TERMS OF REFERENCE
Rights Advance:
Improving Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq
Capacity Building Program for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
ABOUT SEARCH
Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground (Search) is the world’s largest dedicated peacebuilding organization. We work to transform violent conflict into peace, building healthy, safe, and just societies in the process. We work in the world’s most challenging contexts and develop lasting solutions that are based on the needs of communities. We engage with leaders and elected officials to advance dialogue and collaboration. We are community leaders. We are youth activists. We are women. We are peacebuilders. Over the last 40 years, we have developed our understanding of what peace looks like, being able to quantify our impact and design more effective programming, working on the frontlines of today’s most consequential conflicts. Active in 36 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States. and thanks to more than 900 employees, 91% of which are local to the country where we work, we are building a future where collaboration in the face of conflict is the norm—where our differences stimulate social progress, rather than precipitate violence.
PROJECT SUMMARY
Rights Advance: Improving Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq is a collaborative project between Search for Common Ground (Search) and the Iraqi al-Amal Association (IAA). Developed jointly, this initiative builds on years of expertise in the human rights field. This action addresses the needed space for Human Rights Defender (HRD) and duty bearers, and competing interests have been identified for progressive and inclusive human rights reforms and established political and governance interests and concerns. The project’s overall objective is to enhance the protection and promotion of Fundamental Freedoms, particularly Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly, to create a more supportive human rights environment. The project aims to achieve this by fostering civil human rights actors and community members’ support for these freedoms in Iraq, and by enabling civil society actors including HRDs, academics, activists, CSOs, and governmental stakeholder to contribute significantly to human rights advancements within a restrictive civic space. Search is committed to strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) to advocate for human rights in Iraq. We are looking for a consultant to develop and carry out a capacity-building program for eight Human Rights CSOs. The goal is to improve their skills in comprehensive policy dialogue and lawmaking, thereby influencing government policies and practices toward better human rights protections and the promotion of free association and peaceful assembly.
ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVE
- Understand the challenges CSOs experience in Iraq and be familiar with the Iraqi context, such as their restrictions on civic space, and evaluate the available materials and resources that are relevant to their advocacy work.
- Utilizing the Common Ground Approach as a foundation and developing a comprehensive context-specific curriculum. Modules on lawmaking, stakeholder engagement, conflict-sensitive communication, and policy dialogue should be included in this curriculum.
- Create inclusive and culturally sensitive training materials including handouts, case studies, group activities, and presentations. Ensure these resources are informative and suited to the specific requirements of the CSOs.
- Providing guidance and assisting the CSOs in developing advocacy campaigns, determining important policy priorities and interacting with stakeholders.
- Collect and analyze participant feedback to assess the project’s efficiency and make required modifications.
Scope of the work
- Develop a comprehensive curriculum for developing capacity building that is aligned with Search for Common Ground Approach. Modules on inclusive policy dialogue and lawmaking.
- Conduct training sessions for eight CSOs In Erbil, Iraq. To ensure active participation each session needs to include fundamental information, practical exercises and interactive discussions.
- Provide the CSOs continuous assistance throughout the training, by guiding them identify possibilities to interact positively with policy actors and create effective advocacy campaigns.
- Assist 8 CSOs in establishing connections with important parties, such as lawmakers, activists, and other members of the civil society.
- Assisting in the development of strategies for constructive engagement and collaboration with governance and policy actors, thereby providing guidance and support to CSOs on how to implement these strategies after the training.
.DELIVERABLES
- A comprehensive training program and curriculum tailored to the eight CSOs’ needs, including law making and policy dialogue.
- Prepare culturally suitable training materials, such as presentations, case studies, handouts, and pre and post-tests for participant evaluation.
- Prepare In-depth reports on each training session, including participant feedback, significant conclusions, and areas for improvement.
- Prepare reports detailing the CSOs’ progress and the assistance provided to them throughout the capacity-building program.
- A comprehensive evaluation of the training’s effectiveness, including pre-and post-training assessments and recommendations for future capacity-building initiatives.
- A final evaluation report that summarizes the results of the capacity-building program and its influence on the advocacy efforts of the CSOs.
TIMELINE
Schedule
- The coach will engage in a virtual meeting with the Search team to gain an understanding of the project and align their approach with the Search staff.
- Provide a work plan and initial session structure for Search.
- Development of training program and materials
- 14,Oct ,2024
- Submission of draft curriculum for Search’s review and feedback
- 24, Oct, 2024
- Finalization of curriculum and training materials
- 28, Oct, 2024
- Pre-training assessments with participants
- 30, Oct, 2024
- Delivery of 4-day training sessions to 8 CSOs in Erbil, Iraq
- 30, Oct, 2024- 03, Nov 2024
- Post-training assessments and feedback collection
- 03, Nov, 2024
- Finalization of curriculum based on feedback
- 05, nov, 2024
- Submission of final report
- 08, Nov, 2024
EXPERT PROFILE
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in designing, developing and delivering capacity-building programs for civil society organizations, particularly in the areas of law-making, policy dialogue and advocacy.
- Ability to develop comprehensive, context-specific training curriculum, with a focus on advocacy and Policy dialogues.
- Excellent understanding of human rights advocacy, including experience in assisting CSOs in engaging proactively with government actors.
- An understanding of the civic space and challenges faced by HRDs and CSOs in Iraq.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with experience in interactive facilitation and participatory training methods.
- Demonstrated capacity to develop and execute successful training programs.
- Fluency in Arabic and advanced English is required. Proficiency in Kurdish is preferred.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
- A brief proposal outlining timelines, methodologies, and expected outcomes.
- Examples of previous similar assignments.
- 3 References (with names, emails, phone numbers, and relationships).
- Financial proposal, including daily rates.
- Financial proposal for full service in Iraqi dinar
How to apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested candidates should submit their resume/CV along with a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications, a financial proposal in Iraqi dinar, and examples of relevant previous work. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further interviews. To apply, please send the required documents to Iraq@sfcg.org with the subject line “Rights Advance: Capacity Building Program for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) before 28, September, 2024
