CONSULTANCY ON COMMUNITY-BASED DISPUTE RESOLUTION TRAINING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT

Background - Scope of the Consultancy

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operational in Rakhine since 2008 when it initially responded to the devastation caused by cyclones Nargis in the Ayeyarwady Division (2008) and Giri in Rakhine State (2010) and as such possesses extensive knowledge and understanding of the operating environment. As a consequence of the inter-communal violence in Central Rakhine in June and October 2012 the crucial humanitarian needs of the displaced communities triggered a considerable re-orientation of the DRC program in Rakhine in early 2013, resulting in an increased focus on displacement and addressing humanitarian needs. In Rakhine State, DRC is currently delivering shelter, community infrastructure, Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Non-Food Items (NFIs), livelihoods and protection (including child protection) assistance, to Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and conflict-affected populations. DRC furthermore serves as the Camp Management agency for approximately 52,000 IDPs in rural Sittwe.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees in Thailand since 1976, working with refugees and displaced people from Myanmar since 1990. The IRC has worked in Rakhine State since 2013 where it has well-established programs across a host of sectors. IRC commenced Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) programming in Sittwe in 2014. Since then, the IRC has been the lead agency in providing direct services to GBV survivors and currently operates WPE programs in Sittwe and Central Rakhine. The IRC is currently the largest health provider in Sittwe and as part of this implements integrated Health and WPE programming. The IRC also implements multi-sectoral early recovery and community development projects across Central Rakhine

Inter-communal violence between Buddhist and Muslim populations in June and October 2012 resulted in at least 140,000 people displaced across Rakhine State - 116,000 of which are currently residing in Sittwe IDP camps. Protection and safety concerns inside camps remain critical particularly in terms of addressing the needs of the most vulnerable, such as single female-headed households as well as widows, adolescent girls, the elderly and persons with a disability.

Gender-based violence (GBV), in particular, Intimate Partner Violence is widespread and is exacerbated by inadequate shelter and cramped settings, lack of livelihood opportunities and high levels of stress and trauma associated with displacement. Interpersonal disputes including but not limited to GBV are common in such contexts.

In 2014, DRC conducted an analysis of community-based mechanisms for dispute resolution (interpersonal/inter-group) in identified camps and villages in Rakhine State (“DRC analysis” hereinafter). Among the recommendations on the way forward was the roll-out of a dispute resolution training package in selected locations to improve existing dispute resolution mechanisms at a camp level. Training would include-dispute management skills, leadership, methods of negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperative decision-making, as well as a focus on Rule of Law basic principles. 

Additional research carried out in 2017 found that government appointed Camp Management Committees (CMCs) and other community leaders’ groups play a crucial role in managing dispute resolution. This includes cases of GBV, which are often handled by CMCs as a result of their authority in the camps, lack of other recourse, or due to survivors’ familiarity with this process. At present, standard dispute resolution practices are not survivor-centred and are frequently, detrimental to the safety and well-being of the survivor.  For example, local leaders and CMCs commonly engage in mediation in cases of IPV directly between the survivor and the perpetrator, prioritizing maintenance of the family unit. While DRC and IRC will continue to work with formal legal and justice sectors to support survivors to secure safety and wellbeing, the prominence of CMCs and other community-based structures in the governance of IDP camps make it vital to engage them to support survivor-centred outcomes cognisant of the context and its constraints.

In light of the above, DRC and IRC have partnered to support camp-based structures and other potential users of community-based dispute resolution systems through a pilot project. The aim of this initiative is to develop a training curriculum for the community leaders and camp management committees aimed at improving dispute management skills, the methods of negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperative decision-making in line with survivor-centred approach.  Embedded in this training will be technically-sound components covering the specific knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to adjudicate GBV-related disputes, with a strong focus on Intimate Partner Violence, in a manner that protects survivors from further harm. 

In this context the partners do not adequately understand community-based dispute resolution practices as a substitute for a formal justice system nor the limitations and full risks of these practices as currently implemented. Regardless, engaging IDPs in conflict resolution activities stimulates reflection and provides skills to reduce tension, avoid violence and resolve conflicts.

Objectives of the Consultancy

• This consultancy is expected to achieve the following objectives:
• Based on report’s recommendations, develop a context-specific training curriculum to strengthen mediation skills of community leaders and Camp based committee
• After the training curriculum is produced and endorsed by DRC and IRC, the consultant will be requested to roll out the training material in at least 1 location and
• Adjust the curriculum based on the training delivery experience

Duties, Responsibilities and Deliverables

The Consultant will be based in Sittwe, Rakhine State. The Consultant will be liaising with and receive technical support from the IRC WPE Program Coordinator and the DRC GBV Specialist for Rakhine, while on safety and other non-project matters be reporting the DRC Program Manager for Rakhine.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Submitting an initial inception report with specific methodology and time
• Based on existing assessments, reports and DRC’s analysis, design context-specific training curriculum on dispute management skills, recommendations on mediation practices in case of GBV, the methods of negotiation, conflict resolution, and cooperative decision-making, as well as basic justice/fair trial/rule of law standard
• Work in close coordination with GBV, WPE and protection departments of DRC and IRC to ensure that messages and technical concepts are in line with international guiding principles, best practices and minimum standard for GBV in emergency
• Test and roll out the course in one location that will be communicated by the partners

Deliverables:

1. Training curricula and course materials
2. Training report
3. Final report

Profile of the Candidate

• At least 5 years of work experience in protection and GBV in humanitarian or development contexts;
• Legal background, conflict resolution skills, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and conflict-management at the grass root level;
• Full understanding of Gender based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence dynamics. Experience in managing GBV programming or in delivering services to GBV survivors is a strong asset.
• Deep understanding of management of IDP camps and settings
• Familiarity with Myanmar legal framework and Rakhine context.
• Excellent training skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills combined with proficiency in English
• Ready to deploy within 2-3 weeks of offer

Application

A comprehensive proposal should be submitted in addition to CV, cover letter, and references to recruitment@drcmm.org

 Proposal will include: work plan, timeframe, methodology and financial proposal (the financial proposal should be “all-inclusive”, this means that all costs --professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.-- that could possibly be incurred by the Consultant are already factored into the financial proposal.) 

Condition

Need further information?

For more details on this position please contact Mary Nwayoo , IRC Women´s Protection and Empowerment Senior Manager, at Mary.Nwayoo@rescue.org and/or Laura Marchesini, DRC GBV Specialist at laura.marchesini@drcmm.org

Please, consider that applications directly sent to Ms. Mary Nwayoo and/or Ms. Laura Marchesini will not be considered.

The partners are equal opportunity employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or physical or mental disability.