1.    BACKGROUND

CARE is a humanitarian non-governmental organization committed to working with poor women, men, boys, girls, communities, and institutions to have a significant impact on the underlying causes of poverty. CARE seeks to contribute to economic and social transformation, unleashing the power of the most vulnerable women and girls.  CARE has been providing emergency relief and lifesaving assistance to the Somali people since 1981. CARE is implementing three mutually supportive programs and are designed along the humanitarian-development nexus: Education and Gender Equality: Builds the capacity of government institutions to provide gender responsive education services while building adolescents and young people’s life skills. It strengthens the capacity of feminist organizations and Savings Groups Networks and supports their collective advocacy. Climate Justice and Food, Water, and Nutrition: Contributes to increased food security and an improved nutritional status of vulnerable populations through promoting gender-responsive, climate-smart and sustainable crop and livestock production, diversifying livelihoods, linking pastoralists and smallholder farmers with financial services and markets, promoting WASH and nutrition, and strengthening early warning systems and family and community contingency planning. Humanitarian Assistance: Provide a wide range of humanitarian services covering food security and economic recovery as well as education, health, nutrition, WASH, and protection in emergencies, ensuring investments into recovery. We will continue to contribute to humanitarian coordination and promote gender-responsive emergency assistance with the help of Rapid Gender Assessments and the promotion of women’s leadership in response.

1.    PROJECT SUMMARY

The Maamul-Wadaag consortium brings together Stichting CARE Nederland (CARE Nederland), CARE International Belgium in Somalia (CARE Somalia), the Somali Youth Development Network (SOYDEN), and the Puntland Youth Associations Network (PYAN). The Maamul-Wadaag consortium aims to strengthen the capacity of local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on accountable leadership, while elevating their voices and facilitating effective participation to cultivate their ability to support inclusive governance and influence key policy processes to improve service delivery in Somalia. As non-government and non-market actors, CSOs are in a unique position to foster collaboration among relevant stakeholders, influence agenda-setting and hold the government and private sector accountable for their promises and actions. The Somali Government has made impressive strides to approve the CSO Act, which is currently being implemented in Puntland and Southwest States. However, inclusive governance continues to be undermined by corruption, changing government structures, political interference, limited transparency and patriarchal mindsets among government institutions, while local CSOs face ongoing challenges that undermine their effectiveness, legitimacy, coordination and community engagement. The Maamul-Wadaag consortium recognises the challenges CSOs face in gaining legitimacy in key policy processes with local authorities and is therefore keen to strengthen target CSOs’ institutional capacity, effectiveness, transparency and legitimacy. Our approach is address CSOs’ institutional capacity gaps, support women’s leadership and promote gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized groups through targeted training and specialized technical assistance for local and national level policy advocacy, as well as effectively mobilizing local CSOs networks. By addressing key bottlenecks and capacity gaps within CSOs, the action will empower these locally led institutions to effectively engage with government in designing and implementing timely and viable development plans, programs and policies, for the benefit of target communities and vulnerable groups in particular.

Overall Objective: to strengthen local CSOs in Somalia as independent actors of good governance and development in their own right. This is envisaged to be accomplished through two specific objectives: 

1.            To strengthen local CSOs' capacities to engage in policy dialogue, advocacy, implementation, and monitoring of national development plans and programmes.

2.            To increase local CSOs’ capacities to advance gender equality and support more inclusive governance.

1.    OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY      

CARE Somalia is seeking to procure the services of a consultant to conduct Public Policy Development Trainings for CSOs under the Maamul Wadaag project in the target locations (Puntland, South-West States and Banadir Regional Administration). The objective of this consultancy is to empower Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to effectively engage in national development by training them on public policy development processes.  This training will focus on the four key stages:

·         Identifying the issue: How to recognize and define the problem a policy aims to address.

·         Policy formulation: The process of developing and drafting the actual policy.

·         Policy implementation: Putting the policy into action and managing its execution.

·         Policy evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and impact of the implemented policy.

By understanding these stages, CSOs will be better equipped to analyze, monitor, and contribute to government planning, budgeting, and implementation, ultimately strengthening their advocacy for public participation in policy development.  The consultancy will deliver one training session in each state, covering all four stages.

2.    OBJECTIVE OF THE TRAINING

The overall objective of this training is to enhance the capacity of CSOs to effectively participate in and influence public policy development processes, including District Development Planning (DDP). Specifically, the training will:

·         Equip CSOs with a solid understanding of the public policy cycle, from agenda setting to policy implementation and evaluation.

