Terms of Reference for Child Protection and Child Right Network Mapping and Assessment in Somalia

Terms of Reference for Child Protection and Child Right Network Mapping and Assessment 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 Child Right coalition has been in existing for the past 10 years and has country wide operational capacity.  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 coalition plays a crucial role in facilitating knowledge sharing, learning, and capacity building among its member organizations. It provides a platform for sharing best practices, experiences, and expertise in the field of child rights. Through joint initiatives and campaigns, the coalition strives to influence policies, legislation, and practices to ensure the protection, survival, development, and participation of children in Somalia.

The Somali Child Rights Coalition also engages in partnerships and collaborations with government agencies, international organizations, and other stakeholders involved in child rights and child protection. By fostering partnerships, the coalition aims to strengthen collective efforts and create a more enabling environment for the realization of children's rights in Somalia.

2.    Introduction

Under the engagement of the BMZ project and the overarching goal of establishing and supporting child rights networks, the Somalia Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) will undertake a series of sub-activities between September and December 2023. The first sub-activity is Network Mapping and Assessment, which aims to identify and assess existing child rights networks and organizations operating in Somalia, with a specific focus on the Benadir, Galmudug, Southwest, Puntland, and Jubbaland States.

Under the engagement of the BMZ project and with the overarching goal of establishing and supporting child rights networks, the Somalia Child Rights Coalition (SCRC) has planned a series of sub-activities to be carried out between September and December 2023. These activities are designed to strengthen the child rights landscape in Somalia and enhance collaboration among organizations working in this field.

The first sub-activity is Network Mapping and Assessment, which will be conducted to identify and assess existing child rights networks and organizations operating in Somalia. The specific focus of this mapping and assessment exercise will be on the Benadir, Galmudug, Southwest-Shabelle, Puntland, and Jubbaland States. The purpose of this sub-activity is to create a comprehensive understanding of the child rights landscape in these regions, including the various networks, organizations, and their areas of work.

The Network Mapping and Assessment process will involve gathering information on child rights-focused networks and organizations, their mandates, activities, geographical coverage, membership, and areas of expertise. The SCRC will engage with relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, civil society organizations, and community-based organizations, to gather accurate and up-to-date data.

Through this sub-activity, the SCRC aims to identify existing networks and organizations that are actively involved in promoting and protecting child rights in Somalia. The assessment will help in identifying existing and active organizations working for the protection and promotion of child rights and child-related interventions in the mentioned areas.

The findings of the Network Mapping and Assessment will serve as a foundation for the subsequent activities planned by the SCRC. It will inform the development of strategies, action plans, and targeted interventions to strengthen and expand the child rights networks in Somalia. The assessment results will also contribute to the overall understanding of the child rights landscape in the selected states and guide future initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of children.

3.    Objective

The objective of this activity is to conduct a comprehensive mapping and assessment exercise to gain a thorough understanding of organizations working in the target areas and implementing interventions related to child rights and child protection. The assessment will provide valuable information about the operational capacity and track record of these organizations, which will aid in future collaboration, coordination, and strategic planning in the field of child rights and protection in Somalia.

4.    Scope of Work

The selected consultants will be responsible for the following tasks:

·         Conduct field visits to the Benadir, Galmudug, Southwest, Puntland, and Jubbaland States to identify and assess active child rights networks and organizations.

·         Collect relevant data and information on the functional status of each organization's office, staff, and running projects for the past two years.

·         Analyze the gathered information to evaluate the operational capacity and track record of the organizations in implementing child rights-related interventions.

·         Compile the findings into a comprehensive report, including a list of active organizations, their areas of focus.

·         Provide recommendations for future collaboration, coordination, and strategic planning to strengthen child rights networks and interventions in Somalia.

5.    Deliverables

The consultants are expected to deliver the following:

·         A detailed work plan outlining the methodology, data collection tools, and timeline for the assessment.

·         A comprehensive report summarizing the findings of the network mapping and assessment exercise, including a list of active child rights organizations and their operational capacity, and track record.

·         Recommendations for future collaboration, coordination, and strategic planning in the field of child rights and protection in Somalia.

6.    Timeline

The Network Mapping and Assessment activity will be conducted for 20 days. The consultant should provide a detailed work plan with specific timelines for each task, including the submission of the final report.

1.    Consultant Qualifications

The assignment can be applied by both a consultancy firm or individual consultant; The applicants are required to meet the following critical criteria: -

·         Able to demonstrate pre-requisites academic and work experience qualification specially for the lead consultant.

·         Demonstrate Sectorial expertise and experience in terms of knowledge and skill set required for this assignment.

·         Demonstrated previous experience in mapping and assessing organizations in the development sector.

·         Strong knowledge and experience in Somalia civil society and its work including familiarity with child rights and child protection issues.

·         Experience working in Somalia or similar contexts.

·         Strong analytical and report writing skills.

·         Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

2.    Budgeting for the Assignment

The budget for this Assignment should cover the consultants' fees, travel expenses, data collection tools, and other related costs. The consultant should provide a detailed budget proposal as part of the submission.

3.    Proposal Submission

Interested consultants or consulting firms should submit a proposal that includes the following:

·         Technical proposal outlining the consultants' understanding of the task, proposed methodology, and work plan.

·         Financial proposal with a detailed budget breakdown.

·         CVs or profiles of the proposed consultants, highlighting their relevant experience and qualifications.

·         Samples of previous work related to mapping and assessment exercises, if available.

4.    Evaluation Criteria

The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

·         Consultant qualifications and relevant experience.

·         Methodology and work plan.

·         Budget feasibility.

·         Quality of previous work samples, if provided.

Proposals should be submitted no later than 30th  September 2023  to  [email protected] , [email protected] , and copy to: [email protected] . Late submissions will not be considered.