The UK Government (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office - FCDO) has a vision of a world free from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by 2030, in line with the SDGs. A programme has been established entitled ‘Support to the Africa-led movement (ALM) to end FGM/C’ to contribute to global efforts to achieve that vision. Following a co-creation period, programme implementation began in September 2021.

This programme will support and build the capacity of the ALM to end FGM/C at multiple levels and at scale, working in partnership with the rest of the FGM/C movement, complementing UN agencies (such as the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C), Saleema initiative, other alliances (such as Girls not Brides etc.) and grassroots Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), women’s and girls’ movements, etc.

The programme includes two consortia working in close collaboration. Options leads a consortium including Amref Health Africa, ActionAid UK, Orchid Project, ACCAF and University of Portsmouth to implement the ‘Support to the ALM to End FGM/C’ programme. Population Council is implementing ‘The FGM/C Data Hub: Data and Measurement Support to the ALM to end FGM/C’.

Community-based activities within the programme are focused in Maroodijeeh region of Somaliland, with communications and advocacy activities taking place at region, national and international levels. One important output of the programme is the provision of small grants to build the capacity of grassroots women-led, girl-led, women’s rights and youth-led organisations and activists to end FGM/C, given these types of organisations are often unable to access large formal funding mechanisms.

Options has previously led a small grants programme for grassroots end FGM/C projects in multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as managing other grants programmes and providing technical assistance, networking and learning opportunities and capacity building to grantees. A number of tools, processes and systems therefore already exist, and a strategy and grants manual have already been written for this programme for Kenya. An initial cohort of grantee partners has been identified, trained and awarded funds already in Kenya. We are now rolling out the grants mechanism to Somaliland.

However, the grants mechanism design needs to be further tailored and updated to reflect the context in Somaliland: the needs and local context of potential grantees; and to take on board the most recent learning and evidence from the roll out of the grants in Kenya. We are therefore entering a period (February – March 2023) of refining and finalising the design of the small grants mechanism in Somaliland, in consultation with consortium partners, our potential grantees, and other key stakeholders.

The objective of this assignment is to support the programme to refine and finalise the design of the small grants mechanism for Somaliland, in a way that supports grantee partners to deliver effectively, does not create unnecessary additional burdens on them, and manages key risks. This will be achieved by:

a. Undertaking a scoping exercise that will enable us to:

b. Understand the diverse priorities, needs and ambitions of potential grantees (a range of activists (including girls and young women), grassroots organisations, women’s networks etc.) that we aim to support and collaborate with in our target regions.

i. Map out potential grantee partner

ii. Identify potential grassroots organisations, movements, networks and stakeholders to derive members of local grants panels and other key stakeholders that the grants programme should engage with in Somaliland

c. Leading a consultative process to refine and finalise the grants mechanism to reflect the Somaliland context

d. Updating and revising the grants strategy and funding manual to reflect any agreed adaptations for the Somaliland context.

• Senior experience in leading scoping exercises and/or formative research in a related technical area (VAWG, child rights, RMNCAH) in the Somaliland context
• Proficient in reporting in English
• Proficient in Somali and any other local language(s)
• Highly skilled and diplomatic in working sensitively at community level including with women’s groups, collecting qualitative data/information.
• Familiarity with grant-making processes, at the community level is an advantage
• Master’s degree preferred
• Must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in any of the following areas: Gender Studies, Women Rights, Public Policy Community Studies, Social Science, or any other relevant social degree.
• The consultant should have at least 5 years of proven experience in gender
• The individual consultant should have the ability to meet deadlines and strong communication and facilitation skills;
• The individual consultant should have experience in working with Governments, development partners, and civil society;

For more information, please refer to the Terms of reference

Consultancy Fees

The Individual Consultant should submit a Financial proposal for the assignment.

Application process

• To apply, please fill in the form
• The closing date for applications is: 10 March 2023
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. Interviews will be held week commencing 13 March 2023
• Please note that this role will be subject to full pre-employment background checks including criminal record check, identification check, employment references and right to work verification (where appropriate)
• We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application at your earliest opportunity

Other information

• As an equal opportunity employer, Options Consultancy Services is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage or civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage candidates from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Options Consultancy Services.
• Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment.
• We seek people who are pro-choice, promote diversity and inclusion, are energetic and enthusiastic about Options’ vision.
• Applicants must have the right to work in Somaliland