Invitation To Bid For Consultancy for Institutional and Financial Capacity Assessment for Developing a Green Climate Fund Proposal in Somalia.

Title of Consultancy

Institutional and Financial Capacity Assessment for Developing a Green Climate Fund Proposal in Somalia.

SCI Contracting Office

Save the Children Somalia Country Office

Period of Consultancy

The assignment will be 40 days inclusive of travel.

Consultant type required

Consultancy Firm.

Responsibility for Logistics arrangements and Costs

Save the children will pay the consultant fee in a lump sum and will not reimburse any incurred costs during the assignment. The consultant will cover their own Logistical arrangements, costs; including food, accommodation, local transport and all cost associated with data collection work and whole activities.

Taxation Provisions

The consultancy firm shall be responsible for all taxes arising from the consultancy in line with the local Tax regulations applicable at the SCI contracting office, Mogadishu.

Travel requirements

The consultancy firm will cover all travel costs (tickets) and arrange local travel to field sites.

Security requirements

The consultancy firm will comply with standard of Save the Children Security procedures, including the completion of SCI online security training (applicable to international consultants) prior to travel to Somalia.

TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR CONDUCTING INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT FOR DEVELOPING A GREEN CLIMATE FUND PROPOSAL IN SOMALIA

INTRODUCTION:

Save the Children International (SCI) is a non-governmental organization whose mission is to fight for children’s rights and deliver immediate and lasting improvement to children’s lives worldwide. SCI has been operational in Greater Somalia for over 40 years. Current programs straddle relief and development in various sectors including, Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Vocational and Skills Training, Education and Food Security & Livelihoods (FSL) working in Somaliland, Puntland, and Central South Somalia to help communities cope with drought, conflict, displacement, and flooding.

Save the Children International’s work brings together partners, communities, civil society and government agencies to develop programs that are sustainable and bring long-term benefit to children and their families. In Somalia Save the Children works across a range of sectors, including child protection, education, health, nutrition, gender, climate change adaptation and food security and livelihoods in partnership with government and civil society partners. As of November 2019, Save the Children Australia, representing Save the Children globally, is an Accredited Entity1 to the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The Green Climate Fund2 is the world’s largest dedicated fund helping developing countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and enhance their ability to respond to climate change. The GCF aims to catalyse a flow of climate finance to invest in low-emission and climate-resilient development, driving a paradigm shift in the global response to climate change. GCF activities are aligned with the priorities of developing countries through the principle of country ownership. The Fund pays particular attention to the needs of societies that are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, in particular Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and African countries.  

In Somalia, Save the Children is working in collaboration with the Government of Somalia, other key stakeholders and communities to develop a large-scale climate-resilient health and wellbeing project for submission to the Green Climate Fund.  Save the Children is now at the stage of undertaking a series of assessments and studies to inform the full funding proposal to GCF and is seeking a specialist to conduct a Financial Management Capacity Assessment for the proposed executing entity.   

OBJECTIVES:

The overall objective of this assignment is for Save the Children to engage a qualified consultant to assess the institutional and financial management capacity of the executing entity; Somalia’s National Designated Authority (Ministry of Environment and Climate Change). This includes evaluating fiduciary capacity, the operation of financial management systems, and the policies and procedures covering the legal framework and status, procurement, human resources, project management, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) measures to meet the financial compliance requirements for the Green Climate Fund.

Spcific Objectives:

• Assess the institutional governance structure, financial management systems, procurement frameworks, MEAL, human resource management, safeguarding measures, existing policies, and the legal framework governing donor-funded project implementation
• Evaluate the organizational structure, financial management practices, and alignment with GCF requirements, including Review the capacity and capability of current financial management systems and their alignment with GCF requirements, including:
  • Existing accounting systems
  • Policy and procedure documents for procurement and expense management
  • Processes for purchase orders and receipting of goods and services
  • Prepayment processes
  • Accounts payable management
  • Structure and competencies of the finance team
• Examine cash management mechanisms within the government and the flow of funds to local councils, including:
  • Banking arrangements, such as account management and signatories
  • Bank reconciliation processes
  • Cash handling practices
  • Petty cash management
  • Project-specific petty cash and cash advance handling
• Review the entity’s relevant experience in managing donor-funded projects.
• Confirm the existence and effectiveness of AML and CFT policies, practices, and procedures.

