Call for EOIs: Improve Child Outcomes in Middle Juba (Somalia)

Deadline: 10-Feb-2026

UNICEF Somalia has issued a Call for Expression of Interest to support integrated education, child protection, and social protection services in Middle Juba.

The initiative prioritizes inclusive, resilient, and multi-sectoral interventions targeting vulnerable children and families, with a focus on early childhood development, adolescent skills, disability inclusion, and social protection.

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest aimed at improving outcomes for children in Somalia’s Middle Juba region.

This initiative focuses on delivering integrated, community-level services in education, child protection, and social policy, emphasizing equity, resilience, and sustainable development.

Purpose of the Call

The program is designed to:

• Strengthen inclusive and equitable service delivery for vulnerable children and families

• Integrate education, social protection, and child protection interventions

• Support immediate needs while addressing long-term development challenges

• Build resilient community systems and institutions capable of withstanding shocks

Key Intervention Areas

1. Education

• Strengthen early childhood development

• Improve learning outcomes and quality of education

• Expand access for out-of-school children

• Support education in emergency contexts

• Develop skills for adolescents, particularly girls and children affected by conflict

2. Child Protection

• Prevent and respond to violence against children

• Support family reunification and legal assistance

• Ensure protection in emergency settings

• Foster safe and inclusive community environments

3. Social Protection and Policy Advocacy

• Improve public finance and local governance for child-focused initiatives

• Expand equitable, shock-responsive social safety nets

• Reduce multidimensional child poverty through integrated policy approaches

• Promote gender equality and women’s empowerment within community programs

4. Cross-Cutting Priorities

• Disability inclusion

• Emergency preparedness and response

• Humanitarian-development-peace nexus integration

• Equity and resilience across all interventions

Geographic Scope

• Focused on districts within the Middle Juba (Jubbada Dhexe) region of Somalia

• Projects should have strong community reach and local engagement

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations with a strong local presence

• Organizations with sectoral expertise in education, child protection, social policy, or related fields

• Entities capable of delivering integrated, multi-sectoral interventions for children and families

How to Apply

1. Review the Call for Expression of Interest guidelines

2. Prepare a proposal demonstrating:

   • Alignment with UNICEF Somalia’s strategic priorities

   • Multi-sectoral and integrated approach

   • Focus on equity, resilience, and inclusion

   • Expected outcomes and measurable impact

3. Submit the expression of interest according to the official instructions

4. Await review and engagement from UNICEF for potential partnership

Why This Call Matters

The initiative is critical for:

• Reaching vulnerable children in Middle Juba with coordinated services

• Strengthening local systems to deliver long-term, sustainable outcomes

• Promoting equitable access to education, protection, and social support

• Supporting adolescent development, especially for girls and conflict-affected children

Tips for a Strong Application

• Demonstrate local presence and operational experience in Middle Juba

• Highlight multi-sectoral and integrated programming capacity

• Include plans for equity, inclusion, and resilience-building

• Provide clear monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement strategies

• Address cross-cutting issues such as disability, gender equality, and emergency preparedness

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals from organizations without a strong local presence

• Overlooking the integration of education, child protection, and social policy interventions

• Neglecting cross-cutting priorities like gender, disability, and emergency response

• Providing insufficient detail on outcomes, community reach, or impact measurement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply?

Civil society organizations with local presence and sectoral experience in Middle Juba.

What is the focus of the initiative?

Integrated education, child protection, and social protection services with emphasis on equity, resilience, and inclusion.

Are cross-cutting priorities considered?

Yes. Disability inclusion, gender equality, emergency response, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus are central.

Which children are prioritized?

Vulnerable children, including girls, adolescents, and children affected by armed conflict or disability.

How does this align with broader frameworks?

The initiative aligns with UNICEF Somalia’s Strategic Priorities under the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2026–2030) and the Somalia National Transformation Plan.

What outcomes are expected?

Improved education access and quality, strengthened child protection, enhanced social safety nets, and resilient community systems.

How should proposals be structured?

Proposals should demonstrate multi-sectoral integration, community reach, equity, and clear measurable outcomes.

Conclusion

This UNICEF Call for Expression of Interest offers civil society organizations in Middle Juba the opportunity to deliver integrated, child-centered services.

By addressing education, protection, and social policy in a coordinated manner, the initiative fosters equitable access, resilience, and long-term sustainable outcomes for Somalia’s most vulnerable children.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.