TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A DETAILED MAPPING OF POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR LOCAL CSOS IN SOMALIA

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A DETAILED MAPPING OF POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES FOR LOCAL CSOS IN SOMALIA

1. Background

The Somali Child Rights Coalition is a network of national non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Somalia that focuses on advocating for and protecting the rights of children. The coalition is comprised of various organizations working in the field of child rights and child protection. The primary objective of the Somali Child Rights Coalition is to amplify the voices of children and promote their rights through collective action and advocacy. By uniting NGOs and civil society organizations (CSOs) working in the child rights sector, the coalition aims to strengthen their impact, increase coordination, and enhance collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by children in Somalia.

The Somali Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) represents a collaborative effort among multiple child-focused organizations in Somalia, all committed to advancing the rights and well-being of children across the nation. Through unified advocacy and coordinated action, SCRC aims to create a roadmap for supporting and investing in localization and advocacy efforts. By harnessing the collective expertise and resources of its member organizations, SCRC endeavours to drive positive change and create a more inclusive and protective environment for children throughout the country.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) outline the consultancy aimed at performing a comprehensive analysis of potential funding avenues available for local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Somalia. This initiative seeks to identify and evaluate various financial resources that can support the operational and developmental needs of these organizations, thereby enhancing their capacity to contribute effectively to community development and governance. The consultancy will involve extensive research, stakeholder engagement, and the compilation of a detailed report that highlights viable funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms tailored to the unique context of Somalia's civil society landscape.

Local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Somalia are crucial in promoting child rights, delivering humanitarian aid, and supporting community development efforts. However, these organizations encounter significant challenges due to limited access to sustainable funding, which undermines their effectiveness. To strengthen the capacity and long-term sustainability of local CSOs, it is essential to investigate and establish relationships with diverse funding sources. This consultancy aims to identify potential funding opportunities and share the findings with the Local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other relevant groups in Somalia

2. Objectives of the consultancy

The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct a thorough analysis of the funding landscape available to local CSOs in Somalia. This includes:

• To conduct a comprehensive mapping of potential funding sources (donors, grants, and partnerships) available to local CSOs in Somalia.

• To evaluate the accessibility, suitability, and sustainability of these funding sources

• To analyze funding trends, eligibility criteria, and strategic priorities of potential donors.

• To share findings with local partners through established coordination platforms

• To give recommendations on how CSOs can effectively tap into these resources to enhance their impact on community development and governance.

• To develop a user-friendly funding directory/report for local CSOs.

3. Scope of Work

The consultancy will encompass the following key activities:

• Extensive Research: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, reports, and databases to identify potential funding sources, including international grants, local funding opportunities, and innovative financing mechanisms. This research will also involve analyzing trends in funding for CSOs in Somalia and the broader region.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, including local CSOs, government agencies, international donors, and funding organizations. This engagement will involve interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys to gather insights on the funding challenges faced by CSOs and the types of support they require.

• Identify key potential donor in Somali

• Compilation of a Detailed Report: Develop a comprehensive report that synthesizes the findings from the research and stakeholder engagement. The report will include:

o An overview of the current funding landscape for CSOs in Somalia.

o A detailed analysis of identified funding opportunities, including grants, partnerships, and innovative financing mechanisms.

o Case studies of successful funding strategies employed by CSOs in similar contexts.

o Recommendations for CSOs on how to approach potential funders and enhance their funding proposals.

The consultant will also be expected to:

• Identify international donors, government funding, foundations, and private sector opportunities relevant to Somali CSOs.

• Examine the various funding mechanisms available, detailing the eligibility requirements, application procedures, and specific thematic areas of interest.

• Map partnerships and funding opportunities within the humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding sectors.

• Synthesize the gathered information into a thorough and user-friendly funding directory or report.

• Share the compiled insights with xxx and other relevant stakeholders and clusters.

4. Deliverables

The consultancy will result in the following key deliverables:

• Inception report detailing the methodology and work plan.

• A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the analysis, including a list of viable funding opportunities and recommendations for CSOs.

• A presentation summarizing the key findings and recommendations to be shared with stakeholders

• A toolkit or guide for CSOs on best practices for securing funding, tailored to the unique context of Somalia

• Comprehensive funding directory/report with detailed analysis.

5. Methodology:

• Desk review of donor databases, funding portals, and existing literature.

• Development of Key informant interviews with donors, INGOs, and local CSOs.

• Analysis of funding trends and alignment with CSO priorities.

• Validation of findings with stakeholders.

• Produce sources of templates on resource mapping

6. Timeline:

The consultancy is expected to be completed within 5 weeks from the contract start date. A detailed work plan should be developed during the inception phase.

7. Qualifications and Experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in donor identification, fundraising strategies, and resource mobilization within humanitarian and development sectors, showcasing a track record of successful initiatives and partnerships.

• In-depth knowledge of the funding environment in Somalia or comparable fragile settings, enabling effective navigation of challenges and opportunities in securing financial support.

• Exceptional analytical capabilities coupled with proficient report-writing skills, ensuring the ability to synthesize complex information and present it clearly to stakeholders.

• Awareness of child rights issues and localization efforts, providing a valuable perspective that enhances program relevance and community engagement.

• Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, fostering relationships that facilitate collaboration and enhance resource mobilization efforts in challenging contexts.

8. Management and Technical Guidance

• The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the SCRC Program Manager. The Program Manager will be the direct contact person for the consultant and responsible for day-to-day supervision and link to any organizational support necessary.

• Responsibilities of SCRC in facilitating this analysis are the following:

o Provide access to all necessary documents and manuals

o Provide access to any other relevant information

o Facilitate the connection of Local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and relevant clusters in Somalia.

9. Terms and conditions

• Professional fee: The applicants will provide a budget for the exercise and Somali Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) will consider proposals that are within the approved rates as per its policy on professional fees.

• Tax and insurance: The consultant shall be responsible for his/her income tax and/or medical insurance during the assignment

10. Guiding principles and values

• The consultant will be expected to adhere to Somali Child Rights Coalition’s’ Code of conduct, Child Safeguarding Policy and practices and confidentiality when interviewing children. Gender mainstreaming is key to Somali Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) and the donor; therefore, the consultant will have to ensure that the research team on the ground is gender balanced, ensuring that females are available to interact with female beneficiaries and vice versa. The consultant will also take into account principles of impartiality, independence, objectivity, participation, collaboration, transparency, reliability, privacy and utility throughout the process.

• Somali Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) will use its internal guidance, checklists and an interview process to select the successful consultant.

12. Submission of the Application:

Along with their CV interested candidates should submit

• Submission of CVs

• Inception reports summarized the methodologies of work

• A technical proposal explaining their comprehension of the ToR, and how they would approach this assignment, summarizing the methodologies and approaches they plan to use, including a timeline.

• Two samples of similar previous assignments

• A separate financial proposal outlining their expected fees.

Applications MUST be submitted, to [email protected] and copied to info@crcsom,org not later than, January 21, 2025. Due to the urgency of the post, shortlisting of submissions and interviews may take place prior to the deadline.