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

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts.

1.    BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Oxfam has been working in Iraq for several decades, supporting communities affected by conflict, displacement, and protracted socio-economic challenges. In Al-Anbar Governorate, Oxfam’s programming focuses on strengthening local governance, promoting inclusive and participatory planning, and supporting climate-resilient development through improved state–citizen engagement.

Under the GIZ-funded Iraq Climate Change Adaptation Initiative (ICCA), Oxfam is implementing the project “Strengthening Community Engagement and Citizen–Government Relations in Local Development Planning” in the districts of Ramadi, Heet, and Fallujah. The project aims to enhance citizen participation and inclusive dialogue to strengthen trust between communities and local government institutions, and to support the implementation of Local Development Plans (LDPs) and Climate Action Plans (CAPs).

In Ramadi, existing urban development plans are significantly outdated and no longer reflect current demographic, social, environmental, and climate-related realities. Challenges such as unregulated urban expansion, pressure on infrastructure and services, informal settlements, environmental degradation, and limited public spaces have intensified over time. These challenges are further compounded by the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, water scarcity, and increased environmental health risks.

Historically, urban planning processes in Ramadi have been largely top-down, with limited opportunities for meaningful community participation. As a result, the priorities and needs of residents, particularly women, youth, and other marginalized groups are often insufficiently reflected in planning decisions. This has contributed to gaps between community needs and local development outcomes, undermining trust in public institutions.

To address these challenges, the ICCA project includes Measure 13, which aims to support a Local Government–led Community Consultation on Urban Planning in Ramadi. This measure seeks to initiate a participatory urban planning process by bringing together local authorities, community representatives, civil society organizations, and technical stakeholders to jointly identify key urban challenges, priorities, and opportunities for more inclusive, climate-responsive urban development.

Within this context, Oxfam seeks to engage an Urban Planning Expert to provide technical and facilitation support to the Ramadi local authorities. The consultant will support the design and facilitation of participatory consultations and contribute to the identification of priority areas and a preliminary outline to inform future updates of Ramadi’s Urban Development Plan, while ensuring local ownership and institutional leadership of the process.

2.    SPECIFICATION OF SERVICES/SCOPE OF WORK REQUIRED

The Urban Planning Expert will provide technical expertise and facilitation support to Ramadi local authorities to initiate a participatory, inclusive, and climate-responsive urban planning process, under Measure 13 of the ICCA project.

The scope of this assignment is focused and time-bound, aiming to support community consultation, priority-setting, and preliminary planning inputs, rather than the development of a full urban master plan.

The consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1. Preparatory and Technical Review:

• Lead the situational analysis, including spatial analysis, SWOT, and review of existing plans and policies.
• Review existing urban development plans, relevant sections of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Climate Action Plans (CAPs), and other available urban planning documents related to Ramadi.
• Conduct a rapid assessment of key urban challenges, with attention to climate risks, service gaps, environmental concerns, and social inclusion.
• Coordinate with Ramadi local authorities and Oxfam to agree on the consultation objectives, agenda, and methodology.
• Support the local government to develop future growth scenarios and lead the drafting or improving the existing Urban Plan/Master Plan/Strategic Framework, including clear spatial and land-use policies, zoning regulations, and urban design guidelines.
• Support the local government in Integrating cross-cutting themes climate change adaptation & mitigation (green-blue infrastructure), social inclusion (gender, disability, age), economic development, and disaster risk reduction.

2. Design of Participatory Urban Planning Consultations:

• Design a participatory consultation framework for the Local Government–led Community Consultation Workshop on Urban Planning.
• Facilitate stakeholder mapping and ensure an inclusive participatory planning processes (community meetings, workshops with government and private sector).
• Develop facilitation tools and discussion formats to support structured dialogue on:
• Unregulated urban expansion and land use challenges.
• Infrastructure and basic service gaps.
• Informal settlements and vulnerable neighbourhoods.
• Environmental and climate-related risks.
• Access to public spaces, mobility, and urban services.
• Ensure that consultation methods are inclusive, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive, enabling meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups.

3. Facilitation and Technical Support to the Urban Planning Workshop:

• Provide technical and facilitation support during the urban planning consultation workshop in Ramadi, working alongside local government representatives.
• Support local authorities to guide discussions, capture community inputs, and manage stakeholder engagement effectively.
• Ensure that the process reinforces local government leadership and ownership of the consultation.

4. Documentation and Planning Inputs

• Consolidate workshop outcomes, community priorities, and technical observations into a structured summary report.
• Support the identification of priority urban planning areas and actions that can inform the future updating existing Ramadi’s Urban Development Plan.
• Prepare a preliminary planning outline or framework, highlighting key themes, priorities, and recommended next steps for consideration by local authorities.

5. Coordination and Reporting

• Engage the local government in lead role throughout the urban planning process (meetings/consultations/stakeholders mapping and design phase)
• Coordinate closely with Oxfam’s project team, community, private sector and relevant local government departments throughout the assignment.
• Integrate feedback from local authorities and stakeholders into the final deliverables.
• Submit all deliverables in English (and Arabic summaries, if required), in formats agreed with Oxfam.

