TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Capacity Building Training on Inclusive Planning, Design, and Management of Public Spaces for Gabiley Municipality local technical staff and councilors

Project: The Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement-Affected Communities (SUIDAC)
Location: Gabiley District, Somaliland
Duration: 5 days
Contract Type: Consultancy / Training Service
Funding: European Union through City Alliance
Implementing Organization: Taakulo Somali Community

1. Background

The Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement-Affected Communities (SUIDAC) Project is an EU-funded initiative implemented by Cities Alliance through UNOPS and in partnership with Gabiley local government with technical support of TAAKULO.

The initiative enhances municipalities' capacity to effectively address the needs of Displacement Affected Communities (DACs) in the face of increasing urban challenges caused by forced displacement and migration. At the same time, it promotes the host cities and key local stakeholders to become more resilient and better prepared for the impacts of human mobility.

SUIDAC seeks to benefit DACs by expanding basic public services, enhancing economic opportunities and providing better protection. Additionally, SUIDAC will foster multi-level policy dialogue (local, national and regional) on urban forced displacement issues concerning DAC-hosting cities and strengthen governments' evidence-based responses to these issues. 

SUIDAC Programme is underway in nine cities in five countries and activities focus on the governance, citizenship, environment, economic realities and services that lie at the nexus between forced displacement and urban development. They include locally driven projects designed to benefit both displaced communities and host cities, as well as local and regional dialogues to promote social cohesion and conflict prevention.

The programme builds on strong partnerships with diverse city stakeholders and national actors, including local and national governments, protection agencies, academia, the private sector, refugee-led organizations and host community representatives such as civil society organizations focused on the empowerment of women and youth.

As part of this initiative, TAAKULO seeks to engage a qualified consultant to conduct a Capacity Building Training for 5 days on Inclusive Planning, Design, and Management of Public Spaces in Gabiley, targeting municipal local technical staff and councilors to strengthen their ability to effectively and inclusively plan, design, and manage public spaces.

2. Objective of the Assignment

2.1 Overall Objective

To strengthen the capacity of Gabiley municipality local technical staff and councilors in order to plan, design, and manage inclusive, safe, and sustainable public spaces.

2.2 Specific Objectives

The training will aim to:

1. Enhance understanding of the role of public spaces in urban development, resilience, and social cohesion
2. Strengthen knowledge of participatory and inclusive urban planning approaches
3. Build technical skills on design principles for safe, accessible, and climate-resilient public spaces
4. Improve institutional capacity for management, maintenance, and governance of public spaces
5. Promote coordination and collaboration between technical staff and decision-makers
6. Integrate gender equality, social inclusion, and conflict sensitivity into planning processes
7. Support development of context-specific recommendations or action plans for Gabiley

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will be responsible for designing and delivering a comprehensive training program, including:

3.1 Training Design

• Conduct a brief needs assessment with key stakeholders
• Develop a training curriculum and methodology tailored to the needs of target audience.  
• Prepare training materials (presentations, manuals, case studies, exercises)

3.2 Training Delivery

Deliver participatory training covering (but not limited to):

• Introduction to public spaces and their role in inclusive urban development
• Share how inputs from communities and other stakeholders are incorporated into inclusive planning and reflected in the final stages of implementation.
• Public space design principles (safety, accessibility, climate resilience, regulation standards and sustainability)
• Introduce key governance, management models and concepts
• Community engagement strategies
• Gender, inclusion, and conflict-sensitive planning
• Conduct one day on-site training at the selected public spaces in Gabiley for practical, hands-on learning and further consultations.
• Practical sessions focused on inclusive design and planning tools.

·         Share relevant case studies and practical solutions

3.3 Practical Component

• Facilitate group work and simulations
• Support participants to develop conceptual designs or action plans for public spaces in Gabiley

·         Provision of follow-up technical support and guidance to participants.

3.4 Reporting

• Document training proceedings
• Provide recommendations for future interventions

4. Expected Deliverables

The consultant will deliver:

1. Inception Report (including methodology, work plan, and training outline)
2. Training Materials (presentations, manuals, tools, handouts)
3. Training Implementation Report, including:
• Participant list and profiles
• Summary of sessions
• Key outcomes and lessons learned
4. Draft Public Space Action Plan for Gabiley
5. Final Report incorporating feedback from Taakulo and Local municipality.

6.      Documentation and visibility photos.

5. Methodology

The consultant is expected to adopt a participatory and practical approach, including:

• Interactive presentations
• Group discussions and exercises
• Case study analysis (preferably Somaliland or similar contexts)

The methodology should ensure:

• Active participation of both technical and political actors
• Inclusion of gender and vulnerable groups perspectives
• Contextual relevance to Gabiley

6. Duration and Timeline

The assignment is expected to be completed within (9 days) including:

• Preparation: (2days)
• Training delivery including one day practical (5 days)
• Reporting: (2days)

A detailed work plan will be agreed upon during the inception phase.

7. Target Participants

Approximately 30 participants, (15 female and 15 male) including:

• Municipal technical staff (engineers and planners)
• Local councilors
• City council executives
• Relevant ministry representatives
• Community representatives

8. Institutional Arrangements

The consultant will:

• Report directly to Taakulo Somali Community / SUIDAC Project Officer
• Work closely with local authorities in Gabiley
• Coordinate with project team

9. Required Qualifications and Experience

For the Consultant / Firm:

• Advanced degree in:
• Urban Planning
• Architecture
• Civil Engineering
• Urban Development or related field
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in:
• Urban planning and public space design

o    Urban Development and Landscape

• Familiarity with Somaliland building codes and geophysical characteristics
• Capacity building and training delivery on urban development
• Proven experience in:
• Participatory planning approaches
• Gender and social inclusion
• Urban governance
• Experience in Somaliland is highly desirable

Skills:

• Strong facilitation skills and non-technical training skills
• Excellent Communication skills – English and Somali 
• Ability to deliver participatory training
• Fluency in English (Somali language is an advantage)

10. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Technical proposal (methodology and approach)
• Relevant experience
• Qualifications of consultant
• Financial proposal

. Submission Details

Applications should be submitted to:
Email Address: [email protected]

Deadline: 25th April 2026