SYRIA – DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY OF TRAINING PACKAGE ON AREA-BASED APPROACHES IN HUMANITARIAN CONTEXTS (H/F) – HOME BASED

  • Contractor
  • Syrian Arab Republic
  • TBD USD / Year
  • Solidarités International profile




  • Job applications may no longer being accepted for this opportunity.


Solidarités International

DESCRIPTION OF THE LEARN

The LEARN Consortium is a partnership between four (4) International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and two (2) national partners. A four-year program with possible extension, it leverages the respective expertise of the I/NGO partners to deliver health, shelter, multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood services to the most vulnerable communities in North East Syria (NES). The main activities implemented are related to the rehabilitation and running of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), health posts (HPs), hospitals and mobile medical units (MMUs), provision of WASH services, private shelter repairs, distribution of essential kits (new arrivals, hygiene, shelter, winterization; in-kind or through cash-for-kits), provision of MPCA, and protection services. A livelihoods component was added to the ongoing programming from October 2021. The program incorporates a Rapid Response Mechanism and supports Humanitarian Coordination groups for the NES response while also mainstreaming protection across the different sectors. LEARN’s goal is achieved through an integrated, multi-sectoral approach which addresses the emergency needs of 550,000 of the most vulnerable conflict-affected men, women and children across NES. The implementing partners are based in, and implement throughout, NES. The Consortium Management Unit (CMU) is the oversight structure for the program that aims to facilitate smooth coordination, oversee program delivery, lead donor communications, ensure compliance and manage risk. The CMU is led by the Chief of Party (Jordan) and Deputy Chief of Party (NES), together with a team of Specialists. During this four-year period, the Consortium has supported an area-based approach (expanded cell-based approach) using primary health service provision as an entry point. Over the years, LEARN has been working to expand this approach to include other sectors. The purpose of this training is to provide LEARN partners’ staff with a clear understanding, common language and tools necessary to use area-based approach as a foundation for making all programmatic (and operational where appropriate) decisions. The knowledge and tools should be based on current international best practices and tailored to the specific context in NES.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

LEARN’s operational context in NES is dynamic and has been evolving since its inception in September 2018. In early 2019, NES witnessed a steady decline in conflict activity since the group known as Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) was expelled from the region. This decline in conflict activity led residents who had previously been displaced to return to their communities of origin. At the same time, the governorates of Ar-Raqqa, eastern Aleppo, Deir-ez-Zor and Al-Hasakeh continued to host a large number of internally displaced populations. The displaced population mainly live in camps, informal settlements, collective centers or private shelters. Residents of NES faced a new humanitarian crisis after the escalation of conflict in October 2019; this resulted in significant displacement from the region, both internally and towards the Kurdish Region of Iraq (KRI). More than 190,000 women, children and men had been displaced, mostly from Al-Hasakeh and Ar-Raqqa. Critical infrastructure, including health and water treatment facilities, was damaged or closed. Since mid-December 2019 and until now, conflict has continued at a reduced level and remains more localized. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in public health measures being taken in NES to control the spread of infection causing disruption in program implementation towards the end of LEARN’s Phase I (Oct 2018 – Sept 2020) award.

During the LEARN Phase II implementation period between October 2020 and September 2021, whilst the security context was relatively calm there were two defining contextual factors: COVID-19 and the worsening economic situation. Such restrictions are disrupting not only the access to basic services but also the economy which had already been negatively impacted by external factors including sanctions, the Lebanese economic and banking crisis, SYP devaluation and the protracted nature of the humanitarian and political crisis in Syria. The relative calm of the period combined with the deterioration of the socio-economic situation have contributed to the small to medium scale population movements across NES, especially as people search for jobs in the area. Since end of May 2021, the water levels in the main water sources are also depleting which poses a health and hygiene risk to the population as well as lead to further degradation of food security and the livelihoods status of the population, in an economic landscape dominated by food production.

In October 2021, the LEARN Consortium has started the implementation of LEARN Phase III, planned for completion in March 2023. This Phase is building on the progress made during Phases I and II to respond to the needs of affected communities in NES reaching 430,000 people. In order to reduce morbidity and mortality and to improve the living conditions, resilience and dignity of affected populations in NES, LEARN continues to implement a dual response modality. Emergency needs are being met through interventions that include life-saving health and protection activities and the distribution of MPCA and non-food items (NFIs), whilst activities such as the rehabilitation of institutional buildings and private shelters and the provision of livelihoods support are bringing an early recovery lens. So far, Phase III has been defined by an increasingly volatile operating context as demonstrated by: instability of cross-border access, an attack on a major prison, interrupted humanitarian access due to various security incidents, continued COVID-19 lockdowns, deepening economic crisis and devaluation of the currency, and localized shelling with renewed threats of changes in territorial control which would result in further mass displacements of the civilian population.

PURPOSE

The aim of the training and associated materials/tools is to develop the capacity of the LEARN team to plan and deliver area-based approaches through multi-sectoral programming thereby improving impact of services for the affected communities where LEARN is delivering humanitarian response.

The training should include a comprehensive explanation about the area-based approaches, orientation on the relevant methods and tools. The training should be interactive and based on current LEARN programming and NES context. During the training, the participants should be able to reflect on previous achievements and how area-based approaches should lead future strategy/programme planning for LEARN in 2023 forward. Finally, the training participants should be provided with material for later reference.

