Somalia: Consultancy:Market opportunities for Durable Solutions in Kismayo, Moga, Dollow and Baidoa

1. Background and context

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than 30 countries throughout the world. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and its sister organization DDG has been providing relief, humanitarian community safety, and early recovery/development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief. Danish Demining Group (DDG) aims to recreate a safe environment where people can live without the threat of landmines, unexploded ordinances and small arms and light weapons. These goals can be effectively advanced through cooperation and joint action with other organization as well as with integration of operations and programs with its sister organization, the DRC.

In Somalia, DRC is providing relief and development services using a human rights framework, aiming at supporting IDPs, returnees and host communities affected by conflict and natural disasters. Currently, the main sectoral programs include; Food Security and Livelihoods; NFI/Shelter; WASH and Infrastructure, Protection and Advocacy. The organisation also covers projects on Community-Driven Recovery and Safety as well as rapid emergency response on a case-by-case basis. DRC HoA & Yemen 2016 Strategic Program Document is aimed at ensuring synergy and complementarity of all humanitarian interventions in the region.

1. Purpose

In order to asses and find out the opportunities within the market of Kismayo, Dollow, Baidoa, Mogadishu. DRC seeks to commission a skill and livelihood assessment to ascertain potential market absorptions in micro-finance /SME/AGRO. DRC invites qualified professionals in the target field to conduct an assessment with a broad objective of documenting marketable skills considering gender disaggregation within target areas, targeting both formal and informal sectors, with the following specific objectives of to;-

· Assess and identify existing and emerging marketable opportunities for livelihoods/Agriculture & skills within target areas, targeting various sectors of the economy such as Construction, Agriculture, Fishing industry, Livestock sales and Carpentry establishing the expected income per month of each field explored.

· Review existing regulatory frameworks and procedures and document enabling and disenabling factors and how these can be harnessed or strengthened to enhance employability of Skill & livelihoods trainers both private and public sectors

· Document strategies and criteria for targeting Return beneficiaries for training in each of the identified skills and how the opportunities can be exploited for maximum economic gain of the beneficiaries.

• Assess the opportunities for self-employment and challenges in light of the skills training provided, projecting possible means to employment creation and marketing linkages for the youth in these areas.
• Identify packages of tools or relevant start-up materials that each group of trainees would need to be able to establish a business, bearing in mind accessibility, affordability, and profitability for the target group;
• Explore, identify, and recommend appropriate strategies, approaches and processes, to strengthen apprenticeship and/or employment opportunities for the target group of trainees;
• Identify main constraints and opportunities for entry into current and emerging vocational sectors /other livelihoods and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Describe labour security and insecurity in the current and emerging vocational sectors and projected income generating abilities in the different sectors.Recommend appropriate or potential technical/vocational and business skills training service providers and any amendments (structural, physical, pedagogical, etc.) that they would need to make in order to offer the kinds of training recommended by the study.Identify organisations providing the same services in the targeted areas and outline major gaps existing, coming up with relevant recommendations in light of the Durable Solution Project (DSP).
• Map the government of Somalia overall approach, to MICRO FINANACE policy and strategy the target districts

3.SCOPE OF CONSULTANCY**

This consultancy will be conducted in selected locations in Kismayo, Dollow, Baidoa, Mogadishu Dhobley and some of the returnee areas. A detailed analysis of the existing and potential opportunities/Gaps and enabling factors will support youth and women. The consultant will be required to carry out an analysis of how seasonal trends affect markets opportunities in the targeted districts. It would also be important for the consultant to look at the quality, availability and accessibility of various options in the Livelihoods sectors in target areas. The consultant will also be expected to interview service providers and different stakeholders so as to collect information on perceived options and recommendations which the best fit/ pronounce interventions in various areas for the target groups

*Please note that some areas is an insecure environment (level 5) with basic living conditions. Social activities are limited and there are restrictions on movements for security reasons. The candidate should be in good health due to limited health facilities.**

3.1 Key tasks with list of key activities, under each responsibility.

The consultant will undertake the following-

· Develop an inception report, detailing the understanding of the work at hand, the report must clearly show the proposed research plan, methodologies to be employed for the assignment; including time and interview schedules for this exercise. A list of prospective stakeholders anticipated to provide key informant information. The document must project the budget of this assignment, this document should be presented to DRC for review and further inputs before proceeding to the field for data collection.

· Design appropriate data collection tools which addresses the highlighted study objectives using relevant international guidelines and relevant framework(s) to enrich the study. The methodology and data collection will shared with by DRC team for feedback before finalisation.

