Consultancy On Psychosocial Project Development For Host Communities In Akkar District

PSYCHOSOCIAL PROJECT CONSULTANT Name of the organization:Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale, partnering with Women Charity League Title of consultancy:Consultancy on Psychosocial Project Development for host communities in Akkar district Duty Station:Akkar district - Halba (Field base), Cheikh Zennad, Aarida and Mich Mich (villages of intervention) Start Date:October 7, 2014 Duration: 52 working days (in 3 different phases) Should you be interested in this project, please contact us at the following address so we can provide you with additional information and the list of documents to send us for your application : psy.consultancy.akkar@gmail.com #000000;">!! Please note that, were we to find a suitable candidate, the application deadline may be terminated before December 15, 2014. Community & School-based psychosocial project presentation Context At the end of August 2014, UNHCR identified 291,586 Syrian registered refugees in North Lebanon. Within the last 2 years, the massive influx of Syrian refugees led to a rapid increase in labor supply, which mainly made daily work opportunities scarcer, caused a significant decrease in the cost of daily work (up to -60 % in the construction sector), and a general decline of income from agriculture, which is caused by the disruption of existing channels. The prevailing difficult circumstances in Lebanon, including the deterioration of stability and security, the ongoing conflicts and increase in violence, poverty, unemployment, and tension, pose serious threats to the mental health, psychological and social wellbeing of people. The longer these difficult conditions prevail, the greater the risks for the populations ‘mental health and psychosocial wellbeing to decline. The continuing uncertainty about the future is likely to, and is in fact, increasing people’s sense of insecurity. The growing complexity of the war in Syria and its various impacts in Lebanon increase the need for community-based psychosocial care. During the evaluation conducted by PU-AMI in December 2013, all interviewed households reported a decrease in revenue related to the lack of job opportunities. While the economic situation worsens, the most vulnerable Lebanese households see international aid focus on the Syrian refugees. This focused support within a community so broadly affected by the Syrian crisis has led to increased tension toward the Syrian refugees by host communities. Within Cheikh Zennad, Aarida & Mish Mish, stress caused by economic destabilization, unemployment and dwindling resources, adds a massive feeling of insecurity caused by the physical proximity with Syria and combat zones, and the contagion of violence in Lebanon. The proximity of the fighting is a significant stress factor for the community. The physical and economic insecurity caused by the Syrian crisis generally as well as uncertainty over the future, submit these local populations to intense stress and represents a particular challenge for psychosocial well-being of the community, including children. The psychosocial project proposed by PU -AMI will be implemented in three villages in the surrounding towns of Halba: Cheikh Zennad, Aarida and Mich Mich. Partnership Under the framework of the psychosocial project which is funded by the Agence Française pour le Développement (AFD), PU-AMI is partnering with a local organization, Women Charity League for Life (WCL). WCL is an independent, non-profit and non-religious Lebanese humanitarian organization working in Halba to help vulnerable and poor people in the field of social care, medical, culture, food security and others social and non-profit services. During the Syrian crisis, WCL has become the partner of many others INGOs, and have implemented different projects in the sectors of education, protection and women’s capacity building through livelihoods training in tailoring, handicraft and other activities Rationale of the project Project Title: Strengthening school infrastructures and psychosocial support for communities and families severely affected by the crisis in Syria in the rural area of Halba, Akkar District in northern Lebanon. Duration: 18 months, starting from May 2014 Location: Akkar: Cheikh Zannad, Aarida, Mich Mich. Project General Objective: The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the improvement of living conditions of people severely affected by the crisis in Syria in northern Lebanon Governorate. Project Specific Objective: To strengthen school infrastructure and psychosocial balance of communities and families severely affected by the crisis in Syria living in the rural area of Halba, Akkar District. Expected results, impact and project activities: Result 1: Infrastructure rehabilitation and improvement of hygiene and sanitation in three primary schools in the rural areas of Halba, in order to strengthen public services for the Syrian crisis affected communities Result 2: Improving the