Background and context
ActionAid International Somaliland (AAIS) is part of global federation working to end
poverty and injustice with thousands of communities and millions of people across the
planet. Actionaid International Somaliland (AAIS) has been working in Somaliland since 1992; it has
been committed to putting the active agency of people living in poverty and exclusion first to bring
about transformative and sustainable changes to their lives.
The organization works in three regions of Somaliland Maroodi-Jeex, Togdheer and Sanaag to fulfil
its mission of eradicating poverty and injustice through focusing on the four Strategic Objectives;
women rights, Community Resilience Building, Promoting Economic Alternatives and Education..
Country Context:
The republic of Somaliland, a former British Protectorate received its independence from
Britain in 26th June 1960 and five days later joined with the former Italian Somalia/south to
create the unitary state of the Republic of Somalia. After 30 years unity, following a brutal
civil war, the Republic of Somaliland unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in
1991. Since its proclamation Somaliland has been striving for international recognition as a
separate sovereign state.
Despite, the lack of international recognition Somaliland has many of the attributes of a
state, with a constitution, a functional parliament and government ministries, an army, a
civil police force, a judiciary and multiple political parties.
About the project/program
“Empowering Women/Girls in Somaliland to Claim their Rights” is a four year project (April
2013-March 2017) funded by Big Lottery Fund, implemented by AAIS, WAAPO and SCDO
This project aims to empower 11,385 of the most vulnerable women in Somaliland to
exercise their human rights through the below outcomes
I. Outcome one (Education): Enhanced literacy and numeracy levels of women, leading
to women's increased self-esteem and ability to improve their life opportunities
socially, politically and economically)
II. Outcome two (Economic Opportunities): Improved household income for women
leading to improved self-esteem enhanced economic empowerment and increased
control over their lives)
III.
Outcome three (Enhanced security): Improved access to justice leading to enhanced
security for women in Somaliland)
IV. Outcome four (Increased political representation: Enhanced political awareness of
women, supporting them to exercise their political ambitions and enabling them to
better demand their rights) leading to an increased ability to control their lives and
support their families.
The project is expected to provide 2,720 women from IDP camps and minorities with
literacy and numeracy, and support 270 women to establish and grow their own businesses
through the provision of vocational and business skills training.
The project will increase women’s access to justice in the three project areas of Burao,
Erigavo and Hargeisa, directly supporting 1,200 victims of GBV to access comprehensive
package of services through trained paralegals; and promote improvements in service
provision for GBV victims, through engaging with key public sector personnel, and through
lobbying for improvements in specific women-friendly facilities within police stations, health
centres and law courts.
The project will support 115 members of women grassroot coalitions on leadership and
coalition management as well as advocacy and campaigning. Each coalition will further raise
the awareness of 120 women within their communities on political participation over the
lifetime of the project, reaching a total of 2,760 women. Moreover, 270 women civic and
parliamentary candidates will be provided with training on political campaigning, and will be
supported to access electoral spaces within political parties and run for office.
The project will also engage with key stakeholders and decision makers, particularly
community and religious leaders to promote women’s rights and encourage use of the
formal legal system. Targeting key agents of change, the project will raise the knowledge
and understanding of women’s legal, political and human rights with 3,780 university
students from the three areas through facilitating peer led awareness raising campaigns
within universities. Campaigns will also be delivered through local markets and other
commercial areas, raising awareness of 270 businesswomen.
Purpose of Mid Term Review
To measure the progress against project outcomes, identify key successes and
achievements, and suggest solutions to any challenges identified, an external consultant will
be engaged at the end of year 2. The consultant is expected to interact with project
stakeholders and review the project documents such as proposal and reports.
