Consultant

An introductory overview of  Baghdad Women Association

It is one of the local civil society organizations operating in Iraq since 2004. Its vision is to combat all forms of violence against women and girls and to ensure legal protection, equality, and respect for all human rights of women and girls.

Project title: Strengthening Women’s Rights Movements on the Women, Peace and Security agenda in three fragile contexts

Project Background

This project will be implemented through a partnership between 3 Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs)  in Iraq and   CARE International in Iraq (CARE Iraq)

BWA is a national non-profit NGO committed to women’s equality and empowerment. They focus on improving the active political, economic, cultural, and social participation of women in Iraqi society, thereby giving them better access to decision-making positions.

The project of the Women’s Rights Organization and excluded groups of women and girls will use their strengthened strategies, capacities, and improved networks to collectively organize, participate and influence in informal (civil society-led) and formal (government-led) decision-making spaces on the WPS agenda at the local, national, and multi-country levels.

and Women’s Rights Organization’s will have strengthened institutional capacity, increased resource mobilization, and improved strategic plans on the WPS agenda that are representative of and accountable to excluded groups of women and girls.

General Job Summary:

The consultant is expected to provide expert guidance and support to organizations involved in the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. The primary responsibilities include auditing the strategies of these organizations, developing and enhancing their policies, as well as conducting audits on existing policies to ensure alignment with international standards and best practices related to WPS.

The consultant will primarily focus on drafting a maximum of four (4) key policies, with a minimum of one (1) as needed for each participating organization. And  it should be noted that some organizations may require only a general review rather than the development of policies. The emphasis lies in ensuring the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of these policies, prioritizing depth over breadth. The selection of these policies will be determined through consultation with each organization, addressing their specific needs and priorities within the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.

Specific Tasks and Deliverables:

Organizational Strategy Assessment:

• Evaluate the current strategies of participating organizations focusing on WPS.
• Deliver a comprehensive assessment report pinpointing areas for enhancement and offering actionable recommendations.

Policy Formulation and Improvement:

• Collaborate with each organization to identify and develop a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) tailored policies relevant to WPS. Please note that some organizations may require only a general review rather than the development of serious policies.
• Ensure policy coverage extends to critical domains like gender mainstreaming, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and the safeguarding of women’s rights.
• Offer precise and implementable suggestions to elevate the caliber and efficacy of chosen policies.

Policy Compliance Review:

• Conduct an exhaustive review of existing policies within the participating organizations.
• Assess policy adherence to international frameworks, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent WPS resolutions.
• Detect any gaps, incongruities, or areas necessitating enhancement in the chosen policies.
• Produce an audit report containing insights and proposals for refining the selected policies. 

Qualifications required and experience

• Advanced degree in international relations, gender studies, or a related field.
• Profound understanding of international WPS frameworks, particularly UN Security Council resolutions.
• Exceptional analytical and communication abilities.
• National or international experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in NGO settings.
• Previous engagement in third-party consultancy for NGOs.
• Familiarity with policies within the humanitarian sector and consulting practices.
• Fluent proficiency in both Arabic and English languages.

DURATION AND TIMEFRAME

The consultancy is initially projected to span a duration of 3 months. Nonetheless, the timeline remains adaptable and open to extension upon mutual accord between the Consultant and the BWA. The count of working days can likewise be adjusted to align with the Consultant’s schedule and the distinct requirements of each organization. Timely completion of tasks and objectives will be regarded favorably, while extensions can be facilitated without constraints, contingent upon mutual agreement.

Payment terms will be agreed upon mutually, with the possibility of installment payments to be discussed and outlined in the contractual agreement.

The scope of work will entail travel to Anbar.