TERMS OF REFERENCE – GOVERNANCE LAB ASSOCIATES – COHORT 1

TERMS OF REFERENCE – GOVERNANCE LAB ASSOCIATES – COHORT 1
Oct 15, 2026

1. About Puntland State University (PSU)
   Puntland State University (PSU) is a higher education institution based in Puntland State of
   Somalia. The university contributes to the development of human capital in Somalia by providinghigher education, developing professional skills, promoting research, and engaging withcommunities to address social and economic challenges. PSU offers academic programmes
   across various disciplines designed to respond to the educational needs and development
   priorities of Puntland and Somalia. Through its teaching, research, and community engagement
   activities, the university seeks to strengthen knowledge production, professional capacity, innovation, and evidence-informed policy-making. The university also supports research and development initiatives through its research structures, including the PSU Center for Research and Development (CRD), which undertakes research, consultancy, and social development initiatives. These activities aim to generate context-specific
   evidence, inform public policy, support development programmes, and strengthen collaborationbetween academia, government institutions, civil society, and development partners. PSU is one of four CABIR consortium partners. It provides research and analytical support andhosts the Dowlad Baar Governance Lab for Puntland, leading operations, multistakeholder
   dialogue, uptake and follow-up in Garowe and Galkacyo. As a permanent, locally staffed andnon-partisan institution, PSU offers a neutral platform that can continue beyond the project. 2) Brief Background of CABIR Project
   The Citizen Accountability Barometer for Institutional Responsiveness (CABIR) is a 24-monthconsortium initiative (July 2026 – June 2028) funded by the Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) andimplemented by VNG International, KAALO Aid and Development, Puntland State University
   and Galkayo University in Garowe, Galkacyo, and Dhusamareeb. It promotes responsive, participatory and evidence-informed sub-national governance through a practical cycle: citizenevidence generated through the Dowlad Beeg Governance Barometer, inclusive dialogue andproblem-solving through the Dowlad Baar Governance Labs, and uptake and follow-throughongovernment commitments. Gender equality, social inclusion and conflict sensitivity are integratedthroughout the project.
2. Background and Rationale of the Assignment
   Puntland State University (PSU) hosts governance labs that provide neutral platforms where
   citizens, government officials, and other stakeholders can use evidence to discuss public issues, identify practical solutions, and agree on actions to improve governance and service delivery. The
   Lab will serve communities in Garowe and Galkayo. To support the effective functioning of the
   Labs, PSU is establishing the Governance Lab Associates Programme, which will recruit students
   and recent graduates to work alongside two full-time Lab Facilitators. The Associates will
   support research and evidence summaries, community mobilisation, dialogue facilitation, documentation of meetings, preparation of minutes and summaries, follow-up on agreed actionpoints, and communication of citizens’ priorities to relevant stakeholders. The programme will be implemented through two cohorts, with this Terms of Reference (TOR)
   covering Cohort 1 during Year 1. Associates will undertake meaningful responsibilities that
   require professionalism, accuracy, neutrality, teamwork, and reliability. In return, they will receive
   practical training, mentorship, coaching, and hands-on experience in governance, research, community engagement, and policy influence. The programme aims to develop a new generation of skilled and responsible young professionals
   who can contribute to evidence-informed decision-making, constructive citizen–government
   dialogue, and positive governance reforms in Puntland. 4) Objectives of the Assignment
   The overall objective of this assignment is to build a capable, inclusive and committed cohort of
   36 associates in the PSU Governance Lab who carry out the Lab’s evidence, mobilisation, facilitation, documentation and follow-up work in Year 1 under the supervision of the LabFacilitators, and who form the base of a talent pipeline that Puntland State University keeps after
   CABIR. Specific objectives: a) Complete induction and training on CABIR, the Barometer, facilitation, ethics, safeguarding and documentation. b) Deliver assigned Lab-cycle tasks to required standards and deadlines. c) Enable women, youth, IDPs, persons with disabilities and marginalised clans to
   participate and be heard. d) Maintain accurate Commitment Register and Action Records. e) Build skills through coaching and cross-state learning, progressing to leading parts of
   sessions by year-end. f) Transfer knowledge, records and contacts to Cohort 2. 5) Key Activities to be Performed
    Induction and conduct: Attend the full three-day induction, programme sessions and
   coaching
    Sign and follow the code of conduct on neutrality, confidentiality, safeguarding, data
   protection and do-no-harm. Do not represent the Lab except when authorised.  Selected associates may receive KAALO Barometer training and support data collection.  Evidence: Convert Barometer findings, protected-consultation summaries and town-hall
   outcomes into concise, plain-language session summaries, with figures traceable to
   sources.  Mobilisation and inclusion: Prepare invitations and participant lists, confirmattendance
   and arrange accessible venues, timing and transport information so marginalised groups
   can participate.

