Somalia: Re-advert for Consultancy Service for Assessment of Community-based Child Protection Structures

Introduction: 

Save the Children International (SCI) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in children’s lives worldwide. SCI has been operational in Somalia since 1951. Guided by the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for 2021-2024, SCI strives to ensure the most deprived children aged 0-5 years have a strong start in life; children aged 6–14 years have a better foundation for a bright future; young people aged 15-24 years become socially and economically productive citizens; girls and women have greater voice, choice and control over decisions affecting their lives, and strengthened government and civil society capacity to sustain child wellbeing in Somalia. SCI Somalia implements a range of child-focused and thematically integrated programs across Somaliland, Puntland, and the Southern States through sustainable humanitarian and/or development programming which enhances both government and community ownership.

Background and Context: 

Save the Children’s Global Childhood Report[1] ranks Somalia as the 6th hardest place to be a child. The 2024 Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) requires US$1.6 billion to assist 5.2 million people. The plan is highly targeted, focusing on areas with high need severity. This has led to a 32 per cent decrease in the number of people targeted and a 40 per cent reduction in financial requirements compared to 2023. Ten of 74 districts have been prioritized from January to March 2024, with a focus on emergency response in the districts most affected by flooding in 2023. According to the UN Secretary-General’s Report on Children and Armed Conflict[2] for the period January to December 2022, The United Nations verified 2,783 grave violations against 2,282 children (1,810 boys, 472 girls), including 431 children who were victims of multiple violations. In addition, five violations that had occurred in 2021 were verified in 2022 (UNGA 2023).

Conflict, drought, and displacement also put high pressure on families and caregivers which can lead to higher levels of violence and physical punishment in the home. Displacement can result in the separation of children from their families, which exposes them to exploitation, violence, and abuse – and the children of IDPs and minorities are particularly vulnerable. Somalia also ranks highly on instances of school and/or hospital attacks. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriages are among the highest in the world. According to UNICEF, 98 percent of girls in Somalia aged between 5 and 11 have undergone some form of FGM. About 1 in 10 Somali marriages occurs before the girl is 15 years old, and about half before they are 18. (humanitarian needs overview: Somalia 2022)

While there are dire child protection needs in the country, there exist significant demand and supply gaps in ensuring the protection of children from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect. These include but are not limited to; the persistence of harmful traditions and attitudes and low levels of understanding about the rights of children in many segments of society, several of the legislations meant to protect children are still at their draft stage, the departments that are responsible for protecting children are poorly resourced and highly dependent on external assistance. Child protection referral systems are still very weak and remote areas are left out of any referral programs, as resources are not allocated to them. Where legislation exists, their enforcement remains very low. As there are insufficient legal resources to support affected children many prefer to solve cases of violence against children through customary mediation rather than in the court of law. This contributes to low reporting of incidents to law enforcement agencies[3].

In response to these gaps, Save the Children in Somalia with financial support from generous donors implements child protection projects across Somalia regions to keep children safe around the world regardless of who they are or where they are from. The goal of child protection is to promote, protect and fulfill children’s rights to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence as expressed in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)) and other human rights, humanitarian, and refugee treaties and conventions, as well as national laws.

As part of broader efforts to strengthen community-based child protection systems, Save the Children has been supporting communities and local authorities in establishing and strengthening Community-Based Child Protection Committees and Networks. These community-level mechanisms are seen as critical components of the overall child protection infrastructure, particularly in contexts where the state lacks the full capacity to safeguard children's wellbeing. By empowering and resourcing these grassroots structures, Save the Children aims to enhance the ability of families and communities to prevent and respond to issues like child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence.

