TERMS OF REFERENCE
Service Contract for Pool of Experts, contracted to prepare a training module and deliver training sessions for frontliners on the rehabilitation and reintegration services for 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 consolidation of good governance and inclusive policy making. 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 a 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 hosting 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, conduct training with front-line responders and local leaders on practices and policy actions needed to ensure effective R&R, and establish 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 through 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:
The main objective of this assignment is to prepare a training module and deliver training sessions for frontliners on the rehabilitation and reintegration services for RTFs, in the framework of the project “Sustainable community-based reintegration of Albanian nationals returning from Syria”.
The group of frontliners in each target area include: representatives from local employment services, mental health practitioners, social workers and psychologists; teachers; police officers, representatives of local self-governing units; representatives of local grassroots, CSOs and religious communities. Each training is estimated to have at least 12-15 attendants. The training sessions will take place in 10 programme areas from December 2021 to April 2022, respectively: 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).
In addition, the Experts will receive logistical support for the organization of the trainings by IDM.
Tasks and Responsibilities
The Expert(s) is (are) responsible to:
- The Expert(s) is (are) are expected to prepare a training module tailored for front-liners on generic and specialized knowledge on R&R services. The training module should be a compressive material, describing in a very concise and absorbable language all the integrated R&R services that should to be delivered to RTFs and their familiars at the local level. These services should encompass the following rights and services organized alongside the following priority areas:
- Legal (residency rights; access to citizenship; documentations; civil registration, family unity and reunification 😉
- Socio-economic (housing; employment; vocational training and employment-related education; health; social security)
- Social cohesion (education- lifelong learning; language learning and social orientation; psycho-social assistance and fostering participation and inclusion)
- Discuss the contents of the module with the Project Manager and other relevant project partners; Ensure that the feedback from the partners is incorporated in the final draft of the module;
- Deliver 10 one day training for the selected target areas introducing the contents of the training module; The trainings sessions will to ensure effective application of R&R practices and skills in their daily work routine;
- Conceptualize interactive activities to be implemented during the training (i.e. simulation exercises, debates; role plays) to engage front-line practitioners with practical tools related to the assignment;
- Cooperate with the IDM Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to draft a Training Evaluation Questionnaire in accordance with 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 the training agenda; invitations and other training logistics;
- Submit all training deliverables (presentation, brief rationale for interactive activities) to the Project Manager for approval the latest 5 days prior to the training;
- Ensure the final products 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 36 working days are estimated to complete the training assignment (14 days for the training module and 22 for the trainings). All ten trainings are scheduled to be finalized by 30 April 2022 (around two trainings per month).
All deliverables 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 two installments after the Expert(s) has/have addressed any feedback received from the trainees to the Project Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXPERTS
- Post-graduate degree in one of the following or closely related fields of studies: social sciences and humanities, social work, psychology, psychiatry, public administration, and management, or any interdisciplinary degree that covers the related areas;
- Minimum 7 years of applied experience in the above-mentioned fields;
- Demonstrated experience in preparing and designing guidelines/training manuals, study reports, policy documents for frontlines, particularly on the areas related to this assignment;
- Solid experience in delivering trainings, workshops, seminars for the above-mentioned target group;
- Excellent command of the Albanian language; preferably, proficiency in English;
- Preferred expertise experience on issues related to violent extremism and religious radicalization in Albania;
- Previous experience in reintegration and rehabilitation programs is an asset;
- Preferred expertise in working with at least one of the following: government agencies (central and local), educational institutions, civil society organizations, or and international organizations.
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 in Albanian or in English to [email protected] or hard copy to the following postal address:
Rr. Shenasi Dishnica No. 1, P.O Box 8177, Tirana, Albania Tel: + 355 4 24 00 241 Email: [email protected] Website: www.idmalbania.org
Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents, the latest by November 19th, 2021
- Curriculum Vitae, demonstrating experience on the issues related to this assignment
- Letter of Interest