Consultancy for humanitarian programme development in Lebanon and the regional refugee crisis

1. Background

NPA initiated its engagement in Lebanon in 1982 in the aftermath of the massacre in Sabra and Shatila. Since that time, the programmes have evolved into three pillars. Humanitarian disarmament with multiple donors in the south and north of Lebanon, development cooperation to strengthen civil society in Lebanon and regionally, and thirdly, humanitarian action according to needs.

The Humanitarian programs relevant for this consultancy address two different forms of refugee crisis, both the protracted Palestinian refugee situation and the Syrian refugee crisis. The program includes support to host communities, which includes the Lebanese host community as well as the Palestinian refugee camps hosting Syrian refugees. Protection is a thematic focus with a focus on the sub-sector of addressing Sexually and Gender-Based Violence in Emergency (SGBV) in particular. The second sector focus is is Food Security and Livelihood (FSL). The team in NPA Lebanon working on these programs are 6 competent national staff.

NPA developed a new humanitarian policy in 2019 adopting a clear commitment to localization working though local partners. In an acute situation, NPA can carry out direct implementation for a limited period of time and depending on already present capacity of local partners.

1. Objectives and deliveries

Overall objective: Strengthen NPA capacity in humanitarian programming that is needs-based and accountable to affected population, relevant and adapted to changing needs in a complex context of prolonged refugee crisis, regional instability and threats of new conflicts.

Expected outcomes to be achieved in collaboration with NPA Lebanon program and finance staff:

1. Strategic Planning and analysis

• Develop new initiatives to address the prolonged Palestinian refugee situation in which Palestinian RC are host communities to Palestinian refugees, Lebanese poor, vulnerable migrants, while being also in need and vulnerable themselves.
• Carry new needs assessment and vulnerability analysis
• Carry out risk analysis
• Carry out partner mapping and stakeholder analysis
• Prepare new plans and proposals based on needs, vulnerability, relevance.

1. Improved learning

• Carry out internal reviews and evaluations that can enhance learning.
• Provide technical support and advice on current programming in Food Security and Livelihoods and/or Protection (Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Refugee settings and complex emergencies).

1. Improved quality

• Championing humanitarian standards by training of staff, review current practices with partners.
• Review improved monitoring tool with regards to quality.
• Develop with programme managers a partner capacity building strategy that includes humanitarian quality standards such as the Core Humanitarian Standards, Humanitarian Principles, Protection standards.
• Map local actors that have capacity to respond with quality and accountability, and is relevant and accepted in the local refugee- and host communities.
• Prepare plans and proposals to relevant humanitarian donors.
• Improve NPA engagement with the coordination structures by accompanying staff to cluster meetings, and reviewing partner’s participation

1. Emergency Preparedness Planning

• Carry out Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning to establish NPA capacity to also respond to acute crisis.

1. Methodology and Scope

On-the-job support to NPA staff in the interim period between previous and new manager. Find new synergies between the programs by collaboration in with Program Managers in the Country Management Team.

Contribute with technical advice on programming with regards to Food Security and Livelihoods and/or Protection (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Refugee settings).

Carry out analysis of needs, and review risk and conflict analysis related to Lebanese host community, Syrian refugees and Palestinian refugees.

Map local actors that have capacity to respond and is relevant in local communities by partner mapping and stakeholder analysis.

Commission an evaluation with independent consultant.

Work to empower and capacitate NPA staff while providing humanitarian leadership and pro-actively take action to move towards our objectives.

Prepare plans and proposals.

Work with program managers to develop the partner capacity building strategy to include humanitarian partners.

Participate in cluster coordination meetings.

The work will be in-house and cannot be carried out remotely working in NPA offices with NPA staff and with NPA partners.

1. Special conditions, timeline, budget

Four months: 10 December 2019 to 9 April 2020, to be adjusted according to consultant availability.  

The consultancy is in-houes and consultant with residency and work permits in Lebanon is preferred.

NPA will consider candidates from abroad, including travel costs, insurance and accommodation, if highly competitive with regards to meeting the criteria of the consultancy. The tender is published publicly

1. Qualifications

• Relevant higher education in social science and/or other relevant field of studies with preference for candidates with education relevant to protection or FSL.
• Excellent proficiency in English, working knowledge of Arabic is an advantage
• High technical skills in application of humanitarian tools such as digitalised MEL systems and project management tools including digital assessment tools.
• Proven experience in carrying out need assessments and analysis, conflict assessmet and translating findings into plans and proposals for funding in the field of protection an/or FSL
• Management experiences from leading humanitarian teams.
• Experiene in working in context of conflict, managing staff and stakeholders, communicating with affected populatons and its local representatives and CBOs.
• Must have proven experience with developing partnership with one or more of the major humanitarian government donors or as partner for UN agencies.

1. Evaluation criteria

Criteria

Importance of criteria

Documented expiernce with the humanitarian project management cycle including hands on needs assessments and risk analysis that is consistently applied when preparing plans

30%

Docmented experience preparins sucsessful proposals to central humanitarian partner such as ECHO, DFID, or a multilateral.

25%

Documented technical skills in Food Security and Livelihoods or Protection/SGBV assessment of needs and planning.

25%

Experince as a trainer of staff and local partners in humanitarian guidelines, standards and principles.

10%

Arabic skills, high proficiency in English.

10%

1. Contract Period (actions/dates)

• Final date for submission of proposals:    30 November 2019
• Scanning of proposals and meeting applicants:  01-04 December 2019
• Signature of contract:  05 December 2019
• Implementation period: 10 December 2019 – 9 April 2020