THEMATIC AREAS
Stabilization
&
Peace Building
Somalia Monitoring, Research and Reporting Services Contract
The Somalia Stability Fund (SSF) is a multi-donor fund working towards a peaceful, secure, and stable Somalia. It offers Somali stakeholders a source of multi-year funding to respond to local needs and opportunities. SSF operates across the newly-formed Federal Member States in Somalia in order to support stabilization-related programming, including fostering social cohesion and community-government relations; state-building activities designed to improve the functioning, accountability and responsiveness of local and regional governments; to increase participation and representation of women and marginalised groups in the political process and governance structures; and to reduce vulnerability to conflict in targeted areas. In short, the Fund’s aim is to support the development of a peaceful, stable and secure Somalia.
Under the Somalia Monitoring, Research, and Reporting Services contract, Consilient undertakes annual evaluation activities around the fund’s overall project indicators at the district, state, and overall fund level to report annual progress to the joint donor steering committee. This work also includes research and engagement around how the overall political landscape affects the fund’s work and impact.
Evaluation of the Transitional Stabilization in South Central Somalia Programme (TRANSTAB)
The Transitional Stabilization in South Central Somalia Programme (TRANSTAB) implemented by the Nordic International Support Foundation sought to build the capacity of local government in newly accessible areas in the Interim Southwest Administration (ISWA) state in Southern Somalia by supporting infrastructure projects. Target locations included Baidoa, Marka, Wajid, and Wanlaweyne.
Consilient served as the external evaluator of this project, conducting baseline, midline, and endline assessments, as well as real time monitoring throughout the intervention. Data collection involved quantitative research, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews. In addition, Consilient was tasked with evaluating the impact of the intervention on the business environment in Baidoa, Wajid and Wanlaweyne through economic activity mapping. To carry out these activities in difficult-to-access areas, Consilient recruited and trained a team of local researchers who live and work in each city for a six-month period, helping to facilitate access to authorities and community leaders and also provided broader contextual analysis to the reporting
Transitional Initiatives in Stabilization (TIS): Assessing Stabilization Outcomes
On behalf of DAI, Consilient was contracted to evaluate the impact of community stabilization projects under the USAID funded Transitional Initiatives in Stabilization (TIS) initiative. Consilient designed and implemented a qualitative approach in 7 communities of Puntland and South-Central Somalia (Adaado, Dhusamereb, Guricel, El Wak, Dhobley, Eyl, Bandarbelya) with FGD participants segmented by exposure to international news media content. Consilient then recruited respondents and implemented FGDs throughout the seven communities on topics including stabilization, community engagement, and security with follow-up on how the TIS project has impacted these specific sectors. Research centered on discerning the variation of community norms over the course of the project, while controlling for the influence of news media.
Enhancing Resilience and Economic Growth in Somalia Programme
As part of USAID’s Enhancing Resilience and Economic Growth in Somalia Program, led by Save the Children, Consilient has collaborated with Tango International to provide evaluation services across Gedo, Lower Shabelle, Sanaag, and Bay regions of Somalia. Consilient’s responsibilities as part of this initiative included tool contextualization and translation, training, survey mobilization and implementation, and real time quality control.
Baseline – As part of baseline activities, Consilient conducted 2,040 household surveys, 60 community leader surveys, 48 key informant Interviews, and 18 focus group discussions across 86 villages in Somalia.
Midline – As a follow-up to the baseline evaluation, Consilient conducted a midline survey in order to track the changes in household resilience, assets, and coping mechanisms. Utilizing a computer-assisted telephonic interviewing (CATI) methodology from our in-house call centre, Consilient conducted 612 household surveys and 25 community surveys. Deliverables included a full quality control report, data cleaning, and final dataset for further analysis.
Promoting Inclusive Markets in Somalia (PIMS)
Promoting Inclusive Markets in Somalia/Somaliland (PIMS) is a 3-year market development programme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and DANIDA and implemented by Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI). The approach addresses major government and market failures in order to bring about systemic change underpinning sustainability. Improving incomes and creating jobs for the poor, especially for women, are explicit targets for PIMS. Consilient serves as DAI’s research partner for PIMS tasked with investigating how well services have been delivered to smallholder farmers and the overall impact of value chain activities, through evaluation services, monitoring, and ad-hoc research support.
