TERMS OF REFERENCE
Service Contract for Pool of Experts, contracted to deliver trainings for front-liners and institutional representatives for the rehabilitation and reintegration of Albanian nationals returning from conflict zones
Introduction
The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) is an independent, non-governmental organization, founded in November 1999 in Tirana – Albania. Its mission is to strengthen the Albanian civil society, to analyze and support the EU accession and development process in the country, and to help consolidate of good governance and inclusive policymaking. IDM carries on its objectives through expertise, policy analysis, applied research, as well as through building capacities of key societal actors and developing partnerships for evidence-based policy alternatives. By combining the advantages of a knowledgeable think-tank and a resourceful operational non-governmental actor, the institute’s expertise extends in the following key sectors and thematic areas: Evidence-based and inclusive policy processes, good governance, anti-corruption reforms, and integrity building; Consolidation of local democracy, accountability and transparency of local governance; Sustainable integrated development with particular focus on EU development policies; Security sector reform, specialized studies and applied research on a wide range of security issues, including violent extremism and religious radicalism; Development of civil society sector as a powerful actor to generate broad consent, values, and positive change; Human capital development, management, and result-oriented performance; EU enlargement process with a specific focus on Western Balkans’ accession.
Background of the programme
The project “Sustainable community-based reintegration of Albanian nationals returning from Syria” is funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and implemented by Institute for Democracy and Mediation, in close coordination with the Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism in Albania. The project is implemented in partnership with the Observatory for Children and Youth Rights and the Woman Center for Development and Culture Albania. The primary objective of the project is to ensure the sustainable and effective rehabilitation and reintegration of returning Albanian men, women, and children from Syria. Through comprehensive multi-stakeholder and cross-sectoral approaches, the programme aims to enhance the capacities of central and local institutions, frontline responders, and media, strengthen cooperation and empower returnees and host communities.
The project targets: Albanian nationals returning from Syria, their families, receiving communities, frontline responders (social workers, psychologists, and teachers; community policing officers), and relevant central and local level actors and non-state actors. Our intervention is composed of three main pillars: capacity building, intersectional cooperation, and community empowerment component, which aim at shaping the operating environment for institutions and front-line responders while building cohesiveness and enhancing their overall resilience against violent extremism.
- The capacity building component aims at improving capacities, current knowledge and skills of front liners and institutions. It includes various activities such as: conducting research to understand the current VE threats and inform policymakers, conducting training with front-line responders and local leaders on practices and policy actions needed to ensure effective R&R, and establishing a “community of practice” to enable practitioners to share knowledge, build new communication channels and learn by sharing their unique experiences.
- The second component aims to strengthen cooperation and partnerships between institutions working with R&R policies. It does so by helping prioritize CVE on the policy agenda and enhancing coordination among institutions.
- Finally, the third component aims to increase the adaptation of returnees in their communities, their acceptance by communities and overall social cohesion and reintegration of returnees in communities. This component includes a whole set of activities including VET courses and apprenticeship programs for returnees and their familiars, supporting community-based initiatives, activities with religious and community leaders, as well as cultural, recreational activities with returnees and local communities.
The project activities will take place in 10 geographical units in Albania, respectively in: 1. Yzberisht; 2. Kashar (Municipality of Tirana); 3. Municipality of Kavaja; 4. Buçimas: Rëmenj & Gurras (Municipality of Pogradec); 5. Leshnicë (Municipality of Pogradec); 6. Municipality of Librazhd; 7. Mollas (Municipality of Cërrik); 8. Municipality of Mat; 9. Municipality of Kukës; 10. Postribë (Municipality of Shkodër). The project research will take place in 1. Postribë and other border areas (Shkodër Region); 2. Prespa (Korçë Region); 3. Himara (Vlorë Region); 4. Dropull (Gjirokastër Region). The project duration is from 01.06.2021 to 30.11.2023.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives and scope of the assignment
In the framework of the project “Sustainable community-based reintegration of Albanian nationals returning from Syria”, IDM drafted four policy and practical guidelines for frontline workers and institutions in regards to PVE and R&R. The guidelines were addressed to the following target groups: 1) mental health professionals, psychologists, and social workers; 2) police officers; 3) central government institutions; 4) local self-governing units.