Community-Based Child Protection Committees and Networks can be involved in a range of activities for children, depending on the context and environment. Many community groups are often involved in some or all of the following activities (specific choices about what activities are most relevant will typically depend on a need assessment of the local context):

• Identifying the types of risks confronting children or the ability of families and the community to provide care for and meet the needs of children.
• Identifying vulnerable children and trying to understand the reasons or causes of their vulnerability. This may also involve keeping a simple register of children experiencing protection concerns and the reasons why; or in an armed conflict or emergency, identifying children separated from their families and linking them to family-tracing activities.
• Mapping out the services available to children and families.
• Referring or helping children and families access local services by bringing them to the attention of service providers or groups who can help address their needs, such as access to welfare support, medical attention, food, shelter, and education.
• Acting as a focal point for reporting child protection concerns, including physical or sexual abuse, violence, or exploitation.
• Coordinating activities within the community in support of child and family welfare.
• Engaging in discussions with children and families on the issues that affect them on an ongoing basis and working with the community to find or develop appropriate solutions.
• supporting and promoting the genuine participation of children in decision-making that affects their lives – in part by modeling good practices of communication between adults and children and respecting the views of children.
• Community-based child protection structures play a vital role in addressing harmful social norms that harm girls and women by raising awareness, mobilizing collective action, catalyzing behavioral change, linking communities to formal systems, and empowering girls and women to become agents of change within their own communities.

Since Save the Children International has been supporting the establishment and strengthening of community-based child protection mechanisms, SCI is now commissioning a study to examine how these grassroots structures are playing a role in protecting children and addressing the harmful social norms and practices that put girls and women at risk. By leveraging their unique position and influence within the community, these local child protection mechanisms are seen as vital for driving long-term, sustainable change around issues like child protection, gender-based violence, child marriage, and other practices that violate the rights of boys, girls, and women.

This study aims to understand how existing community-based child protection mechanisms contribute to protecting children and addressing harmful social norms that violate the rights of girls and boys. The study will provide a broad mapping of the scale and coverage of these mechanisms, assess their strength and quality, and identify critical gaps in knowledge to inform efforts to strengthen, sustain, and scale up effective community-based approaches.

Scope of Study: 

The overall objective is to facilitate a mapping/assessment of the current practices, processes, institutional arrangements, and legal and policy frameworks for child protection coordination and service provision in Somalia.

The overall objective of the study is to map and assess community-based child protection mechanisms that protect children and address harmful social norms affecting girls. It will assess these mechanisms' scale, coverage, strength, and quality, identify knowledge gaps, and inform strategies to enhance and expand effective approaches.

Specifically, the study seeks to answer:

1. Undertake a detailed assessment as part of the secondary review the gender-based violence and child protection landscape within the target communities. This will involve examining the major forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation that affect children, with a specific focus on how these issues manifest differently for girls versus boys. The analysis will also explore the underlying social norms, cultural practices, and structural inequalities that drive and perpetuate these gender-differentiated protection concerns.
2. Provide a broad mapping of the scale and coverage in terms of strength and quality of community-based child protection groups in governance, leadership, and linkage to formal child protection systems, including those supported by external agencies and governments, and those that are community-led.
3. Document common models and approaches used by agencies to establish, support, or promote child protection mechanisms.
4. Assess the functioning and perceived impact of the community-based child protection structures in transforming these harmful social norms and practices that violate the rights of boys, girls, and women.
5. Identify the key enablers and barriers influencing the effectiveness of the community-based mechanisms in fulfilling their intended role.
6. Document common roles, responsibilities, and the key activities of community groups.
7. Assess the strength and quality of the evidence base for community-based child protection groups and identify critical gaps in knowledge in synthesizing the available global evidence on the impact, reach and effectiveness.
8. Analyse the key factors contributing to the success, sustainability, and scalability of effective community-based child protection mechanisms.
9. Provide practical and contextualized recommendations for strengthening community-based child protection structures, including legal and policy provisions, institutional roles and setup, coordination, staffing requirements, and system costs.

