Job Description
MER C Y C OR PS Scope of Work Initial Assessment: Civic Ecosystem, Stakeholder and Political Economy Analysis, with Conflict Sensitivity and GEDSI Lenses, Erigavo District Consultancy title: Civic Ecosystem, Stakeholder and Political Economy Analysis Consultant Program: Support to Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion, Inclusive Development and Responsive Local Governance in Erigavo (Wadajir Program) Donor: Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) Implementing partners Mercy Corps (lead), SONSAF (sub-awardee), and SONSAF members GSDO, SDF, and SSO Location: Erigavo District, Sanaag Region, Somaliland Consultancy type: Individual consultant, with knowledge of Sanaag Duration: Up to 25 calendar days (5–30 November 2026). Closing date for applications: October 30, 2026
1.About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps is transitioning to Prosper Global. Learn more here. As the transition is being implemented by location, you may see the Mercy Corps and Prosper Global names used concurrently during this period. This is an administrative transition, and our teams, programs and commitments continue without interruption. Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps (Prosper Global) has worked in Somaliland since 2005, maintaining an established office in Hargeisa, a team of Somaliland-based staff, and over two decades of operational experience in the area. Our programming spans multiple sectors and is framed by a high-level strategy for advancing resilience and peace. Seeing ability in vulnerability, we work with and through local communities, including IDPs and returning refugees, to address immediate needs of crisis-affected populations while supporting and strengthening systems that facilitate collective advancement towards long-term and inclusive socio-economic growth, peace, and prosperity. Grounded in core resilience principles of systems thinking, partnership and facilitation, and adaptive management, Mercy Corps’ (Prosper Global) approach encourages crisis-affected populations, the private sector, government, and civil society to work together towards meaningful and lasting change. Our long-standing relationships with the local communities and administrative systems provide a strong understanding of political, clan, economic, and conflict dynamics, as well as an established platform for locally informed analysis, convening, and program delivery.
2.Program Background Mercy Corps has extensive experience across the Horn of Africa, with an operational presence throughout the region. Through Mercy Corps (Prosper Global), our strategic focus is on dryland communities, with programming that addresses governance, social cohesion, market systems development, adaptation, climate change, and other key areas. Across a diverse portfolio of interventions, we support communities to build resilience and strengthen sustainable livelihoods. In line with this regional focus, Mercy Corps (Prosper Global), in partnership with the Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum (SONSAF) and its downstream partners—Sanaag Development Foundation (SDF), Sanaag Sisters Organization (SSO), and Gibilsame Sustainable Development Organization (GSDO)— is implementing a two-year Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) funded program “Support to Civic Engagement around Community Cohesion and Inclusive Development in Erigavo” known in Somali as the Wadajir Program. The Civic Engagement Facility (CEF) aims to expand civic space and strengthen citizen participation by enabling collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector around community cohesion, sustainable development, and other shared priorities. CEF works to expand civic space and catalyze collective action. Its core mission is to bridge divides, promote non-violent dialogue, and support locally led civic action that contributes to peace, inclusion, and sustainable development. The WADAJIR Program is being implemented in Erigavo and surrounding communities, an area that has experienced significant political and inter-clan tensions, including violent clashes in late 2024 that displaced approximately 13,566 people and disrupted essential services. Although the peace agreement signed following the 2025 Grand Peace Conference helped reopen dialogue, challenges remain. Drought and water scarcity intensify competition over natural resources, while youth unemployment, limited civic participation, limited-service delivery continue to undermine trust and collective problem-solving. Despite these challenges, Erigavo has strong foundations for peacebuilding, including traditional elders, religious leaders, and civic actors who have demonstrated their ability to mediate disputes and facilitate dialogue. The Program seeks to build on these locally rooted mechanisms and strengthen their links with formal governance structures rather than replace them. It will promote inclusive participation and representation across the clans of Sanaag Region, strengthen community–government engagement, and support locally led approaches to peace, social cohesion, and inclusive development, in alignment with the Somaliland National Development Plan III (2023–2027). Goal: Strengthened peace, social cohesion and resilience in Erigavo by enabling inclusive, participatory community engagement and responsive, accountable local governance.
Required Experience and Skills • Advanced degree in political science, peace and conflict studies, governance, development studies or related fields. • At least 7 years' experience in political economy, governance, peacebuilding, or conflict analysis for international NGOs, donors, or research institutions. • Demonstrated experience applying Do No Harm or conflict sensitivity frameworks, and in actor or network mapping. • In-depth knowledge of Somaliland's governance systems, clan dynamics and civil society; experience in Sanaag is strongly preferred. • Proven ability to facilitate participatory workshops with local organizations. • Credibility and acceptability across Erigavo's communities, with a gender-balanced team. • Excellent written English. • Strong commitment to ethics, confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection. 8.Ethics, Safeguarding and Conflict Sensitivity This assessment touches on politically and socially sensitive issues in a contested setting, so Do No Harm applies to the assessment itself, not only to the program. The consultant and team will comply with Mercy Corps' Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies (including PSEA and Child Safeguarding) and data protection standards, and will:
Please send the following to [[email protected]] by October 30, 2026, with the subject line "Erigavo Wadajir Program Initial Assessment": 1. Technical proposal (max. 6 pages): your understanding of the assignment, approach, how you will use existing knowledge, workplan and team. 2. Financial proposal in USD, itemized fees and field costs. 3. CVs of the lead consultant and team members. 9.1. Evaluation criteria
How to Apply
This role is listed on FursadLink and applications are submitted to the organization's official email address. Use the “Apply by Email” button above to proceed. Please reference “Individual consultant for Initial Assessment & Civic Ecosystem, Stakeholder and Political Economy Analysis, with Conflict Sensitivity and GEDSI Lenses, Erigavo District, Ceerigaabo”. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.