Call for Consultancy – Assessment of rehabilitation needs of torture survivors in Kigoma region, Tanzania 30 views0 applications

1. Background

Introduction
In Tanzania, torture is clearly prohibited under article 13(6)(e) of the Constitution, however Tanzania is one of the few countries in Africa that has not ratified the UN Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UN CAT). Torture takes place in Tanzania, including in police stations and prisons. However, documentation and rehabilitation are limited. There are few mental health services in Tanzania, and none specifically targeting torture survivors.
The Muhimbili National Hospital’s psychiatry and mental health department sees torture survivors among its roughly 10,000 annual patients. However, the number of torture survivors among those patients is unknown. While refugees are legally required to remain in their camps, it was noted that some refugee torture survivors do approach the Muhimbili hospital.

DIGNITY in Tanzania
The Danish Institute against Torture (DIGNITY)’s goals are to prevent torture, to ease human suffering after torture, and to be a global driving force in the development of new knowledge about torture and its consequences. DIGNITY’s work is both national and international. On the national level, DIGNITY receives national funding to provide highly specialized and multi-disciplinary treatment to around 140 severely traumatised refugees yearly. On the international level, DIGNITY works under 3 themes: Prevention of Torture in Detention, Rehabilitation of Torture Survivors, and Prevention of Violence in Poor Urban areas. DIGNITY’s approach integrates human rights, health and development.

In Tanzania, DIGNITY works with the overall aims of general awareness-raising and advocacy for ratification of the UNCAT, capacity-building on documentation of cases of torture, and investigating the rehabilitation needs for torture survivors. To this end, a number of activities were conducted from 2014 to date, including:

• Support to the creation of an NGO network against torture coordinated by the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC)
• Several training workshops targeting a range of professionals including medical professionals in partnership with the Medical Association of Tanzania (MAT); legal professionals in partnership with the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS); NGOs in partnership with THRDC; and staff, commissioners and partners of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG)
• Completion of a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study of medical professionals on torture
• Completion of a qualitative study among torture survivors in Dar-es-Salaam and Zanzibar

Furthermore, DIGNITY plans to investigate the potential to support rehabilitation of refugee torture survivors in Kasulu District, located at the Tanzanian border with Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Around 3 refugee camps are located in that area housing over 250,000 refugees mainly from Burundi and the DRC.

The purpose of the investigation is to assess the need for rehabilitation of torture survivors in this area in light of currently available services for rehabilitation; and to assess the capacity needs for DIGNITY to provide such support.

2. Assessment Objectives

Objective 1: Understand the situation of refugees in Kigoma region in terms of presence of torture survivors, rehabilitation needs and available rehabilitation services. Specific questions include:

1. What is the general set-up of refugees in the district (refugee population size and profile, legal status, who are the service providers and what is the role of the government, etc.)? How long are refugees expected to stay in the area and where do they tend to go after departure? Is there refoulment?
2. What information is available on exposure to torture among the refugees? What is the general nature of the torture experienced (common perpetrators, victims, methods and year of torture, etc.)?
3. What mental health services are available to torture survivors among the refugees (Who provides the service? What does it consist of? Who pays for it? How long has the service existed and how long will it continue to exist?)? How are these services assessed by users and providers?
4. Is there a need for DIGNITY support to rehabilitation in the area? Where is the need? What is the ‘niche’ that could be filled by DIGNITY? Which potential service providers could DIGNITY partner with to offer rehabilitation to torture survivors in the area?

Objective 2: Assess the required capacity needs for DIGNITY to offer rehabilitation support in Kasulu district.
Specific questions include:

1. What is the scope of work needed by DIGNITY?
   b. What clinical and/or psycho-social capacity is needed to offer support?
   c. What other capacities are required and beneficial for DIGNITY to have in order to deliver those services?

3. Scope of Work and Activities

1. Desk study to collect as much information as possible in response to the above questions
2. Interview key DIGNITY staff to collect information on DIGNITY’s work and capacities
3. Field visit to observe camp(s) and services and interview key partners and service providers

4. Deliverables and Timeline

1. Inception report by 28^th July 2017
2. Desk study report by 25^th August 2017
3. Draft assessment report by 22^nd September 2017
4. Final assessment report by 13^th October 2017

How to apply:

DIGNITY is seeking registered consultant(s) to perform this assignment. Tanzania-based consultants are preferred, however applications from consultants with experience in East Africa, and preferably Tanzania are welcome. Other requirements include knowledge of and experience in issues of mental health, preferably with a focus on torture. Having a clinical background is desirable but not essential; Experience in working with refugees; and Experience in conducting situation assessments. Knowledge of Swahili is highly desirable.

Qualified and interested consultants or consulting firms should send an offer that includes the following:

1. Summary of relevant experience and qualifications
2. Consultant(s) CVs
3. Proposed approach and workplan
4. Proposed detailed cost
5. If more than 1 consultant will be involved, include role description

Send applications to [email protected] no later than 30^th June 2017.