Handicap International - Humanity & Inclusion
Terms of reference
Lead Researcher Consultant– service provider
Project: TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION SERVICES
Background
1. About Handicap international
HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL, runs its projects under its operating name Humanity and inclusion (HI)
HI is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. HI is currently implementing projects in more than 60 countries worldwide, including Middle East. HI’s Middle East Regional Programme (MEREP) coordinates missions in 4 different countries (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine). The programme is covering the full mandate of HI – emergency, mine action and development with a strong focus on continuum and resilience. The program has a total volume expected for 2022 of 11M Euros with 200 staff + 60 volunteers.
There are 4 main sectors of intervention: health, education, BaNEREI (basic needs, economic recovery and economic inclusion), armed violence reduction. Most of the projects are implemented through local partners and local service providers. Inclusion Humanitarian Action is both crosscutting within main sectors and sometimes a standalone intervention.
Presentation of the project within which the consultancy will take place
HI is expected to be contracted by UNRWA to carry out a technical assessment of 27 Community Based Rehabilitation Centers in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) and Lebanon. The purpose of this assessment is to map the types of services being offered within the CbRCs; to gain better insight on the possible gaps in the rehabilitation services provided, in accordance with minimum standard in quality rehabilitation; and to provide concrete recommendations on the nature of capacity building and support each assessed CbRC. In each site, the assessment will cover rehabilitation, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiology and ophthalmology services. In each of the 3 sites, HI will hire a team of consultants (including speech therapists, audiologists and ophthalmologists, who will carry out the field assessment, under the supervision of a Lead Researcher.
2. Description of the required tasks
Under the supervision of the Regional Technical Unit Manager and in close collaboration with the Regional Rehabilitation Technical Field Specialist, the Rehabilitation Specialist will be the Lead Researcher of the technical assessment of 27 CBRCs partner of UNRWA in Palestine and Lebanon, which will be implemented in the field by 3 teams.
The expected tasks from the consultant are to:
– lead and guarantee the quality of technical assessments, in line with HI technical frameworks for physical and functional rehabilitation.
– guide, advise, follow up and support the consultancy teams in the implementation of the technical assessment, along all phases of the assessment process, but with more focus on:
- support the development and use of the technical assessment methodology and tools.In addition to coordinating the input of other consultants to develop common technical framework (methodology and tools) for the assessment of speech therapy, audiologist and ophthalmitis
- train and coach the team leaders and members on the assessment tools for physical and functional rehabilitation data collection tools
- liaison with UNRWA for CbRCs selection, and conduct weekly meetings to update about the progress of the assessment, challenges and corrective measures
- supervision and support to the technical field assessments through a combination of distant support to the Team leader and team members, ongoing follow up of assessment; review data as CbRCs are assessed, take corrective measures; The TL will have to to do one field mission of one week (at least) per country to monitor the field assessment
- Conduct gap analysis, recommendations and develop the final report.
- Support UNRWA in the report dissemination.
3. Methodology required
At inception, the consultant will receive 2 days induction by the HI- Regional Rehabilitation Technical Field Specialist on HI technical frameworks for physical and functional rehabilitation including; approaches, modalities, the quality standards and tools.
She/he will organize the work schedule, within the timeframe decided by HI and in coordination with HI and mobilize/coordinate the whole team.
The consultant can propose a mix of remote and in-presence work, compatible to the indicative timeline in chapter 5.
HI will provide transport/ flight fees to travel to Jordan (where UNRWA regional office is located) and to travel the 3 countries where the technical assessment will take place (one 7-days trip to each of the target countries, 3 trips in total), local transportation and support for visa arrangements (if needed); accommodation, living costs and other costs will be covered by the consultant out of her/his fees (HI will not pay per diem to the consultants).