If the supplier wishes to propose modifications to the specification (which may provide a better way to achieve Oxfam ´s objectives) these must be considered as an alternative offer. The Supplier must make alternative offers in a separate letter to accompany the offer. OXFAM is under no obligation to accept alternative offers.

3.    METHODOLOGY

The key steps to be followed though not explicit and the detailed modality and work plan will be agreed during consultation meeting include:

The assignment will be implemented using a participatory, evidence-informed, and locally anchored urban planning approach, ensuring that technical expertise is combined with community perspectives and local government leadership.

The Urban Planning Expert will apply the following methodological principles:

• Desk-based review and rapid technical analysis: Review of existing urban plans, Local Development Plans (LDPs), Climate Action Plans (CAPs), and relevant urban and environmental data to inform the consultation process.
• Participatory and inclusive consultation design: Use of structured facilitation tools and dialogue formats that enable meaningful participation of diverse stakeholder groups, including women, youth, and marginalized communities, while ensuring conflict sensitivity and gender responsiveness.
• Local government-led facilitation: Support and guide local authorities to lead the consultation process, ensuring institutional ownership and sustainability of outcomes.
• Integration of climate and environmental considerations: Embed climate resilience, environmental risks, and sustainability considerations into urban planning discussions and priority-setting.
• Iterative reflection and validation: Review and refine consultation outcomes in coordination with local authorities and Oxfam, incorporating feedback to ensure accuracy and relevance.

A detailed workplan and consultation methodology will be finalized at the outset of the assignment, in coordination with Oxfam and Ramadi local authorities.

Planned timeline

4.    TIMEFRAME AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Remuneration is based on submission of final deliverables according to the schedule below.

5.    EXPERIENCE OR PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

The consultant (individual or team leader, in the case of a firm) should meet the following requirements:

Essential

• Advanced university degree Bachelors or master’s in urban planning, urban design, architecture, civil engineering, environmental planning, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in participatory urban planning or community-based planning processes, preferably in fragile, post-conflict, or rapidly urbanizing contexts.
• Strong understanding of urban development challenges in conflict-affected or climate-vulnerable settings, including informal settlements, infrastructure gaps, and environmental risks.
• At least 8–10 years of professional experience in urban planning, spatial planning, or urban development assignments.
• Experience integrating cross cutting themes such as gender, disability, climate resilience and environmental considerations into urban planning or development processes.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation, and reporting skills.
• Fluency in Arabic (written and spoken), working knowledge of English is a strong asset.

Desired

• Strong links and connections with the local government in Anbar, and the Ministry of Planning.
• Strong knowledge of Urban Planning Context in Iraq, Legal and administrative procedures for Urban Planning.

6.    APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission instructions

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 28/02/2026 16:00 pm Baghdad time.

Responses must be submitted in English or Arabic, electronically to:irqconsultancy@oxfam.org.uk

The subject of the mail should be: [RFQ-IQRMD-26-0004 – Proposal Submission + [Name of bidder]]

Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent up to 7 days before the submission deadline in writing. The (anonymised) questions will be answered to all applicants.

Administrative requirements

To be shortlisted for evaluation against award criteria, the following documents must be submitted with this application:

Evaluation and award criteria

The proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria and distribution of points:

Only proposals scoring at least 40 out of 70 points in the technical evaluation will proceed to the financial evaluation.‎

Oxfam withholds the right to conduct interviews with one or more potential suppliers before an award decision is ‎made. The purpose of the interview is to seek further clarification on the submitted quotations and learn more about ‎the background and previous experiences of the potential suppliers and their teams.‎

7.    OTHER CONDITIONS

Conditions for participating in the procurement process are detailed in the Terms & Conditions of Bidding

8.    CODE OF CONDUCT

Oxfam is committed to integrity in its operations and supply chains and ensuring high ethical standards. Complying with all laws and regulations and ensuring fair competition are fundamental to this commitment. We actively promote these principles and standards and expect all Oxfam suppliers to demonstrate commitment towards them.

All consultants/applicant are required to agree and adhere to the Oxfam Supplier Code of Conduct, whereas individuals (including consultants) must sign the Oxfam Non Staff Code of Conduct[1]. These Codes of Conduct set out the specific standards and principles in the areas of human and labour rights, environmental impact and anti-corruption that suppliers must follow.

9.    ANNEXES

• Conflict of interest declaration form for 3rd parties
• Safeguarding policy
• Oxfam child safeguarding policy

[1] Non-Staff Code of Conduct applies for any self-employed individuals or contracted employees of suppliers who are working on Oxfam sites, or who have access to Oxfam materials, or who may represent Oxfam in any manner but are not part of Oxfam’s legal entity)

The Role:

Oxfam Iraq Anbar  is looking for: 

Urban Planning Expert to Support Participatory Urban Development Planning in Ramadi

What we are looking for:

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, a 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.