Baseline Household Survey for the PRODET, PRODAT and EDUT Programs in Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
The Belgian Development Agency (BTC) contracted Consilient to conduct a baseline household survey aimed at getting a better understanding of the living conditions of urban and rural populations of the Tshopo provinces, with a focus on local livelihood conditions, including agricultural production, transportation, and education. Within the framework of BTC’s five-year programs in the provinces, PRODAT, PRODET and EDUT, and in association with local provisional authorities, Consilient trained and deployed twenty local enumerators in field to conduct 800 quantitative surveys with households and local craftsmen in more than 30 towns and villages of the province. The final survey report established current prevailing livelihoods trends and set economic benchmarks from which project impact was measured.
Livelihoods
&
Economic Growth
Governance
Democratization&
Access to Justice
Assessment of Bringing Unity, Integrity, and Legitimacy to Democracy (BUILD)
The USAID BUILD project, implemented by Creative, aims to support electoral and political processes across Somalia by encouraging citizen participation. BUILD works to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations with the goal of successfully informing citizens through strengthening local mechanisms and media to cover and disseminate information effectively and serve as a platform to monitor the political and electoral process. Secondly, BUILD looks to support the capacity of relevant civil society organizations and government bodies including political parties to promote credible elections and political parties that celebrate inclusion and contribute to peaceful elections and political processes.
Within the BUILD initiative, Consilient leads the research components of the program. To date, this has entailed preliminary baseline and midline research on issues surrounding confidence and trust of government institutions, particularly around the electoral process and the associated electoral commissions, as well as post-election research in Somaliland. Throughout the five-year implementation timeline, Consilient will be charged with monitoring key project indicators, as well as conducting ad-hoc research around topics of interest to the program
Involvement of Somali Women in Leadership Positions in Government and Political Structures
On behalf of the DFID funded East Africa Research Fund, Consilient in partnership with SD-Direct were commissioned to build on the understanding of the principal enabling and constraining factors to women's participation and leadership in government and other political structures in Somalia and Somaliland. Using a participatory action research methodology, research included more than 60 key informant interviews and 3 workshops with business owners, clan elders, religious and civil society leaders, women’s group representatives, military representatives, and subject matter experts in Hargeisa, Garowe, and Mogadishu. The final research report evaluated the current role of women in political structures, as well as documented barriers to entry and provided recommendations on conditions that will promote greater inclusivity of women in political structures.
Establishing a Knowledge Base on the Engagement of Somali Customary Institutions in Justice Programs
In partnership with DDG, Consilient conducted research aimed at gathering concrete evidence on the impact of initiatives to support inclusive customary justice systems in Somalia, including their effect on peacebuilding and conflict resolution, as well as their contribution to justice based on individual rights-based norms. The research focused on communities within Somalia in which DDG has conducted Guurti+ programs (Jowhar, Dollow, Baidoa, Warsheikh and Bal’ad) and employed a mixed methods design, inclusive of a desk review, a community surveys, most significant change studies (MSCs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and focus group discussions (FGDs). The results of this research consultancy were used to adjust current DDG programming efforts, in addition to further advising efforts under USAID’s Expanding Access to Justice in Somalia (EAJ) program.
Monitoring & Evaluation for the Somalia Humanitarian, Health, and Resilience Programmes (MESH) – Phase I &II
(2013 – 2017 & 2018 – 2022)
Working in collaboration with Transtec since 2013 under the DfID Humanitarian, Health, and Resilience Programme, Consilient provides in-country monitoring and evaluation support to food security, resilience, health, and other humanitarian support activities throughout the whole of Somalia. Initiatives have included routine monitoring, evaluation, impact assessments, site monitoring, and emergency response activities, most notably in support of the 2017 famine response.set for further analysis.
Third Party Evaluation for Bilateral Labour-Intensive Stabilization Programme in Somalia
(2017 – 2019)
On behalf of the Norwegian Embassy, Consilient provides full life-cycle research, monitoring, and evaluation support to the Bilateral Labour-Intensive Stabilization Programme in Somalia (BLIS) implemented by the Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS). The three-year program implemented across select locations of South-Central Somalia utilizes solar technology interventions, youth engagement programs, and short-term employment opportunities in order to provide tangible stabilizing benefits to conflict affected communities.
Consilient conducts quarterly monitoring, including perceptions trending, as well as impact assessments and project evaluations on local interventions which have included the provisioning of streetlights, hospital electrification, youth vocational training, irrigation excavation, road rehabilitation, and the building of sports fields. Interventions aim to increase the level of trust beneficiaries have in government officials to deliver public services, while monitoring activities include trust perception metrics used to quantify changing perceptions of local government and confidence in community institutions.
