Terms of Reference

Reflection and Learning Event: The Dynamics and Challenges Surrounding Returnee Re-integration in Lower Juba, Somalia

1. Introduction

Sharing experiences, learning and best practices is one of the ways to improve programming, engage with communities and influence policy agendas at a broader scale. Learning, documenting and disseminating best practices and lessons learned regarding re-integration of returnees and IDPs into host communities and peaceful co-existence among refugee returnees, IDPs and host communities is one of the key activities of the Enhanced Resilience and Sustainable Returnee Re-integration project funded by German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in Somalia and implemented specifically by CARE International. Return and repatriation of Somali refugees in Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya to Somalia began in 2014 with about 85,000 individuals returning to Somalia and out of that figure 55,900 individuals returning to Lower Juba having returned between 2014 and 2019.

Repatrian of returnees and successful re-inetgration of returnees and IDPs into host communities in a fragile context with almost non-existent or poor basic services is challenging and requires concerted coordination of humanitarian agencies and collaboration with local administration. The Inter Agency Working Group (IAWG), the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) and the Somalia NGO Consortium have made great efforts to coordinate the process and convene regular meetings to ensure smooth repatriation process and successful settlement and re-integration of returnees and IDPs into host communities. Lower Juba receives the greatest number of returnees thus far and Kismayo town is coping with a burgeoning number of returnees and IDPs due to not only repatriation from Dadaab but also government offensive against Al-shabab militants in the region. Rising needs, inadequate humanitarial support and low capacity by local structures to absorb and re-integrate returnees and IDPs make the situation difficult. Humanitarian agencies have been providing supplies and services in almost all sectors – shelter, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection – and it is therefore time to review and reflect upon the effectivess of this support to returnees and IDPs and evaluate the re-integration process.

This is because learning is vital for bringing about durable solutions for displaced populations as well as adapting over the longer term. Ensuring learning not only leads to improve impact, but also informs wider aid community seeking to achieve durable solutions for returnees and IDPs in Somalia.

This learning event intends to give ample space for discussion of this learning and discussion of the challenges facing durable solution, returnee re-integration and peaceful co-existence among host communities, IDPs and returnees. The learning event will draw stakeholder experiences UN agencies, NGOs and government authorities in Lower Juba. The event will enable stakeholders to identify key learnings pertaining to returnee and IDP re-integration. The following questions and issues will be explored during the learning event.

a) What are the key interventions that promote peaceful co-existence of host communities, IDPs and returnees?

b) What needs to be improved in coordination mechanisms and collaboration with government?

c) Can we identify core interventions that catalyze returnee re-integration in most areas of the region or is it preferable to outline effective principles and minimum standards that consistently promote durable solutions?

d) Can we identify approaches that can be scaled to meet the needs of a country like Somalia or is replication of smaller projects more preferable vis-a-vis conflict settings?

e) Are there strategic interventions that launch the process of returnee re-integration and what are the tipping points in that process?

f) Has community engagement, feedback, research and/or learning identified any emergent pathways to durable solutions and returnee re-integration?

2. Objectives

2.1 Goal: Enhance collaborative reflection and learning, collective impact, program quality and accountability, and adaptive action by Jubbaland government and humanitarian/development partners through shared feedback in returnee re-integration and durable solutions for IDPs and refugee returnees

2.2 Specific objectives

a) Reflect on learning generated through the implementation of IDPs and returnees sup

b) Use the reflection and learning event to improve collaboration, learning, and partnerships among humanitarian/development partners in Jubbaland as well as with Jubbaland authorities

3. Expected outcomes

a) Findings and suggestions for durable solutions and returnee re-integration programing in fragile and/or conflict affected settings.

b) Key strategies and common approaches to improve returnee re-integration

c) Further opportunities and mechanisms for continued learning and experience-sharing among humanitarian/development partners in Jubaland involved providing short term and long terms assistance to IDPS and returnees

4. Methodology/approach

This reflection and learning event shall focus on learning from monitoring and review activities by partners in their day to implementation of humanitarian activities aimed at improving the living conditions of IDPs and returnees and supporting their peaceful co-existence with host communities. The facilitators will ensure the workshop follows standard practice of modular, interactive, and participatory engagement.

