Kenya, Somalia: Consultancy to Conduct a Multi-sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) in Somalia - (Somalia/Kenya Nationals Only)

About SIF: 

Secours Islamique France (SIF) is an international Non-Governmental Organization of national and international solidarity dedicated to reducing poverty and vulnerability across the world through humanitarian, development, and social missions. The Kenya/Somalia Mission, launched in 2012, and based in Nairobi with field offices in Marsabit (Kenya) and in Mogadishu and Kismayo (Somalia), is implementing humanitarian and development interventions targeting vulnerable communities in the two countries.

The Mission’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan that was revised in 2024 has prioritized 4 key sectors in which the mission works to implement integrated programmes:

1. Education and Child Wellbeing
2. Food Security & Livelihoods
3. Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
4. Health & Nutrition

While SIF has mainly implemented recovery and resilience-building interventions in Lower Juba region of Jubaland, Somalia, the Mission’s Strategic Plan has prioritized geographical and programmatic expansion across 2 other states of South-West and Hirshabelle.

SIF is seeking the services of a suitably qualified consultant or an experienced firm of consultants to conduct a Multi Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) in the two states.

The purpose of the Multisectoral Needs Assessment is to generate primary data and information that will inform SIF decision-making and needs-based programming across the two states and in order to be able to develop humanitarian and development responses that are evidence-based, data-driven and tailored to the specific context of the two states.

Background and Rationale: 

Somalia continues to face one of the most complex and longstanding humanitarian crises in the world. A combination of decades-long armed violence, insecurity, political instability, natural hazards, and poor access to basic services and livelihood opportunities have driven millions of people in poverty. Recurrent climatic shocks, such as drought, heavy rains, and flooding, drive thousands of people out of their homes each year. Ongoing conflicts affect protection and human rights, reduce resilience, and further hinder access to basic services. These crises have displaced communities across the country. Somalia ranks among the countries with one of the highest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally.

Somalia experienced the worst drought in decades in 2023, followed by the most extensive floods in generations, all within the span of just a few months. Poor rainfall has contributed to crop failure, livestock depletion and extreme food insecurity for at least a quarter of the population. Almost one in five Somalis face high levels of acute food insecurity. Simultaneously, Somalia continues to be affected by protracted conflict, and the combination of these two crises have exacerbated displacement trends with millions of people displaced from their homes. Regular and often prolonged droughts have had a devastating impact on Somalia’s economic and social development. The country is characterized by extreme poverty, widespread food insecurity and acute malnutrition. High levels of acute malnutrition persist in many areas, with an estimated 1.7 million children aged 6 to 59 months facing acute malnutrition between January and December 2024. Access to healthcare is limited and functional health facilities are inadequate, which heightens the risk of maternal and infant mortality and increases rates of preventable diseases like cholera.

The humanitarian situation remains dire. According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024, an estimated 6.9 million people require humanitarian assistance in 2024. After five seasons of failed rains, the Gu rains from March to June that followed resulted in widespread floods, displacing tens of thousands of people in many parts of the country. The flooding resulted in extensive loss of livelihoods, including loss of livestock and cropland, damaged small businesses and destroyed infrastructure including shelter, water, latrines, schools, and damaged roads. The damage to water sources, and water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities resulted in cholera outbreak.

The complex security situation in Somalia has significantly limited humanitarian access, resulting not just in information gaps on specific needs, but also leaving large populations inaccessible yet in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Humanitarian agencies face serious access challenges due to the persistent conflict, targeted attacks on aid workers, and restrictions imposed by parties to the conflict, including arbitrary taxation and bureaucratic hurdles, and physical constraints due to extreme weather.

This MSNA should identify needs of the vulnerable communities of different demographics in the two states and provide updated and comprehensive data across key sectors that will guide SIF’s programming and resource allocation. The assessment should deliver evidence-based insights on humanitarian needs, particularly those exacerbated by the climatic shocks and conflicts, that will inform programme planning and response. By identifying precise needs, the MSNA report will enable SIF to effectively develop programmes, build essential capacities, engage in and contribute to more impactful, targeted and evidence-based humanitarian response.

