TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)

Consultant - qualitative data analysis and reporting (technical package development)

Country: Somaliland  

Project title: Systemic climate-change resilience for food, fodder and water security for vulnerable communities in Burao, Somaliland

Project no: SOM 1068

Project holder:  Welthungerhilfe, Candlelight and Acted

Co-financer (line): European Union

Project period: 18.11.2023- 17.05.2026

Location: Burco, Somaliland

1.       INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1.1.     About Welthungerhilfe

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is one of Germany’s largest private humanitarian and development organizations, dedicated to eradicating hunger and poverty. Established in 1962 as the German section of the global “Freedom from Hunger Campaign,” WHH envisions a world where all people can lead self-determined lives in dignity and justice, free from hunger. Since 2001, WHH has been actively working in Somaliland, maintaining an area office in Hargeisa and sub-offices in Borama and Burco.

WHH’s work in Somaliland focuses on strengthening food and nutrition security, enhancing WASH systems, and promoting sustainable agricultural and livestock production. The organization also supports climate resilience through innovations in landscape restoration and natural resource management. WHH applies a Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus approach, emphasizing localization through strategic partnerships, active engagement in coordination forums, and commitment to gender-responsive programming.

1.2.     Project background

The project aims to enhance systemic climate-change resilience while ensuring food, fodder, and water security for vulnerable communities in Burao. This will be achieved through two key outcomes. First, the project supports targeted Somali communities in implementing dryland-specific reforestation, afforestation, and sustainable rangeland and agricultural land management practices. Second, the project focuses on strengthening climate-smart agro-pastoral and pastoral production systems, along with improving the water supply system

Under Outcome 1, the project focuses on sustainable dryland management to strengthen climate resilience. By partnering with communities and authorities, it seeks to establish sustainable rangeland management systems through awareness-raising, capacity-building, and the creation of protected and rotational grazing areas. Continuous training and community engagement ensure that pastoralists and agro-pastoralists adopt effective land restoration and regeneration techniques. To further protect degraded lands from erosion, flooding, and water loss, the project incorporates soil and water conservation structures, along with road-managed water flood-irrigation systems. Additionally, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) and the National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority (NADFOR), the project has established Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) and supports the development and implementation of climate security action plans to enhance disaster preparedness.

Outcome 2 focuses on improving food security through climate-smart agro-pastoral production and strengthening water supply systems. The project enhances communities’ capacity to adopt climate-adaptive crop production techniques while also investing in diversified livelihood opportunities to increase income for women, men, and youth. A key component of this outcome is the control and utilization of invasive species, particularly Prosopis, for income generation while simultaneously restoring rangelands. Recognizing the fundamental role of water in agriculture, livestock production, and household well-being, the project also prioritizes the establishment and strengthening of sustainable water supply systems to ensure long-term access to water resources.

The project is implemented as a consortium, with Welthungerhilfe (WHH) as the lead organization, and Candlelight and ACTED as consortium members

Activity 1.1.4 under this project involves the development and dissemination of technical packages (handouts/handbooks) based on practical field experiences and insights gathered through participatory community engagement. The participatory study explored a wide range of thematic areas relevant to rangeland and agricultural land management, loverhoods and sustainable water system including:

• land context, challenges, and management practices.
• External group dynamics related to shared use of rangelands, farmland, and water points.
• value chain activities and income generation.
• market access constraints and opportunities.
• business and financial skills.
• sustainable water systems
• environmental policy awareness and outreach.

Insights and best practices drawn from these thematic areas will be synthesized to produce user-friendly technical materials aimed at informing sustainable rangeland and agricultural land management, enhancing climate-resilient livelihoods, and promoting sustainable water systems. All outputs will align with ministerial policies and broader national frameworks such as the NDP III, to ensure relevance, usability, and institutional and community uptake.

2.       PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of this assignment is to analyze qualitative data collected through participatory community engagement and synthesize key insights and best practices into a structured analytical report. The findings will inform the development of technical packages (handouts/handbooks) that support sustainable rangeland and agricultural land management, climate-resilient livelihoods, and sustainable water systems. The consultant will triangulate and analyze data from a total of 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), including:

• 18 FGDs conducted across 18 different villages with community members.
• 1 consolidated FGD at the partner level with implementing organization staff.
• 1 FGD with institutional stakeholders, including relevant ministries and government actors.

These discussions provide a diverse and representative data set reflecting community, partner, and institutional perspectives. The analysis will ensure that the project remains responsive to stakeholder needs and aligns with national frameworks such as the NDP III to promote relevance, usability, and uptake at all levels.

This analysis will ensure that the project remains responsive to the needs and priorities of the community and is implemented with their input and participation. All outputs will align with national frameworks such as the NDP III to promote policy relevance, practical usability, and uptake at both institutional and community levels.

