Consultancy-Research On Durable Solutions For Social Cohesion And Socio-Economic Recovery

Research on Durable solutions for social cohesion and socio-economic recovery

1. Background

The humanitarian context in Iraq remains fragile, with multiple crises affecting the Iraqi population and the different population groups with particular vulnerabilities to related shocks. In addition, the country was also affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the drop in oil prices in 2020. With a labor force participation estimated at 49% in federal Iraq and 40% in KRI, Iraq has one of the lowest employments to total population ratios in the Middle East. Overall, women participation within the labor force is low.

Iraq is also affected by internal displacement, with successive Iraqi governments aiming to end the displacement, with data showing ‘The needs remain high in late 2023, with about 1.14 million internally displaced people (IDPs) and 5 million IDP returnees, and 25 IDP camps hosting 175,000 people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’[1].

Challenges facing IDPs returning to areas of origin include the destruction of housing or the occupation of their houses by other families and different entities. Furthermore, the lack of access to services and job opportunities is a significant obstacle to returning and sustainable return of displaced persons to their communities. Lack of security in areas of origin is also reported as an obstacle to returning.

Furthermore, IDPs’ ability to achieve access to durable solutions in the form of local integration in host communities or resettle in a third location is affected by several challenges, including loss of civil documentation, which affects their access to different governmental services. Access to integration is also affected by lack of proper housing, access to employment, access to services, and lack of trust in people and local authorities. Addressing the displacement issue will need a more harmonized approach among different actors to move from approaches based on humanitarian assistance to approaches that support achieving durable solutions.

As a response to the challenges highlighted above, Oxfam is implementing a project titled Durable solutions for vulnerable, displacement-affected women, men, girls, and boys in Diyala and Kirkuk, Iraq. The project aims to support conflict and displacement-affected households to move towards Durable Solutions through dignified return, integration, or relocation. Under the project activities Oxfam aims to produce a research  on durable solutions for social cohesion and socio-economic recovery with a focus on the unique situation and dynamics of targeted areas.

1. Purpose and scope of the research:

As evidence show many displaced populations are struggling to achieving Durable Solutions, due to many factors including eroded social cohesion. Social cohesion is an essential prerequisite for the sustainable integration for IDPs and returnees in new and host communities. Without equity-sensitive social cohesion and integration, IDPs’ and returnees’ access to services and livelihood opportunities will be undermined. However, there is a knowledge gap on equity-sensitive social cohesion mechanisms that can enable integration through strengthened pathways to economic and livelihood opportunities in target areas. Therefore, the research will aim to analyses barriers to social cohesion among IDPs and returnees in the targeted areas and identify how poor social cohesion affects socioeconomic recovery. Furthermore, the research will generate recommendations on social cohesion approaches to increase intra-community trust and belonging and improve displacement-affected HHs’ access to livelihoods. These recommendations will ultimately contribute towards a more harmonized and integrated approach towards nexus programming and policies and durable solutions.  The research recommendations will be used to organize dialogue and advocacy sessions with local authorities and relevant stakeholders on durable solutions for social cohesion and socio-economic recovery.

The research objectives should cover the following:

• Analyse, from equity perspective, the obstacles facing IDPs and returnees’ ability to access livelihood and economic activities and eventually achieve durable solutions.
• Analyse barriers to social cohesion among IDPs and returnees and identify how poor social cohesion can affect socioeconomic recovery and access to durable solutions.
• Generate recommendation on social cohesion approaches to increase intra-community trust and belonging and improve displacement-affected HHs’ access to livelihoods.

Recommendations will ultimately contribute towards a more harmonized and integrated approach towards nexus programming and policies and durable solutions.

1. Methodology

The consultant/team is encouraged to submit the proposed research methodology. Some of the proposed elements to be considered are:

• Desk review and revision of existing documents/data.
• Interviews with key informants in both Governorates (Diyala and Kirkuk). Consultant/team is required to provide a mapping of stakeholders who will be part of this at the inception phase.
• Interviews/focus group discussions with key national and international stakeholders. Consultant/team is required to provide a mapping of stakeholders who will be part of this at the inception phase.
• Quantitative research in both governorates (Diyala and Kirkuk), if needed.

1. Deliverables

The assignment seeks the following deliverables:

• Inception report outlining the detailed understanding of the assignment, methodological approach, and data collection tools. (max. 15 pages).
• Debriefing session with Oxfam, mid way through the process.
• Validation workshop on the research findings and recommendations with identified stakeholders.
• Final report indicating the summary of the activities, achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
• Research paper.

1. Supervision and Management

The Area manager would be resposible to follow up on this assignemtnt along with the support of Oxfam technical leads.

1. Logistics and Constraints

• The Consultant will be responsible to submit a financial proposal, with detailed breakdown of all major anticipated costs: per cost category (e.g. daily fees, equipment, etc.); and per task/deliverable.
• The consultant will be paid the agreed rate, upon satisfactory completion of the assignment including submission of deliverables and reports as per below schedule:

7. Time Frame

The consultancy is expected to be carried out, for 30 calendar days between the Apr 22^nd ,2024  and May 22^nd ,2024. The timeline will be refined based on the consultant’s work plan and won’t be beyond May 22^nd.

1. Budget

The consultant should submit a full financial proposal.

[1] https://reporting.unhcr.org/operational/situations/iraq-situation

The profile of the consultant/project team should have the following skills and experience:

• Educational background: Development, social or political sciences, or any relevant specialisation.
• Previous Experiences of the consultant/team in research in a relevant field, including in social cohesion, protection, equity, and other relevant areas of the research demonstrated through lists of similar assignments, projects activities, lists of publications, samples of reports.
• Direct experience in research and/or programming work in the Middle East, preferably in Iraq or in a similar context.
• Strong writing skills in both English and Arabic.
• Ability to travel within Iraq.

Interested individuals or consultancy firms with relevant experience and skills based on the ToR can submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), including the following:

1. Cover letter of no more than 1 page introducing the consultant/company and intention to deliver the assignment. The cover letter should also indicate the consultants’ availability for the proposed period.
2. Technical proposal should provide details on the proposed methodology responding to the ToR and the deliverables in line with the competencies required for the assignment, including references to experience with similar assignments; CVs of the consultant/consulting team directly involved in the assignment, including their specific roles; and three professional referees. A technical proposal should not be longer than 10 pages, excluding annexes.
3. Financial proposal includes a one-page detailed budget, with a breakdown of all major anticipated costs: per cost category (e.g. daily fees, equipment); and per task/deliverable.
4. An accompanying workplan must be submitted too.
5. Statement on the willingness to follow Oxfam’s Code of Conduct and guidance regarding safe programming.

Please submit the EOI and other documents by 4:00 PM Iraq time by April 21^th to [email protected] with “Research On Durable Solutions For Social Cohesion And Socio-Economic Recovery” in the subject line. No EOIs will be accepted after the deadline.

TOR LINK: https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/vacancy/20925/description

*Selection Process is On Rolling Basis*

This invitation to tender has been issued for the sole purpose of obtaining offers for the provision of the services requested against the TOR. Oxfam reserves the right not to enter in or award a contract as a result of this invitation to tender. Oxfam also reserves the right to terminate any contract issued as a result of this invitation to tender as set out in the contract terms and conditions.