Consultancy: Facilitator for conducting Capacity-building workshops on Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) for Consortia

Location: Physical training in Hargeisa and Mogadishu with virtual hubs from Garoowe and Baidowa

Duration: 15 days including preparation, training, post-training follow-up and report writing

Organization Background

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a regional network founded in 1995, comprising over 150 civil society organizations across Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. SIHA aims to advance gender justice by addressing critical challenges faced by women and girls in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA), including violence, lack of access to basic services, and exclusion from decision-making processes. The organization’s work is guided by feminist principles, a human rights-based approach, and intersectionality, with a focus on creating inclusive, resilient feminist movements to foster social and political transformation. SIHA’s commitment to transformative change is reflected in its efforts to address interconnected systems of oppression while strengthening collective action among its members and affiliates. More information about SIHA is available at www.sihanet.org

The current project, ‘Solidarity in Action: Building More Inclusive Feminist Movements to End Violence Against Women and Girls in the Greater Horn of Africa’, aims to empower women’s rights organizations and coalitions to counter backlash and promote gender justice effectively. The initiative focuses on strengthening strategic planning, organizational capacities, and feminist advocacy to tackle pervasive violence against women and girls (VAWG). Promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and sub-regional partnerships, the project seeks to address systemic barriers and amplify the voices of marginalized groups, including internally displaced persons, minority women, and survivors of violence. Through these efforts, SIHA aims to establish a robust feminist movement capable of influencing policies, laws, and social norms to achieve meaningful progress in the region

Justification and Objectives

The Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) of SIHA member organizations in Somalia and Somaliland carried out by SIHA Network on December 2024 highlights both notable strengths and persistent challenges. Organizations in both regions exhibit well-structured governance systems, particularly in decision-making and coordination, which enhance operational efficiency. Somaliland demonstrates robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, with 75% of organizations integrating MEL frameworks to track impact and inform decision-making. Similarly, Somali organizations effectively utilize data for program improvement, with 86% actively conducting impact evaluations. Awareness of risks associated with advocacy is commendable, especially in Somalia (86%), where proactive measures are evident. Favorable policy environments in Somaliland further enable smoother civil society operations, while active media engagement in Somalia amplifies organizational visibility and advocacy efforts.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Both regions heavily depend on international donors, limiting financial autonomy and sustainability, while engagement with marginalized groups like people with disabilities and rural communities remains insufficient. Weak or moderate community relationships in some organizations hinder trust and program relevance. Additionally, limited engagement with female politicians restricts advocacy efforts for gender-inclusive policies.

SIHA recognizes that tailored capacity-building initiatives focusing on resource mobilization, inclusivity, and risk management are critical for empowering member organizations to address existing gaps and strengthen women’s rights movements in Somalia and Somaliland. To support this effort, SIHA is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a three-day training workshop aimed at Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) for Consortia.

Objective: Enable organizations to track joint impact, report effectively to donors, and improve consortium performance.

Key Content

• Designing a collaborative MEL framework for consortiums.
• Data-sharing agreements & reporting structures among partners
• Using technology for real-time data collection & visualization
• Creating knowledge-sharing platforms & joint learning sessions

Methodology

The training workshop will follow a hybrid model, combining in-person and virtual elements to accommodate the diverse needs and geographical distribution of SIHA member organizations in Somalia. This three-day workshop will be conducted by a lead facilitator working closely with SIHA in-country staff to ensure the program is contextually relevant and effectively executed. The training materials will blend theoretical concepts with practical applications and skill-building exercises to enhance participants’ capacity in key focus areas.

The methodology will include:

1. PowerPoint presentations and group discussions will introduce theoretical concepts, supported by interactive group discussions and activities to foster engagement and shared learning.
2. Simulations and role-playing exercises will engage in practical simulations and role-playing scenarios to practice handling real-life challenges commonly faced by member organizations, promoting experiential learning.
3. Carefully selected case studies will be analyzed collaboratively by participants, encouraging critical thinking and providing an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to realistic situations.

Consultant Expectations

The consultant will be expected to:

1. Design a comprehensive training agenda, including objectives, session plans, and timelines, aligned with the workshop’s goals and identified capacity gaps.
2. Create and adapt blended learning materials, including presentations, case studies, and practical exercises, tailored to the context and needs of SIHA member organizations.
3. Lead the workshop sessions, ensuring an engaging and participatory environment. The consultant should adopt facilitation techniques to suit both in-person and virtual participants.
4. Utilize interactive methodologies to develop collaboration, discussions, and the practical application of concepts.
5. Provide practical tools and resources and equip participants with actionable tools and templates to apply learnings in their organizational contexts.
6. Prepare a post-training report and submit a detailed report summarizing the workshop outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives.

Tasks

1. Develop a pre-training survey to identify key priority areas.
2. Develop a training plan, materials, and evaluation tools based on identified needs.
3. Deliver a 3-day training.
4. Prepare a training report highlighting key issues and recommendations

Deliverables

• Pre-training survey tool.
• Training materials tailored to the context and priorities.
• Pre and post-test evaluation tools.
• Draft and final training reports.
• Pre- and post-training evaluation test results.
• Recommendations for future training and programming

Duration of Work

This assignment will run for a maximum of ten days as follows.

• Pre-training tool and Participant selection: 20th May 2025.
• Development of training materials including evaluation tools: by 21st – 23rd May 2025
• Actual Training: 24th –26th May ,2025
• Report writing 27th May to 1st June 2025

How to Apply:

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should submit their resumes, technical and financial proposals via the link https://airtable.com/app7ZrFwGEjSFg6y3/shrOdlSt5x9O7Wc4j not later than 17th May 2025, 11:59pm.

Consultants based in Somalia and Somaliland are encouraged to apply.

Shortlisting will be on a rolling basis. If you do not hear from us 10 working days from the closure of the advert, please know that your application was not considered for the next stage of recruitment.