Danish Refugee Council
DRC
Terms of Reference (TOR)
for
Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) assessment for Ninewa, Basra, Diyala- Iraq
1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council?
Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO and one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. Active in 40 countries with 9,000 employees and supported by 7,500 volunteers, DRC protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities. DRC works during displacement at all stages: In the acute crisis, in displacement, when settling and integrating in a new place, or upon return. DRC provides protection and life-saving humanitarian assistance; supports displaced persons in becoming self-reliant and included into hosting societies; and works with civil society and responsible authorities to promote protection of rights and peaceful coexistence.
DRC has been operating in the Middle East region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection, humanitarian mine action and advocacy programs through Country Offices in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office in Amman.
In Iraq, DRC has been at the forefront of providing assistance to the most vulnerable among conflict and displacement affected individuals, families, and communities. DRC’s response in Iraq has focused on ensuring displacement and conflict affected people are able to access protection, meet basic needs, have access to safe shelter and WASH, and live in safety from the threat of armed violence.
2. Purpose of the consultancy
The Danish Refugee Council based in Iraq seeks proposals from a consultant to develop a solid understanding of communities and individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KABP) on small arms and light weapons ownership and use: how, why, when and where they are rendered acceptable, how the acceptance of small arms and small arms ownership is linked to specific cultural beliefs and practices, and perceptions of identity, gender, especially masculinity, and individual and collective motivations for small arms possession. The second step of the consultancy is to translate these findings into a training including the development of awareness raising and educational tools which are adapted to the context.
3. Background
As part of its effort to explore and address issues linked to the impact of weapons on safer communities, DRC is searching for an external consultant to conduct A) an assessment on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in two areas where DRC is operational, Ninewa and Basra, potentially adding in a third – Diyala and B) to conduct a ToT training session on SALW Awareness raising, using the outcome of the assessment. The overall goal is to improve human security and public safety in the two locations through the reduction of small arms associated risks and armed violence. It intends to do so by raising awareness of the risk of civilian-held small arms and engage communities in dialogue on safety measures and development of local community safety initiatives.
4. Objective of the consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a solid understanding of communities and individuals’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices (KABP) on small arms and light weapons ownership and use in Iraq- Ninewa/Basra/(Diyala). This will be done through A) an assessment on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) AND B) a ToT training session on SALW Awareness raising, using the outcome of the assessment
Key focus areas of the study are:
- Role of SALW in Iraqi society:
- History and tradition of arms and how it influences the way arms ownership is perceived in Iraq today.
- How mainstream society and media represent arms and how they reproduce arms as symbols. I.e., what culturally acceptable images of arms that are reinforced through mainstream society, including a gender lens, particularly how conceptualisations and perceptions of masculinity shape small arms use and misuse and the role of women in increasing or reducing risk taking behaviour.
- Youth perception of weapons, ideas of masculinity and drivers of civilian youth weapon ownership.
- What arms related behaviours, if any, are rendered acceptable by communities and why.
- Understand the locally perceived best practice in safe behaviours.
- Understand community willingness and readiness to address small arms safety issue at community level.
- The impact of SALW arms proliferation including a focus on women and gender-based violence. Understand the consequence of unsafe behaviours of arms.
- Overview of existing government programmes and initiatives for SALW management, as well as existing local civil society actors and initiatives for SALW management and control.
The outcome of the analysis should be a report including recommendations for the intervention and at least five key messages that can be disseminated in an awareness raising campaigns and information sessions. It should be clear in the report what the implication of the findings are for aiming to decrease the risk of small arms accidents and misuse within communities.
5. Scope of work and Methodology
The consultancy should cover the geographic location of Ninewa, Basra and potentially Diyala. The final locations will be confirmed through consultation with the consultant and program teams prior to the start of the analysis.
While the methodology development will be guided by the research partner, it is expected that it includes a thorough desk review, thorough key informant interviews including at national and community level, and community-based focus group discussions in all targeted location. The methodology should be inclusive of age, gender, tribal and religious diversity, and disability. Participatory data collection methods involving community mappings are highly encouraged.
Data should be disaggregated at a minimum at the level of:
- Elderly (male and female)/ men, women/ and youth (male and female).
- Geographical target areas
- Sub-groups: SALW owners and non-SALW owners (optional)
- Different religious, ethnic, and tribal backgrounds.
- Different abilities
6. Deliverables
The Consultant will submit the following deliverables as mentioned below:
Phase
Expected deliverables
Indicative description tasks
Maximum expected timeframe
Phase I:
Inception report:
Detailed research question and sub-questions developed and reviewed by DRC staff.
Inception Report that includes methodology/tools and a clearly defined work schedule for the assignment.
Preliminary list of key informants to be interviewed.
10 days (Jan)
Phase I:
Preliminary report:
Draft report with recommandations.
February – March
Phase II
Final report
Contextual analysis (max 5 pages)
Stakeholder mapping (SALW management and control international and national actors and initiatives in Iraq)
Data collection analysis
Recommendations: should include any findings, which assist in addressing the drivers of arms ownership, including unfolding harmful practices that should be addressed, identifying good practices that can be replicated and an explanation of the five key awareness raising messages. Recommendations for DRC programmatic work should also be incorporated.
Conclusion and bibliography
The final report should be delivered in an attractive and concise format not exceeding 30 pages excluding annexesand including an executive summary, conclusion and recommendations, identifying gaps and opportunities for future risk education programming in English. Infographics and other visualisation tools should be included throughout the report in line with DRCs branding guidelines.
End of April
Phase III:
ToT SALW Risk Education training
4-5day training for 20 DRC staff members in Erbil including, but not limited to the Following topics.
May-June
The Consultant will provide the documentation by email.
7. Duration, timeline, and payment
The total expected duration to complete the assignment will be no more than 6 months. The consultancy is expected to commence in January 2023. These responsibilities are assessed to the duration of a total of 120 working days, to be completed at the latest on June 30, 2023.
9. Eligibility, qualification, and experience required
Essential:
- Strong and proven participatory research skills and experience.
- Highly organized and autonomous, able to multi-task and prioritize workload when necessary.
- Sound understanding of humanitarian and protection principles and their application.
- Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
- Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in training sessions on SALW are an asset.
- Demonstrable access and knowledge of the locations covered by the consultancy an asset
Eligibility:
- The consultant has the authorisation to work in Iraq.
Qualification:
- At least Bachelor’s degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in data collection and analysis proven.
Skills and knowledge:
- Demonstrable understanding of and experience working in Iraq.
- Demonstrable understanding of and experience working on SALW topics.
- Knowledge of current global literature / practice on SALW.
Language requirements:
- Arabic speaking skills are a must.
- Excellent English speaking and writing skills required.
10. Technical supervision
The consultant will report to the Head of Program for the deliverables, and work closely with the Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding Coordinator.
11. Location and support
Remotely and in-country (Erbil – Ninewa – Basra – (opt. Diyala))
The Consultant will provide her/his own computer, mobile telephone and data collection tools**.**
12. Travel
Travel will be required for data collection purposes in Ninewa, Basra, and potentially Diyala. Also, travel is required to Erbil for conducting the ToT training. The consultant will be responsible for organizing their own accommodation, transportation, insurance, food and to make adequate provision for this in the financial proposal.
If required, the DRC will support with administrative requirements for visa and access letters of the consultant while in Iraq, the costs of which will be paid for by the consultant.
How to apply
Interested Consultant/s to reach out to [email protected] to get full tender package.
Email submission
Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address:
[email protected]
When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:
- The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email
- Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type the email contains
- The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid,
- The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender, but excluding all pricing information
- Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
- Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his bid in multiple emails.