Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant - Comprehensive Capacity Assessment of Women's Rights Organizations and Girl-Led Movements

Title: Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant - Comprehensive Capacity Assessment of Women's Rights Organizations and Girl-Led Movements           

1.        Background:

Somali Women and Child Care Association (SWCCA) is a non-governmental organization committed to promoting and safeguarding the rights of women and children in Somalia. Established in 2012, SWCCA has been a pivotal force in advocating for gender equality, empowerment, and the eradication of violence against women and children.

SWCCA envisions a society where women and children enjoy equal opportunities, protection, and participation in decision-making processes. Over the years, the organization has implemented various initiatives, and projects, to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women and children in Somalia.

Despite these achievements, SWCCA is aware of the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding women's rights in Somalia. The organization is dedicated to continuously evolving its strategies and approaches to address emerging issues, and this capacity assessment of 15 targeted Women's Rights Organizations (WROs) and girl-led movements aligns with SWCCA's commitment to fostering a more inclusive and empowered community. The purpose of this assessment is to identify specific needs, strengths, and areas for improvement, enabling SWCCA to better support these entities in advancing women's rights and empowerment.

2.       Objectives:

The consultant is expected to conduct a thorough capacity assessment of the 15 targeted WROs and girl-led movements, aiming to:

1. Identify the organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis).

2. Assess the current capacities in programmatic, organizational, and financial aspects.

3. Identify specific needs and challenges hindering effective functioning.

4. Evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies and interventions.

5. Provide recommendations for capacity-building initiatives.

3.  Methodology

The potential consultant is advised to propose a comprehensive methodology in order to fully address the objectives. While not binding, the methodology should be thorough and include clear explanations of how they plan to execute the assignment. A detailed activity and work plan, as well as a budget and timeline for the entire assignment, should be included. The methodology should specifically address each task of the assignment and how they contribute to strengthening the capacity of the partners to fulfill their mandate. The methodology should also outline the proposed approaches to achieve the desired results. Additionally, the consultant should justify their chosen methodology and explain the reasons behind their preference. The consultant will collaborate with the advice and guidance of the SWCCA technical team.

4. Scope of Work:

1. Conduct desk review on each of the 15 targeted organizations to understand their background, activities, and challenges.

2. Develop a detailed assessment methodology, including data collection tools and key performance indicators.

3. Engage in interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions with key stakeholders within each organization.

4. Analyze financial statements, programmatic documentation, and strategic plans to gauge organizational capacities.

5. Provide a comprehensive report detailing findings, along with a comparative analysis across organizations.

6. Present the assessment results to SWCCA in a debriefing session.

5.  Deliverables:

1. Inception Report: Detailed methodology, data collection tools, and work plan within 5 days weeks of contract commencement.

2. Design data collection, and assessment tool

3. Draft Report: Comprehensive assessment report with detailed analysis, recommendations, and an executive summary.

4. Capacity strengthening plan for the 15 WRO

5. Final Report: Revised report based on feedback received, incorporating any additional information or insights.

6.  Terms and Conditions Consultancy fee/ budget

The consultant will come up with his/her own rate which will be subject to negotiation within the bounds of donor requirements and set standards of SWCCA. The consultant is expected to estimate all relevant costs for the exercise, including costs for data collectors, vehicle rent, venue, stationary, and accommodation while undertaking activities related to this assignment.

7. Reporting

The consultant will maintain daily contact with the SWCCA team assigned to manage the monitoring activities. The collected data will be analyzed on daily basis by the consultant and given feedback to the teams.

8. Code of conduct

SWCCA’S Code of Conduct sets out the standards to which all staff members must adhere, and the consultant is bound to sign and abide by the Somali Women and Child Care Association’s Code of Conduct.

Qualifications:

1. Proven experience in conducting capacity assessments for NGOs, with a focus on women's rights and empowerment.

2. Demonstrated knowledge of the socio-political context in Somalia and the challenges faced by women's rights organizations.

3. Strong analytical and communication skills.

10. Timeline:

The consultant is expected to complete the assessment within six weeks from the commencement date.

Application Procedure And Requirement

Interested consultants are expected to provide the following documentation:

·         A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TOR, with a specific focus on the scope of work, methodology, and timelines.

·         Initial work plan and an indication of availability.

·         A financial proposal detailing the daily rate expected including accommodation, transportation, stationery, data collectors, research assistance, and all other cost related to this assignment. (Operational and consultancy fees).

·         Company profile or CV including a minimum of 3 references.

·         At least two previously conducted similar studies.

12. Submission:

Qualified consultants are invited to submit their proposals no later than 16 December and should be addressed to [email protected]  with the subject of the email should be “WROs-Capacity Assessment-2023

SWCCA looks forward to engaging a qualified consultant to support our commitment to advancing women's rights and empowerment.