1. Introduction

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can defeat poverty or any type of inequality or discrimination. We are an international confederation of 20 organizations (affiliates) working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development, and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. All our work is led by three core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness.

Oxfam in Iraq is implementing the project entitled “Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance for Climate Resilient Service Delivery” in Ninewa and Anbar Governorates, with the financial assistance of GIZ. The overall outcome of the project is to improve inclusive and climate -resilient local service delivery in Iraq.  

The project has 4 outcomes.

Outcome 1: Disseminated the final version of the Ninewa Vision 2023-30 document to various stakeholders after incorporating all feedbacks received from public, private and community stakeholders.

Outcome 2: Increased public awareness of the effects of climate change, responsible water use, the need to save water and the necessary reduction of water losses in selected provinces in central Iraq.

Outcome 3: Increased efficiency of the work of the newly created councils (or similar structures) dealing with climate change at provincial level, based on citizen’s needs.

Outcome 4: Knowledge on project approach, tools, case studies and process flow etc. generated and shared for replication for internal and external users.

Under outcome 1, output 1.1 will be led by partner organisation, GCSS, with technical support from Oxfam, while outputs 1.2 and outcome 2 ,3 and 4 would be directly implemented by Oxfam in Iraq. The direct beneficiaries of the project are 200 individuals (35% women and 30% marginalized groups) and 5 councils. The indirect beneficiaries of the project are 233, 416 individuals.

Since the project is being implemented in two areas, it is important to document the approach, knowledge and tools developed for replication and scale-up in other areas of the country which also face similar climate change challenges. The project has planned to prepare the knowledge product covering major achievements, lessons learnt, success stories/ case studies, tools, learnings and implementation approach applied in the project. The knowledge product (communication material) will be prepared for internal and external audiences for the purpose of learning, visibility, replicability, exchange the learning to other stakeholders like partner NGO, decision makers including government of Iraq, donors, and communities. Oxfam in Iraq is seeking an experienced and expert-consultant for developing such knowledge product as described in the ToR.

2. Objectives

The overall objective of this consultancy assignment is to generate knowledge products, such as case studies/success stories, best practices, lessons learnt, etc, from outcome monitoring surveys, and learning reviews and to document the approach, knowledge, and tools of the GIZ Ninewa Vision project for replication and scale-up in other areas of the country.

The specific objectives of this consultancy assignment are also as follows:

• To generate knowledge products, such as case studies, key lessons learnt, booklet that shows the significant contribution of the project that can be shared with local government officials and other stakeholders for scaling up and replication the experiences into other locations.
• To conduct outcome monitoring survey with the target beneficiaries and stakeholders using appropriate quantitative and qualitative tools for generation of knowledge products.
• To lead and facilitate the projects’ final learning review workshop and disseminate the knowledge products to key government officials and other stakeholders.

3. Scope of the Knowledge Products

The consultant will document the project ideas, approaches, tools and implemented activities. The consultant will come up with a detailed plan and skeletons of knowledge product.  The consultant will review the project documents (project proposal, MEAL framework), carry out field visits, and meetings with partners, key selected project beneficiaries and relevant stakeholders including government officials.

4. Methodology for Knowledge Products Development

The consultant needs to devise appropriate methodology and a set of actions for the development of knowledge products based on the essential knowledge management cycle. The following are the key steps that the consultant must take into account; The approach and methods should also be designed in accordance with these steps:

Knowledge Generation and Identification of the key stakeholders: The consultant needs to propose appropriate methodology for generation of knowledge. How to generate knowledge from the project/ through outcome monitoring survey, learning reviews, case studies, assessments, etc

Capturing Knowledge & deciding on the knowledge products and their purpose: The consultant need to identify appropriate knowledge products, such as case studies, lessons learned, project briefs, reports, studies, etc and their purpose.

Planning dissemination channels and events for the knowledge products: The consultant need to identify the appropriate channels for sharing and dissemination of knowledge products. How can the project use them? Which dissemination channels (radio, TV, Oxfam website, newspapers, social media, learning events, etc) are most suitable for which products, and for the target audiences

In general, the process of development of knowledge product should be participatory and should be in consultation with Oxfam and partner NGO, local government stakeholders and beneficiaries where needed.  The consultant should design the draft of the product and submits to Oxfam for final review and inputs. The consultant should work with designer for better formatting, diagram and inserting the photographs where necessary. After incorporating the inputs and comments of Oxfam and partner NGO, consultant will submit a final copy for the approval. Then Oxfam may print the copy as final knowledge products and will disseminate as necessary.