SCOPE OF WORK:

This assignment aims to conduct a comprehensive Institutional and Financial Management Capacity Assessment to inform the Green Climate Fund Proposal Development in Somalia through the following activities:

• Project Inception: Conduct a kick-off meeting with key stakeholders to clarify project objectives, expectations, timelines, and review relevant financial management documentation.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Meet with key design team members (Team Leader and Save the Children staff in Somalia, UK, and Australia) to present an overview of assessment criteria, data requirements, and agree on support needs and responsibilities.
• Intuitional and Financial Management Capacity Assessment: Evaluate the proposed executing entity’s legal framework, organizational structure, MEAL, human resource management, safeguarding measures, and culture, financial management procedures, procurement policies, and experience in managing donor-funded projects. Also, assess the existence and implementation of AML and CFT policies, practices, and procedures.
• Reporting: Prepare a report detailing findings and recommendations regarding the financial management capacity of the executing entity.
• Documentation Preparation: Compile any required supporting documentation to append to the FMCA Annex in the proposal.

Out of Scope 

The consultant may be called upon to provide justification/comments in relation to the feedback from GCF on the overall proposal as it relates to this component.

PROJECT/ACTIVITY LOCATION

The proposed activities will be conducted in the Federal Government of Somalia

METHODOLOGY:

The overall exercise will primarily be a desk study but will include qualitative data collection stages to develop a substantive, user-centered capacity assessment for financial management for GCF executing entities. The steps outlined below will be an integral part of the process:

·         Desk Review: Conduct a thorough review of existing documentation related to institutional and financial management.

·         Capacity Assessment Framework: Develop a framework focusing on budgeting and financial planning, accounting practices, financial reporting, internal controls, risk management, compliance and audit practices, and policies and procedures covering the legal framework and status, procurement, human resources, and project management.

·         Interviews and Focus Groups: Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions with stakeholders to collect in-depth information.

·         Data Analysis: Analyse data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.

·         Validation Meeting: Organize a meeting to validate findings and refine recommendations with stakeholder input.

Professional quality and Expertise

The following are minimum requirements for the Consultant Firm to be considered for carrying out the assignment.

·         Minimum of ten years’ experience in conducting capacity assessments and reviewing financial management frameworks, including accounting systems, cash management, and internal controls within international development contexts.

·         Preferable knowledge of Somali government systems and district council structures.

·         Proven experience in assessing financial management systems to ensure compliance with donor requirements.

·         Comprehensive understanding of GCF processes, policies, and compliance assessment tools for financial management.

·         Strong written and oral communication skills in English. 

·         Updated CVs for the following key staff including relevant work experience and qualifications:

o    Financial Management Expert

o    Capacity Building Expert

o    Operations Expert

o    Professional qualification: ACCA OR CPA

KEY PROFESSIONAL STAFF REQUIREMENT

Description

Minimum Qualification and professional experience

Financial Management Expert/ Technical Team Lead

·         Master’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution OR Professional qualification: ACCA OR CPA.

·         Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in financial management, particularly in international development or humanitarian sectors.

·         Proven track record in managing financial operations for large-scale projects, especially those funded by international donors such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

·         Extensive experience in developing and reviewing financial management frameworks, policies, and procedures that align with donor requirements.

·         Strong understanding of financial compliance standards and regulations in the context of international development.

·         Strong interpersonal skills with experience in collaborating with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and donor organizations.

·         Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to non-financial audiences.

