Subject: Re-Advertisement on International Consultant /Firm for NEC Capacity Assessment BACKGROUND 

Somaliland multiparty system and elections began with a constitutional referendum in 2001. Elections and Somaliland Democracy is a home initiative started from the grassroots, since that time, Somaliland has successfully held three municipal elections in 2002, 2012, and 2021; three presidential elections in 2003, 2010, and 2017; and two parliamentary elections in 2005 and 2021 with great success.

The Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC) plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of electoral processes within Somaliland. A comprehensive institutional capacity requirements assessment is needed to identify needs and gaps, in order to increase its capability and effectiveness. The assessment will cover legal and regulatory framework, systems and processes, policy and procedure manuals, Human resource and other areas of development.

OBJECTIVE OF THE CAPACITY ASSESSMENT

The objective of this consultancy is to conduct an institutional capacity needs assessment for Somaliland National Electoral Commission (NEC), and to provide an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the NEC organizational capabilities, processes, and systems.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 

·         Identify Strengths and Weaknesses: Assess the election commission’s strengths and weaknesses across various areas, including legal frameworks, organizational structure, human resources, technology, and logistics.

·         Provide Recommendations for Improvement: Offer actionable recommendations to address identified weaknesses and enhance the commission’s capacity to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections.

·         Enhance Efficiency and Effectiveness: Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve resource allocation, and enhance operational efficiency to ensure the smooth and effective conduct of elections.

·         Facilitate Strategic Planning: Provide insights and data to inform the commission’s strategic planning processes, guiding its priorities and activities to achieve long-term goals and objectives.

·         Support Capacity-Building Efforts: Assist the commission in developing capacity-building initiatives, training programs, and other interventions to strengthen the skills and competencies of its staff and stakeholders.

SCOPE OF WORK: The consultant/firm will be responsible for the following tasks:

•        Legal Framework: Evaluate the legal framework governing elections to ensure it is comprehensive, transparent, and up-to-date with current democratic standards.

•        Organizational Structure: Assess the structure of the Election Commission, including its departments, staffing, and hierarchy, to ensure efficiency and clear lines of responsibility.

•        HR and Staff Competency: Evaluate the skills and expertise of the Election Commission staff, ensuring they have the necessary knowledge in areas such as law, technology, and election administration skills.

•        Logistics and Infrastructure: Evaluate the logistical capabilities and infrastructure for organizing elections, including transportation, polling stations, and communication systems.

•        Training Programs: Assess the training programs for election officials, poll workers, and relevant stakeholders to ensure they are well-prepared and updated on election processes and technology.

•        Public Outreach and Education: Examine efforts to educate the public about the electoral process, including voter education programs and awareness campaigns.

•        Financial Management: Evaluate the financial management practices of the Election Commission, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective budget utilization.

•        Security Measures: Assess the security measures in place to safeguard election materials, polling stations, and the overall electoral process, including cyber security measures for electronic systems.

•        International Standards Compliance: Assess the extent to which the Election Commission adheres to international standards and best practices in conducting free, fair, and transparent elections.

METHODOLOGY 

1.      Documents Review: Review official documentation, including the legal framework, policies, and manuals NEC uses.

2.      Interviews: should be conducted with:

a)  Commissionairs

b)  Senior management of the NEC

c)   NEC staff at the HQ and Regional Chairs.

DELIVERABLES The Consultant/firm will deliver the following outputs:

The deliverables of a consultancy conducting an Election Institutional Capacity Assessment typically include:

1.      The Inception Report: This report outlines the methodology, work plan, and timeline before the commencement of the capacity assessment.

2.      Comprehensive Assessment Report: A comprehensive report summarizing the findings of the assessment, including strengths:

ü  SWOT Analysis: A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis outlining the internal and external factors impacting the electoral process and the capacity of electoral management bodies.

ü  Organizational Structure Assessment: An assessment of the organizational structure and functioning of electoral management bodies, including recommendations for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

ü  Action Plan: Development of an action plan outlining prioritized recommendations, timelines, responsible parties, and monitoring mechanisms for implementing reforms and improvements to strengthen electoral institutions and processes.

3.      Capacity Development Plan: Detailed capacity development paln outlining recommendations, timelines, responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation process for the implimentation of the recommendations.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

·         Technical expertise and experience (50%)

·         Methodology and approach (20%)

·         Financial proposal (30%)

  CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS:

The selected consultant(s) or Firm will enter into a contract with NIMD outlining the terms and conditions of the consultancy, including deliverables, payment schedule, and reporting requirements.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

All information obtained during the course of the consultancy should be treated as confidential and used solely for this assessment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

The most suitable international candidate/firm must possess the following attributes:

•        Master’s degree or equivalent in process management or related field with an emphasis on democratic systems (elections, voter registration, etc.). 

•        Proven experience conducting similar capacity needs assessments for electoral bodies.

•        A minimum of ten years of professional experience in electoral knowledge, with a focus on technical support to electoral administration bodies, capacity assessments, and training.

•        Ability to give special attention to details.

•        Strong communication skills & Fluency in English.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The duration of the assignment is 21 days, including travelling to Hargeisa to carry out the capacity assessment.

The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) is implementing a project entitled “Strengthening of Political Parties in Somaliland” under outcome two, which entails strengthened capacity and inclusivity of political parties and democratic institutions will be funded from this assignment.

Interested consultants or consulting firms are invited to submit technical proposals detailing their approach, methodology, relevant experience, team composition, reference emails and financial proposal. Proposals should be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line “NEC Capacity Assessment” before 19 April 2024 18:00 EAT. 

Kindly protect both your technical and financial proposal with a password. You will be contacted to provide the password when opening the bid.