Consultancy for a formative evaluation of the Islamic State (IS) Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme

. Programme summary

Programme name: Islamic State (IS) Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme

Location: Duhok Governorate

Types and number of beneficiaries: Direct (programme participants): 63 displaced Ezidi IS survivors; Indirect (community members): 17,000 displaced Ezidis

Programme goal: Children and youth formerly held captive by IS are supported, rehabilitated, and reintegrated into their community.

Programme duration: Ongoing since 2019

Formative evaluation purpose: The formative evaluation will focus on the IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme delivered by JRS in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The purpose of the formative evaluation is to i) assess the performance and results of the programme to date, including achievements and challenges, the strengths of the current approach, aspects of the programme to develop further, and ii) provide specific, time-bound recommendations for strengthening the programme and increasing support for Ezidi child and youth survivors of IS.

Evaluation duration: 7 November to 12 December 2021 (dates are tentative)

Final report date: 12 December 2021

2. Jesuit Refugee Service

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organisation with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons, that they may heal, learn, and determine their own future.

JRS believes that our journeying with refugees is the most important way for us to express our solidarity with them and our concern for their wellbeing. In a world where refugees are more than ever in need of welcome, protection, and justice, and yet are increasingly rejected, demonised, and denied their fundamental human rights, JRS offers accompaniment to refugees as a sign of hope and a way towards healing. In even the most desperate of situations, we remain with refugees to assure them that the world has not forgotten them, and that they are not alone.

JRS Iraq operates a community centre in Duhok Governorate for displaced people, with a focus on victims of the 2014 Ezidi genocide. In addition to providing home visits, basic humanitarian assistance, advocacy, educational support, and adult education and skills training, JRS personnel implement multi-layered mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services for the affected population.

3. Project Description

Out of 6 million people displaced during the 2014-17 conflict against IS, 4.1 million still require humanitarian assistance. At over 258,000, the IDP population in Duhok Governorate still ranks second highest nationwide. The majority of IDPs in Duhok are from Ninewa, the majority of whom are Ezidis who escaped the 2014 genocide. In Duhok, more than 147,000 IDPs (57%), live outside formal camps. Within this community, the mental health needs are severe. Survivors of the genocide and IS captivity experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, in addition to health problems related to physical trauma. The psychological distress is compounded by years of displacement, ongoing protection risks and a lack of hope of returning to their homes. Moreover, over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic and related movement restrictions in Iraq, the country’s worsening economic crisis and continuing security challenges have contributed to deteriorating mental health. This situation was tragically highlighted in early January 2021 by a distressing spike in cases of suicide among displaced Ezidis in the Duhok Governorate. For many Ezidi genocide survivors displaced in out-of-camp locations in Duhok Governorate, these MHPSS needs are going unmet due to poor access to quality services in areas of displacement.

JRS began supporting displaced Ezidi genocide survivors from its community centre in Duhok in 2016 following an initial needs assessment. The IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme began three years later in 2019. The programme supports children and youth who survived IS captivity, referred to as “IS survivors.” Within this group, JRS supports individuals who were physically and/or sexually abused and exploited, as well as those forced to fight with IS. Captives were indoctrinated by IS and many continue to display concerning symptoms, including a desire to return to IS captivity, denial of their cultural or religious upbringing, and attempted violent attacks in the community. Through the programme, IS survivors access MHPSS services provided by JRS specialists, including psychological and medical consultations provided by JRS psychologists and medical doctors, psychiatric assessments and treatment provided by external partners, case management services delivered by a JRS social worker, group sessions and outings, psychoeducation for family members, and financial and material support.

4. Research Purpose & Objectives

JRS launched operations in Iraq in October 2014 and has been working to respond to the needs of IDPs and returnees ever since. JRS is currently at the mid-term stage of a two-year project, which aims to increase protection and care for vulnerable populations. An internal formative evaluation is needed for the Islamic State (IS) Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme. The programme is part of a broader MHPSS project, primarily serving other displaced Ezidi genocide survivors in Duhok Governorate.

Formative evaluation objectives are as follows:

• Provide an assessment of the current programme – programme design, operational processes, achievements, challenges, strengths and aspects to develop further.
• Provide strategies and time-bound, specific recommendations for ways in which to enhance the IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme and increase support for Ezidi child and youth survivors of IS.

