Terms of Reference (TOR): Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs Assessment in Somalia to Inform 2027 Response Planning Consultancy

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs Assessment in Somalia to Inform 2027 Response Planning

• Organisation: ActionAid International Somalia (AAIS)
• Locations: Jamame and Baardhere (Jubaland State); Beledweyne and Jowhar (Hirshabelle State), subject to confirmation
• Consultancy / Duration: National consultant or firm; approximately 30 calendar days
• Reporting Line: AAIS Area Manage, with technical supervision from the MEAL Coordinator

1. Introduction and Background

ActionAid International Somalia (AAIS) has operated in Somalia since 1992, supporting women, young people and marginalised communities through humanitarian and development programming. Its human rights-based approach promotes local leadership, feminist principles, gender equality, accountability and resilience. AAIS works with Somali civil society, national NGOs and community structures to address food insecurity, displacement, climate shocks and barriers to essential services.

Somalia’s humanitarian crisis is driven by recurrent droughts and floods, armed conflict and insecurity, displacement, food insecurity, disease outbreaks, economic shocks and limited access to essential services. These interconnected pressures disproportionately affect displaced populations, women and girls, children, minority and marginalised communities, older people and persons with disabilities. Funding constraints further underscore the need for evidence-based prioritisation and context-specific responses.

AAIS will commission a Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Needs Assessment (MSNA) across selected districts to generate a credible evidence base for humanitarian planning and potential 2027 funding proposals, including opportunities under DG ECHO’s Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) 2027. Official HIP priorities and requirements will be verified once published; anticipated themes will not be treated as confirmed donor requirements. The assessment will build on existing inter-agency evidence and avoid duplication. National partners, including NAPAD, SSWC and DAN, where relevant to their geographic presence, will support contextual engagement and safe access planning.

Key Responsibilities

2. Purpose and Objectives

The assessment will independently and rigorously examine the severity, distribution and interrelationships of humanitarian needs across the target districts, informing geographic and population prioritisation, integrated response design, programme development and coordination for 2027.

The specific objectives are to:

• Assess the scale and severity of needs across food security and livelihoods, health, nutrition, WASH, protection, education and shelter/NFI.
• Identify priority locations and population groups based on displacement, vulnerability, shock exposure, service gaps and barriers to assistance.
• Analyse how conflict, drought, flooding, displacement, livelihood losses, disease and service disruptions compound humanitarian needs.
• Examine protection risks, gender- and disability-related barriers, safe access to services, and community priorities and preferences.
• Assess market functionality and the feasibility and appropriateness of multipurpose cash, sectoral cash/vouchers, in-kind assistance and service-based responses.
• Review early-warning information, preparedness and opportunities for anticipatory action where supported by evidence.
• Map existing actors and interventions, identifying response gaps, duplication risks, coordination opportunities and pathways for meaningful localisation.
• Recommend feasible, integrated and accountable response options for 2027, clearly distinguishing evidence-based findings from unconfirmed donor priorities

Skills and Qualifications

Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Consulting Firms

1. Institutional Experience

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience conducting humanitarian and development assessments, preferably MSNAs, in Somalia or the Horn of Africa.
• Proven track record of delivering similar assignments for NGOs, UN agencies, or other humanitarian organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, evidence-based reports and actionable recommendations.

2. Technical Expertise

• A multidisciplinary team with relevant humanitarian sector expertise.
• Strong experience in mixed-methods research, sampling, data collection, analysis, and triangulation.
• Proficiency in digital data collection, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and data visualisation.

3. Operational Capacity

• Experience conducting assessments in fragile, insecure, and hard-to-reach locations.
• Good understanding of Somalia’s humanitarian context and operational challenges.
• Capacity to manage field teams and deliver assignments within agreed timelines.

4. Quality Assurance and Safeguarding

• Established procedures for data quality assurance, safeguarding, PSEA, and data protection.
• Commitment to gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).

5. Legal Compliance

• Valid business registration and authorisation to operate in the assessment locations.
• Compliance with applicable tax and statutory requirements.

6. Desirable Experience

• Previous experience with DG ECHO, EU, or other institutional donor-funded assessments.
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and evidence-based response planning.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements for Individual Consultants

1. Academic Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or higher in Humanitarian Affairs, Public Health, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, MEAL, or a related field.
• Additional training in humanitarian assessments, research, or data analysis is an asset.

2. Professional Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in humanitarian assessments, MEAL, or applied research.
• Proven track record of completing at least three (3) similar assignments, preferably MSNAs, baseline studies, or evaluations.
• Experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or other humanitarian organisations, preferably in Somalia or similar contexts.

3. Technical Expertise

• Strong skills in mixed-methods research, sampling, data collection, analysis, and triangulation.
• Proficiency in KoboToolbox, ODK, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and data visualisation.
• Ability to conduct sectoral and intersectoral analysis and produce high-quality reports with actionable recommendations.

4. Humanitarian Principles and Safeguarding

• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, gender equality, protection, disability inclusion, and conflict sensitivity.
• Knowledge of localisation, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), safeguarding, PSEA, and ethical data management.

5. Contextual Knowledge and Field Experience

• Strong understanding of Somalia’s humanitarian context, including conflict, displacement, climate-related shocks, and service delivery gaps.
• Experience conducting assessments in insecure and hard-to-reach locations and engaging with affected communities and relevant stakeholders.

6. Team Composition and Capacity

• Applicants proposing a team must clearly identify team members, their roles, qualifications, and relevant experience.
• The proposed team must demonstrate adequate sectoral, research, data analysis, GIS, and field coordination expertise.
• The lead consultant shall ensure technical quality, effective coordination, and timely delivery of the assignment.

7. Language and Communication Skills

• Excellent written and spoken English is required, including strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

8. Desirable Experience

• Previous experience with DG ECHO, EU, or other institutional donor-funded assessments.
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards, donor requirements, and evidence-based response planning.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their technical and financial proposals as separate documents, together with all required supporting documentation, by the deadline specified in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

All proposals must be prepared in English. Only complete applications that meet the minimum eligibility and qualification requirements will be considered for technical and financial evaluation.

AAIS reserves the right to request additional documentation or clarification during the evaluation and selection process.

Applications should be emailed to admin.somalia@actionaid.org, with the subject line: “Application – Somalia Multi-Sectoral Needs Assessment Consultancy 2027”. Interested firms and individuals should submit their applications no later than October 31st, 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with AAIS procurement procedures, considering technical quality, methodology, relevant experience, team capacity, safeguarding, feasibility and value for money.

10. Ownership and Confidentiality

All outputs will be managed in accordance with the consultancy contract and AAIS policies. The consultant may not publish or disclose data or findings without prior written authorisation. Identifiable or sensitive information must be excluded from external outputs, and all data handling must comply with agreed confidentiality, retention and deletion arrangements.

Documents:

• Download the MSNA Terms of Reference – ActionAid Somalia (PDF)

Deadline

Deadline: 31 October 2026

Riyo Jobs is not the employer; apply directly to ActionAid Somalia.