Social Safeguarding Officer for Bulsho- Somaliland PIU

GOVERNMENT OF SOMALILAND MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (MoLGUD) REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION

Country: Somaliland

Project ID: P508408

Project Name: Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience

Consulting Service: PIU Bulsho Social Safeguarding Officer

Selection Type: Individual Consultant

Reference No: SO-MOLGUD-568115-CS-INDV

Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somaliland, with travel to project regions and districts

Duration: 12 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance

Application Deadline: September 3, 2026, at 4:00 PM Hargeisa Time

1. BACKGROUND

The Government of Somaliland (GoSL), through the Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development (MoLGUD), is implementing the World Bank-financed Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408). The Bulsho Project aims to strengthen community and local government institutions to enhance social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. It places citizens and communities at the center of governance and supports improved service delivery, stronger citizen-government relations, and inclusive and participatory local governance. To support effective project implementation, MoLGUD intends to recruit a qualified and experienced Social Safeguarding Officer within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to provide technical leadership on social risk management, social inclusion, and safeguarding in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).

2. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The PIU Bulsho Social Safeguarding Officer will provide overall technical guidance, oversight, and quality assurance on social risk management, social inclusion, and gender mainstreaming across the Bulsho Project. The Officer will ensure that project-supported processes, including the Local Social Contract Platform (LSCP), Citizens’ Charters, participatory community planning, and matching grants, advance the Project’s social development and inclusion objectives, particularly the meaningful participation of women, youth, minorities, IDPs, and other marginalized groups. The Officer will support compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Project Operations Manual (POM), and other applicable social safeguard instruments. Key areas will include social risk assessment and mitigation, stakeholder and community engagement, gender and social inclusion, grievance redress mechanisms (GRM), SEA/SH risk mitigation, social screening, capacity building, field monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance. The detailed scope of services, responsibilities, deliverables, reporting arrangements, and other requirements are provided in the attached Terms of Reference (TOR).

3. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate shall meet the following minimum qualifications and experience: A university degree in Sociology, Social Development, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Development Studies, Social Work, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage. A minimum of six (6) years of professional experience in social development, social inclusion, or social safeguards. At least four (4) years of experience in donor-funded projects, with proven application of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) or equivalent standards. Demonstrated experience in providing technical guidance, oversight, or quality assurance for participatory planning, inclusion strategies, or social risk management. Experience working with government institutions, preferably in fragile or conflict-affected settings. Strong analytical and advisory skills in social risk management, inclusion, and gender mainstreaming. Demonstrated ability to develop guidance tools, training materials, and capacity-building programs. Strong communication, facilitation, organizational, and coordination skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government institutions, development partners, and communities. In-depth knowledge and understanding of the World Bank ESF, ESCP, and related environmental and social instruments. Familiarity with Somaliland’s social dynamics, local governance structures, and institutional context. Good understanding of cross-cutting issues, including gender equality, social inclusion, resilience, and conflict sensitivity. High standards of professional integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct. Excellent command of English and Somali, including reading, writing, and presentation skills.

4. REPORTING AND DURATION

The PIU Bulsho Social Safeguarding Officer will report to the Bulsho PIU Project Manager and work closely with other relevant PIU members. The assignment will initially be for 12 months and may be renewed subject to satisfactory performance and project requirements. The duty station is Hargeisa, Somaliland, with travel to project regions and districts.

5. SELECTION METHOD

The Ministry of Local Government and Urban Development (MoLGUD), Government of Somaliland, now invites eligible and qualified Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Project Financing – Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations and applicable Government of Somaliland policies.

6. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Interested Consultants should submit:

A detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), i