Terms of Reference: Consultant to Develop the Somaliland Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN CSN) Network Strategy
Assignment Title
Development of the SUN CSN Network Strategy (Somaliland)
Engaging Organisation
Somaliland Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN CSN) Network
Type of Contract
Individual Consultant
Duty Station
Hargeisa, Somaliland
Duration of Assignment
20 days
Reporting To
Project Manager
Application Deadline
Sunday, 23 August 2026, 17:00 EAT
Submission Email
- Background and Justification
Adequate nutrition and access to healthy diets are a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of national health, economic growth, and sustainable development. Good nutrition is not merely a health outcome; it is the foundation of human capital, cognitive development, and national productivity. Without it, the potential of Somaliland’s people, and the country’s development prospects, cannot be fully realised.
Despite notable progress in public health, malnutrition in all its forms — including stunting, wasting, micronutrient deficiencies, and diet-related non-communicable diseases — remains a critical challenge to Somaliland’s socio-economic development. Addressing it requires more than clinical intervention; it demands a comprehensive, multi-sectoral response spanning health, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, education, water and sanitation, social protection, trade, and the environment.
The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement recognises civil society as a critical actor in this multi-sectoral response. The Somaliland Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN CSN) brings together non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations, professional associations, and networks working on nutrition and food systems across Somaliland. However, the Network currently operates without a costed, coordinated strategy to guide its advocacy, resource mobilisation, capacity strengthening, and joint action — resulting in fragmented engagement and missed opportunities for collective impact.
The SUN CSN Network was formed in 2018 by a coalition of international and local NGOs and was officially launched in January 2019. It continues to be coordinated by ACRIF, which has, alongside partners such as Welthungerhilfe (WHH), engaged the Somaliland SUN Secretariat on strengthening nutrition programming and policy support across the region. Somaliland’s engagement with the SUN Movement is coordinated through the Somaliland SUN Secretariat, which provides strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight of the national multi-sectoral nutrition response, working alongside government, UN, donor, business, and civil society networks.
There is a pressing need for a clear, evidence-based, and locally owned strategy that positions the Network to speak with one voice, hold duty-bearers accountable, and contribute effectively to national and regional nutrition targets. The SUN CSN Network is therefore seeking a qualified consultant to lead the development of this strategy through a consultative, member-driven process.
About ACRIF
The African Children’s Rights Foundation (ACRIF) is one of the leading child rights organisations in Africa, with more than two decades of experience in child rights programming in the region. ACRIF’s programmes focus on the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly children, adolescent girls, and women, who are at the heart of its humanitarian and development efforts — because experience shows that their gains translate into benefits for families and communities. ACRIF’s extensive reach and long-standing reputation as a leader in child rights distinguish it from other organisations. Founded in 2008, ACRIF is the Chair and host organisation of the Somaliland Civil Society Network for Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN CSN).
- Objective of the Consultancy
To develop a costed, multi-year strategy for the Somaliland Civil Society for Scaling Up Nutrition Network that strengthens coordinated civil society advocacy, accountability, and action on nutrition and food systems in Somaliland.
- Scope of Work
The consultant will lead a participatory strategy development process, producing a document available in both digital and print formats for dissemination to members and partners. Specifically, the assignment will involve:
- Reviewing the nutrition and food systems landscape in Somaliland, including policy, funding, and coordination gaps.
- Mapping SUN CSN member organisations their mandates, geographic coverage, and institutional capacities.
- Analysing the Network’s current governance structure, membership model, and coordination mechanisms.
- Developing a clear theory of change linking civil society action to improved nutrition outcomes, organised around strategic pillars such as advocacy and policy influence, social accountability, capacity strengthening, knowledge management, and resource mobilisation.
- Defining roles and responsibilities for the Network member organisations.
- Articulating an advocacy and accountability framework, including key advocacy messages, target audiences (government, donors, media, and communities), and a social accountability and community engagement approach for monitoring nutrition commitments.
- Providing guidance for engaging with the Government Network, UN Network, Donors’ Network, Business Network, and the National SUN Secretariat.
- Setting out implementation, monitoring, and resourcing arrangements, including a results framework with indicators, targets, and means of verification; a costed action plan and partnership approach; and a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan with an annual review process.
- Implementation Approach
- Review existing nutrition strategies, policies, and SUN CSN governance documents; agree on the process and workplan with the Network steering committee.
- Conduct consultative workshops with SUN CSN members, government focal points, and other SUN Movement networks.
- Develop the draft strategy, theory of change, and results framework in collaboration with a core drafting team of member representatives.
- Present the draft strategy to SUN CSN members and partners for review, feedback, and validation.
- Finalise and disseminate the strategy, and support a formal launch event with key stakeholders.
- Expected Results and Deliverables
- An inception report outlining the methodology, workplan, and stakeholder consultation list.
- A situation analysis and stakeholder mapping report.
- A validated multi-year SUN CSN strategy document, including a theory of change and strategic pillars.
- A results framework with indicators, targets, and means of verification.
- A costed action plan.
- A consultancy completion report.