5. KEY DELIVERABLES

The key deliverables for this consultancy are as follows:

• Knowledge product preparation inception plan: The consultant will prepare and submit an inception plan that includes what and how the knowledge product will be prepared (process) including its’s skeletons and basic content of the knowledge product. After sharing the draft inception plan, Oxfam will review and provide the inputs.
• Final knowledge products: The knowledge products will be based on the approved plan/content/skeleton by consultant and Oxfam. The consultant will prepare knowledge products following the contents provided by Oxfam and reviewing the reports and other project documents. Consultant will share the 2nd draft version to Oxfam after incorporating the inputs from the Oxfam and partner NGO team. Then consultant will finalize and submit the final copy of knowledge products to Oxfam.
• Sharing and disseminating knowledge products through workshop/learning events or other channels to key government and other stakeholders

6. REQURIED EXPERTISE FOR THE CONSULTANT(S):

This assignment should be led by a person (or persons) or firm have following:

Mandatory qualification:

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in humanitarian and development interventions on generation of various knowledge products (communication materials – digital & printed products) for international humanitarian organisations and donor agencies
• Demonstrated knowledge of preparing knowledge products, project documents, case stories, project approach papers and possess strong research/analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in the design, monitoring and evaluation of WASH, livelihoods and Climate change -related report/books/research articles writing skills etc.
• Preference to advanced agree in social studies (public relations, communications, economics, management, etc)
• Excellent in written English and Good computing skills
• Experience and knowledge on the use of various media & communication channels (newspapers, articles, social media, etc)
• Should be able to meet the set deadlines.
• Commitment to safeguarding policy.
• Knowledge of the context in Iraq or in middle east and familiarity or direct experience working in Iraq or in the Middle East broadly

Following are not mandatory but desirable: 

• Familiarity or fluency in Arabic is an advantage.
• Experience of working modalities of Oxfam, is preferred.

7- TIMEFRAME, KEY ACTIVITIES AND EXPECTED LEVEL OF EFFORT

Timeframe: This consultancy assignment is to be carried out in May and June 2024, with the final knowledge products submitted to Oxfam as per the timeline below. The exact dates are to be confirmed with the selected consultant(s) or firm.

Total expected level of effort: 25 working days

Note: Following are the suggested number of days. Actual days will be agreed with the selected consultant(s)/firm as per workplan to be delivered during the time frame.

• Review essential documents of the project, including but not limited to the original project proposal, MEAL framework, reports, MEAL tools, etc (2 to 3 days)
• Develop and submit the draft knowledge product and inception report and plan (to be endorsed by Oxfam) (2 to 3 days);
• Development of knowledge products (20 days to 23 days)
• Sharing the final knowledge products with Oxfam and disseminating the knowledge products (1 to 2 days).

Working closely:

The consultant(s) /firm will report directly to the Program Quality and MEAL Lead and will work closely with Policy, Advocacy and Communication Manager, Climate Justice and Innovation Lead, Economic Justice Lead, Area Managers and field teams. The Program Quality and MEAL Lead will coordinate and facilitate the knowledge products development process with the selected firm/consultant(s) in collaboration with the Technical Leads, Area Managers and MEAL team.

8. Payment and instructions for interested consultants/firms

Overall expression of interest/EOIs/ will be evaluated based on technical and financial proposals demonstrating value of money and strong technical description. 

Payment will be done in two instalments, 30% upon contract signature, 70% upon Oxfam’s approval of the final evaluation report.

What costs to include in the offer: Consultants/firms should include the following costs in their offer’s budget: daily rate, cost of international travel (home location of consultant/firm to Erbil and back, applies to international consultants only).

What costs not to include in the offer: Oxfam will pay for and procure the following for this consultancy assignment and therefore the following costs should NOT be included in the offer: pick-up/drop-off of consultant(s) from airport, travel inside Iraq for data collection and meetings, interpretation services during meetings with beneficiaries/the partner, printing/photocopying costs.

Note that payment will be made based on the budget in the offer (not based on actual expenses incurred by the consultant). No receipts will be requested from the consultant towards the end of the evaluation.

9. 9. Selection Process

Step 1: Technical Criteria Evaluation scores will be awarded for each of the components. The evaluation committee will score each component unanimously. The proposal will be assessed based on the following selection criteria.

Step 2 – Financial Criteria: A combined price (ex VAT) is to be presented. This is to be broken down by team member rate and hours. 

Step 3 – Weighting: The assignment will be awarded to the service provider with the most economically advantageous tender. The most economically advantageous tender is determined based on the evaluation criteria of price and quality. The final score will be weighted 70% on Technical and 30% on Price. If scores of service providers are equal, priority will be based on the total scores that were given for the technical criterion.

The interested parties should send all the required documents listed above to the address: irqconsultancy@oxfam.org.uk

Email Subject: Development of Knowledge products ( GIZ ILG Project- R11202)

Deadline for submission of offers: The deadline for submitting the offers is: 31 March 2024 (17:00 hr.)

TOR LINK:https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/vacancy/20814/description