MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AFFAIRS, FEDERAL & RECONCILIATION-JUBALAND STATE

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Individual Consultant: Local Governance Expert for Kismayo District Development Framework (DDF)

1. Background

In alignment with the objectives of the Dowlad Kaab Program, implemented by the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs, and Reconciliation (MoIFAR) in Jubaland, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the development of a District Development Framework (DDF) for Kismayo. The DDF is designed as a medium-term planning tool that will guide local governance, improve service delivery, enhance community participation, and promote sustainable development across the district.

Over the past year, several partners under the Dowlad Kaab program—including UN-Habitat, UNICEF, and other UN agencies—have supported various phases of the DDF process, such as stakeholder consultations, data gathering, and thematic assessments. These contributions have generated valuable materials and inputs, but the DDF remains incomplete.

UNDP’s role is therefore focused on consolidating, harmonizing, and finalizing all existing inputs into a single, coherent, and actionable District Development Framework for Kismayo. This work will be implemented through MoIFAR–Jubaland State of Somalia (JSS) as the lead government counterpart.

To achieve this, MoIFAR seeks to hire an experienced Local Governance Expert who will bring technical expertise to streamline the process, synthesize contributions from multiple stakeholders, and deliver a well-structured and practical DDF document.

2. Objectives of the Consultancy

The primary objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive and harmonized District Development Framework (DDF) for Kismayo, ensuring that all prior contributions from UN-Habitat, UNICEF, and other partners are effectively integrated. The consultant will:

• Consolidate and harmonize the different inputs, data, and draft documents already developed.
• Ensure alignment of the DDF with the national and state-level development priorities.
• Provide clear strategies, priorities, and implementation pathways tailored to the governance and service delivery needs of Kismayo.
• Develop a user-friendly, practical document that can serve as a guiding tool for local authorities, development partners, and community stakeholders.

3. Key Responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with MoIFAR–JSS, UNDP, and other stakeholders to undertake the following tasks:
1. Review and Assessment:

• Review all existing documents, assessments, draft reports, and outputs generated by UN-Habitat, UNICEF, MOIFAR-Jss and other partners.
• Map out the current status of the DDF process, identifying overlaps, gaps and areas requiring further synthesis.

2. Consolidation and Harmonization:

• Compile all inputs into a single framework, ensuring consistency, coherence, and elimination of duplications.
• Align the framework with Somalia’s National Development Plan (NDP-9) and Jubaland’s state priorities, while remaining relevant to Kismayo’s local context.

3. Framework Development:

• Draft the District Development Framework (DDF), including strategic priorities, objectives, sectoral strategies, and cross-cutting issues.

4. Capacity Building and Validation Support:

• Provide technical guidance to MoIFAR–JSS and Kismayo district officials on the DDF structure, content, and practical use.
• Support MoIFAR in facilitating validation workshops to ensure ownership by local authorities and community representatives.

5. Reporting and Final Deliverables:

• Submit periodic progress updates to MoIFAR–JSS and UNDP.
• Deliver a finalized and harmonized DDF document for Kismayo.
• Provide a final consultancy report summarizing the process, key challenges, and recommendations for next steps.

4. Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

1. Master’s degree in Public Administration, Local Governance, Development Studies, Political Science, or a related field.

Experience:

1. Minimum of 5-7 years of proven experience in local governance, decentralization, or development planning.
2. Demonstrated expertise in developing district or local development frameworks or policy documents.
3. Prior experience working in Somalia, preferably Jubaland.

Skills and Competencies:

1. Strong analytical and drafting skills.
2. Ability to synthesize diverse inputs into coherent outputs.
3. Excellent facilitation and communication skills.
4. Fluency in English and Somali is required.

5. Duration of Assignment

The consultancy is expected to last for a maximum of one (1) month, commencing from the date of contract signing. The assignment will cover desk review, synthesis of inputs, drafting of the consolidated DDF, validation workshop facilitation, and finalization of the framework.

6. Location

The consultant will be primarily based in Kismayo-Jubaland State, with possible travel to other locations under kismayo district as required. Some remote desk-based work may be acceptable but the majority of engagement will occur on the ground in Kismayo.

7. Application Submission

Interested candidates should submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Cover letter.
3. Technical proposal outlining their approach, methodology, and work plan.
4. Financial proposal specifying remuneration.
5. Applications should be submitted to adminfinance-moi@jubalandstate.so, copy localgoverment@jubalandstate.so , dg-moi@jubalandstate.so by 11^th of October, 2025.