Two types of recommendations shall be provided. The first set of recommendations should be practical to implement under the current structure of the programme and resources available i.e., financially feasible and take into consideration the competencies and number of staff within the programme currently. The second set of recommendations shall outline how the programme can be enhanced in the future should additional resources become available. Recommendations to be offered in line with existing models including IASC Guidelines on MHPSS and the Rehabilitation and Reintegration Intervention Framework (RRIF).

Development of key research questions by the consultant will guide the scope of the evaluation.

5. Research Target Audience

The formative evaluation is intended first and foremost for the IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration project team. The formative evaluation will also inform JRS Iraq programming as a whole. Out of respect for the confidentiality and safety of programme participants due to the sensitive nature of the programming, findings will not be shared publicly within the target community. Key stakeholders with whom evaluation findings will be shared include the head of the department of psychiatry at Hôtel Dieu de France (Beirut, Lebanon), the JRS MENA Regional Office and JRS USA as well as select donors. The consultant may not share the final report to external parties without the written consent of the JRS Iraq Country Director.

6. Methodology

6.1 Process

The internal formative evaluation should be a collaborative process in which the consultant works in direct coordination with key JRS Iraq staff including the IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Project Director and other project staff as well as the Country Director, Programme Officer and M&E Officer. The evaluation will be reviewed and approved by JRS Iraq and JRS MENA Regional Office based in Beirut. The inception report detailing the proposed methodology, study matrix and work plan shall be approved by JRS prior to the start of data collection.

A qualitative approach should be employed integrating data during the different evaluation phases including during data collection, analysis, and discussion of findings. Qualitative tools should reveal the varied understandings and interpretations of the concepts which are the focus of the study.

The methodology and the analysis must adapt a gender mainstreaming approach i.e., ensure a gender perspective is incorporated into the design of data collection tools, analysis of findings and evaluation conclusions.

There is a high level of vulnerability among the target population. The consultant must include in their technical proposal submitted to JRS Iraq for the tender process how they will take into consideration the protection concerns of participants in the design and implementation of the evaluation in line with the Do No Harm principle. Additionally, the consultant must provide examples of how they have considered the protection needs of participants in previous research.

The privacy and safety of the participants of the programme is of paramount importance and should be safeguarded at any stage of the study.

6.2 Geographic location

Fieldwork will be conducted in Duhok Governorate.

6.3 Qualitative data collection

Qualitative methods should include key informant interviews and focus group discussions with project staff, including mental health specialists, the social worker and medical doctor as well as key stakeholders.

A baseline study was recently conducted through which quantitative data was collected on sense of safety and community integration among IS Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme participants. Focus group discussions were also held which captured programme participant feedback on these two concepts. For these reasons, additional data collection with programme participants may not be necessary. This is also a need to avoid assessment fatigue. Findings from the baseline will be reviewed by the consultant as part of the desk review. Any qualitative data collection with programme participants will be decided upon in consultation with the project director.

6.4 Quantitative data

While quantitative data collection is not necessary for the formative evaluation, the project logframe should serve as a frame of reference for the evaluation. Table 1 below includes all IS Survivor Rehabilitation and Reintegration Programme indicators.

Project goal and outcome and output indicators

Programme Goal: Children and youth formerly held captive by IS are rehabilitated and reintegrated into their community.

Project Outcome Indicator: By the end of the year, 70% of children and young people in the IS rehabilitation programme demonstrate improved wellbeing.

Project Outcome Indicator: By the end of the year, 70% of children and young people in the IS rehabilitation programme demonstrate improved community integration.

Project Output Indicator: By the end of the year, 50 children and young people formerly held by ISIS have received individual psychological care and participated in psychological support groups to enable rehabilitation.

