Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

(Development of a Policy Brief on Youth Reproductive Health Policies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI): Comparative Analysis with Global Standards
In Collaboration with the Ministry of Health

Project: Masarouna/ Our pathway   

Type of Consultancy: National

1. Background

Oxfam is an international confederation counting 22 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries.     

Oxfam has been working in Iraq since the 1990s and its strategy is shaped around 3 pillars; 1) Gender Justice 2) Economic Justice 3) Climate Justice.  Within each of these pillar's interventions cover the following sectors: Women’s networks lead, facilitate policies, laws and practices for human rights, fostering fair economic opportunities and participation for productive, dignified lives, and local communities and institutions build resilient capacity to inclusively adapt to climate change.

Masarouna Project, a five-year regional program implemented in six MENA countries. It aims to mobilize the power of young people (aged 18-35) for collective action, supporting their initiatives to improve access to and respect for their reproductive health rights (RHR) through innovative pathways for change. The program strengthens youth engagement in civil society, equipping them to influence decision-makers and communities to promote better legislation and practices that support young people’s access to their RH. Additionally, it fosters civil society growth and builds new partnerships and alliances to advocate for RHR and amplify youth voices.

In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq young people face multiple challenges in accessing quality reproductive health information and services due to policy gaps, implementation barriers, and sociocultural norms. There is a critical need to review existing youth reproductive health policies and assess their alignment with international standards set by agencies such as WHO, UNFPA, and other global frameworks. To support informed advocacy and policy improvement, Oxfam seeks to commission a policy brief that delivers a concise, comparative analysis and proposes actionable recommendations.

2. Purpose of the Policy Brief

Oxfam is seeking a national consultant to develop a bilingual policy brief (in Kurdish and English) that examines existing Reproductive Health and Rights (RHR) policies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The brief should assess how current policies address accessibility, youth-friendliness, inclusivity, and implementation. It should also identify key gaps in both policy and practice, and provide clear, evidence-based recommendations for improvement, aligned with international policy standards, to enhance youth access to RHR services.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Conduct a desk review of current global RHR policies, standards practices and KRI policies related to youth RHR. The RHR policies should cover (not limited to) Maternal health, information and education on RHR, protection from STIs, family planning, adolescent health, early/forced marriage, access to contraceptives, etc.
• Based on the desk review will conduct a thorough comparative analysis using a set of pre-agreed international standards to highlight the gaps in existing KRI RHR policies, standards and practices
• Engage with selected stakeholders (e.g., Ministry of Health, Directorates, and youth representatives) to collect date and later validate findings. The geographical scope will include Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.
• Draft and revise a policy brief (3–5 pages max) summarizing the analysis and recommendations.

4. Methodology

The consultant for the study will deploy a comprehensive methodology consisting of two phases a) Desk Review of the secondary data RHR data available this includes:

• Review relevant national and KRI-specific policy documents, strategic plans, and regulations.
• Review RH policies of the relevant context/countries for the comparative analysis of the policies, standards and applicable practices.
• Identify appropriate global standards and benchmarks (e.g., WHO’s “Global Standards for Quality Health-Care Services for Adolescents,” UNFPA’s youth RHR guidance).

1. B) the phase two includes primary data collection through:

• Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders (Ministry of Health and health directorates) and also consultations with youth.

The result of the comparative analysis will then be validated by Ministry of Health before finalization.

Oxfam and the Masarouna team will provide support with technical direction and stakeholder access.

5. Deliverables

6. Timeframe

The assignment is expected to run from 1 July to 15 August 2025 (6 weeks).

7. Ethical Considerations

Do no harm. The consultant should be culturally sensitive, and he/she/they will ensure the application of the “do no harm” principle. The consultant will sign the Oxfam code of conduct and safeguarding policy.    The consultant will acquire the consent of the key stakeholders and youth during the KIIs and consultation sessions complying with the Oxfam’s ethical standards.

Lastly, the service Provider shall not use or disclose to any person during or at any time after service provider’s engagement by Oxfam any information relating to Oxfam’s business and operations or any other matters which may come to Service Provider’s knowledge whilst providing the Services and which may reasonably be regarded as confidential (Confidential Information).  

8. Consultant Profile

Oxfam is looking for a national consultant/consultancy firm who has:

• A background in public health, social policy, gender studies, or a related field.
• Strong experience of at least four years in policy analysis and brief writing.
• Proven understanding of youth reproductive health issues in KRI
• Familiarity with global standards and international frameworks in RHR.
• Fluency in English and Kurdish.

9. Payment Plan:

10. How to Apply

Interested consultants should submit a proposal that is no longer than 6 pages, including all annexes.:

1. Cover Letter
2. Technical Proposal outlining:
• Methodology, tools and comparison framework
• Relevant experience and examples of previous policy briefs
• CVs of involved individuals the lead consultant and team (if any)
3. Financial Proposal

The consultant should also submit the detail financial proposal this include:

Consultant daily fees and level of effort (LOE).

Any costs for translation, design, or stakeholder consultations.

Other relevant expenses.

Please submit the EOI and other documents by 11:59 PM Iraq time by June 25, 2025 to  IRQConsultancy@oxfam.org.uk with Policy Brief – Youth RHR Policies in KRI  in the subject line. No EOIs will be accepted after the dead

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. 

From the day you join Oxfam, we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more. 

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

Flexfam:

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. We think this role would work particularly well as <insert any relevant flexible working options such as part-time, job share, hybrid, etc.>

How to apply:

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.  

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.