Terms of Reference

Assignment Title:

Design and Delivery of Accountability Training, Tool Development, and Reporting under the Takhateb III Project

Location of the Assignment:

Diyala, Ninewa, and Baghdad Governorates

Reporting to:

Designated Oxfam MEAL Focal Point

Type of Contract:

Individual Contract

Languages Required:

English and Arabic

Contract Dates:

1st August 2025 – 30 September 2025

Duration:

2 months

1. Background:

Oxfam, through the Takhateb III project funded by GIZ, continues its work to strengthen inclusive governance, trust-building, and citizen participation in Iraq. A key component of this phase involves enhancing local accountability systems by equipping DCA representatives and community actors with the tools and capacities to manage inclusive complaint and feedback mechanisms.

As part of this effort, Oxfam will contract an accountability consultant to lead the training and capacity building process in three governorates (Baghdad, Diyala, and Ninewa), ensuring that local actors are supported with relevant tools and actionable knowledge in line with the Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS) introduced in previous phases of the project.

2. Purpose of the Assignment:

The purpose of this consultancy is to strengthen local accountability systems within the broader objectives of the Takhateb III project, by equipping Directorate of Citizen Affairs (DCA) representatives and other relevant actors with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to effectively implement inclusive, transparent, and responsive complaint and feedback mechanisms.

This assignment focuses on delivering the accountability training component of the project—one of several interconnected pillars aimed at institutionalizing participatory governance and increasing community trust in public services. The consultant’s work will directly support two project logframe indicators:

• “% of local government officials who report confidence in managing and running an accountability system after receiving targeted on-the-job coaching.”
• “% of supported NGO staff and civil society actors demonstrating improved understanding of complaint and feedback systems post-intervention.”

Through a tailored training program, development of relevant accountability tools, and  follow-up, the consultant will help operationalize and contextualize key principles of the Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS), ensuring that the system  is accessible, practical, and applicable in the three targeted governorates. Baghdad, Diyala, and Ninewa.

Targeted Participants Profiles:

The primary target group includes DCA focal points at the governorate, district, and sub-district levels in Baghdad, Diyala, and Ninewa. These officials are responsible for receiving and managing citizen complaints, coordinating with government departments, and ensuring follow-up and response. In the training total 65 officials will be invited, 15 from Ninewa, 20 from Diyala, and 30 from Baghdad.

As frontline actors in implementing the Integrated Complaint Management System (ICMS), their role is crucial in fostering transparent, inclusive, and citizen-centered governance. This consultancy will enhance their capacity through targeted training and tools to manage complaints more effectively, engage with communities, and institutionalize accountability mechanisms responsive to public needs, including those of marginalized groups.

3. Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct a desk review of existing accountability materials, ICMS tools, and previous project outputs.
2. Conduct a rapid Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of the selected group of DCA staff to identify the gaps/needs
3. Design and deliver accountability training workshops material covering key topics (case management, complaint channels, user centered approach, CFRM analysis, accountability materials and tools, advocacy and encouragement) for DCA staff in three governorates based on the conducted training needs assessment
4. Coordinate with Oxfam MEAL and program staff to align training content with project goals.
5. Design and implement pre/post-training assessments to evaluate knowledge gains.
6. Submit a comprehensive final report summarizing activities, toolkits, training outcomes, assessment data, and recommendations for future scale-up or integration.

Support from Oxfam:
Oxfam will facilitate the consultant’s access to relevant project documents, post training materials if any required, and ICMS resources. It will also coordinate communication with DCA focal points, community committees, and other local stakeholders. Logistical support may include field arrangements, training logistics (refreshment+ stationary etc) and access to existing MEAL tools for alignment. A designated Oxfam focal point will provide regular check-ins to ensure technical coherence and timely feedback from the DCA staff.

4. Deliverables:

- Conduct training needs assessment TNA on prescribed tool and share key findings on gaps/needs.

- Review the existing accountability tools

- Training agenda, slides, and materials covering key topics XXXXXXX  (in English and Arabic)

- Maximum3 in-person training workshops delivered with a maximum of 6 days , 2 days per training sessions will be delivered for all workshops (this will be decided based on the needs and budget)

- Pre/post-training test forms and dataset

- Final narrative report (max 10 pages) including:

- Description of training delivery

- Collect attendance and pre/post tests

-  report two indicators mentioned in this ToR

- Lessons learned and recommendations with final report

- Training Action Plan

5. Logistic Arrangements for the Training::

Oxfam will fully support and facilitate the logistical arrangements required for the training sessions. This includes:

• Booking and preparation of the training venues in the three governorates.
• Provision of training materials and stationery.
• Arrangement of transportation for participants and the consultant where needed.
• Refreshments and meals during the training sessions.
• Printing and distribution of any visual or written tools developed as part of the training.

The consultant is expected to focus on content preparation and delivery, while Oxfam will handle all logistical and operational coordination in close collaboration with the project team.

6. Time Frame:

Start Date: 1 August 2025

End Date: 30 September 2025

Final timeline to be confirmed upon agreement with the consultant.

7. The Key Credentials, Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Required:

- Advanced degree in governance, development studies, public administration, or relevant field.

- Minimum 3 years of experience delivering accountability or governance training in Iraq.

- Demonstrated understanding of complaint/feedback systems, DCA structures, and inclusive governance.

- Strong communication and facilitation skills in both Arabic and English.

- Proven capacity to deliver high-quality reports and practical tools.

8. Scoring Criteria for Consultant Selection:

Payment Plan:

9. How to Apply:

Interested individuals or firms should submit:

- Cover letter (max 1 page)

- Technical proposal (max 7 pages, excluding annexes)

- CVs of team members involved

- Detailed workplan

- Financial proposal (1-page budget)

- Statement of commitment to Oxfam’s Code of Conduct and safe programming

- the financial proposal should be stamped and signed.

Applications should be submitted to: irqconsultancy@oxfam.org.uk

Subject line: TAKHATEB III – Accountability Consultant

Deadline: August 05^th, 2025

Questions may be directed to the same email by August 5th, 2025.

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

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.

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.