Terms of Reference Consultancy to Conduct Research on Insider Mediation Practices in the Hananbure Conflict, Galmudug State of Somalia

Date of issue: 01-October-2026

Project title: Documenting and Sharing Insider Mediation Practices in Hananbure, Galmudug State of Somalia

Funding: Ministry of foreign Affairs of Finland

Implementing and supporting  Horn of Africa TFIM Platform Small Grant, NRT, FCA

Contracting authority: Horn of Africa Centre for Peace (HACP)

Duration:  November 2026

Contract type:  Consultant Individual

Deadline 25 October 2026

1. Introduction and Background

The Horn of Africa Centre for Peace (HACP) is implementing a small grant project under the Horn of Africa Traditional and Faith-Oriented Insider Mediators (TFIM) Platform invites qualified individual consultants to conduct comprehensive participatory field research, data collection, and author a professional research paper documenting insider mediation practices utilized in the Hananbure conflict within the Dhusamareb district of Galmudug State.

2. Scope of work

The consultant will conduct research to document and analyze insider mediation practices used during the Hananbure conflict in Galmudug State, Somalia. The research will explore the role of traditional elders, religious leaders, women, youth, and other community actors in mediation and reconciliation, identifying key practices, challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities for strengthening inclusive, community-led peacebuilding.

The assignment will include a review of relevant literature and existing documentation, field-based data collection with affected communities and key stakeholders, analysis of findings, and preparation of a research paper with practical recommendations.

The consultant is expected to propose an appropriate research methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, and analysis plan in the technical proposal. The approach must uphold Do No Harm principles, confidentiality, informed consent, political and clan neutrality, and the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, minority groups, and persons with disabilities. The research should aim for at least 50% women and 30% youth participation, subject to safety, informed consent, and an agreed sampling plan.

3. Deliverables and Expected Outputs  

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

1. Inception Report: Presenting the proposed methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, workplan, and ethical considerations.
2. Research Data: Cleaned quantitative data and anonymized qualitative interview and focus group discussion records, subject to informed consent and confidentiality requirements.
3. Draft Research Paper: Presenting the research findings, analysis, key lessons learned, and preliminary recommendations for review by HACP.
4. Final Research Paper: A revised, publication-ready report in English and Somali, incorporating HACP’s feedback and presenting practical recommendations for strengthening inclusive insider mediation practices.

     All deliverables are subject to review and approval by HACP

Required Qualifications and Experience

The individual consultant must hold an advanced degree in peacebuilding, conflict studies, political science, sociology, anthropology, statistics, or a related field, with proven experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research in conflict-affected settings. The consultant should have a strong understanding of traditional and faith-based mediation, peacebuilding, reconciliation, and social cohesion, preferably within Galmudug or Somalia. Excellent analytical and report-writing skills, fluency in Somali, strong written English, and the ability to conduct research ethically and safely while ensuring confidentiality, conflict sensitivity, and the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups are required

Application Requirements and Submission Procedure

Interested individual consultants are invited to submit the following documents:

1.      Updated CV: Highlighting relevant qualifications, professional experience, and previous research assignments.

2.      Technical Proposal: Briefly describing the proposed research methodology, sampling strategy, data collection approach, and workplan.

3.      Financial Proposal: Indicating the total consultancy fee and related costs, including applicable taxes.

All interested contractors/suppliers are requested to send electronically all the above support documents/requirements to Horn of Africa Center for Peace (HACP) latest by 25 October before 11:59PM (Local time) Sunday mid-night through this email: [email protected]

Email subject: Application – Consultancy to Conduct Research on Insider Mediation Practices in Hananbure, Galmudug State of Somalia

Incomplete or late applications may not be considered, in accordance with HACP’s procurement procedures.