Introduction

The Somali Cash Consortium (SCC) is a consortium of humanitarian organizations working together to provide cash-based transfers to vulnerable households in Somalia. The SCC is led by Concern Worldwide (Concern) as the lead agency and its Implementing Partners (IPs) Save the Children International (SCI), ACTED, COOPI, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and IMPACT Initiatives. The SCC aims to provide cash transfers (MPC) to vulnerable households affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters in Somalia and implements both short-term humanitarian assistance and long-term social safety net programmes. MPCA allow beneficiaries to purchase the items they need most urgently, whether it be food, shelter, or other basic necessities. By providing cash transfers instead of in-kind aid, the SCC aims to empower beneficiaries to make their own choices and support local markets.

The SCC also works closely with local partners and community-based organizations to ensure that the cash transfers reach those who need them most. To ensure the continued success of these interventions, it is essential to strengthen the technical capacity of local partners involved in cash programming. To this end, SCC seeks to recruit a Technical Advisor who will provide technical accompaniment in the implementation of a comprehensive capacity development plan, designed to enhance the ability of national NGOs to effectively deliver cash assistance programs.

Under HIP 2024, DG ECHO awarded the SCC to implement a 15 month Integrated Implementation of Multipurpose Cash Assistance to respond crisis-affected Somali Households. This Terms of Reference is part of the Result 2.

Background and Rationale

Humanitarian crises in Somalia present complex challenges, necessitating multi-sectoral responses. The Somali Cash Consortium (SCC) plays a critical role in delivering Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) to vulnerable households, addressing immediate needs such as food, shelter, and other essentials. MPCA is unconditional and unrestricted, providing beneficiaries with the flexibility to use cash in ways that best meet their priorities. However, to fully optimize the impact of cash assistance, it must be integrated with other sectors such as nutrition, WASH, health, and protection through effective referral systems.

Somalia's operational environment—characterized by resource constraints, logistical challenges, and security concerns—requires a dynamic and adaptive management approach to effectively deliver cash-based interventions. In this context, it is essential to not only distribute cash assistance but also ensure that the local organizations involved in these interventions have the technical capacity to manage and implement these programs successfully.

The SCC is committed to building the capacity of local partners—including GREDO, LLG, SSWS, and PNWDO—to deliver cash programming that aligns with international standards. This effort is a core part of SCC's broader strategy under the Humanitarian Implementation Plan 2024 (HIP 2024), funded by DG ECHO, which aims to enhance the effectiveness of cash-based assistance by strengthening local capacities. This initiative follows the findings of the Humanitarian Capacity and Competency Assessment (HCCA) conducted in 2024.

SCC is currently seeking a Technical Advisor to oversee the implementation of a capacity development plan aimed at enhancing the abilities of local partners to deliver cash programming. This role will include mentoring, training, and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure that local NGOs are equipped to respond to the needs of crisis-affected populations efficiently and effectively.

The Technical Advisor will also play a key role in promoting real-time learning by facilitating continuous feedback and adaptive adjustments to the cash transfer mechanisms. By ensuring the alignment of operational procedures with the SCC’s overall strategy, the Technical Advisor will contribute to improving the delivery modalities of cash assistance and ensuring that the interventions remain relevant and impactful in Somalia’s volatile and challenging context.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical accompaniment to local partners by overseeing the implementation of a capacity development plan. The plan was designed based on the Humanitarian Capacity and Competency Assessment (HCCA) conducted by SCC in August-September 2024. This capacity-building initiative aims to enhance the ability of national NGOs to effectively deliver cash-based interventions within the SCC framework. The objectives are:

The objectives of this consultancy are:

1. Capacity Development of Local Partners: Provide technical assistance to GREDO, LLG, SSWS, and PNWDO to improve their implementation of cash-based programming.

2. Review of Operational Procedures: Ensure the optimization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to cash transfers.