Third Party Monitoring of the UNICEF Somalia Portfolio
(2017-2018 & 2019-2020)
Since 2017, Consilient has provided third-party monitoring services to UNICEF’s programming in Somalia. Monitoring activities reflect the multi-sectoral nature of UNICEF’s work and has included interventions in WASH, Nutrition, HIV, Malaria, Health, and emergency response programming throughout Somalia. Consilient designs custom monitoring approaches each quarter to reflect the needs of UNICEF and has employed methods which include large-scale face-to face surveys, call-center (CATI) initiatives, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, capacity assessments, site/activity observation, and water testing in order to address critical UNICEF indicators.
Third-Party Monitoring
Resilience
Endline Evaluation of the Resilience in the Horn (RiT) Programme – Sudan & Somalia
On behalf of the Dutch Relief Alliance and Care, Consilient conducted the endline evaluation of the Resilience in the Horn (RitH) Programme across Sudan and Somalia. RitH focused on building resilience in vulnerable population groups through improved food security for women, youths, and children by improving livelihoods prospects and access to healthy nutrition.
For the endline evaluation, Consilient conducted 1,850 quantitative surveys, 36 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 26 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) across both Somalia and Sudan. The analysis evaluated the impact of project programming on the resilience capacity and food security scores for vulnerable population groups in addition to making country specific recommendations for improving resilience capacity in future programme iterations.
Evaluation of the Enhanced Rural Resistance in Yemen
The International Labour Organization (ILO) implemented the EU-funded Enhanced Rural Resistance in Yemen (ERRY) joint programme with FAO, UNDP, and the WFP. The ERRY programme seeks to enhance the resilience and self-reliance of crisis affected rural communities through support to livelihoods stabilization and recovery, local governance, and improved access to sustainable energy. ILO commissioned Consilient to conduct an evaluation of its implementation of business development services and informal apprenticeship schemes within the ERRY joint programme. Consilient utilized its network of local Yemeni researchers, to gather qualitative data, including 28 key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders and focus group discussions with beneficiaries in Abyan, Aden, Lahj, and Sana’a. Consilient delivered a final evaluation report to ILO containing the key findings gathered from the study.
Development of Global Resilience Package
Working with Plan International, Consilient was engaged to develop a fully operationalized resilience model which can be rolled out as a global framework for Plan programming. Development of the model included the design of enabler pathways which align with pre-existing Plan programing and contribute to enhanced resilience outcomes. Following the design and development of the enabler pathways, Consilient created fully operationalized resilience indicators which can be used to measure progress across contexts and programme thematic areas to ensure Plan can uniformly measure how its work contributes to resilience throughout the world. Finally, Consilient produced a roll out strategy to introduce the topic of resilience to Plan staff and link it to the work already being done. Rollout content included case studies melding resilience themes into different thematic areas where Plan works across the globe as well as an internal introductory video tailored to Plan staff. The content of the video focused on the intersection of resilience and sustainability, introduced the concept of enabler pathways, and explained the indicator framework employed for consistent resilience measurement
Somali Girls Education Promotion Project (SOMGEP & SOMGEP-T)
For each of the last six years, Consilient has conducted evaluations for CARE’s DFID (Department for International Development) funded Somali Girls Education Promotion Project (SOMGEP) and Somali Girls Education Promotion Project - Transition (SOMGEP- T); a project specifically designed to increase access to education, improve retention and boost learning outcomes for educationally disadvantaged primary and secondary-aged girls in the remote and rural areas of Somaliland, Puntland and Central Somalia. Starting in 2015, Consilient has conducted baseline, midline, and endline evaluations that consist of both qualitative and quantitative data collection aimed at re-contacting and longitudinally tracking learning outcomes as girls progress through school and transition out of school. Since project inception, Consilient has conducted more than 10,000 household surveys, 9,000 learning assessments, 2,500 classroom headcounts, 600 teacher observations, and 300 focus group discussions & key informant interviews.
Each year, Consilient’s team works with Care to design quasi-experimental research methodolodies and, building on previous learning, rigorously test hypotheses about how girls learn, why they stay or leave school, and how girls build self-esteem. Following re-contact and data collection, Consilient delivers a final research report to Care which tracks historical progress of key programme indicators, draws causal conclusions about programme impact, and makes recommendations to improve future programming.
