Iraq: Consultant for Lessons Learned collection, analysis and documentation - Iraq - Kurdistan Region
Country: Iraq
Closing date: 19 Sep 2013
Handicap International is looking for :Consultant for Lessons Learned collection, analysis and documentation
COUNTRY : Kurdistan Region, Iraq CITIES : Erbil, Suleymaniah, and DohukStarting date : September 22nd, 2013 Length of the assignment:10 working days in Iraq, 10 working days outside Iraq– Total of 20 working days.Closing date for application : September 19th, 2013 Advertisement reference : LLRConsultancy
Terms of Reference for Lessons Learned Consultant
Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. Handicap International is a not-for-profit organization with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission.For more details on the association: http://www.handicap-international.fr/en/s/index.html
JOB CONTEXT:
Brief overview of the Iraqi contextAfter the official end of war in 2003, the population of Iraq is still hit by a complex and potentially violent situation. Despite a general improvement of the environment since 2007, the political agenda for the coming period is relatively volatile. Tensions between communities, issues such as access to oil reserves are not yet solved and can create further violence. As civilians are the primary victims of security incidents, Iraqi people continue to live in a climate of fear and insecurity. In addition, decades of wars and economic sanctions have also left Iraq in chaos. The country’s infrastructure has been severely damaged; access to basic goods and services remains restricted in many parts of the country. In Kurdistan Regional Governorate, where HI mission is based, overall situation and living conditions are far better than in the rest of the country. Nevertheless, the environment still remains unpredictable.
Project overviewThe Multi-Stakeholder Initiative - Improving Access to Rehabilitation services (MSI) is a 4 year-project aiming at improving access to rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in the three governorates of the Kurdistan Region (KRG). Launched in 2010, the project has been supporting three main stakeholders involved in access to services: authorities, service providers and users of the services (PwDsand their representative organizations). It focuses on involving them in joint actions while facilitating the emergence of a multi-stakeholder dynamic with strong coordination and consultancy mechanisms. Indeed, access to services can only be improved by effective interaction between these stakeholders. Being a pilot initiative, the project also focuses on documenting experiences and lessons learned for dissemination amongst all stakeholders involved in access to rehabilitation services in Iraq.
JOB DESCRIPTION: LESSONS LEARNED CONSULTANCY
IntroductionThe MSI project has been relying on three major pillars to provide persons with disabilities with improved access to quality rehabilitation services in KRG: the promotion of Person-Centered Approach in rehabilitation centers across the region, the creation of and support to three disability information points, and a core multi-stakeholder dynamics. Since the latter is proving to be the most sustainable outcome of the project though innovative and challenging all along the process, the Lessons Learned report will be exclusively dedicated to the analysis of this component over time. This analysis will include the process of said core multi-stakeholder dynamics as well as the results attributable to collaborative work. Innovative by definition, the MSI project was designed with the perspective of being replicable: learning from it will increase the chances of success of every project to be conceived in the future upon the basis of multi-stakeholder components.
Goal, Objective and outcomes of the assignment:Goal: Understanding the role played by multi-stakeholder dynamics in the improved access of persons with disabilities to rehabilitation services in Northern IraqSpecific objective: Identifying tools and best practices for the successful implementation, continuation and replication of a multi-stakeholder dynamics while fostering the feeling of ownership of every stakeholder involved in the MSI projectExpected outcomes:? A Lessons Learned report is produced to be used as a baseline document by every stakeholder.? A clear methodology on how to set up a sustainable and fruitful multi-stakeholder dynamics is developed and will be shared with all stakeholders involved by the project team.? All stakeholders involved in the MSI project commit to continuing their efforts to coordinate among each other in order to provide persons with disabilities in Iraqi Kurdistan with improved access to quality rehabilitation services.? Both Lesson Learned process and report command local stakeholders’ ownership over the pilot multi-stakeholder initiative and empower them to maintain and/or set up multi-stakeholder dynamics on their own.Expected Outputs from the Lessons Learnt Report:? Expose the evolution of the multi-stakeholder dynamics fostered by Handicap International between 2010 and 2013 to improve PwDs’ access to services in KRG within the framework of the MSI project;? Present the lessons learnt from the process of said multi-stakeholder collaborative work at every level (KRG level, governorate level, district level);? Draw conclusions about direct and indirect results directly attributable to said multi-stakeholder collaborative work with regards to PwDs’ access to quality rehabilitation services in KRG.
