External Consultant to strengthen the emergency...

External Consultant to strengthen the emergency response capacity of the local authorities in IraqOverall objectivesThe main objective of this consultancy is to provide trainings and technical assistance to the Governorate Emergency Cells (GECs - A governmental humanitarian coordination structure at provincial level in Iraq) and their liaison officers in terms of emergency preparedness and humanitarian coordination.BackgroundThe main objective of DRC’s Iraq programme is the protection and promotion of durable solutions to displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. The programme specific objectives:• Displacement affected population have their immediate subsistence needs alleviated • Displacement affected groups are supported in restoring, protecting and developing self-reliance capacity• Local stakeholders’ capacity to protect fundamental rights of displacement affected groups has been strengthenedDRC focuses primarily on: Protection, Shelter, Self-Reliance and Emergency Distributions. In early 2007 DRC recognised that one of the key gaps in providing protection services was the capacity of the local governments to provide assistance when faced with an emergency. In late 2007, DRC designed a programme under which training, technical support and coaching will be provided to the various GECs, piloting initially in governorates where DRC had strong relationships and operational presence, and subsequently moving into new areas where had have not been present. Effectively this means that DRC does the following:• Seconds a liaison officer to the respective Governorate Emergency Cell (GEC)• Ensures the participation of selected GEC members in trainings relevant to their scope of work • Organises trainings on relevant issues for GEC members in the field and couple them to practical exercises and coaching • Provides the GEC with technical assistance on displacement issues and emergency response through a formal framework of continuous coaching. DRC is assisting GECs in 9 governorates ( Missan, Kerbala, Wassit, Thi Quar, Babylon, Erbil, Suleimanyah and Dohuk and Kirkuk. While the primary beneficiaries of this intervention are obviously the provincial authorities in each of the targeted governorates, it goes without saying that the end beneficiaries will be the groups of concern themselves and, indirectly, the population at large of each governorate. By strengthening the capacities of the aforementioned stakeholders, the project aims of course at improving the protection conditions of the new IDPs in the first place. Furthermore, the strengthened local authorities will address better the other needs of new IDPs and this will definitely have an impact on the general situation on each of the governorates. Duties• Plan, prepare and deliver 4 training workshops for the members of the GEC in Iraq (total of 17 actual training days) • Coach the 9 GECs liaison officers to update their action plans and contingency plans • Submit a set of recommendations to DRC on how to proceed with technical assistance to GEC (best methodology, tools to be produced…) - Deliverables• 4 training workshops on emergency preparedness and contingency planning delivered to the 9 GECs • 9 revised/edited Master plans submitted to DRC• 9 revised/edited contingency plans submitted to DRC • A set of written guidelines on how to update the master plans and the contingency plans• Set of recommendations on future technical assistance Qualifications• Good proficiency in English & Arabic• Proven experience in capacity building projects, including coaching and technical assistance • Excellent knowledge of the situation in Iraq (political, security…etc.) • Proven experience in displacement issues (preferably in Iraq and other contexts) • Familiar with distance management constraintsWe encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of age, nationality, race, gender or age.ConditionsAvailability: 15 May2009Duty station: Iraq programme, duty station not specified / with frequent travel throughout the North West.Contract: ******till 31-12-2009Further informationFor more information, please contact Elie Abouaoun, Programme Manager.A detailed Terms of reference is available upon requestApplication and CVInterested individuals/firms are invited to send a letter of interest together with a CV in English no later than the 30. April 2009 by the form below.Only applications sent by email will be considered. The letter of interest should include the following: • Experience of the individual/firm and relevance to the project • Resumes of the person(s) who will be involved in the consultancy • A brief description of similar activities carried out in the last 3 years • A detailed quote based on the following assumptions:• 17 training days (actual training) • 6 days for training preparations• 4 days for reporting on the training workshops • 50 working days for the coaching component (all year long) • All the travel costs will be covered by DRC                           We only accept applications sent by the form below