Context/Reporting line:
Since the end of the military campaign against the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, local peace
processes in Iraq have emerged at the forefront of the domestic peacebuilding agenda. This reflects a number of
concurrent trends: first, a shift in global peacebuilding practice from singular reliance on national, ‘top-down’
approaches, to recognition that local, community-based approaches play an equally vital role in sustaining peace
long-term. Second, national bodies in Iraq have received a mandate to pursue an expanded definition of
reconciliation in Iraq: for example, the (former) National Reconciliation Committee and its current iteration, the
National Committee of Co-existence and Societal Peace, focus on resolving local conflicts and their localized
drivers. And third, international and national organizations, supported by international donors, have taken the
lead in brokering local peace agreements over the past six years as communities in areas affected by the war
against ISIS attempt to address local drivers of tension themselves. As a result, since 2015, there have been at
eight local peace agreements established with the support of international and national organizations across
Ninewa, Anbar, Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk. These agreements vary in their approach but are typically signed by
prominent tribal and community leaders, local government officials, and federal government representatives,
and include measures to deal with the return of IDP families with a perceived affiliation to ISIL (such as a
commitment to utilize state justice and security institutions and reject tribal justice mechanisms), as well as a
pledge of support for issues related to social cohesion, prevention of revenge attacks, encouragement of moderate
discourse, and peaceful resolution of disputes via dialogue. Most agreements also establish or identify some
form of local committee to oversee and monitor the implementation of the agreement.
Together with a national partner that has expertise and significant experience in the subject of these local peace
agreements, IOM undertook some initial reflections on their impact and effectiveness, as well as some lessons
learned. This initial research revealed the value of developing a more intensive resource, based on the Iraq
experience, that could strengthen knowledge of local peace processes and contribute to future ‘good practice’.
As such, IOM now seeks to hire a consultant to lead the process of designing and drafting a “Toolkit on Local
Peace Processes.” The toolkit is expected to reflect on the Iraqi experience of initiating, negotiating, drafting,
implementing, and monitoring local peace agreements, and compare these experiences with the broader literature
and global best practices, in order to develop a resource that is both specific to the Iraq context, but valuable for
the broader peacebuilding audience.
The consultant will collaborate with the national organization mentioned above, both working in partnership
IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications from qualified female
candidates are especially encouraged, as well as the internal and external candidates are eligible to
apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, the internal candidates are considered as
first-tier candidates.
with, and under the overall guidance of IOM’s Community Stabilization Unit. The national partner will be
responsible for conducting community consultations with those involved in the peace agreements, and any
required key informant interviews with Iraqi key informants. They will also provide technical inputs into the
Toolkit, as required by the consultant, in relation to the local peace agreements and processes in Iraq. The
consultant will have overall responsibility for the Toolkit, including research design, design of tools (including
those to be used by the national partner organization), key informant interviews that can be completed by skype
(or similar medium), review and consolidation of secondary materials, and drafting the Toolkit.
The consultant will work under the general guidance of the Chief of Mission, overall supervision of the Head,
Community Stabilization Unit (CSU) and under the day-to-day management of CSU Conflict Analyst. The
consultancy is expected to include 40 days of effort over a 6 month period. The precise allocation of days will
be agreed with IOM as part of the inception report. Due to the unpredictability associated with the COVID-19
pandemic and potential restrictions on movement and gatherings, this position is expected to be home-based and
no travel to Iraq is required. However, should the opportunity to visit Iraq arise, this may be discussed between
the consultant and IOM.
Core Functions / Responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for the following:
1. Manage all aspects of the Toolkit development and communicate regularly with IOM regarding
progress.
2. Prepare an inception report detailing the approach the consultant will take to developing the Toolkit.
The inception report should be developed in collaboration with the national partner organization and
set out clearly their complementary responsibilities. It must include a workplan (with timeframe and
days of effort associated with each task), outline of research design, list of key informants / plan for
community consultations, and the draft format of the report (containing at a minimum, information on
chapter headings, annexes, length).
3. Design an appropriate research plan, and tools (such as focus group discussions, key informant
interviews, including those to be used by the national partner organization with Iraqi key informants).
These should be developed in conjunction with the national partner organization. The consultant
should provide the tools, tool guidance booklet, and training materials in English. IOM will be
responsible for translating to Arabic and also providing interpretation support for training, if required
4. The partner organization will provide the interview transcripts and/or other dataset to the consultant.
The consultant will be responsible for analysing the transcripts or other data inputs.
5. Review, consolidate, analyse the academic and policy literature on local peace agreements, and draw
clear connections to the Iraq experience and context (including where the Iraq experience differs, or
offers examples of innovation, compared to the existing literature and practice).
6. Conduct key informant interviews by skype (or similar medium).
7. Draft the Toolkit. The following sections are anticipated, but can be adjusted: review of literature on
local peace processes; overview of the Iraqi experience including comparative effectiveness of
agreements, positive/negative experiences and practices, innovations; lessons learned from the Iraq
experience, linked to good practice going forward; broader lessons for global peacebuilders. Ideally,
the toolkit should incorporate operational tools that will help future practitioners involved in local
peace processes.
8. Incorporate feedback from IOM, the national partner organization, and other reviewers.
9. Present the findings at a session organized by IOM. Prepare a powerpoint presentation for the session,
which should be shared with IOM.
The following key outputs are required:
1. Inception report, submitted to IOM for review within 2 weeks of commencement (estimated 3 days of
effort).
2. Draft Toolkit, submitted to IOM for review within 5 months of commencement (or as specified and
agreed with IOM in the inception report) (estimated 30 days of effort).
3. Final Toolkit, incorporating feedback from IOM (which may entail up to two rounds of feedback),
submitted within 6 months of commencement. The Toolkit is expected to be a minimum of 40 pages,
excluding annexes, in English. The format of the report will be agreed with IOM in the inception
report. IOM will be responsible for formatting the report (estimated 7 days of effort).
Financial arrangements:
1. 20% upon submission of the inception report.
2. 50% upon submission of the draft Toolkit.
3. 30% upon submission of final Toolkit.
Education:
A Master’s degree or PhD in anthropology, peacebuilding, international humanitarian or human rights
law, or a related field.
Experience and Skills:
At least five years of professional experience related to peacebuilding, at least three years of which
should involve engaging with local peace processes.
Demonstrated familiarity with the academic and policy literature regarding local peace processes.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in developing support resources such as toolkits, standard
operating procedures, raining modules and/or curricula relevant to peacebuilding.
Knowledge of the Iraq context is highly desirable.
Knowledge in related areas is strongly preferred, such as social cohesion, peacebuilding, transitional
justice, legal assistance, protection, MHPSS.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required.
Proficiency in Arabic is an asset.
Behavioral Competencies
Work prioritization and ability to multitask.
Shares knowledge and experience.
Positive, constructive attitude.
Ability to work and act under pressure with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a
minimum of comfort.
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
Ready to work independently, under tight deadlines.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude.
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Strives for supportive working environment and positive working relationship.
Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment, retaliation, and promotes the prevention of
sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
While this vacancy is open to both Internals and Externals, priority shall be given to qualified Internal applicants.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this link:
https://vacancies.my-soc.org/apply.php?job=20210525083708&token=tGALkCm6KZTijO04QgJdNFrD8
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.