IDM seeks to contract a pool of experts who will deliver 4 (four) training sessions on the content of the above-mentioned guidelines. We are looking particularly for trainers who have solid expertise and skills in conveying the content of the guidelines in a more digestible format for frontlines and institutions. The main purpose of the training sessions is to enhance the capacities of public administration employees and front-line professionals regarding the development and implementation of rehabilitation and reintegration processes for returnees from conflict areas.
The four training sessions will take place in Tirana, from November 2021 to January 2022. One training session is estimated to last at least 6 hours and it will include both theoretical information and practical group exercises. The content of a training session will be divided among two expert trainers according to their field of expertise. Each training is estimated to have at least 15- 20 representatives. The trainers will be acquainted with the training material beforehand and in addition, they will receive logistical support for the organization of the training sessions by IDM. If applicable, an expert who is eligible to apply as a trainer for more than one target group may do so – provided the Expert fills the educational criteria outlined in the training’s respective sections, described below.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The Expert(s) is (are) responsible to:
- Prepare a presentation based on the guidelines for front-line professionals and institutions and discuss it with the project team.
- Conceptualize interactive activities to be implemented during the training (i.e. simulation games, debates) to engage front-line practitioners and/or representatives of central and local government with practical exercises related to the referral mechanism and/or new concepts related to violent extremism.
- Cooperate with the IDM Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to draft a Training Evaluation Questionnaire following the needs of the target audience, ensuring the training responds to specific needs of front-line institutions and enhances cooperation among different public actors.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager to schedule and organize training sessions for the selected target group(s).
- Deliver a 1-day training for each target group (four target groups in total), introducing the contents of the guidelines provided by IDM.
- Provide the Project Manager with feedback on the results of the evaluation questionnaire
- Submit all training deliverables (presentation, brief rationale for interactive activities) to the Project Manager for approval the latest 5 days before the training.
- Ensure the final product addresses any requirements or comments set forth by the project team and project partners.
Delivery and timing
The expert(s) should start the work immediately after signing the contract. A total of 10 working days are estimated to complete the assignment. All four training sessions are scheduled to be finalized by January 2022, indicating the training sessions will be organized on a monthly basis.
All deliverables (PowerPoint presentations of the guidelines) will be submitted in electronic format to the Project Manager, who is the responsible person to review and request revisions to the draft deliverables and to approve the delivery of the output.
The payment will be carried out in one installment after the Expert(s) has addressed any feedback received from the trainees to the Project Manager.
GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR TRAINER(S)
- Solid experience in delivering training sessions, workshops, seminars.
- At least 7 years of applied experience in the chosen field of expertise.
- Demonstrated experience on issues related to violent extremism and religious radicalization in Albania.
- Previous experiences in reintegration and rehabilitation programs are an asset.
- Preferred expertise in working with at least one of the following: government agencies (central and local), educational institutions, frontline workers, civil society organizations or and international organizations
- Excellent command of the Albanian language; preferably, proficiency in English.
Academic criteria to deliver a training session for mental health practitioners, social workers, and psychologists
- Post-graduate degree in one of the following or closely related fields of studies: social sciences and humanities, psychology, psychiatry, or any interdisciplinary degree that covers the related areas.
Academic criteria to deliver a training session for police officers
- Post-graduate degree in one of the following or closely related fields of studies: social sciences and humanities, security studies or any interdisciplinary degree that covers the related areas.
Academic criteria to deliver a training for central government officials
- Post-graduate degree in one of the following or closely related fields of studies: political studies, international relations, public administration and management, social sciences and humanities, or an interdisciplinary degree that covers the related areas.
Academic criteria to deliver a training session for local self-governing units
- Post-graduate degree in one of the following or closely related fields of studies: political studies, international relations, public administration and management, social sciences and humanities, or any interdisciplinary degree that covers the related areas.
Required skills and competencies
- Ability to organize and manage time effectively
- Engagement and public speaking skills
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills
- Active listening and critical thinking skills
- Proficiency in information and communication technology
Application procedures
All applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected], in Albanian or English, or by postal address: Rr. Shenasi Dishnica No. 1, P.O Box 8177, Tirana, Albania
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents, the latest by 26 October 2021.
- Curriculum Vitae, including references to training sessions held
- Letter of Interest