies, and other relevant documents for implementing the Somalia National Reconciliation Framework, and reporting, monitoring and evaluation frameworks for tracking progress, by the target ministries.

·         Assessment identifies capacities and enabling resources that can support ministries to support the NRF delivery in collaboration with other key stakeholders such as civil society actors.

·         Assessment takes stock of best practices and formulates recommendations based on identified gaps and desirable level of capacity.

·         Provides recommendations both how to enforce existing capacities, promote knowledge sharing and good practices AND how to bridge the gaps identified to efficient level of delivery.

Capacity Development strategy and monitoring and evaluation framework for its application

·         The Consultant will detail in the strategy of how to implement the recommendations and bridge the identified gaps based on the findings and recommendations of the assessment, in the most cost-efficient way, outline potential trainings and other capacity building actions to be undertaken by the respective ministries.

·         The Consultant will develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the Capacity development strategy (CDS) with pre-defined performance indicators to bridge the gaps identified and to enable measurement of capacity improvement over time.  A monitoring framework tool will be developed together with a practical user’s guideline about its application, no more than 5 pages.

1       Deliverables

The independent evaluator(s) will be expected to submit the following deliverables/ documents in time in compliance with standard requirements:

i)             Comprehensive Capacity Assessment report covering the target ministries providing relevant recommendations.

Detailed report provides an overview, followed by detailed assessment of the current capacities, resources, policies and structures, for facilitating processes geared towards national reconciliation under National Reconciliation Framework (reviewed version 2023) regarding the assessed target institutions. The assessment considers as well also the enabling environment and civil society actors, international partners in the overview of the available resources and capacities. Assessment takes stock of best practices and formulates recommendations based on identified gaps and desirable level of capacity to effectively implement actions geared towards the NRP. The report should be maximum 25 pages excluding annexes.

ii)            Capacity development strategy (CDS) with pre-defined performance indicators to enable measurement of capacity improvement over time. 

Capacity development strategy (CDS) will provide a detailed blueprint guiding the creation of approaches, guidelines, and tools to systematically build capacities to effectively implement the NRF and operationalize recommendations from the assessment. The CDS should outline prioritized capacity building actions for respective ministries with clearly defined objectives, activities, timelines, resources required based on gaps identified in the assessment findings. It will also include a results framework with indicators to monitor progress.

iii)           Monitoring and evaluation framework toolkit and a practical guidance note

Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework toolkit for the target line ministries responsible for NRF implementation to allow them effectively to monitor and evaluate the implementation:

This monitoring framework formulates measurable performance indicators that allow periodic tracking of progress. The consultant develops a practical guidance note document to guide the users of the application of the monitoring and evaluation framework.

iv)           Develop a Capacity assessment toolkit and a relevant guidance note

The consultant develops tool based on the assessment methodology for the ministries’ future application of assessing their staff capacities of to lead actions geared to operationalise the NRF/NRP. This resource will assist to assess and develop staff capacities in their respective institutions and among key stakeholder groups in future.

Dissemination and reporting

Presentation (s) of the:

o          Draf Capacity Assessment Report

o          Draft Capacity Development Strategy

o          Draft Monitoring Framework Toolkit & Guidance

o          Draft Capacity Assessment Toolkit & Guidance

Consultant will deliver a one-day for approximately 20 key staff from MOIFAR, Interior Ministries of Southwest state and Hirshabelle, Ministry of Reconciliation and Peacebuilding in Hirshabelle and Galmudug. Training will cover the practical application of the tools developed, Monitoring Framework Toolkit & Guidance and Capacity Assessment Toolkit & Guidance note.

Learning outcome is that participants will be able to apply the tools for the benefit of developing the capacities of their respective institutions and monitoring of the progress of the capacities as well as of the implementation of the NRF/ NRP.

Duration of contract

Duration of this contract is forty-five (45) days– starting 15th of January 2024.

2       Service Terms

FCA Somalia country office intends to contract qualified consultant(s) forty-five days

3       Duty Station

The independent consultant(s) will undertake in-country field work and reporting based on agreed work-plan and methodology. The assessment will cover MoIs in of Southwest state and Galmudug, and the MoRaP in Hirshabelle, and the MoIFAR, Mogadishu/ Benadir.

4       Transport & Logistics

The consultant(s) will cover field transport and accommodation arrangements, translator and/or interpreter needs, focal points and other contact points on the field and other logistical arrangements concerning consultant’s visit(s) including data collection and

5       Validity

Tenders/Offers shall remain valid and open for acceptance for a period of 30 days after the closing date for the submission.

6       Tentative Timeline (dates subject to change) and expected deliverables

The project assessment and fieldwork are expected to tentatively start on the 15th of January 2024 and to conclude within 45 days.