4. Deliverables
- Production of a comprehensive final technical report for the 27 CbRCs assessed in English languages that:
- Outlines the types of rehabilitation services offered by each assessed CbRC/ background about the center;
- Summarizes the process and methodology followed in the assessment of the centers;
- Summarizes the findings of the different data collection tools used;
- Flags alarming deviations from minimum standards of rehabilitation service provision
- Identifies good practices;
- Annex of data collection tools used;
- Annex of 27 assessment reports, one per each CbRC assessed;
- Annex of 27 action plans based on the findings of the different data collection tools, detailing the specific type of financial and/or technical support and capacity building required by each assessed CbRC to improve the quality of rehabilitation service provision.
5. Expertise required
- Technical specialist in one of the following: physiotherapy (physical) or occupational therapy;
- At least 5 years of experience in delivering rehabilitation services;
- At least 5 years of experience in conducting technical assessments of rehabilitation services;
- Experience in applying gender, age and disability dimensions in research and assessment;
- Comfortable using statistical package/programmes, data cleaning and processing;
- Solid understanding of the twin-track and rights-based approaches to disability mainstreaming;
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Fluency in spoken Arabic is an asset.
- Willingness to travel to the field;
- Excellent communication, interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work under pressure and within a team;
- Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines;
- Having positive, innovative, inspirational and problem-solving attitude.
6. Indicative schedule
The consultancy service provision contract is for a maximum of 60 days (full time equivalent), to be provided during 19 weeks in the following, provisional, timeframe (exact dates will be defined at the beginning of the consultancy): from 1st February to 30th June2023. Below is the tentative schedule:
7. Finalization of methodology and assessment tools
Time line: (W1-W3 February 2023) Location: Jordan
- Develop assessment protocols and tools (W1-W2 Feb)
- Review with UNRWA and revision (W3 Feb)
8. Primary data collect. and prioritization of CbRCs
Time line: (W3-W4 February 2023) Location: Jordan
- Collect data from UNRWA, analysis and proposition (W3-4 Feb)
- Review with UNRWA and final selection(W4Feb)
9. Assessment of CbRCs (simultaneous in field offices)
Time line: (W1 March-W2 May 2023) Location: Gaza, WB and Lebanon
- Gaza-CbRCs data collection and cleaning
Time line: (W1 March-W3 April 2023) Location: Gaza
- WB-CbRCs data collection and cleaning
Time line: (W2 March-W1 May 2023) Location: WB
- Lebanon-CbRCs data collection and cleaning
Time line: (W1 March-W2 May 2023) Location: Lebanon
10. Report drafting: Gap analysis and recommendations
Time line: (W1 March-W3 May2023) Location: Jordan
- Ongoing analysis of data collected from field (W1March- W4 April)
- Finalization gap analysis and draft report Gaza (W1 May)
- Finalization gap analysis and draft report WB (W1 May)
- Finalization gap analysis and draft report Lebanon (W3 May)
11. Review and approval of report by UNRWA
Time line: (W4-5 May 2023) Location: Jordan
12. Publishing and dissemination of report
Time line: (W1-2 June 2023) Location: Jordan
13. Applications procedures
Candidates should submit the following information with their application:
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Curriculum vitae of the consultant/team
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A technical proposal that explains:
- Understanding of the deliverables of the consultancy
- Understanding of the methodology required
- Availability in the indicative timeline specified in chapter 5
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Financial offer must be submitted in USD that covers all anticipated costs (taxes, communication, insurance, etc.).
Complete applications should be sent to:
Handicap International-(Humanity & Inclusion), [email protected]
Applications should indicate as subject: Lead Researcher consultant – service provider
Applicants shall enclose reference/ recommendation letters that reflect previous research services/ assessment provided.
Deadline for submission of applications: 4th Jan 2023
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Selected applicants may be invited for interview.
14. Professional Standards
“Humanity & inclusion is committed to protect the rights of the children and opposes to all forms of child exploitation and child abuse. HI contractors must commit to protect children against exploitation and abuse”.
Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from persons with disabilities.
How to apply
Complete applications should be sent to:
Handicap International-(Humanity & Inclusion), [email protected]
Applications should indicate as subject: Lead Researcher consultant – service provider
Applicants shall enclose reference/ recommendation letters that reflect previous research services/ assessment provided.