Baseline Survey for Federal Government of Somalia Education Sector Program Improvement Grant (ESPIG) 2018-2020
On behalf of the World Banks’s Global Partnership for Education, Consilient conducted the baseline survey of the Education Sector Program Improvement Grant (ESPIG). The multi-year programme being rolled out by Care in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia focuses on interventions that increase equal access to primary education, enhance the quality of education, build the capacity of Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education (MoECHE) and state-level Ministries of Education (MoEs) to manage, coordinate and sustain improvements to the Somalia education sector. As part of the baseline study, Consilient conducted a sample of 175 schools throughout Somalia (35 per state) to gather information on student ratios, curriculum, teachers, and school infrastructure. In each school, Consilient interviewed teachers, headmasters, and community education committees to understand school level dynamics. Additionally, Consilient organized key informant interviews with regional education officers (REOs) and District Education Officers (DEOs) to understand the role of the Ministry of Education. The final report is being used to inform the project design of ESPIG and serve as a benchmark from which to measure future progress within the education sector.
Education Baseline Study – South Central Somalia
In Somalia, over 90% of schools are non-government institutions. With no form of registration process or formal school listing there is little aggregate understanding of national school coverage or enrollment. To address this critical gap, Unicef contracted Consilient to undertake the Education Baseline Study – South Central Somalia. Using an innovative tech based social network approach, Consilient mapped more than 8,000 villages across South-Central Somalia and identified more than 7,000 non-governmental institutions. For each school, Consilient was able to acquire information on enrollment rates, curriculum, ownership structure, number of teachers, and infrastructure features. Utilizing this mapping data, the final report provided the most comprehensive picture of the state of education in Somalia at the aggregate level. Furthermore, with GPS data and headmaster details for each institution, the study allowed Unicef to begin an interactive dialogue with schools that was not previously possible.
Education
Media
&
Information Ecosystems
Somalia Media Attitudes and Usage Survey
Under the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ (BBG) International Audience Research Program (IARP), Consilient, on behalf of Gallup Inc. was commissioned to conduct the first nationally representative media study in Somalia. The aim of the study was to determine nationwide views and perceptions on the media climate within the country, as well as establish listenership rates for in-country radio stations. To this end, Consilient carried out two surveys across 125 locations in Somalia, interviewing a total of 3,100 Somali adults on their radio listenership habits and views. The survey included measures of media freedoms, use of mobile technology, radio & internet usage, television programming, news-sharing behavior, perceptions of media credibility, and the reach of international media.
Somalia Radio Commercialisation Study
Working on behalf of BBC Media Action, Consilient was engaged to conduct a study on the “Youth and Media Project in Somalia”. The aim of the project was to build audience-responsive media sector across Somalia, increase awareness among youth regarding community issues that affect their everyday lives, and contribute to developing a general understanding of citizenship engagement. Consilient conducted a market assessment with the purpose of understanding consumption habits and socio-economic background of audiences, with the overall objective of creating market segmentation for radio commercialization purposes. The study included 900 known BBC listeners across Somaliland, Puntland, and South-Central Somalia.
Information Ecosystem for Resilience: Study on the Access, Use and Needs of Somali Urban Youth
The Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) consortium appointed Consilient to run an explorative study of information networks utilized by displaced youth in urban settings in Somalia. To achieve this, Consilient designed a methodology to capture communication flows amongst youth communities living in displacement camps. Focusing on youth from five IDP camps located in Banadir, Beledweyne, Baidoa, South Galakyo and Hobyo, Consilient surveyed almost 900 youth, conducted 16 focus group discussions and interviewed eight community leaders to understand the information ecosystem within each campsite. Consilient analyzed the collected data and presented a final report on media ecosystems and how they can be leveraged to enhance engagement by the development community.
Somalia Community Security Index
Survey noise, false positives, and non-predictive indicators make predictive modeling a challenge when it comes to determining the likelihood of conflict in any environment. On behalf of UNDP, Consilient was tasked with designing an early warning system for conflict and unrest across 6 locations in Somalia. Utilizing a monthly tracking approach of a panel of 1,200 respondents around their perceptions of security, well-being, and inclusivity measures, Consilient was able to design an early warning system to measure conflict potential. To do this, Consilient first tested a range of potential questions/indicators to measure the predictive power of respondent sentiments to underlying feelings and behaviors. This approach allowed for a streamlined tool that cut down survey noise and weighted indicators according to their predictive power. In addition to removing survey noise from the model, the streamlined tool allowed for a shorter instrument that in turn allowed for implementation via a phone survey approach, as opposed to face-to-face surveying. In all this created a more cost effective and powerful model that allowed for more effective implementation and more powerful predictive results.