3.       SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

a)       Review and consolidation of data

• Review all transcribed qualitative data from the 20 FGDs (18 community-level, 1 partner-level, and 1 institutional-level).
• Identify any gaps, inconsistencies, or unclear points and flag them for clarification.
• Consolidate and organize the transcripts into a coherent and analyzable format suitable for thematic analysis.

b)       Thematic analysis

• Apply qualitative coding methods (manual or software-assisted) to extract key themes and sub-themes from the 20 FGDs.
• Identify successful practices, innovations, and replicable approaches related to:

. Natural resource management and environmental governance

·       Land context, challenges, and management practices

·       External group dynamics related to shared use of rangelands, farmland, and water points

·       Environmental policy awareness and outreach

 Livelihoods and value chain development

·       Value chain activities and income generation

·       Market access constraints and opportunities

·       Business and financial skills

Sustainable water systems

·       Sustainable water systems

c)       Triangulation and validation

• Integrate qualitative data insights with institutional and partner-level inputs.
• Cross-validate findings against existing reports, secondary data, and relevant documentation to ensure robustness.

d)       Reporting

• Produce a clear, well-structured analytical report that includes:
• Executive Summary
• Description of methodology and data sources
• Key thematic findings
• Summary of best practices recommended by community, institutions with technical and policy relevance
• Identification of challenges and lessons learned
• Practical recommendations
• A summary table with practical recommendations for project consideration based on the analyzed thematic areas. Where applicable, the table should map findings to relevant national policies, development plans (e.g., NDP III), or research recommendations and reports.

4.       DELIVERABLES

a)        Inception report: A brief report, outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, work plan, and any initial observations or risks.

b)       Data review and consolidation summary: A summary document detailing the review of qualitative data, identification of any gaps or inconsistencies, and how these will be addressed during analysis.

c)       Draft analytical report: A comprehensive draft report presenting the thematic analysis results, key findings, best practices, challenges, and initial recommendations. This report should include an executive summary and summary table with practical recommendations for project consideration based on the thematic areas analyzed. Where applicable, the table should map findings to relevant national policies, development plans (e.g., NDP III), or research recommendations and reports.

d)       Final technical package: A revised and finalized the analytical report, incorporating feedback from the project team. The final report should be professionally written, clear, and ready for internal and external use.

e)       Presentation of findings: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key findings, and recommendations.

Note: All deliverables should reflect insights drawn from the 20 FGDs (18 community, 1 partner, and 1 institutional).

5.       DURATION AND MODALITY

The consultancy will be conducted over an estimated 10 working days, with the consultant working remotely and coordinating virtually with the WHH project team. All necessary data and documentation will be provided electronically by WHH. The estimated level of effort includes:

·       Day 1–2: Inception report development and review of data

·       Day 3–6: Thematic coding, analysis, and triangulation

·       Day 7–8: Drafting the analytical report

·       Day 9: Feedback integration

·       Day 10: Final report submission.

1.       REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

·       Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, or related fields.

·       At least 5 years of professional experience in qualitative research, data analysis, and report writing, preferably in the fields of natural resource management, agriculture, or rural livelihoods.

·       Demonstrated experience with participatory research methods and community-based data collection and analysis.

·       Proven ability to conduct thematic qualitative data analysis, including coding and synthesis of complex datasets.

·       Familiarity with Rangeland and agricultural land management, climate resilience, and sustainable water systems is highly desirable.

·       Experience working in the Somaliland context is an advantage.

·       Excellent English writing and communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured reports.

2.       MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT

The consultant will report to the Project Manager and coordinate with the MEAL team. WHH will provide:

·       Transcribed qualitative data (and photos)

·       Institutional and implementing partners data

·       Feedback on draft deliverables

·       Access to data collection focal persons for clarification on the data

3.       ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

·       Data confidentiality and anonymity must be maintained

·       Consultant will comply with WHH’s ethical and safeguarding standards.

4.        PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should submit the following documents to be considered for this consultancy:

a)       Technical proposal

o   A cover letter expressing interest and suitability for the assignment.

o   A brief understanding of the Terms of Reference and proposed approach/methodology for the assignment.

o   A detailed work plan and timeline.

o   CV(s) of the consultant(s) demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience.

o   At least 3 examples or summaries of similar past assignments or analytical reports.

o   Fill out and sign supplier declaration form

b)       Financial proposal

o   A detailed budget including professional fees, any anticipated expenses, and applicable taxes.

o   Total cost of the consultancy expressed in USD.

c)       References

o   Contact details for at least two professional references related to similar work

1.       SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The consultant (s) should submit a detailed technical and financial proposal in English online through [email protected] not later than the August 20, 2025 11:59 am CET.