Country: Federal Government of Somalia

Project ID No. P508408

Name of the Project: Bulsho Project - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience

Consulting Service: Bulsho Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist.

Individual/Firm: Individual

Ref No: SO-MOIFAR-545002-CS-INDV

Duty Station: Garowe, Puntland Somalia (with potential travel to the target Districts and Cities of Bulsho Project)

Deadline: 2nd May, 2026

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408) is under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and responsible for the national program called Bulsho, the Somali word for society. The Bulsho Program puts citizens and communities at the center of the government’s action.  The Bulsho Program is a Somali government-led initiative designed to strengthen community and local institutions, fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. As Somalia continues its recovery from two decades of civil war, the program places a strong emphasis on enhancing service delivery, rebuilding the social contract, and promoting community-centered governance. This uniquely Somali-owned and -driven initiative underscores government ownership and leadership at federal, member state, and district levels, ensuring institutional sustainability and the realization of key policy outcomes.

The Ministry of Interior, Federalism and Democratisation of Puntland State of Somalia have established Project Implementation Units - PIUs, headed a State Project Managers, which have the responsibility for the activities that take place in Puntland State.

The PIUs are responsible for managing project activities at state-level and to liaise with districts. Specifically, the PIUs are responsible for: (i) Verifying eligibility of districts, appraising districts’ request to participate – this includes allocation of Bulsho packages and conducting lottery for each package and verifying the fulfilment of district commitments. (ii) Preparing state-level procurement plans. (iii) Preparing annual project work plans and budgets for state-level activities. (iv) Carrying out procurement for state-level activities. (v) Managing the contract with the logistic firm. (vi) Delivering capacity building activities and providing quality assurance and technical backstopping to districts - this includes trainings of district officials and staff. as well as community entities that play a role in the project. (vii) Preparing requisitions for funds to be transferred to districts, as per the project workplan, and in accordance with the grant agreement/sub-agreements and this POM and its annexes. (viii) Preparing quarterly narrative and financial reports for project activities taking place in their states. (ix) Verifying technical and E&S appraisal of local investments (Component 3) as well as other E&S actions as per the Environment and Social Management Plan. (x) Verifying the soundness of sustainability plans for the local investment prepared by the districts, including Operations & Maintenance (O&M) plans and the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the management of local infrastructures; and (xi) Preparing security management plans and applying security protocols in partnership with the security firm.

The Ministry of Interior, Federalism and Democratisation of Puntland State of Somalia is seeking to use a portion of the Bulsho Project to finance the recruitment of a Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist to support the Puntland Project Implementation Unit - PIU.

Responsibilities: For the Bulsho Project activities, the Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist at the PIU will be responsible for implementing Bulsho’s social development and gender inclusion agenda at the state and district levels. The Specialist will ensure that Local Social Contract Platforms - LSCPs, Citizens’ Charters, and community planning processes are inclusive, participatory and responsive to the needs of women, youth, minorities, IDPs and other marginalized groups.

The Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist at the PIU will be responsible for implementing Bulsho’s social development and gender inclusion agenda at the state and district levels. The Specialist will ensure that Local Social Contract Platforms - LSCPs, Citizens’ Charters, and community planning processes are inclusive, participatory and responsive to the needs of women, youth, minorities, IDPs and other marginalized groups. The Specialist will support districts and communities in preparing and applying social risk management measures, developing grievance redress mechanisms, and implementing gender-sensitive approaches in community-driven investments.  The role combines both social safeguarding and gender responsibilities, providing practical support and monitoring to ensure that Bulsho-funded investments contribute to equitable, inclusive and sustainable local development.

The PIU Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist will work closely with the PCU Social Safeguarding Specialist and the PIU the Local Government and Community Development Specialist

Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

1. Educational Background

-          University degree in sociology, social development, human rights, gender studies, anthropology, economics, public administration, social works, development studies. A master’s degree in the above fields is an advantage.

1. Professional Experience

-          Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in social safeguards or social development, inclusion, or gender-focused programs. (Note: pre-university graduation experiences will be not counted)

-          A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in social development, community engagement, social risk management, or related fields, with at least two (2) years in fragile, conflict-affected, and/or FCV contexts.

-          Familiarity with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) or equivalent international social safeguards frameworks, or demonstrated willingness and ability to learn

-          Demonstrated experience in conducting social screening, preparing social safeguard inputs to ESMPs, and monitoring social risk mitigation measures.

-          Proven track record in facilitating participatory planning and ensuring inclusion of women, youth, minorities, IDPs, and marginalized groups.

-          Proven track record in capacity building of local governments, community institutions, and civil society actors. Note: Experience limited to policy development, advisory roles, or research without direct involvement in implementation of community-level processes will not be considered sufficient.

1. Skills and competencies

-          Strong facilitation and community engagement skills, with the ability to promote gender equality and inclusion in practice.

-          Practical experience in establishing and managing grievance redress mechanisms (GRM).

-          Ability to train and mentor local government officials and community institutions.

-          Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with community members, local authorities, and development partners.

1. Knowledge

-          Good understanding of the World Bank ESF, ESCP, and social safeguard instruments.

-          Familiarity with Somalia’s social dynamics, governance structures, and challenges to inclusion, especially in the state and at local level.

-          Awareness of gender and social development issues in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.

-          Ability and willingness to undertake regular field travel to project target districts within the FMS, subject to security clearance.

1. Language skills/requirement.

-          Excellent command of Somali language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential

-          Excellent command of English language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential.

REPORTING

The Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist will report to the Puntland Bulsho PIU Project Manager.

TIMING Duration of Assignment:

The Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist shall be contracted for up to 12 months and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

The Ministry of Interior, Federalism and Democratization of Puntland State of Somalia now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. (Female candidates who meet the required qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply for the position of Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist).

Interested candidates should submit their applications, including a detailed updated CV and cover letter, outlining their experience and qualifications in relation to the role marked with the subject title of the position by the following email address: [email protected] and copy to [email protected] and [email protected] latest by 2nd May, 2026 at 04:00 PM Mogadishu time.

Attention:

Bulsho PIU Social Safeguarding and Gender Specialist

Ministry of Interior, Federalism and Democratisation

Puntland State of Somalia

Garowe, Puntland, Somalia