Conflict Analysis: Displacement and Social Cohesion Dynamics
Understanding local conflict dynamics is critical in ensuring a “Do No Harm” approach to programme implementation. On behalf of DDG, Consilient conducted conflict research in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, and Dollow with a special focus on issues of displacement and social cohesion. In each location, Consilient conducted direct research with representatives from both displaced and host community members, as well as key informant interviews with critical actors, to determine the current issues affecting displacement-affected communities. These analyses were utilized to directly inform DDG’s programming in each location. Consilient analysts provided a brief background to each area before operationalizing information using analytical tools and visualizations such as conflict maps, and discerning potential connectors and spoilers. The analyses were peer reviewed by Professor Ken Menkhaus and are widely shared within the Somalia stabilization and peacebuilding communities.
Economic Violence and Land Grabbing in Kitui County, Kenya
On behalf of the World Bank, Consilient, working with SD-Direct, were commissioned to build on the understanding of the gendered impacts of economic violence, including asset dispossession, in Kitui county, Kenya. Following direct consultation with county officials in Kitui, in-depth study was conducted in four sub-counties where issues of minority groups inclusivity between Tharaka and Arab-Swahili, land dynamics (including mining activities of limestone and precious stone), ongoing construction (Thwake Multi-purpose dam), urban population growth, and the impact of the Kitui-Mwingi road were considered. For each line of inquiry, the gender aspects of underlying economic violence were considered in order to recommend possible responses available to donor agencies. In all, research included 16 focus group discussions and 134 key informant interviews with a select group of actors to inform possible response options.
Conflict
&
Security
Labour
&
Markets
Labour Market Analysis in IGAD Member States – Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti, South Sudan, Somalia
Working in partnership with MarketShare Associates (MSA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), Consilient was contracted to conduct a labour market study throughout the entirety of the IGAD region. The study focused on the state of inter-IGAD labour migrants and the conditions they face throughout the IGAD region, including labour conditions, labour types and sectors of employment, constraints faced by labour migrants, and local policy conditions. Consilient conducted data collection in each of the target countries, which in total consisted of 3,150 quantitative interviews with labour migrants, more than 200 key informant interviews with local leaders, topical experts, and institutions working with migrant groups and 40 focus group discussions with labour migrants and host community groups. Data collection activities were conducted in destinations throughout Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan.
Somali Renewable Energy Skilled Workforce Survey Report
The Somali Renewable Energy Skilled Workforce Survey conducted on behalf of Shuraako was used to assess the labour force skills required in order to effectively grow the Somali renewable energy sector. Using a demand side approach with current energy suppliers, Consilient was tasked with informing efforts to enhance the quality and applicability of current training programs. Surveys were carried out with executives at fourteen renewable energy companies, representing regions of Somaliland, Puntland, and South Central. Based on the surveys, Consilient produced a final report identifying existing training gaps within the sector, highlighting the current capacity limitations within existing renewable energy companies. The report lays out several sub-skillsets which are in short supply and which are desirable to employers within the sector, as well as provides a series of recommendations for the development of more applicable training programmes.
Labour Market Study in High Growth Sectors
Given the rapid influx of returnees to Mogadishu and Kismayo, UNHCR and ARC sought to determine the most immediate labor needs and skills required in order to develop appropriate job placement, skills trainings, and financial programming. To that end, Consilient was contracted to conduct a labour market study examining four potential growth sectors - construction, fishing, energy, and culinary arts/hospitality. A total of 106 qualitative interviews were conducted across key informants in each of the sectors to asses both supply/demand features and asses the growth and employment potential of the sectors. In the final report, Consilient provided a detailed situational analysis of the labour market in each of these sectors in both Mogadishu and Kismayo and provided recommendations as to potential TVET training programming and job placement activities that could be utilized with the returnee community.
Baseline Survey of the Sustainable Agriculture in Kigoma Region of Tanzania (SAKIRP)
With the aim to improve agricultural value chains in the Kigoma region with smallholder farmers, the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) contracted Consilient to conduct a baseline study to benchmark household incomes, gender inclusivity, and best agricultural practices across six districts in Kigoma region. Consilient led a two-day training session with 31 Ward Agricultural Extension Officers (WAEOs) in Kigoma and Kibonda focusing on smartphone data collection techniques, as well as respondent selection and monitoring requirements to prepare them to lead data collection. A group identification tool, household survey, and follow-up telephone interviews were administered to 1,265 smallholder farmers across six districts in Kigoma to determine baseline values to form baseline measures for BTC to draw upon for ongoing and future programming. Consilient conducted a thorough analysis of the collected data and delivered a final report detailing the research findings to the client.