psychosocial environment of at least 700 children, Lebanese and Syrian girls and boys aged between 3 and 14 years, in 3 rehabilitated schools. Targeted groups: about 1445 direct beneficiaries: - 709 children - 400 parents - 30 teachers - 6 WCL employees - Skilled / unskilled workers (25 men and 25 women) Objectives & Main activities of the consultancy This consultancy mirrors the result 2 mentioned above while contributing to the main outcomes of the overall project which focus on 3 main axes that include: implementing psychosocial activities targeting the most at-risk population, identifying specialized care for persons in need and defining a simple referral system. The Consultant will be under the overall supervision of PU-AMI’s Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission for Program Implementation in Lebanon. S/He will be reporting for the day-to-day coordination to PU-AMI’s Akkar Field Coordinator and PU-AMI’s Akkar Projects Implementation Coordinator. The Consultant will be responsible for its own security, even if a security briefing and PU-AMI security rules in targeted districts will be detailed during an initial briefing. Aim of the consultancy The Psychosocial Consultant will advise PU-AMI in Lebanon on the establishment of community and school-based psychosocial support mechanisms for Lebanese communities living in remote areas of Akkar District and affected by the burden of the war in Syria. In order to reach this objective, he/she will achieve the following steps: - Conducting a specialist assessment of psychosocial needs in the three villages of Aarida, Cheikh Zennad and Mish Mish and marking out the main disorders that should be addressed by the project providing technical recommendations on the technical orientations of the psychosocial activities to be developed, - Developing a technical baseline, a set of outcome indicators and a methodology of verification in order to monitor the impact of the project, - Developing specific modules of psychosocial activities addressing the psychosocial needs of children and caregivers (in schools and at community level) - Providing capacity building to key stakeholders (PU-AMI and WCL staff, teachers) through specific training sessions. Therefore, the total number of working days is evaluated to 52. Please note that in Lebanon working days are from Monday to Friday. Expected deliveries An Assessment Study planning in English, including a comprehensive explanation of the methodology, target groups and timeframe. An Assessment Study Report in English A proposal of community and school-based psychosocial activities, including a recreational-based 2015 summer camp plan A psychosocial activities implementation guideline, including a detailed and practical explanations on how to implement the psychosocial activities selected (at community and school levels) A capacity building plan, including all the modules of training to be delivered to all the direct stakeholders of the project – including a referral system Training sessions A set of measurable outcome indicators, including methodologies of verification Periods and duration of the consultancy The proposed consultancy shall start as soon as possible. The first phase (launching) shall take place during 15 working days in December 2014. The second phase (training and capacity building) shall take place right after, beginning of January 2014, for a period of 10 working days to be distributed as per the consultant and PU-AMI’s convenience. A more detailed work plan will be discussed and adjusted in collaboration with the consultant who will be selected. Requirements and Application This Request for Proposal is open to all national and international consultants, team of consultants, or legally constituted institutions that can provide the requested service. In this regard, the request for proposal is open for all qualified consultants/ institutions that have the following minimum qualifications: Experience Experience of emergency response and population displacement Experience of the Middle-East Strong knowledge and understanding of psychosocial projects in emergency context (approach, concepts, mechanisms), including Child Protection and Gender Based Violence, psychosocial counselling, with significant experience with PTSD sufferers, protection and child-focused psychosocial counselling & wellbeing. Proven experience in developing psychosocial projects in Lebanon (a good understanding of the mental health care and services available is required) Acknowledged similar consultation with recognized organizations Expertise in project cycle management and impact evaluation Strong conceptual, analytical and writing thinking Extensive experience in working with UN, IOs, L/INGOs, local authorities, beneficiaries Language Requirements Fluency in English and Arabic (verbal, written) French will be an asset Preparation & submission of application CV of the consultant and eventually all team members who will directly or indirectly contribute to the consultancy A draft methodology