RFP-IRQ-CO-24-003-Consultancy for Access to Durable Solutions for IDP Women in Iraq

DRC

Terms of Reference (ToR) for Access to durable solutions for IDP women in Iraq

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO with a specific expertise in forced displacement. It was founded in 1956 and today it is operating in 40 countries around the world, where it protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities.

DRC has been active across Iraq since 2003 and plays a crucial role in addressing the complex humanitarian needs of displaced populations and conflict-affected communities. Operating in collaboration with local partners and authorities and adopting humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) approaches, DRC focuses on providing a wide range of services to enhance the resilience and well-being of vulnerable individuals.

DRC’s work in Iraq has been focused on implementing multi-sectoral programming through an area-based approaches, integrating protection, economic recovery, humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding programming as well as advocacy. By implementing context-specific solutions, DRC contributes to the stability and recovery of communities in Iraq, striving to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for those affected by displacement and conflict.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

People experience internal displacement differently depending on several factors. This consultancy is intended to enhance understanding of women’s experiences linked with internal displacement and especially identify and analyse what hinders women’s access to durable solutions in Iraq. It also aims to highlight ways forward to promote more inclusive policy level planning, but also aid responses where differences are recognized between different groups and add to the realization of durable solutions for women.

1. Background

The magnitude of the displacement was unprecedented for Iraq, and its enduring impact persists until today. Internally displaced people (IDPs) continue to face multiple and compounded barriers to return and (re)integrate, and those who have returned to their areas of origin continue to encounter challenges linked to their experience of displacement, with women constituting a vulnerable demographic group facing unique challenges.

Against this backdrop, DRC Iraq in its 2023-2025 strategy committed to purse evidence-based advocacy to help people affected by displacement achieve durable solutions of their choice. One of the angles DRC aims to address this strategic objective is by delving into the multifaceted issue of access to durable solutions for IDP women in Iraq, aiming to highlight women voices about the interplay of factors that hinder or facilitate their ability to rebuild their lives. The consultancy aims to explore IDP women’s experiences of displacement, but also bring out their view of what could be useful in terms of programs, strategies and policies aimed at achieving durable solutions. Through a comprehensive analysis, this consultancy will endeavour to contribute valuable insights that can inform targeted interventions, decision making and advocacy for the rights and well-being of displaced women, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and resilient society.

1. Specific objective of the consultancy

The specific objectives of the assignment include: (1) conducting a qualitative analysis of IDP women’s access to durable solutions in Iraq through key informant interviews (KIIs); (2) Based on the qualitative data collected through KIIs and after conversations with DRC Iraq, developing a policy paper with a set of recommendations to policymakers, humanitarian and development actors and other advocacy targets.

The insights and recommendations generated from this exercise will serve as a reference for initiating advocacy efforts, such as discussions, round tables, and briefings to decision-makers aimed at voicing the messages collected through the KIIs. In the long term, these advocacy efforts are expected to contribute to improvements in the lives of internally displaced people in Iraq, ensuring their rights and protection.

1. Scope of work and methodology

In terms of scope, the consultancy will focus on four main areas of interest:

1. Women’s access to livelihoods. Promoting women’s access to livelihoods is an essential element of supporting durable solutions, with female-headed households in Iraq being particularly vulnerable to poverty. Thus, among other aspects, the consultancy will aim to investigate how roles held by women and men influence the types of employment opportunities available to women and what impact that has on their access to durable solutions. Also, what actionable improvements could there be to grant better access for women to employment and livelihoods.
2. Access to compensation and social safety nets. Increasing the distribution of compensation – including for damaged property and housing – and expanding and facilitating procedures to access social welfare schemes are critical to women’s economic security and thus to their access to durable solutions. One of the elements that could be explored by the consultant is legal obstacles that women encounter to own or inherit property, obtain legal documentation, access justice, social welfare schemes, or any form of compensation. Lack of legal recognition can become an important impediment when it comes to women’s ability to establish themselves in new locations or (re)integrate.
3. Social (re)integration, security and protection. Social (re)integration, strengthening social cohesion, provision of specialized protection services, are all important elements to the achievement of durable solutions. One of the elements to be explored in this component could be the impact of cultural norms and social expectations on the decision-making process related to durable solutions, including how these norms influence community dynamics and support networks during displacement.
4. Women’s participation in planning, governance, and peacebuilding. Many processes linked to the achievement of durable solutions remain homogenous because women do not have space to meaningfully influence these processes. This lack of representation can lead to solutions that do not adequately address women’s specific needs. The consultancy will aim to investigate the level of women and men inclusivity in decision making processes related to durable solutions on a broader level, but particularly so explore the participation of women in community-level decision making, impacts of none or limited participation and how it could be improved from the perspective of women themselves.

