MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND FAMILY (MESAF)
Terms of Reference (ToR) – Drafting of Somaliland Social Protection Policy
Background
The majority of Somaliland’s population live on very low incomes and would benefit significantly from access to Social Protection. The latest estimates of Somaliland’s poverty line in 2013 suggested that the urban poverty rate was 30 percent, while rural poverty was estimated at 37 percent. While poverty lines are a useful metric for measuring progress in tackling poverty, these are problematic for determining social policy since poverty is much more complex than a simple line. Looking at different measures of poverty based on daily per capita consumption, 93 percent of the population in both urban and rural areas were still living on very insecure incomes of Sl. Sh. 13,600 (US $ 1.60) and Sl. Sh. 11,900 (US$ 1.40), respectively. Using the international threshold of PPP $ 1.90 per person per day, in 2017, 78 percent of the population was regarded to live in extreme poverty.
Vulnerabilities in Somaliland are exacerbated by covariate and idiosyncratic shocks faced across the lifecycle, which can cause setbacks in families’ living standards, across entire communities. Recurring droughts have led to the total volume of livestock export decreasing by 45 percent between 2012 and 2017, significantly affecting Somaliland’s markets which rely heavily on livestock exports. Over half of the population in Somaliland relies on pastoralism, who experience loss of land and resources as a result of environmental shocks, leading to forced migration and population displacement. As a result, Somaliland experiences rapid rates of urbanization, leading to the creation of overcrowded informal settlements in which internally displaced persons (IDPs) are faced with limited income-generating opportunities, lack of access to basic services and social infrastructures, such as clean water, schools, and health centers.
The mandate for social protection is embedded within the Department of Social Affairs and Protection in MESAF, which includes a number of programmatic functions related to the broader social sector, including care and protection issues. MESAF established a separate Social Protection Unit in 2018 within the Department of Social Affairs, forming a significant step towards formulating policy for a Social Protection sector, as it prioritised the development of a framework for Social Protection and increase stakeholder dialogue. However, the unit has limited human resource capacity for effective governance oversight and delivery of Social Protection schemes, while further challenges for institutional capacity are created by the many administrative functions within MESAF, including administration, planning, human resources and financing, which operate alongside one another. Moving forward, the concentration of all administration and delivery of schemes within one agency can be more effective for the delivery of Social Protection schemes[1]
Key Stakeholders for Policy Development
Under the overall coordination and leadership of MESAF, potential stakeholders working on social protection programmes in Somaliland will be convened to merge their technical inputs into the policy development phase. Additionally, key partners mandated to support specific target groups will review and contribute to thematic areas of target beneficiaries/groups in the policy.
Some of the Current Social Protection Programmes – Ongoing!
Save the Children International (SCI)
In the absence of government led social protection schemes, Save the Children is implementing large scale humanitarian and long-term safety net cash programming in Somaliland. As part of a child grant pilot funded by Finland, Save the Children, along with the Ministry of Employment, Social Affairs and Family (MESAF) and HAVOYOCO, a local partner, is implementing a four-year child-sensitive child grants, distributed on a monthly basis, to 450 internally displaced persons (IDP) households in Hargeisa. This pilot also includes provisions to support a handover to MESAF, including support for the coordination of social protection as well as the design of social protection systems and schemes. A such, Save the Children staff are engaged in direct capacity building with MESAF, focussed on understanding social protection, its design and implementation.
Concern Worldwide
Concern Worldwide is leading a Social Transfers Programme in a consortium together with SCI. The Social Transfers Programme is a three-year project which will provide cash transfer with the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Hargeisa, Borama, Berbera and Burao. The programme not only assists vulnerable groups of lactating and female-heading households, and elderly with cash installations but also opens up youth for employment channels in collaboration with MESAF. The cash-based transfers will ensure female headed and vulnerable women groups to access nutrition, and health services at local level. Youth will establish a sustainable source of livelihoods and help support elderly fight COVID19. Above all, the programme strengthens the social protection systems capacity of MESAF, specifically the development of social protection policy and schemes.
