Climate vulnerability and adaptation of women and men

Introduction

Oxfam in Iraq envisions climate justice in a way that is feminist, equal, and free from violence and conflict, promoting human rights, and expanding civic space. This requires a locally led and owned and systematic approach which considers the fragile context and intersecting inequalities. Specifically, Oxfam supports equitable socio-economic transformation, inclusive and accountable climate governance, and climate adaptation and resilience measures which protect those who are highly vulnerable and most exposed to the climate consequences. 

Funded by GIZ, Oxfam in Iraq is implementing a project from December 2023 to Feb 2025 with the aim to support local government and communities in three districts of Anbar governorate in the Kurdistan region of Iraq to have improved understanding of climate change and capacity to implement, strategically, adaptation and mitigation measures. The project aims to improve access to information on the effects of climate change, raise awareness of the increasing risks resulting from climate change, establish improved dialogue between local government and communities, and improve the preparedness of communities to address the future impacts of climate change while contributing to more peaceful coexistence among communities.

Background

Iraq is among the countries most affected by and most vulnerable to climate change globally and is the fifth most vulnerable to reduced water and food availability, extreme temperatures, and associated health problems.^[1] It is one of four countries that depend on the Euphrates–Tigris River basin for its water supply, which over recent years has experienced high levels of water stress and environmental degradation, resulting in increased water scarcity.^[2] With the impacts of climate change, drought in the area continues to increase in duration and intensity, together with growing desertification and more frequent sandstorms and flash floods, all of which affect agricultural yields.^[3]

Anbar is the largest of Iraq’s governorates and one of its most sparsely populated. The governorate is made up of seven districts: Ana, Fallujah, Haditha, Heet, al-Qaim, Ramadi, and al-Rutba, and borders three neighbouring countries, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The capital city of Anbar is Ramadi. As of 2019, the estimated population of Anbar is 1,818,318 people. The governorate is predominately inhabited by Sunni Arabs^[4]. Anbar leads the unemployment rate for youth aged 15-24 in Iraq at 33.3% (Ministry of Planning) following the ISIS occupation, which led to the widespread destruction of infrastructure, markets, and factories, and minimal support to businesses that might create job opportunities for young people. Anbar was one of the hardest hit governorates in the conflict, and whilst its rural areas have a long history of agricultural production and its urban areas of skilled crafts and trades, especially in the construction sector, the ISIS conflict negatively affected the framework conditions for business and disrupted the market, resulting in a standstill for these industries and further undermining employment opportunities. The resulting high rate of unemployment affects predominantly women and youth, with approximately 43% of these groups neither in work nor in education or training (Ministry of Planning).

It is evident that climate change impacts men and women differently, often exacerbating existing inequalities. Women are specifically vulnerable to its effects due to socio-economic disparities and limited access to resources. Additionally, women are frequently excluded from decision-making processes related to climate action, which further compounds their vulnerability and limits their ability to effectively respond to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.[5] Women in Iraq face numerous challenges due to patriarchal norms embedded in social and legal systems. Socio-cultural norms assign household responsibilities primarily to women, leading them to work in value chains closer to home, such as the less profitable vegetable and fruit sectors, so they can balance farming with unpaid household duties. Despite their contributions in agriculture, women do not participate or benefit economically at the same rate as men, as evidenced by a pay gap of $17.1 in favor of men in the agricultural sector (LFS, 2021, p. 49). Traditional social roles and societal expectations often restrict women to specific household roles, excluding them from decision-making processes in agriculture. Furthermore, limited access to agricultural knowledge and resources hampers women’s ability to fully participate in agricultural activities and enhance their economic empowerment. Therefore understanding specific vulnerabilities and the dynamics between women and men in the climate adaptation and mainstreaming those considerations in policy and programme development, is very important to reduce the impact of climate change and increase people’s resilience.

Purpose of the Consultancy

Oxfam is looking for a consultant to conduct a Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation of Women and Men in Anbar Governorate Scoping Study in Fallujah, Ramadi, and Heet Districts to inform Oxfam’s current programming that is aiming to enhance climate adaptation strategies and contribute to justice between women and men.

Objectives

The objective of this Scoping study is to assess the differential vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies of women and men in the face of climate change. This study aims to understand how social roles, access to services, and control over resources impact their capacity to cope with and adapt to climate-related challenges. By examining both formal legal and policy frameworks as well as informal norms and customs, the study seeks to identify gaps and opportunities for enhancing climate adaptation.

Scope of Work/Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

In close collaboration with designated Oxfam Leads, the Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Desk review:

• Developing a summary of existing information on the vulnerability and adaptation to climate change of women and men.
• Stakeholder mapping including identifying women’s rights (WROs) and/or women’s led organizations (WLOs) and their networks and movements working in the domain of climate justice
• Review relevant documentation and information as provided by Oxfam Iraq

Inception report:

• Prepare an inception report summarizing the initial analysis based on the desk review, objectives, analytical framework, scope and outputs, data collection implementation arrangements, methodology and workplan.

Data collection:

• Conduct fieldwork in locations agreed with Oxfam Leads and gather sex and age disaggregated data capturing diverse perspectives on vulnerability and adaptation to climate change. The process will be carried out with a focus on ethical standards, ensuring the confidentiality and rights and dignity of all participants.

Final report:

• Synthesize findings into a final report that includes executive summary, analysis, main findings and recommendations for enhancing climate adaptation strategies to contribute to justice between women and men.