Capacity Building

Expert

·         Master’s degree in education, International Development, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field from an accredited institution.

·         Master’s degree in education, International Development, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or a related field from an accredited institution.

·         Extensive experience in developing training curricula and materials tailored to the specific needs of diverse audiences, including local staff, government officials, and community members.  Familiarity with various training methodologies, including experiential learning, participatory approaches, and blended learning techniques.

·         Experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including local governments, NGOs, and community organizations, to foster partnerships and enhance capacity-building efforts.

·         Experience managing capacity-building projects, including budgeting, planning, and reporting.

·         Strong understanding of cultural dynamics and the ability to adapt training approaches to fit the local context.

·         Experience working in diverse cultural settings and with marginalized communities.

Operations Expert

·         Master’s degree in business administration, Operations Management, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution.

·         Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations management, with a focus on international development, humanitarian aid, or nonprofit organizations.

·         Proven track record in optimizing operational processes and improving efficiency in complex project environments.

·         Knowledge of supply chain management principles, including procurement, logistics, and distribution in humanitarian or development contexts.

·         Experience in managing relationships with suppliers and service providers to ensure timely delivery of goods and services.

·         Strong skills in identifying operational risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.

·         Experience in crisis management and contingency planning, particularly in challenging environments.

·         Proven ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, including local governments, NGOs, and community organizations, to enhance operational effectiveness.

Research and Data analyst

·         Master’s/ degree in Research and data analyst and/or relevant experience Social Sciences, Public Health, International Development, or a related field from an accredited institution.

·         Minimum of 7 years of experience in Research and Data analyst  particularly in the context of international development, humanitarian projects, or NGO operations.

·         Proven track record of designing and implementing   frameworks for large-scale projects funded by international donors.

·         Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews.

·         Proficient in data analysis using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and data visualization tools to interpret findings and generate actionable insights.

·         Proven ability to train and mentor staff and partners in Research and Data analyst principles, tools, and techniques to enhance their capacity for data collection and analysis.

·         Experience in developing training materials and conducting workshops to build research skills among local stakeholders.

·         Strong interpersonal skills with experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations.

·         Knowledge of international standards and best practices in M&E, including those from organizations like the OECD-DAC, USAID, and the World Bank.

·         Experience ensuring compliance with donor M&E requirements and reporting standards.

Application Procedure

·         Interested consultant (s) who meet the consultancy requirements are requested to submit their bid and each application package should include the above required minimum requirements. 

Applications can be submitted by either:

Electronic Submission via ProSave

Ø  Submit your response in accordance with the guidance provided in the below document:

·         Bidders are encouraged to apply via Ariba system. Please request the Ariba link via email sending your company profile and Business registration certificate/CV. Please address your Ariba link request to  somalia.procurement@savethechildren.org 

Electronic Submission via Protected Email box

·         Email should be addressed to Somalia.tenders@savethechildren.org

·         Note – this is a sealed tender box which will not be opened until the tender has closed. Therefore, do not send tender related questions to this email address as they will not be answered.

·         The subject of the email should be   Institutional and Financial Capacity Assessment for Developing a Green Climate Fund Proposal in Somalia All attached documents should be clearly labelled so it is clear to understand what each file relates to.

·         Emails should not exceed 15mb – if the file sizes are large, please split the submission into two emails. 

·         Do not copy other SCI email addresses into the email when you submit it as this will invalidate your bid.

Applicants should also indicate the date they are available to start working on the consultancy. All applications MUST be submitted on or before the closing date below to be considered for the assignment.

Only shortlisted Candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for Applications

Interested consultants shall submit their applications through the above procedures on or before  2nd  March  2025.

……………………………………..

JOIN OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

LINKEDIN : https://www.linkedin.com/company/86580313/admin/

TELEGRAM  : https://t.me/realjobgater

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091751887225

TIKTOK : https://www.tiktok.com/@jobgater