Research and Evaluation Services on Behalf of the Somalia Resilience Program (SomReP)
(2017-2019)
On behalf of the Somalia Resilience Program (2017-2019), Consilient led research and evaluation services across the consortium activities. Research included baseline/midline/endline evaluation across a cohort of more than 2,800 households in varying livelihoods zones across Somalia to measure impact of project activities aimed at enhancing the resilience capacity of chronically vulnerable households. In addition, quarterly monitoring allowed for trend analysis of household adaptive, absorptive, and transformational capacities toward achieving improvements in economic wellbeing
Bespoke research was conducted in collaboration with Cornel and Tufts University to examine aspects of positive deviance within communities and how that affects economic resilience capacity and the ability to absorb shocks in 2,175 households across in Eyl, Badhan, Dollow, Luuq and Odweyne districts
Baseline Survey for Improving the Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Populations in Kismayo
In order to better understand the local fish market in Kismayo, with a goal of promoting fish consumption through improving the quality fishery products and improved processing infrastructure, GIZ commissioned Consilient to conduct a baseline assessment of the Improving the Food and Nutrition Security of Vulnerable Populations in Kismayo project. Towards this end, Consilient designed a research methodology, which included market surveys, market behavioral observation, and GIS mapping in 25 fish outlets and landing sites across Kismayo, to assess the limiting factors on both the supply and demand sides. Furthermore, qualitative research including key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with representatives from fishing companies and outlet retailers, local nutritional facilities, community leaders, and government representatives to further bolster research findings. The final output was delivered in the form of a report and presentation to GIZ personnel for consideration in project design.
Food Security
&
Agriculture
Cash Transfers
&
Financial Inclusivity
Market Assessment of Financial Services in Somaliland
Partnering with Oxford Policy Management, Consilient was commissioned to undertake a market assessment of financial services in Somaliland on behalf of the International Finance Cooperation (IFC). The purpose of this market assessment is twofold – to understand the current state of the financial services market in Somaliland – from the regulatory, supply and demand sides – and to investigate opportunities that exist to expand provision and access to these services. Consilient carried out a quantitative demand side survey with select sub-groups, including micro, small and medium businesses, financial service providers, farmers, and banked/unbanked groups to gain understanding of the current banking products available, as well as service gaps. In addition, follow-up key informant interviews with business and government leaders were conducted to inform the final analysis.
Learning, Review and Impact Assessment of Cash Alliance’s Food Security and Livelihood Programme
In response to ongoing drought-related food insecurity in Somalia, the five organizations (CWW, COOPI, SCI, DRC and NRC) forming the Cash Alliance implemented pre-famine/drought response activities in Somalia. Consilient was contracted to evaluate programme implementation and establish the overall impact, as well as draw lessons from the direct cash transfer programming approach, with the aim of drawing succinct learning lessons easily adaptable for future cash transfer programming. Consilient conducted a mixed methods approach, with a total of 20 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community leaders, project staff and beneficiaries. Additionally, Consilient utilized a call-center approach to administer 670 beneficiary Interviews in Banadir, Lower Shabelle, Bay, Gedbo, Awdal, Hiraan, Banadir, Middle Shabelle, Garowe, Galkacyo and Juba. The final report detailed the evolution of cash transfer programming in Somalia since the 2017 famine and analyzed the effectiveness of the Cash Alliance’s overall approach and areas for further consideration in future cash programing.
Survey of Hawala Retailers in Somalia
As part of WFP and Unicef’s efforts to assist the growing number of returnees to Somalia through the SCOPE programme, Consilient was engaged to assist in building out the network of Hawala retailers which WFP and Unicef can engage in money distribution. Working in underserved areas of Somalia, Consilient identified and carried out capacity assessments of potential retailers. Following the identification and review process, Consilient worked with WFP to contract 378 new vendors to utilize as part of scope programming.
Data Quality Review of the Tuberculosis Programme in Somalia
As the Local Fund Agent for Global Fund investments in Somalia, Consilient, in partnership with Mannion Daniels, conduct assessments, evaluation, and monitoring of tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Ministry of Health capacity building initiatives throughout Somalia. For the Data Quality Review of the Tuberculosis Programme, Consilient monitored 23 tuberculosis (TB) treatment centres, 11 antiretroviral (ART) clinics, and conducted ART and TB monitoring with the Ministry of Health in Puntland, Somalia and Somaliland. Within each site visit, Consilient assessed the day-to-day operations and drug supply of each facility, as well as the level of organization and standardization of data procedures within the treatment facilities and respective Ministries of Health.
