Public Call for Tender nb. 83449946 GUPW Psychotherapist Supervision & UNRWA School Principals Support 21.2202.6-003.00 PART II

Brief information on the project

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 support Palestinian refugees to influence their living conditions. The project is active in the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Lebanon; its main partner is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It works in close cooperation with host government institutions (the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) in Lebanon 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.

 Background information on the context

The unresolved and ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict experienced through occupation and continuous violence in the Middle East is one of the most complex conflicts worldwide. The situation of Palestinian refugees in the camps is characterized by greater poverty, denser housing, higher unemployment and, in some cases, limited rights compared to their respective local populations. The ongoing war in Syria, the current political and economic crises in Lebanon and Jordan, violent escalations in Gaza, divisions in the Palestinian leadership, further settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the further deterioration of living conditions. Refugees are subjected to physical, psychological, structural and cultural violence at various levels. Many suffer from the fact that they are often excluded from social life and perceived only from a problem- and emergency-oriented perspective. Their manifold potentials, resources, educational aspirations, competencies as well as their needs for participation and co-determination are often not taken advantage of.

Context on National Level

In this context, GIZ PART II project is collaborating closely with its main political partner UNRWA (). UNRWA recognizes the importance of prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its school principals, given the demanding nature of their roles within the Palestinian Camps. To address this, UNRWA seeks support from an external expert. This expert will provide consultancy services focused on self-care, strengthening managerial/leadership skills, and increasing knowledge about mental health and psychosocial well-being.

 Objective of the Assignment

The core objectives of this consultancy are to improve mental health and psychosocial support in the Palestinian context in Lebanon. This will be achieved by enhancing staff well-being in GIZ PART II partner organizations, elevating the quality of psychotherapeutic services through effective supervision for GUPW psychotherapists, strengthening staff care and self-care among UNRWA school principals, and sharing valuable technical expertise based on the consultant's extensive experience as a mental health professional in Lebanon.

GIZ PART II shall hire the contractor for the anticipated contract term, from 01.11.2023 to 31.10.2024 for up to 40 working days.

Tasks to be performed by the contractor/s

The consultancy tasks are as follows:

Supervision for GUPW Psychotherapists

• The consultant will provide regular needs-based supervision for the two psychologists currently under contract with GIZ PART II project working in the centers Ein El Hilweh and Al Bus of the General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW), to guide psychotherapists in their work.

Long-term UNRWA School Principals Support

• The consultant will offer sustained support to the 54 UNRWA school principals:
• Undertake where necessary individualized follow-up sessions with principals, based on their specific needs.
• Conduct regular meetings with principals for ongoing support.
• Facilitate follow-up workshops to build on the training on staff and self-care within UNRWA school and to enhance managerial and leadership skills.
• Engage in preparation, reporting, and related tasks to ensure effective support.

 Reporting

• Report to and maintain close coordination with the Technical Advisor.
• Provide monthly progress reports (up to 1 page) to GIZ
• Compile and submit a comprehensive final report, adhering to the agreed timeline with GIZ. Include a one-page summary of the final report.

The contractor will be required to act promptly on information requests from GIZ regarding all tasks related to these ToRs, ensure a good and constant information flow among all involved stakeholders and attend meetings (including MS Teams, telephone and/or video conferences) on request by GIZ.