Somalia: CONSULTANCY ON LIVELIHOODS AND SKILLS GAP ASSESSMENTS FOR REFUGEE RETURNEES IN SOMALIA

1.Background and context

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 30 countries. DRC fulfils its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict and displacement-affected populations - refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities; and by advocating on behalf of such populations on the basis of humanitarian and human rights principles.

DRC has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC aims at integrating its Somalia activities within a wider regional mixed migration Programme, comprising programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia and Yemen. DRC Somalia programme operates within a regional framework (East Africa and the Horn) and incorporates three major components of long-term community-driven development, emergency urban/rural humanitarian interventions and protection/advocacy.

DRC is currently running a UK Department of International Development (DFID) funded project in partnership with NRC on promoting durable solutions through Integrated Return, Reintegration, and Résilience Support to Somali displacement-affected populations. The project is aimed at supporting conditions conducive for safe, dignified return and sustainable reintegration of Somali refugees.

Specifically, the project seeks to:

• Contribute to return preparation and systematic tracking of return assistance to facilitate access to long-term reintegration opportunities.
• Support safe return and sustainable reintegration of Somali refugee returnees through diversified multi-sectorial programming.
• Inform long-term programming in Somalia by documenting evidence and learning on return and reintegration.

A component of the project is undertaking of baseline surveys in three sectors of livelihoods/skills gap, protection and infrastructure in order to analyses current needs and identify gaps among returnees, IDPs and host communities in the target areas. The baseline surveys are needed to inform programming and avoid duplication of activities among different actors.

Current available information on returnees and conditions in areas of return are not sufficient to provide an in-depth analysis of situation across the three sectors. With this survey, it is expected that information on issues and concerns are made available to actors who can respond, particularly DRC and its partners.

2.Purpose of Livelihoods/skills gap assessment

The purpose of the livelihoods/skills gap assessment will be to obtain an overview of the current livelihoods options, gather data on potential employment of target populations, map existing opportunities, and identify skills and livelihoods gaps by age, gender and diversity in the markets of Kismayo, Baidoa and Dollow, where a large number of refugees are returning. There will be a focus on vocational skills training and small/medium enterprise and industries promoting employment in both the informal and formal sectors.

The assessment will take into account the durable solutions indicators, provided by the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS).

3.Key Responsibilities

3.1.Scope of consultancy

This consultancy will be conducted in the locations of Kismayo, Baidoa and Dollow and target displacement-affected populations in these areas, i.e. returnees, IDPs and host communities.

3.2 Methodology

The methodology will include but not be limited to:

• Review of existing information through desk research.
• Collection of quantitative and qualitative data in field from various stakeholders including returnees, IDPs, government line ministries, service providers and community members. Data to be broken down by gender and age and to include availability and accessibility of jobs in the three locations; quality of trainings provided on vocational skills development, small/medium enterprises and agro centers, opportunities available at district level; listing of affiliates, the trainings they provide and populations they service.
• Specifically, the following issues should be researched:

a) Comparison of unemployment among returnees as compared to IDPs and host population;

b) Obstacles faced by returnees in accessing employment or economic activity that IDPs and host populations do not face;

c) Types and conditions of employment for returnees as compared to IDPs and host population;

d) Poverty levels among returnees as compared to IDPs and host population;

e) Assessment of opportunities for self-employment and challenges in light of the skills training provided, projecting possible means to employment creation and marketing linkages for the youth in return areas;

f) Identification of gender and age friendly skills and livelihoods for women and youth;

g) Recommendation for potential technical/livelihoods and business skills training service providers and any amendments (structural, physical, pedagogical, etc.) that they would need to make in order to offer the kinds of training recommended by the study.

3.3Key deliverables/outputs

1. Development of an inception report and research plan: This should detail among other things the process and methodologies to be employed for the assignment; including time and interview schedules for this exercise; a list of stakeholders targeted for participation. This document should be presented to DRC for review and further inputs before proceeding to the field for data collection.
2. Design data collection and evaluation methodology/tools: As appropriate, guided by the objectives and scope of consultancy; including international guidelines and relevant framework(s). The data collection tools will be critiqued (with DRC team) before being refined and finalised.
3. Undertake desk review of relevant documents: Including the project documents and donor guidelines and standards; DRC programme management guidelines; DRC and other strategy documents; existing Somalia labour guidelines; related ILO and Somalia Food Security Cluster documents.
4. Review any governmental policy or strategic documents: Regarding vocational skills training and consult with key government officials. Annex policy and strategy documents.

