Terms of Reference For consultancy service to conduct Conflict, Political, Economic and Security Assessment (COPESA)

1         Introduction & Background

FCA Somalia Country Office is looking for qualified consultant(s) to undertake Conflict, Political, Economic and Security Assessment (COPESA), under ‘MIDEEYE - Support of the National Reconciliation and Local Governance in Somalia’ Project, in April and May 2023, in Burhakaba district, South-West State of Somalia

1.1        Background info on FCA

FCA is the biggest development and humanitarian aid organization in Finland. FCA is currently operating in 13 countries in Asia, Africa and Middle East and is specialized in three thematic priority areas: Right to Peace (R2P), Right to Livelihood (R2L) and Right to Quality Education (R2QE). In Somalia, FCA began its operation in 2007 through support to peace building initiatives in Somaliland and Puntland. Following the success of the interventions, FCA Somalia expanded its operation to other parts of South Central of Somalia in 2013, evolving from community level peace building initiatives to state building and state formation interventions at FGS and FMS levels. FCA Somalia also facilitated the state formation process between 2014 and 2015 which resulted in the formation of the Galmudug State.

At the request of the Somali government and with the generous financial support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA Finland), the FCA Somalia together with the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP) hosted by FCA, provide support to the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR), in leading the development process and implementation of the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) through MIDEEYE project, until end of the year 2024.

1.2        Background info on FCA CO requesting the services

MIDEEYE project is a joint initiative of FCA and NRTP. MIDEEYE, translates as “unifier” from Somali, to illustrate its aim to create trust and social cohesion by strengthening efficiency and inclusivity of governance on several levels. MIDEEYE is aiming to contribute to Somalia’s peacebuilding efforts by addressing need for wholistic reconciliation and strengthening inclusive governance. MIDEEYE’s approach to reconciliation is largely informed by the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF), a strategy document jointly drafted by Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation (MoIFAR), FCA, and NRTP alongside other actors in 2017 and approved by the FGS and cabinet members in 2019. The NRF frames the reconciliatory process in terms of repair of social relationships and the rebuilding of trust between conflicting communities. In order to realize key objectives outlined in the NFR and contribute to national peace and state-building, the FCA defined MIDEEYE goals as follows:  

• Outcome 1: Increasing the capacity of the Federal Government and selected FMS to implement the NFR and thereby strengthening the legitimacy and trust in government institutions, and
• Outcome 2: Improving inclusive governance and administration in selected Federal Member States (FMS) to achieve more effective service delivery, in line with the NFR and Wadajir National Framework for local governance.

The four-year (2021 to 2024) MIDEEYE project supports key government institutions, such as the MoIs and district councils, traditional leaders, leaders of women’s groups, and youth representatives in selected FMS.

2         Objectives

Overall Objectives of the COPESA Assessment

The MIDEEYE project utilizes evidence-based approach to its programming and implementation. Burhakaba district, South-West State of Somalia, has been selected as one of the districts to receive support for the district council formation process (DCF) under the MIDEEYE project. To design and implement a district council formation process that is inclusive to local community stakeholders, mindful of current socio-political realities, and responsive to the priorities and support needs of the stakeholders in Burkhaba district a Conflict, Political, Economic and Security Assessment (COPESA) will be carried out.

Primary purpose of the COPESA is to provide FCA, local partners and government of Somalia, a detailed analysis report to assesses the status of factors and community perceptions, that contribute to design of the DCF process, and provides baseline information for the activities to be carried out. This included description and detailed analysis of 1) conflict mapping; actors and types of conflict present, 2) Existing conflict and dispute resolution mechanisms; and identifies needs for reconciliation efforts and maps ongoing processes, 2) governance, 3) overall state of security and access to justice, and 4) political-economy conditions; including mapping main livelihoods and exiting natural resources.

The assessment further aims to identify community priorities in Burhakaba district in relation areas of the basic service delivery, mitigation/ and resolution of conflict. This community perception of the priorities will feed into analyses of the small quick-impact projects (SQUIP) to be design with the communities to help sustain the newly formed district councils after formation. The SQUIP projects will be gender sensitive and the consultations are expected emphasize the needs of key community stakeholders of the district, inclusive of women, youth and minorities. In addition, assess political economy and security status, and include establishing of a clear picture of political, economic and security situation in the assessment district, and understanding conflict dynamics, historical grievances, and governance structures which can impact the formation of the inclusive district council.

