Consultant for Development of a context-specific risk assessments ToGETHER 2.O Program, Somalia At Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe

Project Background

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is an International Non-Governmental Organization that provides humanitarian aid worldwide supporting communities affected by natural disasters, war and displacement. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe has been working in Somalia since 1992 and has an office in Mogadishu, supporting the delivery of humanitarian aid to internally displaced women, men, girls and boys through partnership with local organizations. These organizations provide assistance in the sectors of Shelter, Food security, Livelihoods and Markets, Education, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.

With the financial support of the German Foreign Office, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe and its consortium partners Welthungerhilfe, Caritas Germany and Malteser International are implementing the ToGETHER programme (Towards Greater Effectiveness and Timeliness in Humanitarian Emergency Response) which supports localized humanitarian action in eight countries, including Somalia. The programme’s overall ambition is to contribute to the reduction of effects of disasters on local communities. To achieve this, ToGETHER programme aims at strengthening local humanitarian preparedness and response capacities and promoting local leadership in humanitarian action. Programme activities include development of acceptable Risk Sharing Model by Communities, Local and International Humanitarian partners and GFFO, joint effort for better access to humanitarian coordination and funding. In Somalia, DKH works with Five local Humanitarian Partners. For this purpose, the programme identified these five Local Humanitarian Partners (LHPs) during phase one of the project that strengthened and exchanged their institutional and operational preparedness and response capacities to reinforce effective, timely, and principled humanitarian action.

ToGETHER Phase Two places a strong emphasis on advancing equitable partnerships and fostering sustainable local leadership in humanitarian efforts. The program seeks to bridge gaps between local and international actors by addressing structural barriers such as risk transfer, sub granting and unequal partnership. The program design will put significant efforts on the development of risk-sharing model and Gender Equality, Social Inclusion into all processes. Recognizing the inherent risks faced by local humanitarian partners (LHPs) in complex and volatile context like Somalia, the program aims to co-create a context-sensitive risk-sharing model in collaboration with communities, LHPs, Consortium Partners (CPs) and the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO). This model will reflect a balanced approach to managing risks, ensuring that both local and international actors can operate effectively while minimizing vulnerabilities and risk transfer. Moreover, ToGETHER 2.0 underscores the importance of gender-responsive strategies as a cross-cutting priority, acknowledging the unique challenges faced by women-led organizations and their vital role in enhancing community resilience. These initiatives collectively contribute to advancing localization, promoting inclusive participation, and reinforcing the quality and timeliness of humanitarian action in Somalia and beyond.

ToGETHER Phase two will continue to play a proactive role in advancing the Global Grand Bargain (GB) movement and the operationalization of localization agenda on a national, regional and international levels. The Grand Bargain Agenda 2023 will focus on Localization, Quality Funding, and Participation as the first focus area, and Anticipatory Action, Innovative Financing, and Nexus as the second focus area. GB 2023 identifies risk-sharing and gender issues as cross-cutting

1. Objectives of the Consultancy

• The purpose of this assignment is to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive, context-specific risk assessment encompassing financial, program implementation, and security risks for Local Humanitarian Partners (LHPs) and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) in Somalia.
• The Consultancy will undertake mapping out and analyzing of potential risks faced by DKH and its partners within the operational and environmental context, identifying vulnerabilities and challenges that could impact their effectiveness or sustainability.
• Based on these assessments, the consultant will develop tailored recommendations for mitigation strategies and suitable risk-sharing model framework aimed at addressing identified risks

These activities will be guided by and aligned with the objectives of activity 1.2 and the associated project milestones 2, 3 ensuring the recommendations are practical, relevant, and responsive to the project.

Activity 1.2: Partners (communities, LHPs, Consortium Partners, and GFFO) are collaboratively working on an acceptable risk sharing model to enhance the delivery of humanitarian action by local actors.