5. Conduct a comprehensive field-based assessment: Utilise both quantitative and qualitative data-collection methods based on the purpose and objectives of this consultancy. The consultant should undertake a multi-stakeholder analysis, including relevant line ministries, ILO and Food Security Cluster member organisations, youth and women groups, VST/SME/AGRO providers, formal and informal sectors, Chamber of Commerce, and any other relevant stakeholders to help gather information that will inform decision making in programming.

6. Write and present a draft report and debrief DRC staff: Capturing key findings against objectives of the assessment and present to DRC team for review before producing a second draft.

7. Present a Draft Report: (2nd draft report) to DRC and other stakeholders in a feedback workshop to facilitate sharing of the survey results with a view of incorporating inputs from stakeholders in the final draft.

8. Compile and Submit a Final Assessment Report: The report should not exceed 60 pages (excluding annexes) and contain a short executive summary (max 4 pages). The main body of report should mention survey methods and limitations, findings, conclusions, lessons learned and recommendations. The final report will be submitted 3 days after receipt of consolidated feedback from DRC on second draft report. The report should be 5 hard cover bound copies in colour and soft copy in 2 CDs. A PowerPoint presentation should be provided on key findings of final report.

9. Provide all assessment materials to DRC: Submit to DRC all assessment materials including soft copies of all data sets; all filled quantitative data collection tools and qualitative data recording materials; any other non-consumable documents/items that will be used in the course of the planned consultancy.

4.DRC/DDG’s responsibilities
DRC/DDG will provide the following:

• Transport to and from the field
• All necessary project documents as requested by the consultant
• Travel Insurance, where applicable
• Accommodation for consultant in the field, consultation will cover meal expenses
• Payment of consultancy fees at a mutually agreed rate

The terms and conditions of service will follow DRC terms for consultancies. Payment will be according to the finance procedures of DRC.

5.Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will be supervised by the Food Security and Livelihoods Manager in close coordination with the Project Manager and with technical oversight provided by the M&E Coordinator. DRC staff in assessment areas will provide necessary support to the assessment team, as needed.

6.Duration of Assignment

It is anticipated that the assignment will take 25 days from signing of contract. The Consultant/Consultancy Firm should develop a feasible costed-work plan/activity schedule covering this period, committing to finalize within the period and submit as an integral part of the proposal for this consultancy.

7.Expected profile of Consultant

• An advanced degree in Development Studies/Business Management allowing the candidate to assess the technical value of the vocational skills, institutional management arrangements and the larger socio-economic aspect of the intervention.
• Experience with vocational training/management training institutions in similar environments.
• Proven experience in labor market assessment carried out is an added advantage.
• At least 5 year experience in monitoring, quality control and institutional capacity building efforts and development projects, preferably in post-conflict countries.
• A demonstrated understanding and analytical capacity in the identification of issues relating to indicators of performance in development projects.
• Good knowledge of socioeconomic and political dynamics of Somalia, specifically in the major cities
• Excellent report writing skills and ability to meet deadlines.

8. Terms & Conditions

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC 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.

• The consultant must be willing to work in the three locations (Kismayo, Baidoa and Dollow) in Somalia, security permitting.
• The consultant may have own team to work with which will be entirely under jurisdiction of consultant and at no time will DRC/DDG be held responsible for them.
• Some areas is an insecure environment (level 5) with basic living conditions. Social activities are limited and there are restrictions on movements for security reasons. The candidate should be in good health due to limited health facilities
• The consultant will be bound by and must adhere to all DRC security procedures while in Somalia. For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.

9.General

Commitments: DRC/DDG has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability committments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.DRC/DDG.dk/HAF.4265.0.html)

10.Applicationprocess

Interested applicants who meet the required profile are invited to submit an expression of interest including:

i. A suitability statement including CV of participating consultants with details of qualifications and experience.

ii. Technical proposal that summarizes understanding of the TOR, methodology and tools to be used.

iii. Work-plan clearly indicating the activity schedule. Daily consulting rate is negotiable, although will be commensurate with DRC consultancy terms and standards

iv. Financial proposal poviding cost estimates of daily consultancy fees.

v. Contacts of three organizations that have recently contracted you to carry out similar assignment.

Applications should include CVs, Technical proposal, Work plans, and financial proposal all to be uploaded on the DRC recruitment portal https://drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies

Closing date for submission is 21^st October 2016

DRC will evaluate the proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. DRC 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.