Expression of Interest for Socio-Economic Consultant /PART project

1.  Background

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) around 914,000 Palestinians were displaced between 1947 and 1949 as a result of the establishment of the state of Israel. The refugees fled to the Palestinian territories as well as to the neighboring countries Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Demographic growth has led to more than 5 million Palestinian refugees registered by UNRWA today. About a third of these refugees live in the 58 camps administered by UNRWA in the region. 450,000 Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA in Lebanon since 1948, of which today approximately 200.000 still reside in 12 camps and 42 informal settlements called ‘gatherings’ spread over five areas (Tyre, Saida, North Lebanon, Central Lebanon -including Beirut-, and the Bekaa Valley). The overall socio-economic situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon is dire and levels of food insecurity and poverty follow an increasing trend. More than 70 years after their arrival in Lebanon, Palestinian refugees are still deprived of many basic rights. Among other factors, they are denied the right to own property and face restrictive labor market policies. Almost two thirds of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are considered poor and discriminatory laws hamper their ability to improve their living conditions. As a result, Palestinian refugees are forced to rely on UNRWA as their primary service provider. The pressure has become more severe since the beginning of the war in Syria. About 30.000 Palestinian refugees from Syria are residing in Lebanon. The intersection of these two marginalized refugee populations has produced additional material struggles and conflicts of identity. Organizational structures on local level are neither well established nor representative. Furthermore, they are only connected to other organizations on meso- and macro-level in a very limited way, which makes it impossible for them to properly represent the interests of the refugees. Due to the lack of legitimacy, unclear responsibilities and inefficient structures there are tensions and conflicts between the organizations themselves and in the refugee camps. Because of this, the Palestinian refugees and their representing organizations are not able to sufficiently participate in social processes targeting the improvement of their living conditions.

About Strengthening the influence of Palestinian refugees on their living conditions (PART)

The Palestinian refugees do not have sufficient access to psychosocial support services and they have too little influence and opportunities of participation with regard to the improvement of their living conditions in a protracted violent conflict.

The project is part of the Supporting Palestinian Refugees (SPR) Program that is implemented in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and the West Bank. It contributes to the program's objective (to improve the living conditions of Palestinian refugees in the region) by strengthening the influence of Palestinian refugees for improving their living conditions in a protracted violent conflict on individual and structural level.

And for the refugees and more specifically youth to be able to have better or significantly better possibilities to influence their living conditions, the project intends to provide them with better capacities in terms of social, economic or socio economical solutions, and extend their networks of individuals and groups that can reinforce sustainable initiatives.

1. Objective

This request for Expression of Interest (EOI) is intended to provide technical support related to alternative economies for the PART technical team, Partner organisations and beneficiaries in order to have the better implementation of all related activities.

Tasks:

• The scope of work for the Consultant will include but not be limited to providing technical guidance and advise, and to contribute to developing an operational plan for activities related to alternative economies:
• To map related initiatives, organisations or groups over Lebanon whether it was Palestinian or Lebanese initiated.
• Provide the necessary guidance and advice for PART team, partner organisations and relevant beneficiaries.
• Provide / organise capacity development programs to the relevant project actors.
• To comment on initiatives proposals and provide the technical orientation needed.
• Support networking between actors at the national, regional or international level when needed.
• To lead coordination meetings and/or workshops.

1. Qualifications and Requirements

Academic Qualifications:

  At least a master’s degree in a relevant field in the area of economics, research, planning, public policy, social or political sciences, development studies or any other related field

Experience:

• The consultant has knowledge of and/or proven expertise in:
• From 5 to 10 years of professional experience in the field of economic development, community mobilization, social activism or relevant fields.
• Previous experience with Palestinian Community;
• Previous experience in networking.
• Proven experience in capacity development and trainings.
• Previous experience in organising roundtables, workshops and conferences.

Competencies:

• Extensive and proven experience in the development field.
• In-depth knowledge of the Palestinian context and it dynamics to the Lebanese government.
• Effective communicator, both orally and written
• Being proactive, organized, responsible, and having the proven ability to work well with a team;
• Work well under pressure, flexibility;
• Fluent in Arabic and English.
• MS computer skills.