Main research questions:

1. What are the main environmental and climate risk issues in the three designated districts of Anbar for both women and for men? Is there a difference of how women and men perceive those risks?
2. How do environmental and climate risks issues impact women and men differently?
3. What roles and responsibilities do women and men have in productive and reproductive spheres, and how does this influence their adaptation to climate change?
4. What disparities exist between women and men regarding access to and control over assets such as land, housing, income, social benefits, health, water, energy, technology, and information (including financial and civic literacy)?
5. What are the specific coping mechanisms in managing risks and adapt to climate change?
6. In what ways do cultural norms and beliefs affect how women and men manage risks and adapt to climate change?
7. What innovative practices and local knowledge do women and men (and their organizations, such as WRO/WLOs) use to adapt to climate change?
8. What are the existing statutory and customary laws, policies, regulations, and institutional practices in Iraq that address justice between women and men in climate change initiatives?
9. How can Oxfam enhance its climate change adaptation and mitigation programme strategies to better address the needs of women and men?

Expected Outputs/Key Deliverables:

• Inception report not exceeding 5 pages presented and agreed with Oxfam Leads to best align with Oxfam’s implementation plans and MEAL frameworks and procedures.
• Data collection: Execution of data collection activities in predetermined locations, as agreed upon with Oxfam Leads.
• Final report: A concise, coherent, and evidence-based final report, up to 20 pages, containing summarized findings, in-depth analysis, and actionable recommendations.

Timeline for implementation

All reports are to be submitted in English unless otherwise stated. Where specifically stated, translation into Arabic will be done only after the English version is approved by Oxfam Iraq and for the respective deliverables. All deliverables will only be accepted if they meet highest quality standards. Documents, including drafts, have to be well structured and written. Data collection, analysis and presentation are expected to meet highest standards. All final documents have to be proofread and professionally edited before submission. 

Proposal requirements  

Oxfam is requesting the service providers to hand in a proposal of maximum three (3) pages, which should highlight the methodology and analytical approaches that the consultant will employ for acquiring and analysing data; the types of data(sets) that will be used; an analysis plan; and a workplan. The proposal should also include description of consultant’s capacities and any relevant experience related to the ToR. The 3-page proposal does not include biographies, CVs, diplomas, sample work and references, which should be submitted separately. Proposals not fulfilling the minimum criteria will be excluded from the tender procedure and will not be assessed further. 

Competences

Education:

Advance degree in Sociology, Gender studies, Environmental Science, Development studies or any other relevant field. Academic training or degree combining social studies and climate science and climate change related matters is highly preferable.

Knowledge:

In-depth knowledge of the constraints and best practices on justice between wome and men and the particular barriers women face in fully benefiting from and participating in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Capacity:

• Capacity and capability to collect primary data efficiently in Fallujah, Ramadi, and Heet, Anbar Governorate Iraq.  

Selection Process

Step 1: Technical Criteria  

Evaluation scores will be awarded for each of the components. Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.  Only candidates scoring 70% (i.e. 49 points) in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial proposal evaluation. The proposal will be assessed based on the following selection criteria: 

Step 2 – Financial Criteria  

The criterion of assessment is “the best price for the proposed level of quality” with a maximum grading of 5. 

Step 3 – Weighting 

The assignment will be awarded to the service provider with the most economically advantageous tender. The most economically advantageous tender is determined based on the evaluation criteria of price and quality. The final score will be weighted 70% on Technical and 30% on Price. If scores of service providers are equal, priority will be based on the total scores that were given for the technical criterion.  

Timeframe  

The assignment will be for a period of 40 working days, inclusive of the submission of the final deliverables defined within, starting 1st September 2024, until end of October 2024 (40 working days). Regular meetings will be established to discuss plans, implementation progress and key findings.

Disclaimer

Oxfam is not obliged in this tender procedure to make a contract award decision or to conclude a contract with a participant. Participants in the tender procedure cannot claim compensation from Oxfam, any affiliated persons, or entities, in any way, in case any of the afore-mentioned situations occur. By handing in a proposal, participants accept all terms and reservations made in this ToR, and subsequent information and documentation in this tender procedure.

Required minimum mandatory documents (in addition to the proposal requirements) which must be submitted to the email below:

1. Technical proposal.
2. Signed stamped detailed financial proposal, including the payment terms and payment methods.
3. Consultant CV.

[1] https://www.unep.org/resources/global-environment-outlook-6?_ga=2.118495561.1336518399.1641386645-2043264144.1641103432

[2] https://www.stimson.org/2021/joint-working-group-on-international-and-eu-water-diplomacy-in-focus-the-euphrates-tigris-river-basin/   

[3] https://arabcenterdc.org/resource/mitigating-conflict-over-water-in-the-euphrates-tigris-basin/ 

[4] https://easo.europa.eu/country-guidance-iraq-2021/anbar

[5] https://unfccc.int/documents/494455

Experience:

• The consultant should have significant knowledge and experience in conducting high quality multi-dimensional analysis in the area of justice between women and men.
• Experience in mainstreaming justice between women and men in climate risk management, development and related field is highly valuable.
• Experience in undertaking policy analysis and preparing policy instruments for mainstreaming justice between women and men into climate and disaster risk management and related field is highly valuable.
• Experience on research on climate vulnerability and adaptation planning is preferable.
• Experience in Iraq and more specifically Ambar Governorate (MENA region is an asset).  
• Proficiency in English and in Arabic.   

Ethical considerations

Ensure participants are fully informed about the study and consent to participate.

Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants.

The interested parties should send all the required documents listed above to the address: [email protected]

with the title Climate vulnerability and adaptation of women and men consultant

Deadline for submission of offers:

Please submit your offer on the link: https://ngosjobs-bids.com/bids

The deadline for submitting the offers is: 25th Aug 2024 (17:00 hr).