Methodology. This consultancy first and foremost aims to bring the voices of women and their perception of their access to durable solutions, but also their view what needs to change and what kind of support they would need. With this intention in mind, the consultancy will be heavily based on field research and engaging in conversations with IDP women, specifically female headed households. The consultant will therefore pursue key informant interviews with female headed households in Diyala, Ninewa and Salah al Din governorates. The number of KIIs per governorate and specific location(s) in each governorate are to be agreed upon during the inception phase. However, the minimum number of three governorates, covering both urban and rural areas in each governorate is required and a minimum number of 25 qualitative interviews per governorate (in total 75) is required. The consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology, including quantitative questionnaires for KIIs and work plan indicating how the objectives of the project will be achieved. The consultant should also adhere to the ethical standards and principles of research, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection. The proposed methodology should be aligned with the objectives and expected outcomes of this consultancy and should be approved by DRC Iraq before the commencement of the assignment.

6. Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned:

1. A comprehensive database of KIIs conducted, including full transcript of each KII (English and Arabic)
2. A final report (English and Arabic) in a form of a policy paper which provides an in-depth analysis of the conversations with women, including the main findings on obstacles they face to access durable solutions as per identified thematic area. The policy paper will also identify policy recommendations to decision makers, including government, local and international NGOs, UN agencies on possible improvements and solutions.
3. A presentation to DRC Iraq staff about the main findings of this study (English).

Phase

Expected deliverables

Indicative description tasks

Maximum expected timeframe

Phase 1:

Preparation

Inception report and inception meeting

A detailed work plan with proposed timelines, description of methodology, including questionnaires or other KIIs tools, agreeing on final interview locations and deliverables. Inception meeting where these elements are presented to relevant DRC teams.

4 working days

Phase 2:

Collecting information and working on deliverables

Final reports

Arranging interviews and collection of information in the proposed governorates. Analysing information from the KIIs.

Writing of the final report and policy recommendations

Document 1: Outline of KIIs conducted with women, including full transcripts of each interview (Arabic and English)

Document 2: Final report/policy paper where deeper analysis from the KIIs is presented (Arabic and English) The final report will include policy recommendations to decision-makers

23 working days

Phase 3:

Briefing to DRC staff

Closing of the consultancy

Preparation for and presentation of report findings

Verbal briefing to DRC staff (length of briefing to be agreed)

3 working days

7. Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 30 working days which can be delivered within the timeline of two months. The timeline for delivering expected outcomes will be refined based on the consultant’s work plan and won’t be beyond 30 June 2024. The consultancy is expected to commence first or second week of May, 2024.

The consultant will be paid the agreed rate upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission of all deliverables.

1. Proposed Composition of Team

The consultant can be an individual or an institution with the appropriate experience. Due to the specific thematic focus of this consultancy, the consulting entity needs to have female team members for collecting information through KIIs.

1. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Essential:

• Previously demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative research through key informant interviews, focus group discussions or other tools. This can be with local or international NGOs, UN agencies, research institutes or other relevant entities (not less than two research studies during past two years).
• Demonstrated knowledge of durable solutions and displacement in Iraq, including knowledge and understanding of specific challenges faced by IDP women.
• Demonstrated knowledge and sound understanding of the requested deliverables of this consultancy and the importance of an effective policy work on this topic to DRC.
• Ability to work independently, proactively and collaboratively, including ability and willingness to travel to and conduct field research in the three proposed governorates to ensure the achievement of the deliverables of this consultancy.
• Due to the specific thematic of this consultancy, the consultant (if individual) must be a female or have female team members for conducting interviews (if executed by consultancy team or an organisation)
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills, in both English and Arabic.
• Minimum a Master’s degree in relevant subject, such as political science, social or development studies, research or analysis or other relevant subjects.

1. Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

• Advocacy Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council, Iraq Office
• Head of Programme, Danish Refugee Council, Iraq Office

1. Location and support

• This consultancy is expected to be carried out in three governorates of Iraq: Diyala, Ninewa and Salah al Din. The consultant or consultancy team is responsible for arranging their own travel, required clearances, accommodation and other necessities and the cost of those is not covered separately, but must be considered by the consultant as part of the financial proposal. DRC may be able to provide logistic support to the consultant and this will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis with the selected consultant.
• The consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone.

1. Travel

This consultancy is expected to be carried out in three governorates of Iraq (see above). The consultancy is open for both Iraqi and non-Iraqi consultants. However, the external consultants must have local team members in Iraq or active access to the locations identified in this consultancy, including the proof of valid visa or residency card.