The SEP Expert will support the operationalization, monitoring, and documentation of stakeholder engagement activities across project locations specifically in Dollow, Qardho and South Galkayo. The consultant will ensure systematic engagement with all relevant stakeholders, including government authorities, communities, vulnerable groups, implementing partners, and civil society, in accordance with the approved SEP.

Objectives:

The specific objectives of this consultancy are to:

Ensure effective implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan.

Strengthen community participation and ownership of WASH interventions.

Promote inclusive engagement of vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Ensure functioning grievance redress and feedback mechanisms.

Maintain transparent communication between project stakeholders.

Support monitoring and reporting of stakeholder engagement performance.

Background and Context:

The Central and South Regions of Somalia continue to face significant pressure on water supply and sanitation systems due to rapid urban growth, displacement, climate shocks, and recurring droughts and disease outbreaks. Infrastructure improvements under this project aim to enhance sustainable access to safe water and sanitation services for host communities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and public institutions such as schools and health facilities.

Somalia, part of the drought- and conflict-affected Horn of Africa, experiences chronic water shortages and limited WASH infrastructure. Millions of people remain in need of improved WASH services, while displacement caused by insecurity and climate-related shocks continues to strain already limited resources, particularly in Qardho, Doolow, and South Galkayo. These urban centers face challenges including inadequate sanitation systems, poor waste management, and limited access to safe water, resulting in heightened environmental and public health risks. Women and girls are disproportionately affected due to their roles in water collection and household water management, while access to adequate WASH services in households, schools, and health facilities remains insufficient.

The Federal Government of Somalia, in collaboration with development partners, is implementing initiatives to strengthen climate resilience and improve essential services through national development programmes. In this context, funding has been secured from the African Water Facility for the project “Building Resilience to Climate Change through WASH” in Qardho, Dollow, and South Galkayo. The project will support priority interventions, climate risk assessments, and long-term adaptation measures to improve watershed management and WASH service delivery for both host and displaced populations under AfDB phase -II.

Effective stakeholder engagement is critical to ensuring inclusive participation, transparency, social acceptance, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle. A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) has been prepared outlining stakeholder identification, consultation approaches, information disclosure strategies, grievance redress mechanisms and monitoring arrangements. To support implementation of the SEP and strengthen collaboration with communities, authorities, and partners, Client intends to recruit a qualified Stakeholder Engagement Specialist through CTG.

The Specialist will play a key role in facilitating meaningful participation of stakeholders, promoting inclusive communication, supporting community feedback mechanisms, and ensuring that project activities remain responsive to local needs and priorities. This role will contribute to strengthening trust, enhancing community ownership, and supporting the effective delivery of project results across all target locations.

The Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (SEP) will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise to ensure meaningful, inclusive, and culturally appropriate stakeholder engagement throughout the “Building Resilience to Climate Change through WASH” project in Qardho, Dollow, and South Galkayo. The specialist will work closely with client, implementing partners, contractors, and communities to ensure effective engagement, information flow, and participation. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

The SEP Expert will perform the following tasks:

A.Stakeholder Mapping & Analysis

Update and maintain detailed stakeholder mapping for each project location.

Identify affected, interested, and vulnerable stakeholders.

Maintain a comprehensive stakeholder database, engagement records, and participation logs.

B. Planning & Implementation of Engagement Activities

Develop location-specific stakeholder engagement plans and schedules.

Facilitate consultations, community meetings, focus group discussions, and participatory forums.

Ensure engagement is gender-sensitive, inclusive, and culturally appropriate.

Coordinate information disclosure and awareness-raising activities in local languages.

Support community outreach campaigns related to project interventions.

C. Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

Operationalize, monitor, and strengthen project grievance mechanisms.

Ensure all stakeholders have accessible channels to raise concerns or complaints.

Maintain grievance logs and follow-up tracking systems.

Support timely resolution and proper documentation of complaints.

D. Coordination & Communication

Act as liaison between government authorities, NGOs, contractors, and community representatives.

