CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF SGBV RISKS AND THE NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH SPECIFIC VUNERABILITIES ON DISABILITY INCLUSION ASSESSMENT IN JUBBALAND STATE.

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is an international humanitarian organization with a global presence in countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central America. The global headquarters of LWF is in Geneva, Switzerland. At the regional level, LWF is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, serving Kenya and Somalia country programs. The Lutheran World Federation provides quality humanitarian assistance to displaced and affected communities and focuses on three priority areas: i) Sustainable Livelihoods, ii) Quality Services, iii) Protection and Social Cohesion. The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service established a presence in Kismayo, Jubbaland State, in Somalia 2017 to create a continuum between its refugee assistance and protection program in Dadaab refugee camps. Since 2017, LWF has worked closely with the relevant Jubbaland State Ministries, including the Ministry of Education and Higher Learning (MoEHL), Women, Family Affairs, and Human Rights.

From 2022, the program expanded to implement new projects in Kismayo and areas outside Kismayo, including the Dhobley district. More information about the LWF Kenya-Somalia program can be accessed here. https://kenyasomalia.lutheranworld.org/

Project description

LWF-Kenya Somalia Program has recently received funds from the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) to provide holistic, gender-responsive assistance, primarily focusing on the well-being and dignity of those affected by conflict, particularly women and girls. The services include safe spaces, legal support, psychosocial services, and awareness campaigns to address GBV**:**

1. Inadequate access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene supplies disproportionately affects women and girls, increasing protection concerns.
2. II. Ensuring private sanitation facilities and addressing MHM needs are essential.
3. III. Empowering women and girls is central to the protection project, which engages men and boys to challenge harmful gender norms and practices.

The project will Increase access to and utilization of gender-responsive protection and SGBV response services in conflict-affected and poor host communities in Somalia, with a particular emphasis on women and girls. It will increase access to safe and improved WASH facilities and services, including sanitation and water infrastructure, among IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Somalia, with a particular emphasis on women and girls in targeted areas. It will also increase awareness and adoption of healthy hygiene and sanitation practices among women, men, girls, and boys in Somalia, focusing on IDPs, returnees, and host communities. Finally, it will increase access and utilization of gender-responsive protection and SGBV response services in conflict-affected and poor host communities.

2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT

This Request for proposal aims to identify a prospective bidder (s) to assess the gender-responsive programming and SGBV prevention strategies in Jubaland State, Somalia, by conducting a comprehensive assessment of SGBV risks and the unique needs of persons with specific vulnerabilities, such as persons with disabilities and older persons. Additionally, staff capacity can be built through training on disability inclusion assessment, ensuring the integration of inclusive practices across all projects and services.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSESSMENT

The assignment has the following objectives:

• To identify and analyze the specific risks of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) faced by persons with disabilities, older people, and other vulnerable groups in the Jubaland state of Somalia (Dhobley &Kismayo) and to assess their unique protection needs. To provide actionable insights and data to inform inclusive, gender-responsive interventions, strengthen access to critical SGBV prevention and response services, and advocate for systemic and policy improvements to enhance the safety and well-being of at-risk populations in project areas (Dhobley & Kismayo).
• Build the capacity of LWF staff and train them on Disability inclusion assessment, incentive teachers (seconded staff from line ministries), and Community leaders relevant to the assignment.

4. SCOPE OF WORK

• Duration of the assignment: The consultancy is 30 working days, starting from 2nd February, 2025 to 3rd March, 2025
• Geographical Coverage: The exercise will be conducted in the Kismayu and Dhobley districts of Jubaland State of Somalia.
• Target Beneficiary Category and Stakeholders**:**
• Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), Jubaland disability association umbrella, persons with disabilities, older persons, marginalized community members/groups, local authorities, relevant service providers, national and international organizations, women groups, camp leaders, Ministry of Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights MoWFAHR.
• For the training: LWF’s national staff, Incentive teachers (seconded staff from line ministries), and Community leaders relevant to the assignment.

5. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

The consultant is expected to suggest an approach and methodology that has been tested and tried, as well as an empirical method that assesses the SGBV risks and the needs of people with specific needs (e.g., persons with disabilities and older people) in Jubaland state, Somalia (Dhobley & Kismayo).

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF LWF

• Share all relevant project documentation.
• Mobilize the community and the stakeholders.
• Facilitate meetings with government institutions and local authorities.
• Facilitate training sessions for the staff (lunch & refreshments for the training).

7. DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be responsible for preparing and submitting the following deliverables:

1. To deliver an inception report with reasonable and clear work plan.
2. To provide a detailed assessment report outlining the SGBV risks, barriers, and specific needs of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and older persons, in Jubaland State, Somalia (Dhobley & Kismayo).
3. To submit a comprehensive set of recommendations for inclusive approaches, gender-responsive programming, and policy advocacy to address identified protection gaps.
4. To conduct 10 training sessions for identified stakeholders to equip them with knowledge and tools for promoting disability inclusion assessment in programs and services.
5. To provide training materials and modules on disability inclusion assessment tailored for LWF national staff, incentive-supported teachers, and community leaders.
6. A final report reflecting the required outcomes from the assessment.

8. QUALIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS

• Proven years of experience in disability inclusion assessment and training on SGBV assessments, particularly in humanitarian and development contexts in Somalia.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with experience delivering training to diverse groups.
• Knowledge of the socio-political context in Somalia and the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the region.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages (e.g., Somali) is an added advantage.

9. SUBMISSIONS

The bid will consist of two parts, technical and financial, as follows;

Part A: Technical Proposal

The Technical Proposal shall be straightforward and concise, describing how the consultant intends to complete and satisfy the above mentioned task. No cost or pricing information is to be included in the technical proposal.

Technical proposals are limited to 15 pages in total. Organizational Information, CVs of proposed personnel, and examples of previous relevant work are to be included in an Annex. The page limitation does not include essential personnel resumes, dividers, and past performance report forms. Bidders are encouraged to provide an Annex, or “portfolio,” of samples demonstrating experience performing similar activities. The Annex can include copies of photographs, other visual representations, and media/social media clippings. The Annex should not exceed ten pages.

The technical proposal shall be formatted using the following sections:

Technical Approach– Narrative not to exceed five (5) pages.

The bidder shall demonstrate his/her understanding, ability, and overall approach to perform the requirements described in the Scope of Work/Tasks/Activities. S/he shall clearly explain how they propose to structure, design, manage, and execute the work required to meet LWF objectives.

The Technical Approach must include a timeline or Gantt chart of the deliverables required to execute this project.

Capability Statement – Narrative – not to exceed two (2) pages.

The bidder shall demonstrate his/her specialized competence concerning the requirements of the tasks/activities. S/he shall indicate they have the necessary personnel to comply with the contract requirements and accomplish the deliverables.

Past Performance – Narrative not to exceed five (3) pages.

The Bidder shall provide at least three (3) examples of past performance implementing similar projects. The past performance examples must be within the last three (3) years and identical in scale and relevance. S/he must provide references for each instance, including the reference’s name, title, phone number, and email address.

Personnel/Staffing – A narrative not to exceed two (2) pages.

A summary describing the proposed staff for the project, including up to three team members. The summary shall include names, relevant qualifications of similar experience, and the proposed role for each individual. A Project Manager must be identified with a minimum of five years’ experience in related project management.

The bidder must also include the CVs of the key staff members involved in the Project, including the Project Managers and up to three Team members. Each CV should not exceed three (3) pages.

Part B: Financial Proposal

The bidder shall propose realistic and reasonable costs for this work using His/her technical approach. The price should be in dollars (USD) and include all applicable local taxation. The financial proposal shall list all costs associated with the assignment.

Items described in the technical proposal but not priced shall be assumed to be included in the prices of other items.

10. CONSULTANT’S/FIRM RATING CRITERIA

This solicitation is open to firms or companies registered in Somalia and Kenya that specialize in measuring learning outcomes and/or education research.

The selected Consultant will coordinate with LWF to design and execute all activities outlined in this Request for Proposal.

Proposals will be evaluated using quality and cost-based selection, with a total score of 100%, of which 80% is the weight of the technical proposal and 20% is the weight of the financial proposal. Technically, applicants/firms that score above 65% will proceed to the next procurement stage.

Technical Approach

The proposed structure, design, approach to execute the required work, application of ASER tools, analysis, and presentation of findings (a high-quality report).(30 points)

Detailed work plan and implementation plan. (5 points)

Maximum Points – 35

Capability Statement

Demonstration of the necessary organizational systems and personnel to successfully comply with the contract requirements and accomplish the expected results.

Maximum Points – 15

Past Performance

• Inclusion assessment of at least three relevant past performance examples of similar projects. (5 points)
• References provided by past clients for these examples (5 points)
• The bidder can deliver on time with quality and budget expectations. (5 points)

Maximum Points – 15

Personnel/Staffing

-Qualifications and past relevant experience of the lead consultant (5 points)

– The composition of the other members proposed performing the assignment within the required scope of work. (10 points)

Maximum Points – 15

Technical Evaluation Threshold (Only offers that receive a technical evaluation score of 65%and above points (out

of 80) will be considered for cost evaluation.)

Cost Evaluation

The financial proposal will be evaluated using the following:

FS=20*lowest price/F, where FS is the financial score and F is the proposal’s price under consideration.

Maximum Points – 20

Total Points – 100