CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power.
The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.1 million people are internally displaced and 13.1 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 2.1 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 5.6 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.
IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and an expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,800 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and Iraq as well as in refugee-hosting countries of Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women's protection and empowerment, cash assistance, and livelihoods programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination
Job Overview/Summary:
IRC aims at mapping effective alternative Communicating with Communities (CwC) systems and trusted mechanisms that reach Syrian refugees in Jordan. The CwC Consultant will be responsible to; a) plan, coordinate and implement field research and mapping activities; b) lead a mapping of existing CwC mechanisms in place, their effectiveness, gaps and reach; and c) Assess the variety of communication sources that Syrian refugees rely on for information around policy changes in Jordan and Syria, as well as assistance and service provision offers.
The DS Consultant will report directly to the Sr. Integrated Protection Coordinator, and work collaboratively with the R&D, MEAL and Protection teams in Jordan.
Duties:
Overall objective: The consultant will be responsible for exploring primary ways the Syrians access, understand, evaluate and use information about assistance and services in Jordan in order to identify best practices in Jordan and for conducting field research on the various ways refugees themselves assess information, their trustworthiness, and what barriers to access refugees face in finding time-sensitive, accurate and relevant information. In addition, the DS consultant will be also responsible for;
a)Identifying what information people need/want in order to make decisions on durable solutions;
b)Identifying the main barriers facing refugees in seeking and accessing quality information;
c)Identifying the most trusted sources and formats for messaging for refugees related to factors linked to decision-making on durable solutions
Deliverables
1)Plan and coordinate the MEAL, R&D and Protection teams in the assessment and mapping exercises and methodology (Milestone 1 – Planning and Methodology Report - 10%).
Collaboratively with the IRC Jordan’s existing team and assessors, the DS Consultant will establish a summary methodology and planning for the mapping, assessments and analysis process.
2)Mapping Report on Communication with Communities (CwC) and beneficiary feedback and accountability mechanisms currently operational in the Syrian refugee response in Jordan (Milestone 2 – 40%)
Proceed with an in-depth desk review of surveys and feedback mechanisms already in place which describe or support communicating with Communities (CwC) activities in the Jordan response. This exercise will explore the primary ways the Syrians access, understand, evaluate and use information about assistance and services in Jordan in order to identify best practices in such mechanisms, as well as potential gaps and blind spots in terms of reach or fidelity. Follow up interviews and meetings with partner organisation will be facilitated by the IRC and UNHCR.
Along with the Final Mapping Report, the Consultant will lead three (3) summary presentations in the Durable Solutions Technical Working Groups and other coordination forums.
3)Field assessment and baseline report on refugee access and trust in existing information sources around sensitive topic matter. (Milestone 3 – 50%)
The Field Assessment will explore the varied ways that Syrian refugee population interacts with humanitarian and contextual information, which sources are most favoured, and how the experience of information-seeking is differentiated within that population along an array of sub-factors both intrinsic and behavioural. Field research should be conducted in Amman, Irbid, Mafraq, Russaiyfa, Ramtha and Azraq camp, pending final confirmation from IRC.
The research methodology should include generative design research tools that allow participants to create data on sensitive topics in ways that provide deeper insights than can be gleaned from traditional self-report methods. Tools such as forced ranking of sources, participant-led design of messaging, and decision-making games with simulated information materials will all contribute to a deeper understanding of what information people require to make return decisions, and who they trust to deliver that information.
In addition to the Baseline Report output, the Consultant will lead up to five presentations of findings with the IRC, UNHCR DSTWG and other coordinating forums in Jordan.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Sr. Integrated Protection Coordinator
Position works closely with: Deputy Director of Programs, Regional Innovation Director, Mahali Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Protection and Rule of Law Technical Unit, Durable Solutions Regional Advisor.
Job Requirements:
Education:
•Advanced degree (post-graduate) or higher in law, political or social science or a related field, with 5 years of working experience within the humanitarian/refugee field;
Work Experience:
•Demonstrated experience in independent consultancies in support M&E and accountability processes, program evaluations, data collection and report writing. Previous working experience in communication with communities or community based protection is highly desired
•Work experience in humanitarian protection programming and research in the Middle East is strongly preferred desirable.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
•Ability to handle multiple tasks; proven self-initiative, problem solving abilities, and strong organizational and communication skills;
•Experience analysing and coding qualitative data (using Dedoose, ATLAS.ti or another software) for diverse audiences;
•Excellent writing skills and ability to articulate the linkage between findings, analysis, and recommendations.
•Excellent interpersonal, presentation skills;
•Strong understanding of the Core Humanitarian Standards and data protection principles;
•Experience in working with NGOs and/or humanitarian emergencies;
•Strong MEAL and research background (qualitative and mixed-methods)
Language Skills: Fluency in English is required and Arabic is highly desired.
Working Environment: This Position will operate from Amman, however some remote work is also possible.
For more information please contact:
Sofia Tekidou
Sr. Integrated Protection Coordinator
Sofia.Tekidou@rescue.org
Applications
Apply on-line from the IRC careers website.
Applicants should attach:
•CV of the Consultant
•3 past references from similar assignments.
•Sample consultancy final report/outputs
•Cost proposal, including all costs necessary to complete the assignment, and distinguishing (at a minimum) between:
-Consultant number of days and daily professional fee rates
-Travel costs – if applicable.
-Field work costs – if applicable