Iraq: Baseline Survey, Follow-up and Learning Consultancy - Iraq
Country: Iraq
Closing date: 05 Oct 2013
Baseline Survey, Follow-up and Learning Consultancy
Iraq
Overall objective
To support baseline survey and follow-up for 1,400 project beneficiaries as well as facilitate project learning session.
Time Frame for ConsultancyThe consultancy is expected to be delivered over a 18 months period from October, 2013 to March, 2015.
Background
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operating in the Middle East and North Africa for over a decade, running a combination of livelihood, protection, advocacy and relief projects. DRC has seven project offices throughout Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia/Libya, oPt and a country/regional office in Amman, Jordan. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) started working in Iraq in 2003 and is currently operating programmes all around Iraq, involving around 150 national staff and 10 internationals staff. The Iraq project has developed over the last years from a project focusing on direct assistance to one that includes a strong emphasis on capacity development within Protection, Livelihood (Early Economic Recovery), Shelter, WASH and Capacity Building.
The 3 years AusAID funded project strategy relies on a complementary approach, addressing directly the needs of the targeted population whilst simultaneously developing the willingness of duty-bearers and civil society stakeholders to meet these needs in the long term. The project has three (3) main objectives as follows:
- To create a sustainable environment conducive to enhanced quality and increased availability of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Extremely Vulnerable Head of Households (EVHH).
- To ensure that TVET leads to sustainable Income Generation (IG) for EVHHs.
- To strengthen state willingness and capacity to respond to the TVET needs of EVHHs.
Purpose of the consultancy: DRC in Iraq commenced the implementation of an AusAID funded livelihoods project in April 2012. The project aims at training 1,400 beneficiaries over a three years period in five (5) governorates of Iraq, namely; Baghdad, Basra, Diyalla, Missan and Ninewa. During Phase I (April 2012-March, 2013) of the project; DRC trained 200 beneficiaries in Diyalla and Missan. In Phase II (April 2013-March, 2014) DRC extended to Basra and Baghdad. Finally, in Phase III (April 2014-March, 2015) DRC will see an expansion into Ninewa. This consultancy focuses on the second objective as stated above. The consultant or consultancy firm will be responsible for generating baseline information for beneficiaries and also to conduct follow-up and track progress they are making upon completion of vocational training program activities. This would require design of baseline survey and follow-up tools, recruitment and training of short term Research Assistants who will do field data collection; processing of baseline and follow-up data and production of reports. The final component of this consultancy is to facilitate mid-project and end of project lesson learnt sessions. All the above would facilitate learning and support the quality of our program implementation.
Main Duties
Baseline survey
• There will be two (2) baseline surveys to be conducted; one in October to November, 2013 for 500 beneficiaries and a second one in April 2014 for 700 beneficiaries.• The consultant is expected to adapt tools already developed by DRC/FIC or develop new ones that capture relevant information for tracking beneficiary’s progress over time.• During each of two baseline surveys data collection periods; be ready to deploy inside Iraq to facilitate training of data collection staff as well as supporting field data collection from start until completion.• Facilitate data entry and analysis from start to finish.• Write-up report for each of two baseline surveys conducted; one report to be submitted in November 2013 and second report submitted in March 2014.
Beneficiary Follow up
• There will be maximum of five (5) follow-ups conducted over the consultancy period. • There will be one (1) follow-up for Phase I beneficiaries and that will be done between October to November, 2013. Note: same time as baseline survey• Two (2) follow-ups will be done for Phase II beneficiaries; one in April 2014; same time as phase III baseline survey and the second one in July, 2014. • Two (2) follow-ups will be done for Phase III beneficiaries; first one in October 2014 and second one in February 2015.• The consultant is expected to develop relevant tools for the follow-up, and train short term Research Assistants on how to use the tools.• During each follow-up data collection periods; be ready to deploy inside Iraq to facilitate training of data collection staff as well as supporting field data collection from start until completion.• Facilitate data entry and analysis from start to finish.• Write-up report for follow-ups conducted; one report to be submitted in November 2013 a second report to be submitted in April, 2014 and a final report to be submitted in March, 2015.
Project Lessons Learnt
• Organize and facilitate end of project lessons learnt session • Invite beneficiaries, Ministry of Labour TVET department and DRC project staff who will attend lessons learnt session• Document lessons learnt session and incorporate findings into final report• Produced end of assignment final report; incorporating all baseline surveys and follow-ups as well as lessons learnt session. This report will be done in March, 2015.
The amounts of field missions to Iraq are summarized in the table as follows:
No. Baseline Survey Follow-up Lessons Learnt Dates1 Phase II Baseline Survey Phase I Final Follow-up October November, 20132 Phase III Baseline Survey Phase II First Follow-up April, 20143 Phase II Final Follow-up July, 20144 Phase III First Follow-up October, 20145 Phase III Final Follow-up Lessons Learnt Session February-March, 2015
Expected Outputs
• Appropriate tools and methodologies for delivery of tasks developed, discussed and agreed upon by Consultant and DRC Livelihoods Manager.• Planned and implement field baseline surveys, follow-ups and lessons learning session.• Comprehensively report in the following format:1. Background of the project and DRC in Iraq.2. Objectives of the surveys, follow-ups and lessons learning session.3. Description of activities carryout.4. Key findings in narrative with graphical representation.5. Conclusion and recommendations for the future.
The reports will be submitted two weeks after each field mission upon receipt of the consolidated feedback from DRC.
Qualifications
Essential RequirementsThe technical skills and capabilities sought include but are not limited to: • Demonstrable experience in working on NGOs M&E systems.• Hands on experience conducting baseline surveys for project beneficiary.• Experience of developing systems and tools for project follow-ups• University degree in disciplines such as social science, small business development, TVET development and livelihood.• Have a proven track record of at least 3-7 years in similar assignments • Good proficiency (spoken and written) in English and Arabic or the ability to work through an Arabic translator.• Proficiency in using computer applications, including software such as SPSS, STATA, or equivalent• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills
Desirable
• Good interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style • Good written and oral communication skills • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum or no supervision
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
Safety
The current security situation in Iraq shifts on a daily basis. While there has been no direct threats to International NGOs or their expatriate staff care must be taken when traveling. The unpredictable nature of the security situation leads to occasional restrictions on movement within the country. However, the stability in the Kurdistan Region allows for wider freedom of movement. Nevertheless restriction may be emplaced in some locations based on events that develop rapidly.For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
ABOUT DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work
How to apply:
Application and CV
DRC is seeking an experienced consultant or consultancy firm. The consultant/firm is expected to be deployed in Iraq and should be willing to travel inside Iraq, security permitting, under the DRC safety and security framework. It is expected that the assignment should be completed between October 2013 to March 2015 (Ongoing but in stages; consultant will not be deployed in Iraq throughout this period; come on a needs basis). The consultant/firm would be required to identify the necessary resources to undertake this consultancy together with a timeline and a costing based on the delivery date as mentioned above. Please submit along with your application a full budget including fees, transportation, cost of field and administrative staff, estimated material requirements with cost etc. Also send along evidence of past work in this field (Report, Materials developed etc).Interested persons should send to (jobs@drciraq.dk) on or before October 5, 2013. Due to the urgency of the consultancy, application will be reviewed on a day to day basis and recruitment done accordingly.
Please note that only applications sent by email will be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