Objectives of the MSNA: 

The main objective of the MSNA is to provide evidence-based insights into the severity of needs across key sectors i.e. food security and livelihoods, health and nutrition, WASH, education and child protection in order to inform the programming, resource mobilization, and response that are grounded in accurate data for effective, targeted interventions in the hardest-hit areas in South-West, and Hirshabelle states.

The specific objectives of the MSNA are to:

• Assess the impact of climate, conflict, and displacement on local communities in the two states.
• Identify urgent and ongoing humanitarian needs of the vulnerable communities in the two states that are recovering from multiple crises across multiple sectors.
• Understand vulnerabilities and coping strategies of affected populations.
• Document humanitarian access and security challenges of the hard-to-reach areas in the two states.
• Map out humanitarian actors and donors currently providing response in the hard-to-reach areas relevant to SIF’s four programmatic areas of focus.
• Identify cross-cutting issues and how they determine/shape humanitarian needs/responses.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for response planning.

Scope of Work: 

The MSNA will cover two states in Somalia - South-West and Hirshabelle - focusing on both urban and rural communities, as well as internally displaced people (IDP).

The MSNA will be conducted through desk review of relevant documents, and collection of primary data from relevant stakeholders.

Sectors to be Assessed: 

The assessment will focus on the humanitarian needs of both host communities and displaced populations across the following sectors:

1. Food Security and Livelihoods;
2. Preventive Health and Nutrition;
3. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH);
4. Education and Child Protection

Methodology: 

The MSNA will employ a combination of primary and secondary quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.

Primary data will be collected through household-level surveys, Key Informant Interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).

1. Household Surveys: These will involve face-to-face interviewing of members of individual households in order to extract both qualitative and quantitative information to capture firsthand accounts of the impact, immediate needs, and potential long-term requirements. The household as the unit of measurement reflects best practices in examining the severity of needs and vulnerabilities of the people in need. Appropriate sampling method will be used to ensure statistical representation across different population groups, including IDPs and host communities. Data will be analyzed using statistical software and cross-referenced with secondary data sources.
2. Key Informant Interviews: To be conducted mainly with community leaders, local authorities, key stakeholders and actors, and relevant cluster leads ensuring that the assessment captures an authoritative perspective and gather crucial insights into the local context.
3. Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): To be conducted with selected individuals of different demographics to discuss and extract community needs.

Secondary data reviews will be conducted in advance of data collection, which will serve to inform the data collection tools, as well as the data analysis and outputs. This will involve compiling data from a range of documents, reports, factsheets, and related materials produced by actors with knowledge of the overall context and of specific sectors. This information will be used to develop the assessment methodology, including definitions, sampling design, and questionnaire design, as well as develop contextual understanding and verify primary data and findings. Secondary data review will also serve to identify information gaps that can be addressed by the MSNA.

The consultant will be required to develop clear methodology and tools with gender considerations that will be used to carry out the task. SIF will be responsible for reviewing and validating the tools.

Deliverables and Expected Outputs: 

The selected consultant is expected to deliver a high quality and comprehensive final report with fact sheets, including state and sector-specific findings, as well as a dataset that can be used for further analysis by SIF and partners.

Data Collection Methodology:

Prior to data collection, under SIF supervision, the selected Consultant(s) will produce an MSNA framework defining (i) targeted geographical areas and localities (including hard-to-reach areas) within the two states; (ii) the sample size for household surveys; (ii) the amount and composition of FGDs to be conducted, (iv) a list of key informants to be surveyed, (v) resources mobilized to conduct the MSNA, (vi) a detailed timeline for the MSNA activities.

Data Collection Tools:

Based on SIF recommendations, the consultant(s) will design MSNA data collection tools including household surveys; Semi-structured Interviews for FGDs and Key Informants surveys.

Multi-sectorial Need Assessment Report:

The report should at a minimum include:

• Executive summary,
• Background/introduction,
• Assessment methodology (tools, sampling size, etc.),
• Identified gaps/needs,
• Recommendations that correspond to the identified gaps/needs,
• Any other issues of importance.
• Appendixes: Results of household surveys and final clean dataset, FGDs summary and Key informant survey results per States/administrative regions.