7. Roles & Responsibility

Evaluation phase: Planning

Role: JRS Regional Office

Task: Introduction meeting with JRS Iraq and research consultant

Role: JRS Iraq project team

Task: Provide documentation and list of potential evaluation participants

Role: Research consultant

Tasks: Desk review; Design methodology and finalise with input from JRS Iraq project team and JRS MENA Regional Office; Prepare tools and finalize with input from JRS Iraq project team and JRS MENA Regional Office; Inception report

Role: JRS Iraq HR/Regional HR

Task: Training for research consultant (and enumerators, if necessary) on JRS CP policy and procedures

Evaluation phase: Data collection and analysis

Role: JRS Iraq Project team

Task: Facilitate data collection process in Duhok by contacting all selected participants and ensuring their presence at designated safe spaces for data collection

Role: Research consultant

Tasks: Implement data collection process; Ensure data quality; Hold debriefing sessions with project teams at the end of each day in the field

Evaluation phase: Reporting and follow up

Role: Research consultant

Tasks: Submit first draft report in English; Host workshop with JRS Iraq and JRS MENA RO staff; Reflect discussion feedback in final report; Submit final report; Share all finalized data collection tools and data collected (transcripts of KIIs and FGDs in English and language in which they were conducted)

Role: JRS Regional Office, JRS Iraq project team

Task: Submit all draft reports to consultant with comments and questions

Role: JRS Regional Office, JRS Iraq project team, Research consultant

Task: Participation in evaluation workshop

8. Timeline & Products

The evaluation will preferably begin on 7 November and conclude on 12 December 2021 (26 working days). However, these dates are negotiable and the evaluation could alternatively be conducted in early 2022. The applicant should clearly propose the timeframe (not more than 26 working days) in their application.

The work week in Iraq is Sunday through Thursday. The consultant is expected to follow the Iraq work week schedule i.e., communication with Iraq staff and data collection to be conducted during regular working hours, only.

Tentative dates: 7 – 11 November

Items: Introduction meeting with team members; Desk review

Working days: 5

Tentative dates: 14 – 18 November

Items: Evaluation design; Tool development in coordination with JRS staff; Development of field visits plan in coordination with JRS staff; Train evaluator, enumerators (as necessary) on JRS CP Policy & Procedures; Train enumerators on tools (if necessary)

Deliverables: Product 1: Inception report including detailed assessment methodology with a plan of action and deadlines; Product 2: qualitative tools

Working days: 5

Tentative dates: 21 – 24 November

Items: Fieldwork; Notes from key informant interviews with JRS staff and external actors; Notes from focus group discussion with JRS staff and external actors; Notes from qualitative methods with programme participants (if necessary)

Working days: 4

Tentative dates: 25 November – 2 December

Items: Data analysis; Prepare draft report; Submit draft report to JRS Iraq and Regional Office

Deliverable: Product 3: Submission of draft report on 2 December

Number of working days: 6

Tentative dates: 5 – 9, 12 December

Items: Workshop to discuss findings of 1^st draft; Prepare final report; Submission of final report to JRS Iraq and Regional Office

Deliverable: Product 4: submission of final report on 12 December

Number of working days: 6

9. Budget

The budget includes all expenses associated with the evaluation including air and/or land transportation, accommodation, enumerators hired by the research consultant (if necessary) and any other costs associated with the evaluation which may be accrued.

Payment for services will be made in three installments. The first installment will be 20% of the budget upon the signing of the contract. The second installment will be 40% of the total after submission of 1^st draft report. The remaining 40% of the total to be paid upon submission of the final report as agreed upon by the consultant and JRS Iraq and the JRS Regional Office.

Interested candidates must submit a detailed budget with the breakdown of the project phases and products.

10. Requirements

Applicants must meet the qualifications detailed below.

• Advanced degree in psychology, social work or other relevant field, or the equivalent combination of work and education experience in a related area
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of humanitarian related child-focused MHPSS with specific expertise and experience in working with children severely affected by conflict
• A minimum of 5 years of experience conducting field-based research and evaluations in a humanitarian context that result in practical suggestions to improve and scale up activities in conflict/post-conflict settings, preferably including Iraq
• Demonstrated experience conducting qualitative field-based research and formative evaluations
• Knowledge of Ezidi population is a strong asset
• Strong cultural sensitivity
• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking). Fluency in Kurmanji is preferred. Fluency in Arabic is an asset.
• Ability to obtain work and movement authorizations independently e.g., visa and other permits which may be needed