Terms of Reference (TOR)

Enabling women’s representation and participation in political dialogue Somalia

Somali Dialogue Platform

About RVI

The Rift Valley Institute (RVI) is an independent, non-profit organisation working in eastern and central Africa since 2001. The RVI is a research and educational organisation with a social mission: to create a better future for the peoples and communities of Eastern and Central Africa by advancing relevant knowledge of the region through collaborative research, education and training, public information and dialogues, and promoting culture and heritage. A UK-registered charity, the Institute has offices in Nairobi, Juba, Hargeysa and London.

RVI is a leader in practical social research, policy analysis, training and public information. Our field-based research emerges from and seeks to respond to ideas generated by the communities and institutions with which we work. RVI research projects, which involve collaborations between African and non-African researchers, include training and mentoring of young researchers to develop their skills and experience. RVI supports the right to information and the exchange of knowledge by publishing its research and disseminating it through public fora.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

Making local knowledge work for the benefit of the people of Eastern and Central Africa.

Our Mission

The Rift Valley Institute works to create a better future for the peoples and communities of Eastern and Central Africa by advancing relevant knowledge of the region through collaborative research, education and training, public information and dialogues, and promoting culture and heritage. The Institute bridges development practice and policy, elevating local voices, knowledge and action.

Our Values

The following values guide and underpin our work:

Respect: We demonstrate respect for local knowledge and the partners and the communities we work with and those who work with us.

Independence: We are independent in our thought and action and produce research and deliver programmes free from external interests.

Integrity: We work with transparency and honesty to ensure accurate and open access to information, and we are accountable for our work and to those we work with.

Collaboration: We believe respectful partnerships are the basis for successful development and we are committed to long term, mutually beneficial collaboration between indigenous institutions, local researchers and international specialists.

Excellence: We strive to produce original work and to sustain our strong reputation for research, public information and training.

The Somali Dialogue Platform

1. Introduction

The Somali Dialogue Platform (‘The Platform’) is a policy dialogue and facilitation initiative, managed by the Rift Valley Institute (RVI), that responds to the need to support more collaborative, productive and inclusive political processes that can transform Somalia’s political settlement. The Platform seeks to create dialogue spaces genuinely trusted and led by Somalis, where they can confidently address past conflicts and grievances and collaborate to resolve fundamental differences in their governance ideas.

The Platform works on several priority areas related to the political settlement challenges such as democratization, fiscal federalism and national security architecture. In addition, the Platform works to  encourage women’s active political participation and public engagement in political processes.

Women are chronically underrepresented at all levels in Somalia’s political system, and are rarely able to participate in and influence political processes where discussion on contentious issues are held. Key decision-making platforms that have dominated discussion on contentious issues  - such as the National Consultative Council (NCC), National Security Council, National Leadership Forum, and previous conferences – have been the domain of a few elite men. Opportunities for the perspectives of women to influence the debate have been limited. More broadly, women face a range of socio-cultural, structural and economic barriers to political participation, especially the existing patriarchal clan system and the associated 4.5 system that creates a leadership bias towards men.

This has provided very little role for women to play a decision-making role in key political settlement issues such as elections, security and fiscal federalism. Overcoming this barrier is essential to increase the wider legitimacy, and uptake of political agreements on contentious issues. At the same time, establishing stronger and more inclusive political processes may help to increase the likelihood of policy outcomes which empower women and other marginalised groups. For example, in the  2021/22 election process, women’s representation in parliament dropped from 24% to 20%, following the narrow NCC process. Expanding women’s participation in political processes is therefore one critical pathway to increase broader representation and participation of women in decision-making.

The Platform is therefore looking to establish a partnership with an organization to improve understanding of barriers for women to participate in political processes, and identify opportunities and pathways to increase their participation.

1. Purpose

The objective of this assignment is to generate evidence-informed recommendations for programming to support opportunities for women to participate in political dialogue and decision-making processes in Somalia. This is intended as a first analytical phase of work, whose findings will inform the development of a long-term programme promoting women’s political participation, following its conclusion.

1. Scope of work

The work will be carried out in two phases – an initial scoping study to understand opportunities and challenges to women’s political participation and the development of a programme design document based on this study. Through widespread consultations with key political actors both in the government at various levels, civil society, the business community, traditional authorities, as well the public, the study will aim to unpack how the current challenges to women’s political participation can be addressed through incremental steps. Based on the key findings, the study will aim to inform an adaptive programme design and wider policy recommendations for supporting women’s participation in political dialogue processes.

1. Initial scoping study: Initial consultation, analysis and research will seek to identify key lessons and challenges in enabling women's participation in political dialogue, map relevant networks, and identify possible approaches for piloting. These can include the following areas:

• Identification of key challenges to women’s participation in political processes – analyzing previous national and sub-national political processes, using a case-study approach where relevant
• Identification of positive examples where women have participated in and influenced political processes, and the factors which enabled thhis
• Identification of broader barriers to women’s’ political participation
• Mapping of relevant women’s organizations and individuals that can work together to support the expansion of political processes to include women
• Suggesting recommendations for policy and programming supporting women’s participation in key decision-making platforms on contentious issues at national and FMS levels.

This study should include the following methodological components:

• Desk research on relevant programme documents and research reports.
• Consultation workshops with relevant stakeholders including members of public (particularly women and young people)
• Key Informant Interview (KIIs) with relevant political stakeholders at FGS and FMS level including, current and former parliamentarians and ministers, cabinet ministers federal and state level election committees, traditional leaders, business community representatives and civil society representatives.

1. Programme Design: Building from this initial consultation and research phase, design a two-year programme strategy including pilot activities, which could include, but is not limited to:

• Development of programmes aimed at supporting women political leaders (local councilors, members of parliament, cabinet members etc) to participate in decision making on contentious issues such as security, fiscal federalism, power allocation.
• Development of training and peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities for women leaders
• Development of advocacy approaches that can support the influence of women leaders on key political dialogue processes
• Development of pilot public awareness initiatives aimed at promoting women's participation and representation in political and public life.

1. Outputs and deliverables

The following are the main deliverables/outputs required for this assignment:

• 6 public consultation workshops at national and FMS levels
• A short analysis report (max 20 pages) based on initial consultations and research that outlines policy options and key activities to pilot
• Development of a programme design document outlining an overarching programme strategy and initial pilot activities for testing over a two-year period from March 2023

1. Timeline for delivery

The research and analysis work should be delivered between 10 December 2022 and 31 March 2023.

1. Budget

The anticipated budget for this work is $90,000.00. It will be contracted through a sub-granting agreement.

.

1. Application process and eligibility

Eligibility:

Only organizations with Somali leadership are eligible to apply. Organizations will also need to be registered in Somalia. The winning organization will be subject to a due diligence assessment carried out by RVI.

Application process:

Please submit the following material in the linked form by 23 November (23:59 EAT):

• A short (4-6 pages) technical proposal outlining:
  • Approach and methodology in response to the scope of the work, including expected work plan for completing the deliverables and any other comments on the TOR
  • Overview of team allocated to the project
  • Overview of other relevant work carried out by the organisation in this area
• A detailed budget in the attached format:
• CVs of staff allocated to the project
• An organizational profile including an overview of key leadership positions

Please submit any queries or feedback regarding the application to [email protected]

      ..................................................

NAGUSOO BIIR ---  SOMALI JOBS

Telegram: https://t.me/somalijobsinc

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/somali-jobs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somalijobs

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/somalijobs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/somalijobs

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somalijobs/

Application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tiriig.somalijobs

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@somalijobsinc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCterdvGtdVbUNKQiZFCLenw

.................................................