·         Familiarize CSOs with the legal and institutional framework governing public policy development in [Country/Region].

·         Build the capacity of CSOs to analyze policy issues, formulate policy recommendations, and engage with policymakers.

·         Provide CSOs with practical skills and tools for participating in DDP processes, including needs assessment, planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring.

·         Enhance CSOs' understanding of stakeholder engagement and advocacy strategies for influencing public policy.

·         Foster networking and collaboration among CSOs working on similar policy issues.

3.    TARGET AUDIENCE:

The target audience for this training includes representatives from CSOs operating in Puntland, Banadir and Southwest Somalia, who are involved in or interested in engaging with public policy development and DDP. Participants should ideally have some basic understanding of community development and local governance.

4.    SCOPE OF WORK

·         Prepare a contextualized training manual, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and links to deliver effective training for CSOs to use and apply the intended outcome of the training. 

·         Deliver the training program for participants as per the plan scheduled in close consultation with CARE Program Staff. The training will be conducted in three (3) different locations; Mogadishu, Badioa and Garowe.

·         Work closely with the CARE program team to develop a training plan with deliverables and an agenda for each session, which the CARE Program Manager should approve.

·         Use appropriate methods and tools to make sure the trainees thoroughly undertake the training.

·         Prepare and submit a detailed report on the training program, along with photographs demonstrating the training's progress.

5.    EXPECTED DELIVERIES

The consultant will be responsible for defining and carrying out the training. This will include the design of the methodology, development of the training material/topics and delivering the training in the target locations. Specifically, the consultant shall carry out the following activities:

·         Conduct pre-training and post-training evaluations of the training and include the results in the main report.

·         Prepare training materials: including developing a methodological note that outlines the overall training process Review and adapts training materials in coordination with the Maamul Wadaag Team. Prepare presentations and handouts.

·         Prepare the final agenda for the training. 

·         Provide all the necessary tools and materials to enable participants to undertake training.

·         Training report capturing topics covered.

·         Prepare and submit the final report at the end of the training regarding the delivery of the training programme.

·         Providing all necessary tools and materials to enable participants to undertake the training.

·         Preparing a training report capturing topics covered.

·         Submitting the final report at the end of the training regarding the delivery of the training program.

6.    ROLE OF CARE SOMALIA

CARE will have the following functions: provide oversight, supervision and coordination of the assignment; coordinate document reviews and approval of all deliverables as per the terms of reference; and arrange for logistics for field visits. The consultant will report to the project manager and dedicated project staff will be assigned to support the consultant team in coordinating the training to provide necessary information for planning purposes. Logistical and administrative support will be provided, for example, office working space, transportation or associated expenses during the field visits.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1884oXXOLF4McMl_VhzwFeZwe5COPp-jQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115533651511802987104&rtpof=true&sd=true

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nAjtPROwxXePjqJ5lMo87NCnHSj8CZ1G/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115533651511802987104&rtpof=true&sd=true

1.    PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANCY FIRM

The potential consultant/expertise is required to meet the following minimum requirements to qualify for the submission of his/her proposal. 

• Master’s degree or equivalent in environment protection, disaster preparedness and resilience

• Experience in development programs, particularly those focusing on youth, women and excluded groups.

• Articulate, professional, and able to communicate clearly with participants and staff; strong writing skills required.

• Highly developed interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work well with others.

• Fluent in English and Somali

 How to apply

2.    SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL

Submission Information / How to Apply

All applicants must submit their technical proposals along with the other requirements and complete accordingly. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above; those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered.

Each application package should include the following:

1.    An application letter addressing the selection criteria, including how the firm’s/group’s previous experience matches the consultancy objectives as well as the interest in the position. The letter should be no longer than two pages.

2.    Technical proposal.

3.    Financial proposal clearly providing professional fees ONLY.

4.    A sample of a recently written report for a similar assignment.

5.    Updated CVs for all consultants, including relevant work experience and qualifications.

6.    Contact details of three references.

7.    Other requirements as specified in the selection criteria.

Please send your complete RFP, technical and financial proposals (professional costs only) to this email address: [email protected], clearly marking the subject line “Training for CSOs on public policy development processes.” Applications must be submitted no later than February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM EAT.