    Facilitation support: Co-facilitate group work and forums; support KAALO-led protectedconsultations when assigned; manage time, materials and small groups, and progressively
   lead agenda items.  Documentation: Take accurate notes; record attendance by sex, age, displacement status
   and disability; prepare draft Action Records for review within five working days; recordeach commitment’s owner, deadline and verification method; securely file records and
   protect personal data.  Follow-up and uptake: Follow up action points with responsible offices and update
   trackers. Support uptake-pathway mapping (3.1), governance briefs (3.2), and
   preparation/accompaniment of citizen representatives to briefings and uptake meetings
   (3.3).  Learning and handover: Maintain monthly activity logs, attend coaching and apply
   feedback.  Some associates participate in cross-state exchange with GU’s Lab in Galkacyo South andoutcome-harvesting fieldwork in June 2027.  Prepare a learning note and hand over records and contacts to Cohort 2. 6. Expected Deliverables
    Signed code of conduct and completed induction.  Monthly activity log signed by the supervising facilitator.  Timely, quality-assured assigned outputs: evidence summaries, participant lists, sessionnotes, disaggregated attendance records, draft Action Records, Commitment Register
   entries, tracker updates and governance-brief contributions.  Participation in mid-cohort and end-of-cohort reviews.  End-of-cohort learning note and handover of records by 30 June 2027. 7. Stakeholders of the Assignment
   The following will take part in, or benefit from, this assignment: A) Primary Stakeholders.  Citizens and community members in Garowe and Galkacyo, including women, youth, IDPs, persons with disabilities and marginalised clans, whom the associates mobilise, hear and record.  District authorities and Federal Member State institutions in Puntland, with whomthe
   associates follow up commitments.  Puntland State University and its two Lab Facilitators, who rely on the associates as the
   working core of the Lab.  The consortium partners, VNG International as lead, KAALO Aid and Development, PSU and GU, who use the evidence, records and follow-up the associates produce. B) Secondary Stakeholders  Civil society organisations and civic actors in the coalition forums.  Cohort 2 associates, who build on the records and lessons handed over by Cohort 1.  The programme’s MEAL and outcome-harvesting processes, which draw on the Lab’s
   records.