Health Consortium for Somali People: Client Satisfaction Study
The Health Consortium for Somali People, led by PSI, contracted Consilient to conduct a Client Satisfaction Survey to measure client satisfaction following visitation to local health facilities in order to better understand gaps in the level of service delivery provisioned within the health network, particularly amongst the female population. Consilient interviewed more than 900 female health seekers following their visit to hospitals, health centres, and primary health units in in Gedo, Karkaar and Sahil regions. Following the aggregation of consumer feedback, Consilient organized key informant interviews with health facility staff and officials from the Ministry of Health, as well as 12 focus group discussions with consumer segments to better understand their experience utilizing health services and identifying areas for improvement.
Evaluation of Social Mobilization Network (SM NET)
Working with Kimetrica, Consilient conducted the evaluation of Unicef’s Social Mobilization Network (SM Net). The SM Network is a web of cooperation between UNICEF, WHO, and the respective zonal Ministries of Health to eradicate polio in Somalia. UNICEF wanted to explore the viability of repurposing the SM Net for potential use in other health centered campaigns. In total, Consilient conducted 59 focus group discussions and 117 key informant interviews within the network to explore how the network can be utilized to address other health priorities and provide an action plan as to the key considerations and additional capacities that would be required.
Health
Preventing
&
Countering Violent Extremism
Baseline and Market Survey Socioeconomic Reintegration of At-Risk Youth and Ex-Combatants (SRARYEC)
IOM's Socioeconomic Reintegration of Ex-combatants and Youth at Risk (SRARYEC) project provides services and support to vulnerable youth and disengaged extremist fighters, offering alternatives to violence. Project interventions include provision of psycho-social counseling, life skills, peacebuilding, basic literacy, technical and vocational skills training, business skills, apprenticeship and mentorship, job placement, and provision of start-up kits and small grants. Consilient conducted a study to identify gaps in local markets and to locate business owners and entrepreneurs willing to engage as potential trainers, instructors, and mentors to reintegrated youths. Research activities included a targeted household surveys with 320 respondents, as well direct surveying with 100 disengaged male fighters. Qualitative research included key informant interviews and focus group discussions with community leaders, local authorities, and direct and indirect beneficiaries in Kismayo and Baidoa. Based on this data, Consilient delivered a baseline report complete with strategies for engaging with reintegrated youths and recommendations for program planning.
Third Party Monitoring of the Early Recovery Initiative (ERI)
In collaboration with Transtec, Consilient provides third party monitoring support to the Foreign Commonwealth Office’s Conflict, Stability, & Security Fund’s (CSSF) Early Recovery Initiative in Somalia. With a goal of supporting quick impact stabilization efforts to newly recovered areas of southern Somalia, the FCO supports a range of opportunistic interventions aimed at providing timely stabilization affects to recently liberated communities. Under the third part monitoring contract, Consilient has been involved in M&E support, Evaluation, and ad-hoc research surrounding the programmes activities, including stabilization perception monitoring, reintegration of former child soldiers, and influencing content.
Suuqa Monitoring and Evaluation Support
(year I, II, III)
The United States Department of State, in collaboration with Breakthrough Media, implemented the Suuqa initiative as a platform to strengthen popular anti-Al Shabaab sentiment via multiple communications and media platforms in Somalia. As the research partner throughout the programmes three years, Consilient provided research support, including impact evaluation services, sentiment tracking, and message testing of radio and online messaging content in order to improve and measure the effectiveness of influencing campaigns.
Kenya Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Service Gap Analysis
In collaboration with Social Development Direct, Consilient conducted a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) service gap analysis across four counties of Kitui, Kwale, Bomet and Kisumu in Kenya on behalf of the World Ban. Consilient assessed and analyzed the availability and quality of GVB prevention and response services, community perceptions and attitudes towards GBV that influence support – seeking behaviour. Utilising a qualitative approach, Consilient conducted 100 key informant interview and focus group discussions. The study included recommendations to strengthen awareness, access, and quality of GBV prevention and response services within the region. The study also helped to better inform ongoing operations in critical programming on how to integrate GBV across thematic sectors (e.g. health, education, justice and policing, and livelihood focused, community-driven interventions.
Endline Evaluation of Child Maternal Health Project in Somaliland (“Daremo”)
On behalf of UNICEF and BBC Media Action, Consilient undertook the endline evaluation of the Child and Maternal Health Project in Somaliland (Daremo), which evaluated the impact of the radio drama series Daremo (Pillars of the Family) amongst women across Somaliland. The initiative aimed to support positive nutrition, hygiene, and healthcare practices for mothers and infants, most especially breastfeeding habits and early childcare choices. In order to measure programme effectiveness and behavior change outcomes, Consilient designed a multistage, clustered, probability sampling approach with women of reproductive age across both reach and listener sub-categories. In all, the face-to-face quantitative survey included 2,600 respondents from 200 locations across Somaliland which were used to extrapolate the “total affect” of the national radio campaign on maternal behavior.