Study Question: 

A multitude of questions about community-based child protection groups merit investigation. For purposes of manageability, the review focused on the following key questions, recognizing that complete answers may not be possible with the information available:

1. What are the key child protection and gender-based violence issues prevalent within the target communities? (Desk review)
2. How do community-based child protection mechanisms operate to address these issues?
3. What evidence is available on the effectiveness and responsiveness of community-based child protection groups on protecting children from abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation?
4. What factors contribute to the success of effective community-based child protection systems, and can these factors be replicated in other contexts?
5. What are the different approaches/models taken to mobilize communities for child protection, and how do these approaches affect children?
6. What are the gaps and weaknesses in current approaches, and how can they be addressed?
7. What are the common mandates, roles, and responsibilities of different groups? What type of support do these community mechanisms receive to carry out their duties? Are expectations realistic and appropriate?
8. What are the factors associated with the sustainability of community-based child protection groups, including transition for those established as part of an emergency response?
9. What are the costs associated with supporting and mobilizing community-based structures? What are the factors associated with scaling up community-based child protection groups to cover the whole (or large parts of the) country?
10. Are there any lessons that can be drawn for the child protection sector from experiences of community-based mechanisms in other sectors? What are the converging lessons common across all sectors, and those specific to child protection?

Geographical Scope: Somaliland, Puntland, and Southern States

Study Methodology: 

The consultant shall adopt an appropriate sampling method that will allow correct conclusions about the study population. The sampling methodology and size will be agreed together by Save the Children and the consultant. Save the Children should in all cases review and decide whether to approve any further modifications or changes made.

The study proposes mixed methods of information gathering, conflict, and gender sensitivity. These include:

• A literature review of available secondary sources on the context and implementation sites.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) are held with relevant stakeholders who are engaged in policymaking and implementation of protection-related activities in the selected locations (including government officials, CSOs, NGOs, INGOs, etc.).
• Interviews with girls and boys, women, and men from the selected study locations.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with boys and girls, and youth communities in the selected study locations.
• FGDs for representatives from community-based structures to capture their perspectives and experiences.
• Where feasible, observation of the community-based mechanisms in action will provide additional insights.

The process should be participatory and should ensure that Government representatives, partner organizations, and their protection networks are proactively involved in the process.

The methodology must be designed to ensure that the voices of children and youths are heard, and their participation is child-friendly and inclusive i.e. there is a clear focus on reaching and empowering the most deprived children and their communities to ensure that they are part of the findings and analysis. Data collection and analysis will meet the principles of ethical research. Respondents must provide informed consent and be informed of how to make a complaint or comment regarding any aspect of the mapping and referral pathway development. Data collection and analysis should allow for confidentiality and anonymity. Data collectors will be trained in how to identify and respond appropriately to situations of concern they might encounter. Findings and analysis should report separate for boys and girls and should distinguish the needs and services specific to age categories and children with disabilities

Expected Deliverables: 

The study deliverables and tentative timeline (subject to the commencement date of the study) are outlined below. The consultant team lead and SC Project Director will agree on final milestones and deadlines at the inception phase. The study is expected to be completed within 40 days as follows.

Deliverables and Tentative Timeline (Deliverable / Milestones / Timeline): 

The study Team will submit and present an inception report including the study objectives, scope and key study questions, and description of the methodology, including design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, data sources, and study matrix against the key study questions: 

• data analysis and reporting plan
• caveats and limitations of the study
• risks and mitigation plan
• ethical considerations including details on consent
• Stakeholder and children communication and engagement plan
• key deliverables, responsibilities, and timelines
• resource requirements
• data collection tools (in line with the study matrix)

1 week after signing contract

Final data collection tools (in the report language):

• FGD guides
• Data collection mechanism

3 days

An Interim Report / PowerPoint Presentation including a summary of findings from the study. The focus will be on:

• Summary of interim findings
• Any emerging program trends, issues, or risks
• Any changes that have had to be made to the study design (if applicable)
• Key tasks for the next stage of the study and any proposed refinements or changes to methodology (if applicable)

2 weeks

A Study Report (not more than 45 pages) including the following elements:

• Executive summary
• Background description of the Program and context relevant to the Study
• Scope and focus of the study.
• Overview of the study methodology and data collection methods, including a study matrix
• Findings aligned to each of the key study questions/objectives.
• Specific caveats or methodological limitations of the evaluation
• Conclusions outlining implications of the findings or learnings.
• Recommendations
• Annexes (Study matrix study ToR, Inception Report, Study schedule, List of people involved)

A consolidated set of feedback from key stakeholders will be provided by Save The Children within 1 week of the submission of the draft report.

