Somali Youth Leaders Initiative Baseline Survey

Terms of Reference

Somali Youth Leaders Initiative Baseline Survey

1. Background and Context

As millions of Somalis continue to suffer from conflict, drought, mass displacement, and weak or nonexistent government structures, day-to-day survival is the primary focus for most households.

For 20 years, Somalia has been trapped in a downward spiral marked by violence, extreme poverty, extremism, and criminal behavior.

However, this narrative of fragility is not set in stone. Somaliland, Puntland, and parts of Central Somalia have been relatively stable in recent years, and presidential elections in Somaliland highlighted the potential for more effective governance structures.

Investment in Somalia’s future must focus on engaging Somalia’s large youth population. Providing young people with quality education, skills and opportunities to earn a decent wage, and platforms to positively engage society will reduce the attraction of armed groups and criminal activity, while developing leaders to foster stability and prosperity.

USAID’s Somali Youth Leaders Initiative (SYLI) is crucial to rewriting Somalia’s narrative of suffering to one based on peaceful coexistence, resiliency, and opportunity.

Mercy Corps, along with consortium partners CARE International, Save the Children (SC), Somaliland National Youth Organization (SONYO), and Mudug Development Association Network (MUDAN) will implement a 60-month Somali youth leaders initiative (SYLI) that will directly impact the lives of more than 160,000 Somali youth and reach millions of additional youth, educators, government officials, and community members.

The consortium has over 20 years of experience in Somalia providing assistance throughout the country in quality education, youth livelihoods and civic engagement, peace building, and emergency response.

Building on the success of the USAID-funded SEEDS program (Mercy Corps) and EC-funded education and youth economic opportunities initiatives (CARE and Save the Children), SYLI will work in unison with Ministries of Education, Youth, and Labor to demonstrate to youth that the public sector can be a responsive partner in addressing issues youth care about and are open to long-term transparent engagement and collaboration.

The private sector will also benefit from a larger pool of trained and motivated potential employees, whose improved income will increase demand for goods and services. Communities, in general, will benefit from youth engaged in non-violent activities leading to a stronger and more stable environment.

SYLI will directly support USAID/East Africa’s Assistance Objective Somalia’s Stability Increased Through Targeted Interventions that Foster Good Governance, Economic Recovery, and Reduce the Appeal of Extremism through a project goal of Increased education, economic and civic participation opportunities for Somali youth reduce instability in target areas.

To achieve this goal, the Mercy Corps consortium has developed a series of integrated activities that will work toward three Intermediate Results:

1) Fair and equitable secondary education services improved for at least 25,000 Somali youth, community members, and education officials through classroom construction and rehabilitation, teacher training, capacity building of education officials and improved community engagement in education issues.

2) At least 15,000 youth are more economically self-reliant with supportive systems through
improved access to and quality of technical and vocational education and training (TVET)
services, improved TVET standards, support for business start-ups and improved linkages to
the private sector.

3) 100,000 youth empowered to participate and contribute positively and productively to society through strengthening of youth groups and safe spaces for youth dialogue and support for youth-led advocacy efforts and community improvement projects.

3) Purpose of the Baseline Assessment

a) Establish the baseline values of Performance Management Plan (PMP) indicators against which future measurements of outcome/impact-related changes (e.g., practices, perceptions and/or systemic changes) can be made.

b) Provide information on the status of community participation especially in development initiatives in their areas

c) Provide understanding of youth and stability related factors and gather and analyse information that will assist programme staff in designing or modifying appropriate interventions or generate information for further refining the programme log-frame/PMP.

d) Through their participation, the baseline survey should provide learning opportunities for Mercy Corps and Consortium members’ staff in understanding/internalizing the planned program objectives and activities.

8) Duration of the Assessment

Mercy Corps and the consortium members expect that the entire baseline process will cover a period of 30 days during the months of February and March 2012.

9) Timetable

The Consultant would need to develop a draft timetable for the assessment, which will be discussed with Chief of Party before the commencement of work.

10) Baseline Survey Report

The baseline survey report format will be agreed with the consultant and CoP/M&E specialist upon signing of the contract with the successful consultant

11) Consultancy Cost

The cost of the consultancy will be based on the number of days, cost of travel and professional charges. This is however subject to negotiations with Mercy Corps.

12) Qualification and Experience

The firm/consultant selected should have a proof of competence, expertise and track record for conducting assessments of similar complexity and magnitude.

13) The Bidding Process

The application should contain:

• Not more than 3 pages technical proposal stating suitability and capability, and proposed methodology, and team composition;
• Itemized financial estimates;
• Indicative work plan; and
• Not more than 5 pages CV of the lead consultant.

Logistics

Mercy Corps will provide the Consultant with transport to the field.

Application Procedure:

Interested applicants should request full ToR and submit their proposals to vacancy@so.mercycorps.org on or before 29 January 2012.