COPESA Assessment Specific objectives for analysis:

COPESA should establish overview of the following areas in the district of Burhakaba:

Conflict assessment: description of the types of conflict and violence present, their root causes, key actors involved, community effects; with particular focus on women, youth and marginalised groups

• Describing existing mitigation measures and conflict resolution practices and alternative dispute resolution mechanism
• Community perception, needs and grievances, including
  • past and present clan conflict drivers and overall conflict dynamics,
  • past peacebuilding efforts (including reconciliation undertakings),
  • actors involved in the region.
• Assess overall district security, including
  • security actors, security providers,
  • accessibility
  • main security challenges,
  • presence of ATMIS, police and SNA forces and other actors
  • safe avenues to implement pre and post district council formation process activities.
  • judiciary systems / institutions, access to justice and dispensation of justice.
• Study existing local administration structures, including:
  • description of authorities and key institutions in the region
  • social services delivery infrastructure andstatus of available social services,
  • current power-sharing arrangements and practices
  • capacity of institutions to provide essential basic
• To identify Small Quick Impact Project (SQUIP) that can address the basic needs of the community with emphasis to inclusivity
• Describe the prevalent means of livelihood, development areas or challenges faced, including identifying:
  • main economic sectors, and types of livelihoods
  • existing natural resources and their current management
  • resources and opportunities available for livelihood development
  • livelihood activities women and youth engage in, and
  • any major challenges or developments affecting these in the district
• Provide information about how vulnerable groups are included to decision making processes in the district (youth, women, IDPs, PwDs, and other minorities)
• Provide information about the existing of media and communications landscapes and central platforms of sources of information for community.

3         Scope of work

• Undertake desk review/secondary analysis of documentation, development and finalizing of data collection tools based on inputs from the team
• Develop detail inception report including study design, sampling and detailed work plan
• Train assessment teams on research instruments and ethical standards
• Undertake fieldwork (field data collection)
• Conduct data analysis interpretation, preparation and submission of draft assessment report
• Incorporate the COPESA assessment report with feedback received from FCA, finalize the report, Presentation of key findings, and submission of the final report.

4         Deliverables

• COPESA assessment inception report detailing the assessment approach, methodology, sampling strategy, workplans, and data collection tools, and presentation of this for project team
• COPESA assessment draft report that summarizes the key findings based on the different themes, conclusions, and practical recommendations.
• PPT slides, summarized version of COPESA report, Final COPESA report that takes into account the comments from the FCA Somalia team. Presentation of final work for project team.

5         Duration of contract

Duration of this contract is one month (30 days).

Service Terms

FCA Somalia country office intends to contract qualified consultant(s) for one month (30 days)

6         Duty Station

The consultant(s) will undertake in-country field work and reporting based on agreed work-plan and methodology. The assessment will take place in Burhakaba district, South-West State of Somalia.

7         Transport & Logistics

The consultant(s) will cover their field transport and accommodation arrangements, translator and/or interpreter needs, focal points and other contact points on the field and other logistical arrangements concerning consultant’s visit(s).

12207 - MIDEEYE Project COPESA ToR - FINAL_

·         Experience in conducting assessments, research, baseline reviews and evaluations on governance and reconciliation related projects in Somalia context.

·         In-depth knowledge of the Somalia context, and knowledge of conflict, political, economic and security processes and approaches.

·         Minimum 10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, with particular focus to quality tools development, qualitative and quantitative data analysis and exceptional report writing skills.

·         Bachelor’s degree in economic statistics, developmental studies, peace and conflict management, or other relevant field, OR

·         Master in economic statistics, developmental studies, peace and conflict management, or other relevant field.

Deadline for submission of offers is 19th April 2023 at 17:00 p.m. (East Africa Time Zone) Candidates must send their offers via email to [email protected] no later than the deadline as aforementioned. Any tenders received after the deadline will not be considered. Candidates must put “Consultancy to Conduct Burhakaba district COPESA” in the subject line of their emails. No tender may be changed or withdrawn after the deadline has passed. The candidate shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the offer and the Contracting Authority will in no case be responsible or liable for these costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the procurement process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Please note, only short-listed candidates will be notified for interview. Thank you!