3. Training and Workshops: Organize targeted training sessions and capacity-building workshops based on the needs identified during the HCCA assessment.

4. Collaboration and Co-Design: Work with partner NGOs to co-design activities aimed at strengthening their capacity to deliver cash assistance.

5. Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly evaluate the progress of capacity development efforts, providing recommendations for improvements and identifying challenges to success.

Scope, research approach and principles of the evaluation

The Technical Advisor will perform the following tasks:

• Mentoring and Technical Support: Provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to partner organizations in line with the capacity development plan.

• SOP Review and Enhancement: Review and update existing LNAs SOPs to improve the operational efficiency of cash programming.

• Training Delivery: Develop and deliver specialized cash trainings tailored to the operational needs of each local partner.

• Progress Monitoring: Conduct regular assessments to monitor capacity-building progress and ensure alignment with SCC’s overall strategy.

• Reporting: Provide periodic reports to the SCC summarizing the outcomes of technical support activities, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future improvements.

Expected Outcomes

• Capacity Development Plan Implementation: Oversee and report on the successful implementation of the SCC’s capacity development plan.

• Training Sessions: Conduct training sessions for local NGOs based on the results of the HCCA assessment conducted by SCC. Trainings are related to basics on cash programming.

• SOP Review Report: Conduct review and optimize SOPs for the LNAs to be aligned with CASH Calp policies and standards as well as cash delivering framework in Somalia.

• Technical accompaniment: The consultant will solve doubts, questions from the partners on cash programming.

• Progress Reports: Submit monthly progress reports detailing accomplishments, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.

Work jointly with local partners and SCC mentoring partners on the strengthening of cash capacities for local partners.

Duration and location

The consultancy is expected to last for 5 months, starting in [January 2024]. The consultant will be based in Mogadishu, with frequent travel to Nairobi and potential travel to regional areas where SCC partners operate.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in humanitarian assistance, development studies, or a related field.

• At least 7 years of experience in cash-based programming, and relevant experience on capacity-building.

• Proven experience working in fragile and conflict-affected settings, particularly in Somalia or similar contexts.

• Demonstrated expertise in the development and delivery of training and mentoring programs for local NGOs.

• Familiarity with donor guidelines, particularly ECHO-funded guidelines on CASH and CALP standards.

• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.

How to apply

The firm/ consultant that fits the requirements should submit an expression of interest in English that is a maximum of 10 pages long and should include the following:

• A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TOR, with a specific focus on the specific objectives, deliverables, and key selection criteria for respondents

• Field work: Information gathering/consultation and data analysis

• A financial proposal detailing the itemized breakdown of the consultancy work, i.e. the number of days and day rates (USD)

• Methodology and Implementation Plan

• Company profile and CVs of the core experts that sufficiently demonstrate his/her background in Policy and Advocacy research (maximum of 3 pages per CV, as annex and not included in the page limit)

• Samples of similar work undertaken by the company or the lead consultant.

• List of at least 3 client references for similar work undertaken by the company or the lead consultant.

• Initial work plan based on realistic timelines.

• Samples of similar work undertaken by the company or the lead consultant (as an annex, not included in the page limit).

All submissions must be addressed to the HR/Procurement manager, Concern Worldwide, Somalia to the following email address: [email protected] with the subject of the email as ‘Somali Cash Consortium – ‘Somali Cash Consortium MPCA Real Time Evaluation (RTE) in Somalia by 26 November midnight (Somali time, i.e. EAT/GMT +3).

Note on Safeguarding: Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a consultancy opportunity with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their consultancy contract. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to ensuring safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, being engaged as a consultant with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, which may include criminal background checking.

Note on intellectual property: The evaluation information and report will be the intellectual property of Concern. Its content can be shared with third parties only with Concern’s consent. Sensitivities to confidentiality must be respected. Names and identifiable data associated with any particular quotes or experiences should not be cited. The evaluation team, if collecting any personal data will anonymize the information to avoid any unintended harm.

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