Somalia: CONSULTANCY TO DEVELOP A PROTECTION STRATEGY FOR DRC SOMALIA PROGRAM

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an independent, non-governmental organization (NGO), founded on the basis of humanitarian and human-rights principles to ensure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and to promote long-term solutions to the problems of forced displacement.

In line with this vision, DRC has been working in Somalia since 1997 and is among the INGOs with the largest presence in Somalia, with country-wide programs implemented through six main sub offices in Somaliland and Puntland in the north and in Hiraan Region, Gedo Region, Bay Region and Banadir Region in South and Central Somalia.

Within its broad portfolio, DRC supports refugees, migrants, internally displaced populations and other persons affected by crises in both urban and rural settings. DRC implements activities in Somalia in the following sectors: WASH, Shelter and Non Food Items (NFIs); Protection; Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL). In Protection, the key program components include GBV prevention and response, child protection, mixed migration programming, profiling and provision of assistance to IDP and refugee voluntary returnees. In WASH, key areas include provision of water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene awareness and promotion. Shelter focuses on construction of emergency, semi-permanent and permanent shelters and sanitation facilities. FSL focuses on the building and rehabilitation of communal assets through cash for assets, vocational skills training and small micro business targeting women headed households. In addition, DRC supports farmers with agricultural inputs and training in the use of drought tolerance crops.

Major lessons drawn from implementing these programs show that there is need for an integrated Protection Strategy which guides the protection programming as well as protection mainstreaming. In this regard, DRC is seeking a qualified consultant to work closely with DRC staff to review existing programs, carry out field assessment and develop a Protection Strategy that will be used to achieve protection results.

1. PURPOSE

The objective of the Consultancy is to develop a Protection Strategy for DRC Somalia program for the period 2016- 2018.

The consultant will provide technical expertise to guide a comprehensive process of developing a well-grounded Protection Strategy together with an Implementation Plan as well as Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The strategy should integrate existing policies such as the Regional and country strategic Program documents and global standards on protection.

Specifically, the objectives of the consultancy is:

1. To develop a comprehensive and inclusive Protection Strategy for DRC Somalia Program
2. To prepare a costed Implementation Plan including an effective coordination mechanism
3. To prepare a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
4. To propose a resource mobilization strategy for implementation of the strategy.

2.1. Scope of consultancy

The consultancy will be conducted primarily in Somalia and will include meetings with DRC staff and key stakeholders in selected locations in Somalia (Baidoa, Hargeisa, Mogadishu, Bosaso, Beletwyene and Dollow) and at the Regional Office in Nairobi.

The development of the Strategy will focus on the following elements:

1. Carry out a Protection risks & trends (context analysis) by assessing current protection interventions and identifying protection concerns, the target groups and target areas most at risk as wells as persons most in need of protection interventions
2. Assess capacity and willingness of duty-bearers on protection programming and document resulting gaps and opportunities in protection (such as service provision, capacity building & advocacy).
3. Explore and document plans of and complementarity with other international & national/local humanitarian and development actors.
4. Review and document Protection related National/international plans and policies, regional / national humanitarian response plans; Protection Cluster and other relevant cluster’s response plans etc.
5. Define Protection overall and specific objectives, outcomes, outputs /Results and activities including target Groups and Target Areas /Location.
6. Appraise the linkage of protection activities with other sector activities and clearly establish how protection mainstreaming can be achieved.
7. Prepare a comprehensive and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the strategy;
8. Prepare a costed Implementation Plan including an effective coordination mechanism. The plan should also identify enabling factors (‘what needs to be in place for the Strategy to be implemented)

2.2. Key tasks/activities

The consultant will:

1. Develop an inception report detailing the process, data-collection methodologies, questionnaires and tools to be used for this assignment. The inception report should include a detailed workplan with time schedules for interviews, FGDs etc. The inception report will be discussed with DRC before finalisation.
2. Conduct inception briefing with key DRC staff before the commencement and at the end of the assignment.
3. Undertake a desk review of all relevant documentation including Regional Strategic Plan document, project documents, DRC program handbook, and other relevant policy documents and guidelines.
4. Conduct comprehensive field work to achieve the purpose/objectives of the assignment as detailed in the inception report, including separate and joint sessions with individual staff and partners.
5. Facilitate briefing at area offices and one key workshop in Nairobi to discuss the strategy
6. Prepare and submit final a comprehensive Protection Strategy for DRC Somalia Program 2016-2018

2.3. Methodology

• Conduct a desk review of relevant documents to provide insights from the past interventions from various organizations/individuals aimed at incorporating learning’s from the past experiences.
• Review and document best practices and lessons learnt on protection interventions
• Design all the necessary tools required to collect data from the field
• Carry out a SWOT analysis of DRC protection program.
• Adopt participatory approaches to collect livelihood data/ information from different sources including group discussions, key informant with focal persons and direct interviews/ visits to specific locations such as Mogadishu, Hargiesa, Dollow, Bosaso, Beletwyene and Baidoa.
The consultant is required to provide a detailed methodology and techniques to be used to carry out the assignment, to be discussed and agreed upon with DRC.

2.4. Key deliverables/outputs

• Inception report detailing the process, information collection methodologies and techniques to be used for this assignment, as well as the assignment workplan
• Facilitate 1 workshop each at area level (Mogadishu, Hargiesa, Dollow, Bosaso, Beletwyene and Baidoa) with DRC staff and one in Nairobi.
• A user-friendly Protection Strategy document developed in the format to be discussed with DRC. 2.5. Drc Responsibilites
The consultant will be supported by DRC staff throughout the assignment period.
In Somalia DRC will provide accommodation, transport, travel insurance and security arrangements.

3.REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

1. The Consultant will report to the Protection Manager. Reference will be made to other DRC staff from time to time in relation logistical and security arrangements. 4.DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
   The overall duration of the assignment is 45 days spread over a period of two months preferably between April and May 2016.

5.EXPECTED PROFILE OF CONSULTANT

Applicants are expected to be highly qualified professionals in possession of the following requirements:

• Advanced university degree in Refugee Law, Migration Studies, International Development, Humanitarian Assistance or related fields;

• Strong background in Protection Programming/interventions

• Work experience in conflict contexts; previous experience in Somalia and/or with Somali refugees, migrants or asylum seekers would be an asset.

• Experience of preparation of wide range of program strategies for diverse audiences

• Proficiency with qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation methods (including FGDs, structured and semi-structured interviews etc.)

• Ability to travel to Somalia/ Somaliland to undertake field work

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English
  TERMS & CONDITIONSThe Consultant must be willing and able to travel to conduct fieldwork in major towns in Somalia listed in this document. The consultant will be bound by and must adhere to all DRC security procedures while in Somalia.

GENERAL COMMITMENTS

1. DRC adopts 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)

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest including:
i. A suitability statement and CV of participating consultant(s) with details of qualifications and experience.
ii. A 5,000-word writing sample from a recent report or paper on a topic related to the assignment.
iii. Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be adopted.
iv. Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule.
v. Financial proposal providing cost estimates (both administrative and professional fees).
vi. Contacts of three organisations that have recently contracted the applicant to carry out similar assignment.

All applications should be send via DRC recruitment portal https://www.drc.ngo/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies by March 10,2016.