Specifically, the training should take into account the LEARN’s strategy of:

  • comprehensive service delivery to communities (i.e. integrated programming) with health being at centre-stage;
  • ability to rapidly deploy lifesaving services in an emergency;
  • existence as a humanitarian frontline partnership with demonstrated flexibility to fill urgent gaps;
  • value added in the most “hard to reach” areas, areas that have often seen recent conflict and where the most vulnerable population reside (e.g. IDPs);
  • “field-up” consortium that values coordination, collaboration and partnership;
  • investment in NES-wide coordination mechanisms;
  • programming based on lessons learnt; and,
  • a multi-sectoral, needs-based, people-centred approach.

SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

The training will need to be preceded by a review of the current LEARN programming and the high-level understanding of the context in NES to ensure that the training materials are tailored to the programme and the context.

  1. Preparatory work: With the support from the CMU, review current LEARN programming through an area-based approach lens. Draw from the existing external literature to understand the situation in NES to ensure that the training package is tailored to the context.

The timeline for this preparatory work will be broadly outlined by the training provider in the proposal and refined in detail working with the CMU.

Document Review

  • Relevant secondary literature;
  • LEARN project documents – such as proposal, monthly and semi-annual reports, etc.

Primary Data Collection

  • Key informant interviews with CMU, and LEARN partner staff, if required.
  1. Training development: With support from the CMU and relevant partner’s staff, develop a training package to be delivered remotely. The training should be designed to be interactive, and include short-breakout sessions. The package should include reference material with practical steps/processes to include an area-based approach in the full programme cycle.
  2. Training delivery: Deliver the training on a date to be agreed upon by both parties. The preferred timeframe for training delivery is between June 20 and July 12, 2022 (one day). The training will be during working hours/days of NES (0600 to 1330 UTC, Sunday to Thursday).

The training will be delivered in English. The ability to deliver the training in Arabic will be considered an advantage.

The trainer(s) shall adhere to any relevant data protection guidelines, and should ensure familiarity with the unique visibility requirements linked to NES for each LEARN partner organization and the donor. These are mandatory to comply with, and the output must also be in compliance with such requirements. Further, the donor has specific requirements about intellectual works published with which outputs must comply.

DELIVERABLES, TIMELINE & LOGISTICS

Deliverables:

  • Preparatory work: The trainer(s) are expected to conduct KII with CMU staff (and partner staff as necessary) to inform the training materials.
  • Training development: The trainer(s) are expected to produce a training package to be delivered remotely. This will include PowerPoint presentations and training material for the trainees to take away for future reference (cheat sheets, terminology, best practices, guidance, maps (to be developed with CMU), visual materials, etc.). The trainers should provide to CMU the copies of external resources used to develop the training package (particularly, the materials on global best practices on area-based approach).
  • Training delivery: The trainer(s) are expected to deliver and facilitate the remote training on an agreed date.

The proposed timeframe is to be discussed with CMU, but the total number of full days to prepare and deliver the training is not expected to exceed 7 days.

Logistics:

The development and delivery of the training is paid at an agreed rate, but the trainer(s) are expected to cover any direct or indirect associated costs (such as printing, software licenses, insurance etc.)

TRAINER’S PROFILE

Position under the hierarchical supervision of: Deputy Chief of Party or whomever they delegate.

The trainer(s) are expected to demonstrate the following experience and qualifications:

Essential:

  • Strong familiarity with external leading sources and literature on area-based approaches;
  • Evidence of developing and delivering training on area-based approaches to humanitarian actors in the recent past;
  • Experience in delivering interactive training across teams of different cultures remotely using a range of participatory techniques;
  • At least an undergraduate degree in a related field; a masters degree is preferable;
  • Understanding of the humanitarian principles and humanitarian standards;
  • Ability to work with a high degree of flexibility, courtesy and professionalism;
  • Highest standard of accuracy and attention to detail;
  • The ability to self-supervise, organize and prioritise in order to meet deadlines;
  • Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English.

Desirable:

  • Experience working in connection with conflict or post-conflict environments;
  • Familiarity with the context and the conflict in NES;
  • The ability to deliver the training in Arabic will be considered an advantage.

How to apply

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL invites consultants to apply for the provision of services as described above. Interested consultants must submit a CV and a short proposal outlining:

  • Dates available to undertake the consultancy;
  • The financial offer; (Note: the consultant shall pay taxes according to the tax regulations in the consultant’s residence country)
  • The proposal should outline how the objectives and deliverables outlined above will be met, including the methodology proposed for delivering a remote training (including the applications that will be used – e.g., Power Point, Miro Board); an example of the training on area-based approaches delivered recently;
  • Proposed work plan;
  • The CV should outline the capacity and experience showing the they are qualified for the services.

Interested consultants may express their interest by sending an email to the following address: [email protected] and [email protected] by end of June 25th (UTC+3) and expressly mentioning « LEARN Area-Based Approaches Consultancy»

A short list of consultants will be established after the call for expressions of interest and the consultation will follow the rules and procedures of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL for the use of Consultants. The interest shown by a Consultant does not imply any obligation on the part of SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL for inclusion in the short list. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.


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