9 days

Final Study Report incorporating feedback from consultation on the Draft Study Report including.

• Data and analyses including all encrypted raw data, databases, and analysis outputs.
• A fact sheet will also be produced highlighting key takeaways of the study to foster learning and dissemination.1 week

Total days: 40 days

NB: The overall report will be compiled for all three areas; however, the consultant is expected to develop separate brief report for Somaliland.

Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights: 

The title rights, copyrights, and all other rights of whatever nature in any materials used or generated under the provisions of this consultancy will exclusively be vested with the Save the Children Somalia Country office. All products developed under this consultancy belong to Save the Children exclusively, guided by the rules of the grant contract. Under no circumstances will the consultant use the information of this study for publication or dissemination to any individual or organization without official prior written permission from the Save the Children Somalia Country office.

Study Team and Selection Criteria: 

Interested consultants will be required to submit an Expression of Interest in line with the following requirements.

Understanding of Requirements and Experience: 

To be considered, the study team members together must have demonstrated skills, expertise, and experience in:

• Proven experience of more than 10 years in child protection systems development and process planning.
• Demonstrated experience in policy processes, including research, reviews, and formulation with evidence of similar assignments in other countries.
• Experience with strengthening child protection or social services delivery in humanitarian and developing contexts.
• Background/experience with child protection case management systems development, implementation, and review.
• A mix of international and local consultants -preference will be given to firms with diverse skill sets.
• Excellent research, collaboration, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of social welfare workforce planning and development.
• Excellent writing skills, presentation skills, strong strategic and analytical skills, computer skills, negotiation skills, and interactive and interpersonal communication skills.
• Managing and coordinating a range of government, non-government, community groups, and academic stakeholders
• Experience conducting studies in humanitarian contexts.
• Strong written and verbal skills in communicating technical and/ or complex findings to non-specialist audiences (especially report writing and presentation skills)
• A track record of open, collaborative working with clients

Financial Proposal: 

Save the Children seeks value for money in its work. This does not necessarily mean "lowest cost", but the quality of the service and reasonableness of the proposed costs. Proposals shall include personnel allocation (role/number of days / daily rates/taxes), as well as any other applicable costs.

Schedule of Payment: 

The following payments will be made to the consultant using an agreed mode of payment.

• Upon approval of inception report and tools: 20%
• Upon submission of the first draft study report: 30%
• Upon approval of the final study report: 50%

How to Apply:

Qualified Consultancy Firms are requested to submit their technical and financial proposals and Lead consultant and associated personnel CVs and other relevant documentation to somalia.tenders@savethechildren.org. 

• The subject of the email should be Application for Assessment of Community-based Child Protection Structures
• Emails should not exceed 15mb – if the file sizes are large, please split the submission into two emails.
• Do not copy other SCI email addresses into the email when you submit it as this will invalidate your bid.
• All applications MUST be submitted on or before the closing date below to be considered for the assignment.
• Interested consultant (s) who meet the consultancy requirements are requested to submit their bid and each application package should include the above required minimum requirements.

Only shortlisted bidders will be contacted.

Interested consultants shall submit their applications through the above procedures on or before 27th July 2024 at 11:59PM, EAT.

PROPERTY RIGHTS:

All data that will be collected should be considered as SCI properties and may not be used for other purposes.

[1] global-childhood-report-2020.pdf (savethechildren.org) – Accessed February 2022

[2] United Nations Official Document – Accessed February 2022

[3] Project proposal