Ensure stakeholders receive timely updates on project progress and interventions.

Facilitate coordination between technical teams and communities for smooth engagement.

E. Monitoring, Reporting & Learning

Track and analyze stakeholder engagement indicators and outcomes.

Prepare monthly engagement reports, including lessons learned, risks, and mitigation measures.

Provide actionable recommendations to enhance community participation and social acceptance.

F. Capacity Strengthening

Build the capacity of partners, field teams, and community structures on stakeholder engagement best practices.

Train teams in participatory approaches and inclusive engagement techniques.

Support local structures involved in monitoring and oversight of project activities.

G. Any other SEP-related tasks requested by Cleint or AfDB during the implementation phase and within the duration of the consultancy.

Deliverables:

1.Inception Report (Due within 2 weeks of contract start)

Conduct a desk review of all relevant project policies, plans, and guidelines related to stakeholder engagement.

Provide a detailed consultant work plan outlining approach, methodology, timeline, coordination mechanisms, and deliverable schedule.

Initial review findings of project documents, stakeholder mapping, engagement plans, and community structures.

Preliminary recommendations for stakeholder engagement strategies, capacity-building needs, and communication approaches.

Annexes: Work schedule, list of key stakeholders consulted, and engagement plan framework.

2. Quarterly Reports (Submitted every 3 months)

Each quarterly report will include:

Updates on stakeholder mapping, engagement activities conducted, and any revisions to engagement plans.

Summary of technical advice and guidance provided to Client, implementing partners, and field teams on community engagement.

Monitoring results from site visits and remote assessments, including findings, participation levels, and recommended improvements.

Documentation of capacity-building activities conducted, including training materials, participant lists, and post-training evaluations.

Status and analysis of Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs), complaints received, addressed, and resolved.

Technical advisory notes issued on emerging engagement challenges or community concerns.

Summary of challenges faced in stakeholder engagement and solutions implemented.

Compilation of donor progress reports as per donor and Client requirements

Annexes: Site visit reports, training materials, engagement checklists, grievance logs, timesheets showing days utilized.

3. Final Stakeholder Engagement and Lessons Learned Report (Due at end of consultancy)

Comprehensive summary of all stakeholder engagement activities conducted during the consultancy period.

Consolidated findings from stakeholder mapping, engagement events, monitoring visits, capacity-building sessions, and grievance tracking.

Assessment of overall effectiveness of stakeholder engagement strategies across project sites.

Documented lessons learned, best practices, and strategic recommendations to improve stakeholder participation and social acceptance in future WASH projects in Somalia.

Final reflections on challenges encountered, mitigation actions implemented, and overall impact of engagement activities.

Complete annexes including all supporting documentation, reports, advisories, and final timesheet with total days utilized.

The selected candidate for this role will report to WASH Manager
Payments will be made based on deliverables and verified working days, following Client’s payment policy. A detailed timesheet and progress report will be required for each payment.

Core Values

• Care

• Respect

• Integrity

• Trust

• Accountability

Core competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)

• Works Collaboratively with others (2)

• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)

• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)

• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)

• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)

• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

• 
  

Technical Competence/ Other qualifications/languages:

• Understanding of Stakeholder’s engagement, grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs), gender and protection considerations, and community engagement processes.

• Excellent analytical, writing, and reporting skills; ability to synthesize technical information into actionable recommendations.

• Familiarity with WASH infrastructure and service delivery models, particularly in displacement-affected or drought-prone areas.

• Ability to work independently and flexibly, with strong time management and coordination skills.

• Familiarity with AfDB, Client, or other international donor safeguard guidelines and frameworks.

• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver capacity-building and training sessions for implementing partners, contractors, and project teams.

• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, or low-capacity settings (experience in Somalia or the Horn of Africa is a strong asset).

• Excellent communication skills in English (verbal and written); knowledge of Somali is an asset

• Willingness and ability to travel to field locations in Qardho, Dollow, and South Galkayo subject to security clearance from UN.

this role has no team management responsibility

to be advised