Consultancy-Triple Nexus Approach Training At Oxfam GB

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Triple Nexus Approach Training

1. Background

The humanitarian context in Iraq has changed considerably over the last couple of years, as large-scale military operations have subsided, and the country moves towards early-recovery and reconstruction. However, acute humanitarian needs and security challenges persist. Large scale unemployment, weak political governance, corruption, and crippling sectarianism continue to be major drivers of conflict and instability. Women and girls were disproportionally affected by the armed conflict with ISIS and continue to suffer from insufficient educational opportunities, healthcare, and limited access to the labor market, as well as high levels of violence and inequality. Iraq’s complex climate-related challenges, including desertification and salinization of arable land, water shortages and an overall decline in water quality, will continue to undermine the potential of Iraq’s agricultural sector. The economic impact of COVID-19 and accompanying fall in oil prices will also have a severe socio-economic impact both in the short term and long term. Out of the 4.1M people in need in Iraq, 1.41 live in Ninewa governorate (34%). Ninewa also holds the most returnees and IDPs in the country. IDPs and returnees require support to reintegrate and find sustainable livelihoods. There is an urgent need for increased income-generation opportunities in areas of return to encourage returns and promote recovery after the cessation of hostilities. The revitalization of the agricultural sector in Ninewa could meet the increasing need for food security and reduce dependency on imports, as well as generate inclusive job opportunities for women. This also has the potential to create new opportunities for women empowerment which is an important step in peace-building and social cohesion. Connecting agricultural development with the GoIs climate change objectives within a triple nexus framework, presents huge opportunities for improved food security, job creation, and social cohesion.

In line with these priorities, Oxfam proposes a nexus initiative to promote resilience, gender equality, and social cohesion through 1) strengthened Women’s Economic Empowerment through improved access to safe and sustainable livelihood opportunities and 2) increased social cohesion through increased opportunities for women focused community engagement. Primary project outputs will include:

• Increased evidence-based research for self-sufficient and durable agri-economic opportunities for vulnerable individuals with a focus on women.
• Targeted households have improved climate smart agriculture skills and agri-business knowledge.
• Targeted households have increased access to sustainable income opportunities in the agriculture sector.
• Linkages between targeted households and extension services and private sector market actors are strengthened.
• Increased opportunities for women to engage in local and national advocacy for WEE and locally identified concerns related to unpaid care work, barriers to economic opportunities.
• Increased opportunities for community-based discussions around shared concerns through community organizations, farmer’s associations, women’s support groups meetings.

1. Objectives and Methodology of the Consultancy:

Oxfam Iraq is new in implementing project’s that integrate the triple nexus approach – it is considered new and in the learning phase for many development agencies as well. Oxfam is currently working with two national partner’s Al-Ghad & SEWAN within the SiDa project and as part of its commitment to build partnership and coordination with local partners, Oxfam will engage the service of a consultant to facilitate/conduct a workshop on the Triple Nexus Approach. This training/workshop is aimed to provide better understanding to Oxfam and its partners on what the triples nexus approach is and how these initiatives could be integrated within the various components of programming.

The learning approach will be a face-to-face event in conducted by the consultant using standard tools and learning materials developed for facilitation. The event will be attended by Oxfam, Al-Ghad & SEWAN staff in Ninewa, Mosul and representatives from the public sector of Iraq.

Activities of the Consultant will include:

• Share detailed plan and training materials to be utilised for review – this will contain all proposals and further interviews and selection will provide a platform for clarification on all parameters such as methodology and delivery.
• Conduct a participatory triple nexus workshop and adapt sessions which involves discussions around experiences of Oxfam, Al-Ghad, SEWAN and the public sector of Iraq.
• Conduct a Pre-Post Test for the attendants by the consultant – evaluation and findings should be shared and included in the final report.
• Workshop should focus on different components of project management phases from design to close-out and how the triple nexus approach can be integrated and scaled to other partners.
• Production of a summary report outlining the output of the discussion and the extracted recommendations – based on discussions from FGDs and meeting with Government line departments on achieving a more inclusive and sustainable governance structure.
• A presentation of findings and collective action plan developed with the participants.

Oxfam will:

• Coordinate with partners (Al-Ghad & SEWAN) to share list of staff to attend the workshop.
• Work with partners in identifying a suitable venue for the workshop.

1. Deliverables & Timelines:

The duration of the assignment is a maximum of 20 working days where the consultant is expected to train the participants on the triple nexus approach, develop collective actions plans to cascade the approach across Ninewa and other Governorates, and share findings.

SN

Particulars

Timeline

1

Planning meeting with Oxfam’s technical staff

0.5 day 27th June 2022

2

Deliver Nexus training for five days – this will include developing a collective action plan with participants on how to scale awareness of the triple nexus approach across Ninewa and other Governorates

5 working days

3rd – 7th July 2022

3

Finalise and submit training report to cover objectives, outcome, and other relevant sections/information.

10 working days

10th – 21st July 2022

1. The training/workshop is expected to be carried out in July 2022 preferably in working days – working days in Iraq are Sundays to Thursdays. The timeline and number of working days will be refined based on the work plan submitted by the consultant, in agreement with the Oxfam team. Maximum number of days for the training is 5 working and all other related activities including developing the report will take 15 working days.
2. Payment Schedule

A full financial plan should be submitted by the consultant covering the fees for delivery.

Oxfam will be responsible to cover the following costs:

• Venue, meals, and other needs for the implementation of the training.
• Media & photos etc.

The Consultant will be responsible to cover the following costs:

• All transportation and logistics related costs.
• Accommodation throughout the duration.

The consultant will be paid agreed rate, upon satisfactory completion of the assignment including submission of deliverables and reports as per below schedule:

• 40% will be paid upon signing the contract.
• 40% will be paid upon delivering the training and submission of draft training report and collective action plan on how to scale awareness of the triple nexus approach.
• 20% will be paid after submission and approval of the final reports.

1. Roles and responsibilities:

In addition to the activities and identified deliverables stated above, the consultant will be responsible for the following:

• In coordination with the Oxfam team, the consultant will develop the training materials and/or tools that will be used.

In addition to the provision of technical support, Oxfam will be responsible for the following activities:

• Stationary and other material support required during the training.
• Follow-up on action plans developed and status of scaling.

1. Knowledge and Experience

The following key technical requirements will be taken into consideration when assessing consultants’ technical competencies:

• University degree in peace & conflict studies, development studies, sociology, or other relevant fields.
• Knowledge of conflict affected contexts and conducting trainings on peace building and conflicts
• Knowledge of implementation of interventions that seek to build resilience of Women and other vulnerable groups in the area of Economic Empowerment.
• Conducted similar previous activities with the Iraqi civil society or similar. Previous experience of conducting workshops/training on HDP Nexus is highly preferred and will give an added advantage.
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Arabic. The consultant is expected to produce the identified deliverables in English.