Danish Refugee Council
DRC
Terms of Reference (ToR)
for
Mapping Iraq’s policy frameworks for the achievement of durable solutions
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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.
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Purpose of the consultancy
The primary purpose of this consultancy is to systematically evaluate and analyse the existing policy landscape relevant to the achievement of durable solutions in Iraq, with a focus on identifying areas for improvement. The findings of this consultancy intend to facilitate entry points for informed advocacy efforts that will aim to enhance the conditions of internally displaced people in Iraq.
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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.
Against this backdrop, next to expanding its focus on durable solutions programming, DRC Iraq in its 2023-2025 strategy commits to improved evidence-based advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy for people affected by displacement. One of the ways to move forward on this commitment is by looking at relevant national and local policies and identifying opportunities of influencing the duty-bearers to help ensure that IDPs and returnees are supported to achieve durable solutions of their choice. Thus, mapping out opportunities for engagement with national and local duty-bearers through evidence-based advocacy was identified as one of the entry steps towards that direction.
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Specific objective of the consultancy
The specific objectives of the assignment include: (1) conducting a desk review of existing policies, strategic plans and guidelines related to the achievement of durable solutions in Iraq; (2) developing a set of recommendations on the entry points and opportunities for advocacy to address some of the identified gaps.
The insights and recommendations generated from this exercise will serve as a reference for initiating advocacy efforts, such as discussions, round tables, and policy papers aimed at addressing identified gaps. 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.
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Scope of work and methodology
- The consultant for this service will thoroughly map out relevant existing laws, policies, strategic plans, guidelines and other key legislative instruments, outlining their scope, relevance to the thematic of focus and current status.
- The consultant will map out government departments relevant to the scope of this consultancy, other public institutions, development programs and other state actors that are involved in decision making around durable solutions in Iraq, their mandates, priorities and how they are involved in decision making.
- Upon discussion and agreement with DRC Iraq, the consultant will analyse the provision and scope of selected 2-3 relevant policy frameworks and identify areas within these selected frameworks that require improvement, alignment with international best practices and could be the entry points and opportunities for advocacy for the achievement of durable solutions in Iraq.
- Based on this, the consultant will formulate specific recommendations on opportunities to engage in specific regulatory, legal and policy frameworks related to durable solutions in Iraq.
The consultant will be required to prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how the objectives of the project will be achieved, and what is the support required from DRC. In terms of methodology, comprehensive desk research of existing policy frameworks and regulations could be done through accessing government websites, academic reports and other relevant documents as well as consultations with relevant stakeholders when/if needed.
6.Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned:
- A comprehensive database/document outlining relevant legal provisions, policies or guidelines, including their scope, current status and relevance to the achievement of durable solutions in Iraq. This document will highlight those legal provisions that were selected to be analysed in dept upon agreement with DRC Iraq.
- A comprehensive database/document of decision makers, government departments and other relevant institutions that are involved in decision making around durable solutions in Iraq.
- A final report identifying which specific policies were analysed further/in dept and providing recommendations on entry points and opportunities for engagement in advocacy and influencing.
Phase
Expected deliverables
Indicative description tasks
Maximum expected timeframe
Phase 1:
Preparation
Inception Report
(in English)
A short work plan outlining the approach to the mapping, methodology to be used, timelines and final deliverables
2 working days
Phase 2:
Working on deliverables
Final reports
(in English)
Desk-based analysis of relevant policy frameworks
Document 1: Outline of relevant legal provisions, policies or guidelines.
Document 2: Outline of relevant decision makers and institutions (Documents 1and 2 can be combined)
Document 3: report where deeper analysis of selected policies and decision makers is presented. Recommendations on entry points and opportunities for engagement in durable solutions advocacy and influencing.
10 working days
Phase 3:
Briefing to DRC staff
Presentation of findings
Presentation of report findings to relevant DRC staff (length of briefing to be agreed) and discussion
1 working day
7.Duration, timeline, and payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 13 working days.
The consultant shall be prepared to start the assignment not later than mid-October and to complete it no later than 15th of November 2024*.***
Payment will be provided on completion of the deliverables.
8.Proposed Composition of Team
The consultant is expected to be an individual or a company with the appropriate experience.
9.Eligibility, qualification, and experience required
Essential:
- Experience in working with organisation that deliver research, policy or advocacy initiatives such as local or international NGOs, research institutes (not less than two research studies during past two years).
- Demonstrated knowledge of durable solutions and displacement in Iraq and/or Middle East, including knowledge and understanding of related policy frameworks.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the requested deliverables of this consultancy and understanding the importance of an effective policy mapping for successful advocacy work.
- Ability to work independently and proactively through a clear presentation of proposed methodology and designing a work plan to achieve the requested deliverables.
Desirable:
- Prior experience working in Iraq, especially with government programmes, humanitarian, development or peacebuilding actors or a strong understanding of the above-mentioned programmes and actors, their mandates and work is desirable.
Qualification or Experience:
- Relevant minimum degree of MA or MSc level that demonstrates ability to deliver the proposal to high quality in timely fashion.
Language requirements:
- Written and spoken fluency in Arabic and English
10.Technical supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:
- Advocacy Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council, Iraq Office
11.Location and support
- This consultancy can be carried out remotely, however its advantageable for the consultant to be based in Iraq or another country in the Middle East with DRC operations.
- The consultant will provide her/his own computer and mobile telephone.
12.Travel
This consultancy is expected to be desk-based and travel is not foreseen.
13.Submission process
- Please refer to the RFP letter invitation
14.Evaluation of bids
- Please refer to the RFP letter invitation
How to apply
Interested Consultants to contact [email protected] to get the full package.
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Email submission
Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address:
When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:
- The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email.
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Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type of the email contains.
- The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A
- The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender but excluding all pricing information.
- Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
- Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his/her bid in multiple emails.
Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.
DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.
DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process.