Public Call for Tender nb. 83430108 Research Coordinator for LPDC 21.2202.6-003.00 PART II

Background

The project “Strengthening the influence of Palestinian refugees on their living conditions in the MENA region (PART II)” was commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in December 2021 to improve the capability of Palestinian refugees to influence their living conditions. The project is active in the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Lebanon and its main political partner is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also works in close cooperation with host government institutions as well as local NGOs and CBOs.

PART II combines a conflict-transformative multi-level and a multi-stakeholder approach on a local, regional and international level. It focuses on improving psychosocial well-being as well as mental health in conjunction with strengthening social and economic participation. The project has a special focus on young Palestinian refugees, people with disabilities as well as people affected by poverty and gender-based violence.

Context

The Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) is an inter-ministerial committee directly linked to and mandated by the Lebanese Presidency of the Council of Ministers to deal with Palestinian refugees’ affairs in Lebanon. The committee is currently serving as a focal point to address the file between the Palestinian refugees and local and international stakeholders, so as to provide policy recommendations to the Government of Lebanon based on the national interests of the Lebanese people and the rights of Palestinian refugees to live in dignity and respect, until a durable and lasting solution is found.

During the period spanning from 2011 to date, the committee has worked on tackling a vast array of challenges facing the Palestinian refugee file in Lebanon, where it has managed to accomplish numerous actions at the policy and operational levels.  

In 2017, the LPDC in partnership with CAS and PCBS carried out the first Population and Housing Census in Palestinian Camps and Gatherings in Lebanon. The aim was to promote informed policymaking based on data and statistical indicators. The 2017 Census was followed in 2019 by the Labor force and Household conditions survey.

In that sense, the policy research agenda represents the backbone of LPDC’s strategic work on the Palestinian file in Lebanon by providing relevant and accurate information and data driven policy scenarios.

In this context, GIZ will support the development of the policy research agenda through a research coordinator leading on LPDC’s various research projects in line with its strategy.

Tasks to be performed by the contractor

The contractor is responsible for providing the following services:

1. Research coordination:

• Supervise the research (national and international) projects according to LPDC’s agenda, goals and workplan;
• Coordinate the consultancies and topics of LPDC’s ongoing and future research studies;
• Lead on the national and international research activities under LPDC,
• Implement and maintain an archiving system of all research materials prepared by the different consultants for LPDC;
• Act as liaison/mediator between the research consultants and the LPDC on content development, timeline and proceedings;
• Monitor, evaluate and compile the progress of research activities; develop and maintain records of research activities, and prepare periodic and ad-hoc reports,

2. Research materials preparation:

• Conduct literature reviews, data collection and analysis as necessary;
• Edit and review all research materials, strategies and communication of LPDC, and provide feedback, where deemed necessary;
• Prepare materials for submission to granting agencies, foundations and donor countries;
• Prepare academic research materials as requested by the Project manager in line with the project’s agenda and workplan;
• Initiate the contact with academic and university professors in line with the agenda and workplan of the LPDC;
• Co-write LPDC’s proposals and lead on the process;
• Prepare and finalize concept notes as needed by the LPDC;

3. Project support during workshops and meetings:

• Maintain accurate records of interviews summaries, safeguarding the confidentiality of subjects, as necessary;
• Participate in project meetings, seminars, bilateral meetings, boards and other meetings as necessary and maintain accurate minutes of all discussions and decisions;
• Draft reports, articles and presentations as necessary;
• Prepare background documents as necessary before meetings and workshops;
• Lead the coordination process with partners and stakeholders on workshops’ Agenda, project’s presentations and provide necessary feedback to facilitate the flow of information with regards to the proper preparation and implementation of the workshops/meetings.

Concept

In the bid, the bidder is required to show how the objectives defined in Chapter ‎3 are to be achieved, if applicable under consideration of further specific method-related requirements (technical-methodological concept).

Technical-methodological concept

Concept note: The bidder is required to consider the tasks to be performed with reference to the objectives of the services put out to tender. Following this, the bidder presents their knowledge of the file to show their understanding and ability to provide the services for which it is responsible (see Chapter ‎3).

Personnel concept

The bidder is required to provide their updated CV aligning with the below described qualifications and tasks.

The below specified qualifications represent the requirements to reach the maximum number of points.

Expert

Tasks of the Research coordinator

• Overall responsibility for the advisory packages of the contractor (quality and deadlines)
• Coordinating and ensuring communication with GIZ, partners and others involved in the project
• Regular reporting in accordance with deadlines

Qualifications of the Research coordinator

• Education/training (1.1.1):
  • • Bachelor’s degree of Arts in History or in any other related field
    • Master’s degree with major Palestinian and Humanitarianism in Lebanon
• General professional experience (1.1.2):
  • • 2 years of professional experience in conducting political, humanitarian and/or economic research
    • Previous experience with writing concept notes, and proposals
    • Previous experience editing strategies and/or policies
• Specific professional experience (1.1.2):
  • • Previous experience working on and presenting research materials, strategies and work streams for national, international and regional events to donors and relevant stakeholders
    • Knowledge of LPDC’s context and research materials
    • Knowledge of LPDC’s strategic partners and main stakeholders
• Regional experience (1.2):
  • • Previous research study on Palestinian camps and/or gatherings in Lebanon
    • Knowledge of Palestinian refugees’ context in Lebanon
• Language (1.3): Good business language skills in English

Costing requirements

Assignment of personnel

Research Coordinator: On-site assignment for 135 expert days

   Assignment in country of assignment for 135 expert days

The contractor’s daily rate shall be all inclusive to any operational and running cost related to performing the tasks such as office backstopping, printing, communication, transportation, and administration.

Travel

The bidder is required to calculate the travel based on the places of performance stipulated mentioned below (under workshops and trainings) and list the expenses separately by daily allowance, accommodation expenses, flight costs and other travel expenses.

For per-diem and overnight accommodation allowances, refer to the attached table “Annex 1- Lump-sum subsistence and overnight accommodation allowances (country table)” for the highest rate allowed in EUR.  

Workshops, training

The contractor implements the following workshops/study trips/training courses:

• The contractor shall participate in up to 5 workshops outside the country of assignment with up to 4 days each (foreseen locations: 1 Egypt, 2 Jordan, 1 Geneva, 1 Cyprus)

Expected workshops in Geneva and Cyprus might change places

Places and dates will be communicated at a later stage

• The contractor shall participate in up to 3 workshops inside the country of assignment with up to 3 days each (dates will communicated at a later stage)

Other costs

• Visa costs where applicable

Requirements on the format of the bid

The structure of the bid must correspond to the structure of the ToRs. In particular, the detailed structure of the concept (Chapter 3) is to be organized in accordance with the positively weighted criteria in the assessment grid (not with zero). It must be legible (font size 11 or larger) and clearly formulated. The bid is drawn up in English (language).

The complete bid shall not exceed 5 pages (excluding CV).

If one of the maximum page lengths is exceeded, the content appearing after the cut-off point will not be included in the assessment.

Please calculate your price bid based exactly on the aforementioned costing requirements. In the contract the contractor has no claim to fully exhaust the days/travel/workshops/ budgets. The number of days/travel/workshops and the budget amount shall be agreed in the contract as ‘up to’ amounts. The specifications for pricing are defined in the price schedule.