BASELINE SURVEY FOR SOMALIA DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS & RESILIENCE PROGRAMME 100 views0 applications

1. Background

Diakonia[1] is an international development organization founded in Sweden by independent churches. The organization currently works in 25 countries in Africa, Latin America, Middle East and Asia by supporting local partners. Diakonia’s vision is a world where all people live in dignified circumstances in a just and sustainable world free from poverty. Our mission is to change unfair political, economical, social and cultural structures that hinder women and men from living their lives in dignified circumstances.

Diakonia focuses on 6 thematic/intervention areas namely Human Rights, Democracy, Gender Equality and Social & Economic Justice, Conflict and Justice and Emergency Response and Disaster Resilience

The Somalia Country Programme started in 1994, working with the civil society and the local authorities, largely in Puntland and Central South Somalia, in the areas of education, democracy and human rights. The mainstay of the Somalia Country Programme funding comes from the SIDA, European Union and UN Agencies among others.

1. The Somalia Democracy, Human Rights & Resilience Programme

The new programme application, dubbed, “Somalia Democracy, Human Rights & Resilience Programme” was developed after having numerous discussions with local partners, government authorities and international organisations, both in Kenya and in Somalia. The new application’s goal is contributing to democratic state building and disaster resilience in Somalia. The objective of the proposed programme is to improve democratic participation and governance; improve respect for human rights and enhance disaster risk management in Puntland and South West States of Somalia.

The programme results are:

1. Result One: Improved inclusive participation and accountability in 15 districts;
2. Result Two: Increased awareness and respect for human rights in 15 districts;
3. Result Three: Enhanced disaster risk management in 15 districts;
4. Result Four: Partners have strengthened capacity to contribute to democratic state building and disaster resilience.

The thematic areas covered by the new programme application include;

In Result One *“Level of inclusive participation and accountability has improved in 15 districts”*, the programme will focus on the decentralisation process according to the Wadajir Framework to support the formation of district councils; district gender and conflict analyses to improve interventions; awareness campaigns on district council formation; district reconciliation (Quraca Nabadda); strengthen the capacity of the district councils on governance, structures, revenue collection, functions, roles & responsibility, transparency & accountability, service, delivery and by-laws; civic education for district administration; development of the District Development Framework; digitalisation of youth & women participation in governance.

In Result Two, “Increased awareness and respect for human rights in 15 districts”, the programme will address the widespread human rights violations in Puntland and South West State, by increasing the awareness and recognition of human rights violations; reducing levels of abuse and discrimination against women, children, IDP and minority groups; improve the capacity of human rights defenders.

In Result Three, *“Enhanced disaster risk management in 15 districts*”, the programme looks to address the perennial disaster caused by droughts, floods and conflicts, by setting up a safety net in the target districts to reduce the vulnerability of the rights holders to drought and flood related disasters; establish adaptation and mitigation strategies for climate change and establish disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans for each of the districts; and address the issue land and property rights for women and men.

In Result Four, “Partners have strengthened capacity to contribute to democratic state building and disaster resilience.” Capacity building of partner organizations is a core component of Diakonia added value in its partnerships with local organizations. This will be done through accompaniment of partners throughout the implementation period; and addressing specific capacity gaps identified in the partner organizations.

The new programme would be looking at working with 13 partners – 10 in Puntland State and 3 in South West State.

1. Purpose

The main objective of the assignment is to assess the current situation in Puntland and South West States in relation to the programme and establish benchmark indicators to refine the logical framework analysis, inform the monitoring and evaluation plan and form the platform for impact evaluation.