WFP and UNICEF – Social Protection Schemes
The World Food Programme (WFP) is leading another important social protection programme which targets all groups including the poor and vulnerable to withstand shocks, support fight risks and overcome poverty, vulnerability and exclusion. In close collaboration with UNICEF, WFP aims to strengthen government capacity to establish social protection systems and finally, the programme ensures shocks assessment and monitory frameworks development leads to a holistic approach to building safety nets through partnership.
Target Group
A wider set of groups is impacted by the absence of social safety nets in Somaliland and the below are the most vulnerable:
- Children, female-headed households, elderly, disability, unemployed youth and other excluded and marginalised community members across Somaliland (specific thematic areas of vulnerabilities will be devoted in the social protection policy)
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to work together with the Ministry of Employment, Family and Social Affairs (MESAF) to draft a social protection policy for Somaliland. This will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1.3, which calls on all governments to ‘implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable’.
In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the policy must explore strong emphasis on child sensitive social protection, which encourages that social protection must recognise the long-term developmental benefits of investing in children through addressing specific patterns of children’s poverty and vulnerability
This policy will serve the purpose to build on the recently completed social protection sector scoping study in order to provide direction on the way forward to invest in and strengthen the social protection sector in Somaliland and move toward government-led and owned social protection schemes. In doing so, the Somaliland social protection policy will give coherence to the social protection sector, as mapped out in the sector review, and a way forward, providing the Government and other stakeholders, including the international community, with a vision for future. The policy should result in a shared vision to build social protection systems, providing a pathway forward on: 1) target populations, taking into consideration the context of poverty and vulnerability in Somaliland, throughout the life cycle, 2) identify arrangements for effective implementation, taking into context the current scope of roles and responsibilities among key stakeholders, and building off the best practices and learning of other countries, 3)) outline the way forward for the effective monitoring and evaluation of future investments in social protection; and, 4) make recommendations for plans to build capacity on social protection within the Government of Somaliland, including MESAF and other key stakeholder agencies and ministries. The social protection policy must also consider the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with its long-lasting effects on poverty and vulnerability, climate change, which is resulting in a changing economy, as well as social inequalities, specifically related to gender and disability.
The Social Protection Policy development ensures holistic approach to hosting all potential vulnerable communities’ and target groups across Somaliland six regions include: Maroodi-Jeeh, Sahil, Awdal, Sool, Sanaag, and Togdheer.
Type of Consultancy
To ensure the sustainable use of policy document, step by step consultations of key stakeholders and target groups across Somaliland and the interests and roles of government ministries, MESAF and potential partners supporting the development of social protection version of the policy within agreed timeframe MESAF in collaboration with partners will call for an International Consultancy Firm to work on the development of Somaliland Social Protection Policy in both Somali version and English under the leadership and guidance of MESAF.
Period of Consultancy
- Desk review – 30 May 2021
- Training for MESAF – 15 June 2021
- Consultation workshop with MESAF – 15 June 2021
- Key informant interviews – 30 June 2021
- First draft – 30 July 2021
- Consultation workshop – 30 August 2021
- Second draft – 15 September 2021
- Third draft – 30 September 2021
- Dissemination meeting – 15 October 2021
Logistical and Administrative Support
MESAF, in collaboration with partners, will provide in country logistical and administrative assistance required including but not limited to: transportation within Somaliland, office spaces, stationery, security briefing, obtaining visas to enter Somaliland etc. Moreover, MESAF will facilitate consultations under this assignment by identifying the main stakeholders who need to be consulted and sharing their contact details with the consultancy firm.
Main Deliverables
To draft Somaliland social protection policy, the following deliverables will be considered:
- Conduct thorough review of the social protection sector scoping study, MESAF strategic plans, development plans, including NDP II, and relevant documentation from key stakeholders, including existing interventions in the humanitarian sector.