Timeline: 

The consultancy should commence the work in September 2024 and be conducted within the following timelines:

Exercise Timeline Due Date: 

• Contracting 27 Sept. 2024
• Preliminary preparations and Mobilization Two Weeks 11 Oct. 2024
• Data Collection Two Weeks 25 Oct. 2024
• Data Analysis and Draft Report Two Weeks 8 Nov. 2024
• Final Report One Week 15 Nov. 2024

Consultant’s Profile: 

This consultancy requires a consultant/consultancy firm with background and solid experience in conducting multi-sectoral needs assessments in humanitarian settings especially in Somalia.

The lead Consultant (s) is expected to have the following qualifications:

• A Degree or higher qualification preferably in statistics, development studies or any other relevant degree from recognized institutions.
• At least 5 years’ experience of work or undertaking similar assignments in humanitarian and development contexts.
• Extensive experience conducting needs assessment or research in the sectors of food security and livelihoods, WASH, Education, Child protection and Health and Nutrition.
• Extensive knowledge of the context (cultures, politics & government, geography, security) and humanitarian trends in Somalia.
• Strong analytical and writing skills to clearly present findings, practical conclusions and recommendations.
• Proven understanding and experience of extensive field data collection using mixed methods, analysis and reporting. Demonstrate previous with relevant work sample.
• Fluency in English and ability to write clear and concise reports (examples of previous work will be requested)
• Evaluation teams are encouraged to comprise of a mix of gender.
• Excellent knowledge of the geographical areas selected for the MSNA.
• Knowledge on safeguarding of vulnerable populations.

Expression of Interest/Application: 

Any person/firm interested in undertaking this assignment should send an expression of interest/application comprising:

1. Technical proposal: The technical proposal should briefly and clearly describe the following aspects; Understanding and interpretation of the task, Technical aspect of the proposal, Methodology (MSNA strategy, Sampling design, Data collection tools, Data Processing & Analysis, Data quality control measures, the gender approach, proposed schedule, two previous relevant MSNA report samples, names and curriculum vitae (CV as an annex) of persons to do the work and with contact details of bidder.
2. Financial proposal: The financial proposal of the task should be broken down in details as follows: Consultancy fees, Data collection, Data processing & analysis and Communication. The proposal should also include proposed milestone-based schedule of payments.

Application Deadline: 

All applications must be submitted by 20th September 2024.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Mercy Kamau

Senior MEAL Officer

SIF Kenya and Somalia Mission

Email: meal.off.ke@secours-islamique.org

SIF Code of Conduct: 

SIF applies a zero-tolerance principle to fraud, bribery, attempted fraud or acceptance of a bribe, corruption, money laundering, funding of terrorism, moral harassment, sexual harassment or abuse or violence of any kind whatsoever. This principle applies to all SIF stakeholders including consultants. This consultancy is subject to respect and commitment to SIF code conduct, Anti-Fraud/Anti-Corruption Policy, and Conflict of Interest Policy. Consultant are required to declare any conflict of Interest prior to start of the consultancy.

Intellectual Property Clause: 

All information pertaining to Secours Islamique France that the Consultant may come into come with in the performance of his/her duties under the assignment shall remain the property of Secours Islamique France and shall not be shared with third parties without prior consent from Secours Islamique France. All necessary tools, equipment and materials required for the MSNA shall be provided by the Consultant. Secours Islamique France shall bear no liability for any damage to the Consultant’s equipment or personal injury experienced during the assignment.

Child Safeguarding Statement: 

SIF commits to respect the “Do no harm” humanitarian principle and ensure child safety is paramount in all its activities. SIF implements a Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP) at head office and for every mission. Therefore, we implement all necessary measures to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with vulnerable people, with children, engage with our organization. This consultancy is subject to respect and commitment to SIF Child Safeguarding Policy throughout the implementation period. We have zero tolerance for harmful practices and will take any allegation or report of child abuse very seriously.

How to Apply: 

All qualified and interested consultant/firms should submit both technical and financial proposals by 20th September, 2024, addressed to Secours Islamique France, by e-mail to: apply.ken@secours-islamique.org, CC log.off.ke@secours-islamique.org. The subject of the email subject should indicate “Expression of Interest for Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment (MSNA) In Somalia”. 

Only shortlisted applicant will be contacted.