· Undertake desk review of relevant documents including the proposals; DRC programme management guidelines; Other strategy documents; existing Somalia guidelines; related ILO and Somalia Food Security Cluster documents and any other relevant documents and should take into consideration donor programme guidelines and standards.

· Present an inventory of all opportunities in Target districts– the courses they offer, how long they have been operating for etc.

· Identify microfinance option that can facilitate beneficiaries loans

· Review any governmental policy or strategic documents regarding micro- finance policies and consult with key government officials. Annex policy and strategy documents.

· Conduct a comprehensive field-based assessment using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods based on the purpose and objectives of the consultancy. The consultant should undertake a multi-stakeholder analysis, including relevant line ministries, ILO and Food Security Cluster member organizations, youth and women groups, micro-finance providers, formal and informal sectors, Chamber of Commerce, and any other relevant stakeholders to help gather information that will inform decision making in programming

· Write and present a draft report, capturing key findings against objectives of the assessment to DRC team for review before producing a second draft

· Present a Draft Report (2nd draft report) to DRC and other stakeholders in a feedback workshop to facilitate sharing of the assessment results with a view of incorporating inputs from stakeholders in the final draft

Compile and Submit a Final Assessment Report to DRC as stated in the Consultancy Contract.

1. METHODOLOGY

Given the background and scope of the assignment, the successful consultant would define appropriate qualitative and quantitative methodologies in system development and data management as well as developing tools which address the key components of this assignment. Experience from similar projects/tasks will be

1. EXPECTED OUTPUTS

· A detailed analysis of the employability of the VST/SME/AGRO qualifiers (or employment absorption potential) in various sectors in the target areas

· A clearly enumerated and ranked list of marketable and potential vocational skills in the districts

· A well analysed and documented regulatory framework and any opportunities for partnership to enhance employment**.**

· A clear list of packages of tools or relevant start-up materials that each group of trainees

· Well defined approaches/strategies and outline how these have been tested and are working in areas of intervention

· List of service providers across the intervention areas

6.KEY DELIVERABLES

The Expectations from the Consultant:

i. Debriefing at the end of field work is mandatory with relevant DRC staff

ii. Four (4) bound hard copies of the report

iii. Soft copy of the Report in two (2) CDs.

iv. The consultant will also be required to submit to DRC all assessment materials including:

· Soft copies of all data sets: both quantitative and qualitative

· All filled quantitative data collection tools and qualitative data recording materials. Any other non-consumable documents/items that will be used in the course of the planned consultancy

v. Workshop with donors and other stakeholders: PowerPoint presentation of the draft Assessment report.

7.DRC’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Consultant will be responsible to the Livelihoods Coordinator with technical oversight provided by the M&E Coordinator. DRC staff in assessment areas will provide necessary support to the assessment team, as needed.

DRC will provide the following:

° Transport to and from the field.

° All necessary project documents as requested by the Consultant

° Travel Insurance for the consultant

° Accommodation for consultant in the field.

° Pay consultancy fees at a mutually agreed rate

The terms and conditions of service will follow DRC terms for consultancies. Payment will be according to the finance procedures of DRC.

1. DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

It is anticipated that the assessment will take 30 days from signing of contract, beginning late November. The Consultant/Consultancy Firm should develop a feasible costed-work plan/activity schedule covering a maximum of 20 days, committing to finalize within the period and submit as an integral part of the proposal for this consultancy.

1. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

2. An Advanced Degree in Development Studies/Business Management allowing the candidate to assess the technical value of the vocational skills, institutional management arrangements and the larger socio-economic aspect of the intervention.

3. Experience with vocational training/management training institutions in similar environments.

· Proven experience in labour market assessment carried out is an added advantage

• At least 5 year experience in monitoring, quality control and institutional capacity building efforts and development projects, preferably in post-conflict countries
• A demonstrated understanding and analytical capacity in the identification of issues relating to indicators of performance in development projects.
• Good knowledge of socioeconomic and political dynamics of Somalia, specifically in the major cities

• Excellent report writing skills and ability to meet deadlines

• EVALUATION AND AWARD OF CONSULTANCY

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

11.COMMITMENTS DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).

1. APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested parties should forward the expression of interest, in English on this link: http://www.drc.dk under vacancies, The EOL should Include:-

· CV (s) with details of qualifications, experience, telephone number and names of three referees,

· Technical proposal that summarizes your understanding of the ToR including the proposed methodology.

· Financial proposal providing cost estimates of daily consultancy fees and

· The foreseen work plan for the days. Daily consulting rate is negotiable, although will be commensurate with DRC consultancy terms and standards.

The deadline for submission of EoL is applications 10th April 2018.