Consultancy – Trainer: Human Rights Defenders Training on Advocacy, stakeholder engagement, conflict-sensitive communication, and advocacy campaign de At Search for Common Ground

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Rights Advance:
Improving Fundamental Freedoms and Human Rights in Iraq

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TRAINING-

ADVOCACY CONSULTANT

ABOUT SEARCH

Search for Common Ground (Search) is a non-governmental organization working to transform the way societies deal with conflicts. We have over 40 years of experience in peacebuilding and are based in 53 local offices worldwide. We strive to build sustainable peace for generations to come by working with all sides of a conflict, providing the tools needed to work together, and finding constructive solutions. While conflict is inevitable, violence is not. Our mission is to transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. Instead of tearing down an existing world, we focus on constructing a new one. We shift the everyday interactions between hostile groups of people so they can work together to build up their community, choosing joint problem-solving over violent means. We rely on local staff as well as local partner organizations in order to ensure our work is culturally sensitive, sustainable and well-grounded in the context.

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.

ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES

To successfully implement this project, the consultant will need to develop and deliver a curriculum focused on advocacy for HRDs in Iraq. The key steps include:

• Familiarization with the Iraqi Context: Understand the challenges faced by HRDs and analyze existing training materials and Search tools relevant to empowering HRDs.
• Curriculum Development: Create a detailed curriculum aligned with the project objectives and loosely based on the Common Ground Approach to Advocacy. Organize the curriculum into modules covering advocacy skills, stakeholder engagement, conflict-sensitive communication, and advocacy campaign development.
• Training Materials Preparation: Develop engaging and interactive training materials, including presentations, case studies, group activities, and handouts. Ensure materials are culturally sensitive and inclusive.
• Training Delivery: Facilitate interactive discussions, practical exercises, and knowledge sharing among participants during the 3-day training session in Erbil, Iraq.
• Feedback Collection and Evaluation: Collect feedback from participants to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments for future sessions.
• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the training program.

By following these steps diligently and staying flexible to accommodate the specific needs of HRDs in Iraq, the consultant can effectively empower HRDs with the skills and knowledge needed to advocate for human rights successfully. Once the curriculum is developed, the consultant will have to deliver the training in-person in Erbil, Iraq.

DELIVERABLES

The roles and responsibilities of the consultant will include:

• Capacity Building: Conduct a 3-day training session for 19 HRDs on advocacy, community mobilization, and creative approaches to human rights advocacy.
• Curriculum Development: Create a tailored curriculum on advocacy, community mobilization, and creative approaches to human rights advocacy.
• Workshops: Conduct interactive workshops using Search’s Digital Peacebuilding Guide, Common Ground Approach to Advocacy, and non-adversarial advocacy approaches.
• Message Development: Assist HRDs in developing positive and inclusive messages focusing on diverse perspectives and specific policy solutions related to human rights issues.
• Advocacy Campaign Management: Assist HRDs in designing and implementing advocacy campaigns to raise awareness and drive action on issues related to Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Assist HRDs in building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, HRDs, academics, activists, and CSOs.
• Facilitation: Facilitate discussions to help HRDs identify key challenges and opportunities for future advocacy policy briefs and human rights initiatives.
• Training Delivery: Deliver training sessions in person in Erbil, Iraq, ensuring alignment with project objectives and Iraqi context.

TIMELINE

Task and Schedule

• Consultant to develop a curriculum on the topics identified by Search’s team and in close coordination with Search. The curriculum has to be done in Arabic, with basic summary in English.
  • Consultant needs to send a draft of the curriculum for review and approval by the Search team.
  • 28, July, 2024 -04 , Aug, 2024 (to be fully approved by Search)
• The consultant will finalize the Arabic curriculums and training materials, including the development of the training curriculum , training agenda, PowerPoint presentations( pre-/post-tests), and other relevant materials as needed.
  • 08, August, 2024
• Conduct pre and post-test activity prior to beginning of each of the training sessions, and at the final day of the training to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.
  • 12, August, 2024 – 14, August, 2024
• Deliver a 3-day training to the group of 19 participants.
  • 12, August, 2024 – 14 August 2024 – 3 days total [In-person – Erbil, Iraq]
• Revise and finalize the training facilitator guide and curriculum based on feedback from the previously mentioned training session.
  • 15, August 2024 – 18, August 2024
• The consultant will develop a final report documenting the achievements of the training sessions. This report will include an analysis of pre-post tests and outline recommendations for future actions.
  • 18, August 2024- 21, August 2024

EXPERT PROFILE

Qualified candidates will be expected to demonstrate their capability to develop and present a comprehensive training agenda along with a detailed timetable of training sessions. Trainers are expected to utilize interactive facilitation and participatory training methods aligned with Search’s guidelines to ensure active participation and effective learning outcomes:

• Demonstrated experience in designing, developing, and delivering similar training programs.
• Proficiency in curriculum development.
• Ability to customize training models to suit the specific needs of participants.
• Experience in advocacy and awareness campaigns.
• To have at least 8 years of experience in training and curriculum development.
• A minimum education level of a bachelor’s within that same field or a master’s degree,
• Knowledge of the Iraqi context.
• Competence in designing/adapting questionnaires, evaluation forms, and pre/post-tests.
• Interpersonal skills reflecting trustworthiness, men and women equality, and cultural awareness.
• Willingness and capability to adapt to changing requirements.
• Fluency in Arabic and proficiency in English is advantageous.

The training program will cover a variety of essential topics revolving around peacebuilding and freedom of association, such as:

• Principles of Peacebuilding
• Understanding Freedom of Association and Civil Society
• Techniques for Conflict Resolution
• Facilitating Inclusive Dialogue
• Advocacy Strategies for Human Rights and Social Equality
• Youth Involvement in Peacebuilding Initiatives
• Community Mobilization and Engagement

Throughout the consultancy, trainers will be required to maintain close coordination with Search’s Project team to ensure the curriculum and training materials are in harmony with project goals and objectives. The integration of these critical themes into the training curriculum aims to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively contribute to peacebuilding efforts and promote human rights through innovative and engaging mediums.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please send the required documents to Iraq@sfcg.org with the subject line “Rights Advance: HRD Advocacy consultant” by the deadline 21, July , 2024.

• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter detailing the training methodology and confirming availability to develop curriculum and deliver training in Erbil, Iraq, according to the specified schedule
• Relevant previous work examples
• Financial proposal, including full-service delivery in IQD.