1. Scope of work

Taking into consideration the programme document and the context in Puntland and South West State, the assignment will look into;

1. Collection of Baseline Information: Baseline information required for refining the logical framework analysis (LFA); for the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan, in accordance with the Diakonia PME Handbook and form the platform for impact evaluation; security baseline survey for Puntland and South West States should be included and is expected form part of the pre-conditions and assumptions in the LFA;

2. Chapters on specific thematic areas: The consultant will include in the baseline report the following chapters;

o A chapter on taxation and budgeting in federal states and land/property rights , to advise on baselines and focus of the programme on accountability and participation

o A chapter on democracy and good governance, to advise on baselines, with a particular focus on women and youth participation in governance and the possibility of using digital platforms to enhance participation;

o A chapter on the human rights (HR) situation that looks into existing mechanisms for monitoring, reporting, investigation and response to HR violations; the status of child labour prevention, child soldier rehabilitation, juvenile justice status, judicial systems role in HR prevention and human rights defense;

o A chapter on post-conflict governance, to provide information on how to structure the interventions in strengthening existing conflict resolution institutions;

o A chapter on the status of resilience, livelihoods and human security, to establish baselines and focus the intervention on reducing the vulnerability of rights holders to conflict, natural and manmade hazards and advise on the possibilities of relevant safety nets.

1. Methodology

The following methodologies are expected to be employed, however, the consultant is also at liberty to employ a methodology that is deemed effective and produces similar results:

a) Desk review of background literature and statistics- e.g. relevant Diakonia background documents including its steering documents[2], review and evaluation reports, partner project documents and country programme reports. Also review external documents including National, regional and international human rights instruments, Government development plans and global targets in SDGS[3], provisions of the new Constitution, Civil society (CSO/ CBO, INGO) reports and research papers, government statistics, The Somalia Compact, SIDA and Swedish Embassy documents;

b) Focus Group Discussions – Focus Group Discussions will be held at partner level and beneficiary level;

c) Semi-Structured Interview (SSI) – SSI will be carried out with partners and beneficiaries and government institutions;

d) Key Informant Interviews – This method is important to capture the views and professional opinions of people who know about the circumstances on the ground. This will include project officers, heads of partner organizations, government officials, clan elders, business people and opinion leaders;

e) Primary Data analysis – Data gathered using various methods and tools have to be collated, analyzed and interpreted systematically. The consultant will be expected to come up with detailed data/information analysis methods;

1. Outputs & Deliverables

The following outputs and deliverable are expected;

a) Baseline survey report that provides baseline information, indicators and targets for the Somalia Rights Programme and provides a framework for monitoring and evaluation.

b) The chapter on democracy & good governance (10-15 pages maximum)

c) The chapter on taxation, budgeting, land rights and property rights (10-15 pages maximum)

d) The chapter on human rights (10-15 pages maximum)

e) The chapter on post-conflict governance (10-15 pages maximum)

f) The chapter on resilience, livelihoods and human security (10-15 pages maximum)

g) Other documents related to the assignment – raw and refined statistical data, interview notes, meeting minutes, etc.

1. Assignment Time Schedule

The assignment will carry on for 30 consecutive man-days. Detailed time schedules will be discussed and prepared at onset of the assignment.

1. Requirements & Qualifications

The consultant should have the following requisite qualifications;

a) Education in social sciences or equivalent (with emphasis on research and analysis, organizational development and strategic management);

b) At least 6 years experience working with development assistance particularly with civil society in Africa. Expertice or work experience in Somalia is an added advantage;

c) Excellent coordination abilities and an excellent team player;

d) Proven understanding and experience of rights based programming and progressive theories of change, participatory approaches as well as conflict sensitive approaches to development.

e) A good understanding of Diakonia’s thematic areas of Democracy, Socio-economic justice Human rights, Gender equality , Democratization, Peace and reconciliation. This includes:

i. Knowledge in governance and social justice reforms given the political, social and economic situation in Somalia and the region, including global trends;

ii. Experience in carrying out baseline studies for democracy, human rights programmes and resilience programmes;

iii. An understanding and experiences with regard to policy issues and frameworks for poverty reduction strategies in Somalia as well as conceptual understanding of the current international development issues and paradigms;

iv. Understanding of the private sector and academia and their potential linkage or contribution to the civil society sector growth.

[1] More information in www.diakonia.se

[2] Policy, strategic plan and PME handbook, global strategic framework

[3] In line with Paris declaration principles and Accra Agenda for Action