- Develop a comprehensive work plan for policy development processes and engagements in collaboration with social protection partners and MESAF
- Conduct training on social protection for MESAF staff and key line ministries in order to sensitise key stakeholders on global approaches, design options and financial simulations.
- Conduct consultation workshop with MESAF staff in order to understand the desired direction and scope for social protection in Somaliland.
- Carried out policy consultative meeting in six main regions, one consultative meeting per region
- Conduct key informant interviews with relevant line ministries and key local and international stakeholders in Hargeisa, and virtually to understand operating environment, what is possible and consult on the way forward.
- Provide a first draft of the policy based on above consultations and key informant interviews for submission to MESAF and other key stakeholders for their review.
- Conduct consultation workshop in Hargeisa with all key stakeholders to present and gain feedback on the initial draft of the social protection policy.
- Incorporate feedback from consultation workshop into a second draft for review by MESAF and other key stakeholders.
- Integrate feedback on the draft policy and submit a final policy for pre-validation by MESAF and other key stakeholders.
Travel to Somaliland to present the policy at a dissemination meeting with MESAF and key stakeholders Evaluation Criteria
- Number of years of experience of the team leader of the consultancy firm
- Proven track record of experience in subject matter, as displayed in history of high quality publications
- Experience conducting similar work in the East Africa Region,
- Proven track record, as evident in publications, of advocating for a rights-based approach to inclusive social protection
- Proven track record, as evident in publications, of understanding of child rights, gender disability and other marginalized groups
Payment Details
- Payment will be in accordance with a detailed budget breakdown as submitted through the proposal, and invoices will be expected from the consultant prior to payment.
- MESAF will pay the consultants according to MESAF Procurement policy.
- A contract will be signed by the consultants before commencement of the action. The contract will detail terms and conditions of service, aspects on inputs and deliverables.
- The consultancy fee will be subjected to domestic taxation laws and tax will be deducted from consultants’ final payment.
Qualification and Experience
The consulting firm should meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience in the analysis and design of social protection schemes and national social protection systems and frameworks.
- Extensive experience in evidence based analysis for a rights-based approach to social protection, specifically concerning children.
- Strong understanding, knowledge and experience in conducting and drafting social protection policies, strategies and plans, within the context of Africa.
- Ability to write and communicate complex messages and ideas clearly and effectively.
- Proven understanding and knowledge of the global discourse on social protection.
- Experience in working with Government Ministries and Departments and NGO’s/INGOs/Donors
- Experience in working in Somaliland will be considered an asset
Application requirements
Candidates interested in the position will be expected to provide the following documentation:
- Cover letter
- Detailed technical proposal to ToR, with specific focus addressing the MESAF scope of work, methodology to be used and key selection criteria
- CVs of consultant(s) with a minimum of 3 traceable and recent referees; company profile if relevant
- Detailed financial proposal based on expected daily rates
- Initial work plan and availability of the consultant
- Sample of previous work done. This could be tools, guidelines or approved assignment reports.
| How to Apply |
Interested consultants should submit their applications via email to [indicate the official area specific email].
The applications should be submitted in PDF format as one document comprising Technical and Financial sections as detailed below.
- a) Technical proposal – including but not limited to :
- Consultants understanding of the assignment and context
- Approach to the assignment
- Methodology
- Tools
- Deliverables
- Workplan
- Key staff biodata
- b) Financial proposal – providing a breakdown of all charges related to the assignment.
Applicants should also indicate the date they are available to start working on the consultant
All applications MUST be submitted not later than May 20-2021 to MESAF Planning and Policy Director at planning@sLmesaf.com copying dg@sLmesaf.com – Please make sure to put the subject on ‘ Social Protection Consultant – International’
Download the Terms of Reference (ToR) – Drafting of Somaliland Social Protection Policy (.Doc)
Somaliland Social Protection Policy ToR final[1]
Scoping and Sector Review of Social Protection in Somaliland. Available at file:///C:/Users/Mohamed%20Rashid/Downloads/Scoping_SR_Somaliland_25Feb_PDF.pdf