• Milestone 2: Risk assessment for LHPs and Consortium Partners (CPs i.e. DKH) and joint development of a piloting risk sharing model by Communities, LHPs, CPs and GFFO
• Milestone 3: Rollout / implementation of the risk sharing model

2. Specific Assignment Tasks

In collaboration with 5 existing Local Humanitarian Partners of the ToGETHER project and Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) Somalia Country Office, the consultant will undertake the following tasks;

• Assess both local and international risks faced by humanitarian NGOs, including operational, programmatic, financial, reputation, legal, political, environmental, and security risks and their impacts on NGO’s working in Somalia
• Provide a comprehensive overview of the risk landscape in Somalia, highlighting key risk categories, their implications for humanitarian operations, and recommended mitigation measures.
• Conduct remote consultations to understand regional risks related to operational areas
• Collect and analyze data from LHPs, CPs, and other key stakeholders (INGOs, UN Agencies, Donors and both levels of Governments) to understand the specific challenges each faces.
• Conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including LHPs, local authorities, INGOs, UN Agencies, Donors and community leaders, to gather insights on risk contexts.
• Provide a detailed mapping of risks, including key vulnerabilities, geographic hotspots, and context-specific challenges (e.g., clan rivalries, political instability, climate and weather-related risks such as l flooding, or droughts
• Analyze how these identified risks affect humanitarian operations, staff safety, program delivery, and organizational sustainability.
• Review the capacity and preparedness of local partners to manage these risks.
• Document the existing risk management strategies used by LHPs and CPs and assess their effectiveness.
• Recommend suitable risk-sharing model framework to be pursued by the Communities, LHPs, Consortium Partners and GFFO.

3. Methodology

The consultant is expected to develop and provide clear guidelines for the methodology to ensure a participatory and inclusive process. The following are some of the suggested approaches:

• Literature Review: Analyze national, regional and global best practices and existing risk-sharing models.
• Stakeholder Consultations: To gather comprehensive insights, conduct stakeholder consultations through in-depth discussions with key stakeholders.
• Risk Mapping: Use tools like SWOT analysis or risk matrices to visualize risks and mitigation strategies.
• Workshops: Facilitate validation workshops to ensure the risk assessment report aligns with stakeholder needs.

4. Scope and Deliverables of the Assignment

Comprehensive Risk Assessment Report

A detailed document that provides:

1. An overview of the risk landscape in Somalia, identifying key risk categories (operational, financial, reputational, legal, political, environmental, and security risks) and their implications for humanitarian operations.
2. Mapping of geographic and context-specific vulnerabilities (e.g., clan rivalries, seasonal flooding).
3. Analysis of risks’ impacts on humanitarian efforts, staff safety, and program delivery.
4. Recommendations for mitigating identified risks and risk-sharing models.
5. A review of the existing capacity and preparedness of LHPs and CPs to handle risks, highlighting gaps and areas for improvement.
6. Assess existing risk sharing models operational in Somalia

5. Duration of the Assignment The estimated timeline for the security assessment is 30 days, including planning, site visits, data collection, analysis, and report preparation and validation workshop. Specific dates and milestones will be mutually agreed upon between the Consultant and DKH/partners. The expected start date will as soon as possible.

6. Consultant Qualification

Essential

• An independent consultancy firm/individual with solid expert knowledge & experience in key risk categories (operational, financial, reputational, legal, political, environmental, and security risks) and their implications for humanitarian operations.
• Experience in working with humanitarian sectoral and complex programs relating to emergency and development projects in Somalia preferably a minimum of 5 years
• Proven experience in working with local partners in Somalia
• Proven ability to provide strategic recommendations to key stakeholders on risk mitigation Measures
• Proven experience with participatory evaluation and qualitative and quantitative methods (mixed-method design, triangulation)
• Readiness and ability to travel to all LHPs areas of operation in Somalia
• Excellent English skills – speaking and writing are essential and speaking Somali languages is requirement
• Ability to deal with hardship and remote area fieldwork
• Present team with good background experience in organizational assessment, interpersonal skills and understanding cultural sensitivities
• Proven experience in risk management, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Expertise in humanitarian and development programming, with knowledge of Somalia’s context.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with donor requirements and compliance mechanisms.