The facilitators shall employ a variety of methodologies to moderate the discussions, identify issues and elicit learning and key take-away points. Some of the methodologies to be applied in this training are:

a) Plenary discussions

This methodology entails the discussions, debate and deliberations that participants and facilitator make as a one group in plenary where the issues and learning points raised by the facilitators are elaborated, described and exemplified first by participants and then later consolidated by the facilitator.

b) Question and answer

This methodology is one where the facilitators ask questions on the subject matter to participants to test their level of understanding, clarify some issues which the participants are better placed to explain or make them rehearse their learning. Similarly, the participants also ask questions to facilitators to seek clarifications or understand the subject matter better.

c) Group discussions

This methodology is one where the facilitator divides the participants into groups to work on a particular question or solve a particular problem. The groups later present their work in plenary where the facilitator and the rest of the participants supplement or challenge the work of each group.

d) Role plays

This methodology resembles acting in a drama, film or a concert. It is meant to convey a message, demonstrate a real life situation or practically demonstrate how to tackle a certain situation. Depending on the nature of the role play, the facilitator and/or participants pretend a particular character and run a show in plenary.

After, the end of the play, the facilitator brainstorms how the play went, what impressed the spectators, what they did not like in the play and how it could have been done better.

e) Brainstorming

This methodology is like the question and answer. However, it is only one-way where only the facilitator poses a question and the participants give answers and their opinions in response to the question. This methodology is used to present or depict a full picture of a theme.

f) Presentations/talking points

This methodology entails the reading of lecture points to participants. This method is used to present concluding points of group discussions, share figures and facts extracted from literature or guidance notes for participants.

5. Roles and responsibilities of CARE Somalia

a) Invite workshop participants

b) Provide relevant background documents

c) Provide logistics and workshop materials

d) Review draft products by the facilitators and provide comments

e) Process after satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission of final report

6. Roles and responsibilities of facilitators

a) Prepare a detailed agenda of the reflection and learning event that is consistent with the objectives and expected outcomes of the event

b) Moderate plenary discussions and guide the entire reflection and learning event proceedings

c) Capture and highlight common learning, research findings, innovations, themes and key messages during the learning event

d) Manage time during the workshop sessions

e) Maintain continuity and connectivity between the sessions

f) Keep flow and energy levels maintained throughout the two days

g) Coordinate with associated staff and partners to develop a full report of the learning event

7. Reporting

Provide a full report at the end of the event compiling key learning of the events, building on all presentations made, group discussions, plenary reflections, and workshop proceedings and outcomes. The report will include but not limited to:

h) Summaries of key discussions, presentations and event sessions,

i) Compiling of key learning and outcomes, and

j) Identified messages for sharing, next steps and additional questions.

Payments will be made after submission of the final report.

8. Key competences, technical background, and experience required

a) At least five years of relevant work experience, with focus on facilitating meetings, learning events or workshops for International Non-governmental Organization and/ or other international, regional or bilateral organizations

b) Experience working on or strong knowledge of durable solution, IDPs/refugee returnees’ re-integration and/or development issues in the Horn of Africa and particularly in Somalia would be an asset

c) Understanding of humanitarian and accountability frameworks developed by bilateral donors and particularly an understanding of or familiarity with OCHA guiding principles of internal displacement and the IOM effective re-integration approaches report would be an asset.

d) Knowledge and work experience of the ways of working of humanitarian and development NGOs (local and international); state authorities (national, district and local); Bilateral donors

e) Cultural sensitivity and experience moderating meeting of culturally diverse and international groups;

f) Expertise in implementing and or designing a wide range of interactive methods to strengthen teams and improve collaboration during workshops

g) Fluency in English

9. Financial proposal

The facilitator is asked to provide a financial proposal for their daily rate and anticipated expenses (5 days preparation including travel to Kismayo, 2 days facilitating the event and 3 days reporting).

10. Expression of Interest

a) Up to date CVs

b) Technical proposals with provisional workshop agenda

c) Financial proposal

Please submit your CV and a short proposal (1 pager max) on the proposed methodology. Please also submit a financial proposal outlining the daily rate as single document to the email address somconsultant@care.org by 10/02/2020 indicating “Application for Reflection and Learning Event: The Dynamics and Challenges Surrounding Returnee Re-integration in Lower Juba, Somalia