Third-Party Monitoring: Women’s Integrated Sexual Health Programme (WISH)
As part of the DFID Third Party Monitoring contract for the WISH initiative, Consilient is involved in third party monitoring activities of sexual health programming throughout Africa. Working with Oxford Policy Management in Uganda, Consilient designed verification methodologies of key performance indicators and suggested ways to integrate learnings into the implementation phase of the programme. Consilient was tasked with conducting an in-depth country analysis, the development of a customized data and system mapping tools, and interviewing implementing partners to design an evidence, knowledge and learning strategy to enable adaptivity in the provision of family planning services in Uganda.
Gender
Accountability
to
Affected Populations
Organizational Accountability Framework in Dadaab Refugee Camp
Funded by U.S. State Department Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), AVSI implemented the Accountability Framework to Affected Populations (AAFAP) in Dadaab. The piolet project worked to ensure that beneficiaries in Dadaab are being accounted for during project activities and have the ability to provide feedback to the initiatives that affect them most. AVSI contracted Consilient with the aim to receive expert feedback on the implementation of their AAFAP, in order to provide inputs to the planning, implementation, review and roll-out in Dadaab. For this consultancy, Consilient first conducted key informant interviews with program staff, beneficiaries, local government officials, before hosting a series of workshops and trainings with AVSI staff to help identify suitable, locally contextualized beneficiary feedback mechanisms.
Global Poverty Action Fund: Somaliland Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism
As part of the DFID funded Global Poverty Action Fund, Consilient has provided full lifecycle research support to the Somaliland component of the Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism (BFM) through INTRAC and the local implementing partner, Health Poverty Action. Activities have included the design of and appropriate evaluation methodology for BFM activities at the baseline, midline, and endline evaluations phases. Particular focus was given to how to efficiently and effectively apply beneficiary feedback into larger programme initiatives. Throughout the programme, Consilient evaluated the impact of BFM approaches, including feedback through the FrontlineSMS application and phone-ins with the goal of furthering the uptake and application of feedback mechanisms in project decision making. Research scope included on-going debriefs with key Health Poverty Action staff, regular analysis of implementation records, as well as qualitative focus groups with MCH personnel and project beneficiaries.
Affected People Feedback Survey
(Phase I, II & III )
Since 2016, Consilient has worked with Ground Truth Solutions on the Somalia components of the global Affected People Survey. On behalf of the OECD secretariat, the project tracks how people affected by humanitarian crises have experienced the reforms set out in The Grand Bargain. Through targeted surveying with select groups within the humanitarian context, the survey gauges the impact of the commitments in the Grand Bargain from the perspective of affected people. Each year, Consilient interviews 500 respondents across all regions of Somalia to understand their views on humanitarian intervention in order to longitudinally measure change and progress.
Political Economy Analysis of the Private Sector in Somalia and Somaliland
On behalf of the International Finance Cooperation, Consilient in partnership with the Clingendael Institute conducted a Political Economy Analysis of the Private Sector in Somalia and Somaliland. The analysis included interviews with 180 businesses in Hargeisa, Garowe, and Mogadishu to assess the trajectory of private investment and the impact of the private sector on local development. The study also included an analysis of the inhibiting factors holding back growth of private sector investment and potential interventions the development community can take to enhance investment initiatives.
Risk Assessment for Somalia’s South-West State Constitutional Review Process
Working on behalf of the Somalia Stability Fund, Consilient conducted an in-depth analysis of the institutional risks of the proposed South-West State constitutional review process, particularly in respect to the impacts of proposed constitutional revisions for South-West State and the role of the international community. Through interviews with key stakeholders throughout the relevant levels of government, the risk assessment informed SSF’s engagement with the Minister of Constitutional Affairs of South West State.
Somalia: Political Economy Analysis
Working with Oxfam, Consilient conducted a political economy analysis on Somalia and Somaliland to better inform Oxfam’s upcoming strategy review. Oxfam’s extensive Somalia/Somaliland portfolio necessitated a broad overview of both Somalia and Somaliand’s current trends as well as structural challenges and opportunities that might be relevant for Oxfam programing. The analysis included a synthesis of the current context, regional and international actors, clan dynamics, humanitarian trends, policy environment, civil society, the role of diaspora, stakeholder mapping, and cross cutting issues. The final report identified advocacy opportunities for Oxfam, as well actionable recommendations for programming.