Expected use and users of the Lessons Learned Report:The Lessons Learned report’s conclusions and recommendations are expected to be used by the stakeholders involved in the MSI project as well as any other actor working on improving the access to and quality of services benefiting persons with disabilities on a local, regional and national scale.
Scope of the assignment:The data collection will take place in Iraqi Kurdistan between September 22nd 2013 and October 3rd, 2013 across the governorates of Erbil, Duhok and Suleymaniah. It will include most of the stakeholders involved in the Multi-Stakeholder Initiative and the analysis will cover the whole duration of the project (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013).Once submitted in English, the final Lessons Learned report will be translated into Kurdish and Arabic and disseminated throughout all Iraq following a major launching event scheduled at the end of November 2013.
MethodologyThe lesson learning should be led through a participatory approach involving the direct beneficiaries of the Multi-Stakeholder Initiative 2010-2013: IPs/DPOs, rehabilitation centers’ staff, local and regional authorities. Possible methods for data collection include but are not necessarily limited to:? Document review? Interview with stakeholders and final beneficiaries? Focus group with final beneficiaries? Collection of storytelling and testimonies? Field visits
Proposed work plan The suggested work plan below should be revised and adjusted by the consultant according to the technical offer made. The proposed steps for the Lessons Learned consultancy are:? Core data collection to be led in the three governorates of KRG amongst key stakeholders according to a previously designed and agreed methodology.? Review of project documents and discussion with the Project Manager. ? Analysis and presentation of first findings to the Project Manager.? Reporting.
Structure of the expected final report:
The final report should be written in English, not exceed 30 pages (without annexes) and include: ? Executive summary of maximum 5 pages? Introduction? Description of the Lessons Learned process? Analysis of the information compiled regarding the project’s component “multi-stakeholder dynamics”? Results: strengths, weaknesses, best practices, critical points requiring special attention for replication? Conclusions : main Lessons Learned? Recommendations – going beyond the Multi-stakeholder pilot initiative.? Annexes: list of persons interviewed, list of documents reviewed, final timetable of consultancy, tools used for data collection, preliminary results presentation, report of each meeting/focus group/interview/workshop.
Time and DurationIt is expected that the trainer will:? spend 3 working days in Erbil to be briefed by the Project Manager, meet relevant stakeholders and read the documentation provided about the MSI project (reports of activities mainly)? spend 3 working days in Duhok to meet relevant stakeholdersand read the documentation provided about the MSI project (reports of activities mainly)? spend 4 working days in Suleymaniahto meet relevant stakeholdersand read the documentation provided about the MSI project (reports of activities mainly)? have 10 days to write the final Lessons Learned report in English (while outside Iraq):- submit a first draft for comments and validation by the Project Manager- submit a subsequent final version of the report to the Project ManagerAs previously mentioned, the 10working days on the field are expected to take place in Iraqi Kurdistan between September22nd and October 3rd, 2013.
EXPECTED FROM THE CANDIDATE
Candidate profileMandatory? Education: Minimum a Bachelor Degree in social sciences, development studies, disability studies or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.? Demonstrated experience in undertaking a Lessons Learned process (supporting documents appreciated) or similar activities.? Familiarity with participatory approaches and ownership-development strategies? Capitalization methodology and facilitation skills
Complementary? Experience in working in international/inter-cultural settings? Understanding of the Iraqi and Kurdish context, previous experience in Iraq an asset.
Required language skills? English mandatory? Kurdish and/or Arabic an asset
BudgetConsultant fees: 9,500 USD maximumThe travel expenses, local transportation and accommodation in Iraqi Kurdistan will be covered by Handicap International.
Offer expectedPlease provide us with :? CV including references? cover letter? technical offer and corresponding financial offer.
How to apply:
Please send your application no later than September 19th2013to: Handicap International Iraq: hi.iraq.recruitment@gmail.comApplications submitted by email should indicate as subject: LLR-MSI Please do not call