3. Target Groups of the Assignment
   The PSU Governance Lab Associates Programme targets young professionals, university
   graduates, public officials and civic actors who are interested in governance, accountability, public
   service, research and community engagement. The programme will focus on two core target
   groups: Team 1: Public Officials and Emerging Public Sector Professionals
    Municipal and district government officers.  District planning and development officers.  Public service delivery officers.  Government policy and technical advisors.  Officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).  Civil servants.  Consultants and advisors working in governance and development.  Young graduates and emerging professionals interested in public administration, public
   policy and institutional development. Team 2: Civic Actors and Emerging Civic Leaders
    Civil society organization (CSO) staff and representatives.  Youth leaders and youth organization representatives.  Women’s organization representatives.  Community-based organization (CBO) leaders.  Journalists and civic communicators.  Civic activists and advocates.  University graduates and young researchers.  Representatives of marginalized and underserved communities.  Community mobilizers and social development practitioners.  Emerging civic and community leaders. Inclusion: Young graduates, women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with
   disabilities and individuals from marginalized and underserved communities are particularly
   encouraged to participate in both teams. 9. Eligibility Criteria
   Applicants should meet the following criteria:  Relevant background: Involved in governance, public administration, civic
   engagement, community development or related fields.  Education and experience: Minimum university degree or equivalent with practical
   experience, demonstrated leadership, public service or community engagement.  Governance interest: Strong motivation to promote citizen participation, accountability and responsive governance.  Research and analytical skills: Ability or willingness to identify governance
   challenges, collect evidence, analyse problems and prepare a policy brief.  Communication and collaboration: Ability to communicate effectively, engage
   diverse stakeholders and work collaboratively.  Commitment: Availability throughout program and willingness to complete all
   activities, including presenting findings.  Institutional or community affiliation: Connection to a public institution, civil
   society organization, community group or relevant professional network or a graduate
   young person.

    Integrity and impartiality: Commitment to ethical conduct, inclusivity and
   nonpartisan engagement.  Local relevance: Living or working in CABIR target areas or having a direct
   professional connection to them. Additional considerations:
    Women, young graduates, persons with disabilities and representatives of marginalizedand underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Public officials: Institutional endorsement or nomination is recommended.  Civic actors: Demonstrated community engagement or civic leadership may substitute
   for formal professional qualifications. 10. Reporting Requirements
    Associates report to their supervising Lab Facilitator. Monthly logs are due at eachmonth’s end.  Unjustified absence from scheduled sessions or missed deadlines, and breaches of the
   code of conduct, may result in release and replacement. 11. Minimum Requirements and Selection Process
    Postgraduate student, or graduate within the last four years, in law, political science, public administration, social sciences, economics, education, statistics or a related field.  Resident in Puntland, preferably Garowe; fluent in spoken and written Somali, with
   working English.  Basic Word, Excel and email skills; mobile data-collection experience is an advantage.  Interest in governance, public service and community engagement; volunteer, studentleadership or community experience is an advantage.  Non-partisan standing, with no political party office or role that compromises Lab
   neutrality.  Available throughout Year 1.  Selection is merit-based and inclusive, women, IDPs, persons with disabilities and
   marginalised groups are encouraged to apply.  Applicants submit a CV, one-page motivation letter and proof of study/graduation.  Shortlisting against published criteria is followed by an interview or practical exercise
   with a panel comprising the Lab Focal Point, PSU HR representative and Lab
   Facilitators. 12. Time Commitment and Allowance
    The programme runs part-time from induction to 30 June 2027, requiring an average
   commitment of two days per week and attendance at all scheduled Lab sessions.  The role is unpaid, but Associates receive a transport allowance for scheduledprogramme sessions.  A certificate of completion will be awarded by Puntland State University uponsatisfactory completion of the cohort.  Associates will be part of a platform promoting good governance, civic education, influencing policymakers and political leaders, and driving positive transformation. 13. Duty Station
    Duty station – PSU Governance Lab, Garowe
    Field assignments in Galkacyo and cross-state exchanges if selected.

4. How to Apply
    Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit the following documents: 1. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV). 2. A one-page motivation letter outlining qualifications, relevant experience, motivation for joining the Governance Lab Associates Programme, and potential
   contribution to the work of the Labs.  Both documents must be combined into one PDF file and submitted by email to
   hr@psu.edu.so, with a copy to abdikadirhm@psu.edu.so and aawarsame@psu.edu.soApplicants are encouraged to ensure that their applications are complete and clearly
   demonstrate their interest in governance, research, community engagement, and
   evidence-informed policy-making.
5. Deadline: 22/Oct/2026