Somali Researchers Association (SRA) Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mogadishu, Somalia, SRA is a research institution devoted to enhancing the impact of research in the development sectors across Somalia. SRA aims to guide the prioritization of cost-effective social policies and development programmes, particularly in resource-limited settings. The organization operates across all states in Somalia, leveraging local content and a deep understanding of societal needs to implement and support research, monitoring, and evaluation activities. ( See our Website www.sra.so )
Our Vision
Pave the way for real change by driving high-quality research that informs policies, strengthens systems, and builds a better tomorrow for all.
Our Mission
SRA’s mission is to promote high-quality research that drives policy-making and effective program development in various domains, including health, education, media, food-security and governance. By generating and disseminating scientific knowledge, SRA helps strengthen health and education systems and social services, providing actionable insights that contribute to sustainable development and social welfare.
Geographical Presence
Our association operates nationwide and has offices in Puntland (Garowe), Galmudug (Dhusomareb), Hirshabele (Jowhar), South-West (Badio), Jubaland (Kismayo) and Mogadishu is our HQ. We have long-standing experience with bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and are working with a network of international and national consultants.
Expertise and Experience
SRA houses a team of knowledgeable researchers skilled in creating strategic, visionary research that addresses critical social issues at the district, regional, and national levels. With a focus on the social determinants of health, education service delivery, social behavior change, communication, and economy, our research initiatives highlight public problems and offer solutions to civic leaders and policymakers. This approach not only reorients focus towards effective solutions but also builds momentum for significant, lasting change.
Core Values and Skills
SRA is committed to transparency, accountability, professionalism, and integrity. These values are embedded in all our operations, ensuring that our research processes and outcomes are trusted and respected. Our staff are proficient in various UN languages, including English and Arabic, with strong capabilities in both spoken and written forms. The team’s expertise is further demonstrated through exceptional skills in data management, analytical processes, and cross-disciplinary knowledge, essential for designing and implementing complex research projects.
Services and Partnerships
SRA offers a wide range of services including policy research, socio-economic research, evaluations, feasibility studies, capacity-building and training, academic networking. We are also involved in providing translation services, ensuring seamless multi-language communication across different sectors. Our partnerships with local and international institutions amplify our impact and reach, enabling us to conduct influential research that informs local and global policy.
Ethics and Professionalism
At SRA, ethical considerations and professional integrity are paramount. We conduct all research independently, maintaining confidentiality and respect for all participants. Our approach to third-party monitoring and evaluation incorporates comprehensive planning and uses the latest technology to collect and analyze data effectively, ensuring that all findings are accurate and actionable.
Third-Party Monitoring (TPM)
SRA develops comprehensive, cross-sectoral TPM plans, complete with defined indicators, data sources, collection locations, frequencies, and analysis plans that include data disaggregation. Our Field-Based Monitors (FBMs) are equipped with Android smartphones and tablets installed with an ODK variant known as SurveyCTO, enhanced with GPS capabilities, to facilitate accurate data collection. FBMs receive extensive training to ensure informed consent, data security, and confidentiality are maintained at all times.
As conditions evolve in less secure areas, the collection of contextual data becomes crucial to identifying changes in the operational environment and assessing the impact of these changes on project activities and beneficiaries. To enhance our monitoring efforts, we supplement FBM activities with contextual data, utilizing code sheets that list potential events such as the presence of military forces, health events, natural disasters, and NGO activities. This is complemented by a comprehensive database of service delivery facilities, including schools and healthcare facilities. In the annexes we present our profile where you find more information.
SRA Strength
- We have vast and in-depth knowledge of numerous sector/industries. This is borne out of our experience in conducting similar assignments for different clients over the years.
- A first class team with the experience and expertise necessary to deliver services that meet our clients’ requirements and fit appropriately with current and future challenges.
- Commitment to working closely with stakeholders and beneficiaries at all stages of the assignment.
- Reliability in managing assignments in accordance with the terms of reference, within budget and on schedule.
- Recognized competence in all sectors that brings on board best-practice to the assignment.
- Independence and objectivity in all areas of our work.