Request for Proposal Terms of Reference “SAAMEYNTA” Project Focal Points

Background

The “Saameynta – Scaling-Up Solutions to Displacement in Somalia” Project aims to support the Federal Government of Somalia to achieve durable solutions for over 2.6 million displaced people within the country. Forced displacement, cyclical drought, closure of refugee camps in neighbouring countries, recurrent conflicts, forced evictions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated the displacement situation. This project recognises that displacement is a barrier to the improvement of living conditions of the people that experience its misery and prevents those groups from seizing opportunities that, if made available to other poor social groups, would enable them to improve their situation over time. Therefore, addressing protracted displacement in Somalia is an imperative and urgent priority.

While humanitarian assistance continues to be (partially) available to respond to immediate needs, the current displacement situation is both unsustainable and undesirable. It is crucial to find a new and more durable approach to support the IDPs and find alternative solutions to dependency and humanitarian aid. Long-term solutions that will structurally enhance the livelihood situation of the IDPs and their host communities are desperately needed. If protracted urban displacement is not addressed as an urgent matter, IDP settlements in cities may well consolidate as slums marked by exacerbated poverty, protection violations, dire health, and low hygiene conditions.

In particular, this project aims to change the paradigm of displacement interventions by supporting consultative processes of district-level planning, open to DACs. More recently, the completion and subsequent adoption of Somalia’s first National Durable Solutions Strategy marks a major milestone in the efforts aimed at finding a sustainable solution for protracted displacement in the country. This comprehensive document, which is fully aligned with the NDP-9 and other national and regional policies, acts as an operational roadmap that sets out a collective vision to guide the implementation of all durable solutions programming and policies in Somalia over a five-year period starting in 2020.

The complexity and interdependence of the Saameynta project have necessitated a strong integrated approach to the day-to-day management of the project. Thus, the project implementation team consists of the program coordinator representing the UN agencies, the Saameynta funded Focal Points from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), and the Federal Member States (FMS) partners. Thus, representatives from the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization (MoIFAD), Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED), and Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MoPWRH), and alongside the project coordinator, will be responsible for reporting on the progress of the project and will be the points of contact for implementing United Nations (UN) partners and other external stakeholders.

The key objective of the FMS focal points is to act as liaisons between their ministries and the implementing UN agencies by working closely with both their counterparts from the FGS and the FMS as well as the overall project coordinator to ensure improved capacity in key line ministries to better cooperate among themselves and coordinate better with both the implementing UN agencies and state authorities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

 In addition to acting as overall liaisons between the FMS ministries on the one hand and the implementing UN agencies, and federal Government authorities, the focal points will be required to undertake the following specific roles:

• Monitor and follow up on the implementation of the sector-related project activities and provide monthly progress status reports.
• Coordinate the development of all technical tools related to the joint project.
• Coordinate timely submission of reporting requirements to the donor and ensure all joint project partners comply with their reporting requirements.
• Facilitate, supervise, and provide planning and foresight in the day-to-day management and activities of the Saameynta project.
• Facilitate and organize meetings and other project events related to the specific sectors.
• Ensure transparent coordination and regular information-sharing between FGS, FMS, and implementing partners.
• Co-manage communications to external partners related to program activities, including the implementation of a communication strategy that highlights the joint project’s collective efforts.
• Ensure effective engagement with all key partners in Somalia.
• Create a platform for enhanced coordination and cooperation between key line ministries involved in the Saameynta project in each state and between these ministries and the implementing UN agencies.
• Contribute to improving the monitoring and evaluation systems of partners and Government and ensure appropriate adaptation, enhanced quality, and learning.
• Ensure proper documentation of all supportive documents for the project is recorded.
• Participate and contribute to bi-monthly meetings between key Saameynta stakeholders.
• Ensure the annual target of the Saameynta project is successfully reached in the pilot year.
• Any other duties assigned by the line Supervisor.

 Duration

The duration of this position is until 31^st 2023 renewable, subject to the availability of funds and the performance of the focal point.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in working on durable solutions activities/programs
• Experience working in government, international NGOs, UN Agencies, or private sector
• Demonstrated flexibility to work under pressure in a complex and changing environment
• Strong, proactive leadership in complex multi-stakeholder contexts
• Excellent report writing and communication skills
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.

Application Submission

If you are interested, with the expectation to meet the above-required Qualification and experience, please submit your expression of interest CV and Cover Letter via email with the subject of the position title to ismaicil2010@gmail.com before the closing date. Copy to dg.mopic@plstate.so. Closing date 13^th August 2023, at 8:30 AM.