Review Objectives
 Assess the overall performance of the project with reference to its respective strategy,
objectives and quantitative and qualitative indicators defined by the project document
 To interact with the project stakeholders and review the project documents such as
proposals and reports
 To identify strengths and shortcomings to achieve the project outcomes and maximize
the effectiveness of the project in supporting women to acquire full access to their rights
(social, political, economic, and legal rights)
 To help partners engage in continuous improvements within the sphere of project
pertinence;
 Make recommendations for the identified challenges and for the modification of the
approaches and procedures relevant to the project appropriateness.
Specifically, the study shall assess the impact of the project on:
 Women participation in Literacy and Numeracy classes.
 Women’s livelihood improvement in regard to the saving groups, business
management and tailoring business.
 Community SGBV outreach progress.
 The frequency of the GBV cases in the project areas
 Women access to justice and legal aid information
 Women’s political participation and access to decision making forums.
The scope of the Review
The scope of the review will be the three project areas (Hargeisa, Burao and Erigavo). The
key beneficiaries of the project include:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
Women coalitions
Women in literacy/numeracy classes
Women in saving groups
Women in tailoring training and business management training
Paralegals (community paralegals trained by AAS)
Public sector workers (court staff, police and health professionals)
Traditional and religious leaders
Youth and university students
Review Methodology
The Study should utilize participatory methods to collect both qualitative and quantitative
data. The consultant shall make best use of existing documents, and shall conduct individual
interview/ focus group discussions with the relevant stakeholders and community groups.
Thus both primary and secondary data shall be utilized.
The role of the consultant/Outputs
o Review of existing secondary information (literature review)
o Discussions with the stakeholders
o Develop and submit methodology, including the research design, sampling, data
analysis, work plan and budget to AAIS for approval
o Pre-test and finalize all the study tools
o Lead field work- interviews of the sampled target villages and beneficiaries
o Analyse data and submit a draft report to AAIS for comments
o Produce final report and submit to AAIS.
o Present the findings in a stakeholder workshop
o All raw data (transcripts/notes from interviews, quantitative data, photos etc.) collected
by the consultant during the assessment must be provided to AAIS at the end of the
assignment
AAIS’s obligations- Implementation arrangement
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AAIS will:
Provide the consultant with the necessary support to ensure that the study is
undertaken with reasonable efficiency.
Inform the partners, local community structures, and other identified stakeholders
Assist in the identification of key stakeholders to be interviewed as part of the
evaluation.
Organise stakeholder workshops for dissemination of the findings
Supervision and Management of the Assignment
The consultant shall work under the supervision of Ismail Mohamed (AAS PO) and Khadar
Ahmed (AAS MEAL Coordinator).
Time-Frame
The assignment should be completed in 15 days including three days of reporting.
Professional requirements
o Demonstrated experience in leading Social science studies, with specific focus on
community development projects;
o Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw
practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a
timely manner;
o Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and data analysis techniques
o Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of Somalia’s humanitarian context;
o Good interpersonal skills and understanding of cultural sensitivities;
o Readiness to travel to the field and conduct direct standard monitoring of study
activities; and interviews
o Have an advanced degree and experience in community development, human rights or
social sciences
Terms of Payment
The Consultant will be paid in accordance with AAIS standard consultancy rates.
Submission of expression of interest (EOI)
Interested consultants or firms should send the following:
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A cover letter introducing the consultants and how the skills and competencies
described above are met and giving concrete examples
Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with details of your qualifications, experience, and
earliest date of availability, telephone contacts and names of three referees.
Technical proposal that summarizes your understanding of the TOR and the
proposed methodology and schedule.
Financial proposal providing cost estimates of daily consultancy fees in US Dollars
($).
The foreseen work plan for the days.
Contacts and Coordination information
Send your EOI and, related sample of a previous work latest by 25/02/2015 via email to
[email protected] indicating as subject ”Empowering women/girls in Somaliland
to claim their rights” in Somaliland in the subject line. The assignment is strictly expected to
start on 10 March 2015.
Award of consultancy
AAIS will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment basing on technical and financial
feasibility. AAIS reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving
reasons and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder. Only those shortlisted
will be contacted.