Consultancy for Development of the “Resilient Futures” Model - IRC Poland – Protection Programme

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Poland, Protection Programme develops “Resilient Futures”, a trauma-informed, GBV-preventive model supporting Ukrainian veterans and their families during the reintegration on the territory of Poland.

The intervention aims to:

- Promote inclusive veteran reintegration;
- Strengthen family resilience and healthy coping mechanisms;
- Mitigate GBV and child protection risks;
- Support frontline workers in identifying early warning indicators;
- Improve institutional preparedness in Poland;
- Increase social cohesion and resilience to polarization and harmful narratives;
- Strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration among protection, social welfare, mental health, and employment actors.

To operationalize this model, IRC seeks a multi-disciplinary consultant or consultancy service to design a methodological framework, tools, and stakeholder-informed approach, grounded in both Polish and Ukrainian contexts, international protection standards and legal frameworks.

**Purpose of the Consultancy**

The consultancy will:

- Map services, stakeholders, and system gaps;
- Develop an evidence-based, trauma-informed methodological framework;
- Design practical tools and early warning indicators for firstline responders;
- Validate the model through stakeholder engagement;
- Prepare the groundwork for pilot implementation and scale-up;
- Develop training curriculum for first line staff;
- Provide recommendations for sustainable institutional integration and long-term ownership of the model within local systems.

**Duration & Level of Effort**

Estimated duration: 10-12 weeks

**Reporting & Management**

- The consultant will report to: IRC Protection Head of Program and Senior WPE Program Growth Manager;
- Close collaboration with WPE, CP, EE, MEAL teams;
- Frequent coordination meetings with IRC focal points will be expected throughout the consultancy period.

**Required Qualifications**

- Proven experience in conflict/post-conflict settings, including protection of conflict-affected communities (protection, social cohesion, reintegration, GBV prevention, MHPSS, child protection, safeguarding, or related fields);
- Excellent analytical skills, proven expertise in designing trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and protection-sensitive research, methodologies, tools, and operational frameworks for vulnerable or conflict-affected populations;
- Proven experience developing training curricula, facilitation materials, case-based learning exercisesfor adult learners and first line respondents;
- Experience working with multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms and institutional stakeholders;
- Demonstrated experience working on one or more of the following thematic areas:
- veteran reintegration;
- conflict-related trauma;
- family resilience strengthening;
- prevention of gender-based violence (GBV);
- child protection risks in conflict-affected communities;
- community stabilization and social cohesion;
- prevention of harmful narratives, stigmatization, and polarization.
- Strong understanding of the intersections between trauma exposure, militarization, family dynamics, social exclusion, economic stressors, and protection risks.
- Demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding principles, ethical engagement with vulnerable populations, confidentiality standards, and application of “do no harm” approaches in complex environments.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Polish institutional, legal, and social service landscape relevant to:
- protection services;
- municipal social welfare systems;
- mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS);
- veteran family support systems;
- labour market integration;
- local government coordination mechanisms.
- Experience working in Central and Eastern Europe and/or humanitarian-development transition settings is considered a strong asset.
- Experience working with veterans, ex-combatants, military families, or reintegration programming is considered a strong asset.
- Understanding of gender norms, social cohesion dynamics, and conflict-related stigma affecting veterans and their families in displacement contexts.

**Languages**

- Excellent written and spoken Polish and English required.
- Ukrainian and/or Russian language skills considered a strong asset.

**Ethical & Safeguarding Considerations**

- Adherence to IRC safeguarding policies, humanitarian principles.
- Confidentiality and data protection
- Ensuring safe and ethical stakeholder participation, particularly when engaging conflict-affected populations and vulnerable groups,
- Application of survivor-centered and do-no-harm approaches throughout all stages of the consultancy.

*IRC welcomes applications from organizations or consultants with lived and/or professional experience related to Ukraine displacement and veteran family support and reintegration contexts.*

**Application submission requirements:**

- CV(s)
- 1-pager concept note ou