1.Introduction

The overall objective of the GAC project is to ensure that women and girls are healthy and safe and influence their communities during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The project runs from April 2021 – March 2022 and includes 6 IRC countries who all have existing SRH and WPE programming and who have expressed interest in more integrated approaches to improve safety and health outcomes for women and girls.

During humanitarian crisis, adolescent girls and women face multiple barriers accessing lifesaving comprehensive SRH and GBV services such as contraception, abortion care, GBV clinical care, group psychosocial support, and GBV case management, which are all included in the SRH minimum initial service package (MISP) and GBV minimum standards for humanitarian settings.Both GBV and SRH services, even if available, are not always accessible to all women and adolescent girls.How the service is delivered matters. The integration of SRH and WPE services into community-based women and girl only safe spaces (WGSS), health facilities, mobile clinic, etc. is increasingly being implemented in humanitarian settings, guided by feedback from women and girls.However, integration has proven to be a challenge in some locations and there’s lack of evidence on the benefits and risks related to the community-based integration of SRH and WPE versus traditional health facilities/WGSS.

2.Objective

In order to address one of these gaps, IRC is conducting an informal assessment to:

• explore experiences and perceptions of SRH/WPE integrated programming among IRC staff members who have been actively engaged in the GAC funded project ”Women and girls’ health and safety needs in Chad, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and DRC are addressed and met during COVID-19 in 2021/22”.

3.Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following key questions:

1. What are the experiences with SRH/WPE integration as perceived by IRC staff?

2.What are the enablers and barriers to successful SRH/WPE integration as perceived by IRC engaged in integration programming?

3.What is the role of SRH/WPE integration in terms of improving health and safety outcomes for women and girls in humanitarian settings?

4.Scope of the assessment

The consultant will be expected to undertake:

1. Review background documents that provide the context of SRH/WPE integration (1/2 day)

2.Prepare a protocol which includes data collection tools for KIIs and surveys based on the background review in collaboration with the responsible technical advisor (2 days)

3.Collect and analyze data from IRC staff engaged in SRH/WPE integration in 3 GAC countries (Nigeria, SS, Pakistan) (max 8 KIIs + survey responses) (7 days)

4. Prepare a draft report on the findings of the assessment for review by selected TAs (3 days)

5.Prepare a final report on the findings of the study to be presented to the donor (1 day).

6. Conduct an internal webinar I collaboration with the responsible WPE and SRH/ Health technical advisor to share the findings of the assessment (1/2 day)

The consultant will be responsible for their own logistical requirements such as office space, administrative and secretarial support, telecommunications, printing of documentation, and accommodation arrangements. This includes securing data bundles for interviews and coordination meetings. The consultant will be home-based.

5.Methodology of the Study

The assessment will explore experiences and perceptions of IRC SRH/WPE staff members who have been actively engaged in the GAC Integration project (April 2020-March 2021) and selected staff from other projects or country programs who have SRH/WPE integration experience.

The assessment will use mixed methods including semi-structured interviews and quantitative survey. The results from this assessment will be used to inform the design of ongoing and future integrated SRH/WPE programs during and beyond emergencies and pandemic outbreaks.

6.Deliverables

The impact assessment team is expected to deliver:

1. Assessment protocol, methodology, tools
2. A  draft assessment report for review by GAC TAs/STAs
3. Presentation (internal) of the assessment key findings
4. The final report

7.Expected Timeframes:

The study will be completed in 14 days over 4-6 weeks (before the end of January 2022) starting from date of agreement signing.

8.Intellectual Property Rights

All products arising from this assessment will be ownedby IRC.The consultantwillnotbeallowed,withoutpriorauthorizationin writing,topresent any of the analytical results as hisor herworkorto make useoftheassessment results for privatepublication purposes.

9.Quality & Ethical Standards

The consultant shouldtake all reasonable stepsto ensure thatthe assessment is designed and conducted torespectandprotecttherights and welfareof the people and communitiesinvolved andto ensurethattheassessment istechnically accurateandreliable, isconducted transparently and impartially,andcontributes toorganizational learning andaccountability. Theconsultantwill also committo adhering toIRC Way andCode of Conduct.

10.Qualification of Consultant

The following qualification, competencies, and skills are required to successfully carry out this assignment:

Specific skills and experience sought:

• Post-graduate degree in health research or social sciences, social work, gender studies, development Studies and/or related field
• Expertise in Qualitative and quantitative information collection, analysis, and reporting.  Feminist informed qualitative experience preferred
• Experience in working with, donors, youth, civil society, adolescent girls, women, and being able to interact with a variety of stakeholders at different levels.
• Has experience in conducting mix-methods program evaluation, research/assessments.
• Knowledge of relevant (sub)sectors in humanitarian contexts: WPE/GBV response, SRH, and Community Mobilization, and Gender Equality.
• Proven experience in the use of participatory action research methodology
• Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills in English
• Ability to write clear and useful reports (examples of previous work will need to be submitted).
• Ability to manage the available time and resources and meeting deadlines
• Independence from IRC, program stakeholders or other parties involved.

11.Contact Details:

Interested applicants can send their technical and financial proposal along with CVs, sample reports along with other required documents by 6th December 2021 to the following address:

Email: sanni.bundgaard@rescue.org

12.IRC Core Values & Commitments:

The IRC workers and partners/consultants must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Adult Safeguarding, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

IRC is committed to ensuring that consultant is suitable to work with children and women / girls and have the knowledge s/he needs to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy.

Level of interaction with clients: None

IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to the promotion of gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures and actions demonstrate this commitment.

Women candidates and persons with disability are highly encouraged to apply.