Preparation and Moderation of Strategic Workshop in Amman

Introduction and Background

The goal of the regional strategic workshop taking place in Amman from (23-25 April 2024) is to jointly define the new Swiss Cooperation Programme for the Middle East 2025-2028 (CoPr). Participants represent different governmental bodies, namely SDC, SEM, PHRD, and the Political Division. The aim of the workshop is to tailor-made a CoPr that covers the needs, the international community priorities, the national priorities, and the Federal Council’s strategy including a set of agreed outcomes SDC’s Middle East programme intends to achieve by 2028 in the region and takes on the country/regional contexts, Swiss engagement, implications of the context and resource allocation. As a result of the workshop, a decision note will be prepared to be submitted for approval by HQ.

The Swiss engagement in the Middle East has the following overall goal: to contribute to safe and viable living conditions, as well as peacebuilding, for conflict-affected and vulnerable people, reducing fragility, preventing and transforming conflicts.

Objectives of the Mandate

The objectives of the mandate is:

• to prepare – through a very close cooperation with SDC AMM, CoS Office and relevant WoGA partners – the strategic workshop, in particular in view of the background documents, the workshop outcomes, the strategic and operational steering mechanisms. The consultant needs to get familiar with important documents and coordinate its work with the responsible persons in Amman and Bern;
• To develop the methodology of the workshop to provide space for inclusive discussions and decision making. The defined methodology needs to consider all different sets of issues (methodology, key questions, managing different expectations, guiding the process to the outcome);
• To moderate and lead the workshop together with an internal SDC resource person and SDC AMM,
• To moderate the event in a firm and inclusive manner and in view of the overall aim to define a new CoPr and achieve consensus and decisions on all key questions and elements of the decision note.
• To provide the follow-up documents to SDC-AMM for the further capitalization and through debrief of the event.

An internal resource person who has proven experience of international cooperation and SDC processes will assist the international consultant.

Tasks

1. Preparatory work – 10 days

2. Facilitation of the workshop (Mission to Amman) – 3 days

3. Follow-up activities – 5 days

4. Travelling days (not working days) – 2 days

   Total number of days – 20 days

Professional Qualifications

The following specific qualifications are required for the international consultant:

• Knowledge and expertise in interdisciplinary thinking for strategic orientation.
• Senior expert with substantial experience (15+ years) in international mediation and organizational development, including experience in managing strategic processes.
• Proven experience in moderating strategic workshops, either as an independent consultant or within an organization.
• Expertise in managing strategic reflection and change processes with a diverse group of stakeholders
• Proven experience in facilitating and managing group discussions towards joint outcomes
• Sensitivity at enhancing learning processes and ability to deal with different personalities.
• Excellent English language, oral, writing and presentation skills.
• Understanding of Swiss official languages an asset

Deliverables and Reporting

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

• Workshop methodology and preparation of concept
• Lead and moderate the 3-day workshop from 23-25 April 2024 in Amman, Jordan.
• Materials (agenda, presentation, handouts) for the workshop
• A short summary highlighting the key aspects of the three-day workshop
• Final financial report (incl. timesheets justifying hours/days of work) is to be submitted to the Embassy within 15 working days after the completion of the mandate.

Note: The language of the reports shall be in English.

Management and Supervision of the Workshop

The ultimate responsibility for the management and supervision of the conduct of the workshop rests with the Regional Head of Cooperation for SDC’s ME programme (Email: [email protected]).