Call For Trainers: Conflict Mitigation And Communication Skills Training

Trainers in conflict mitigation, stress management & communication skills (Open to individual trainers and legal entities)   International Alert is seeking to contract 2-4 trainers for the delivery of a training course on conflict mitigation, stress management and communication skills for primary healthcare centres (PHCs) staff. The trainings will be held within the framework of Alert’s work on conflict sensitive healthcare provision, and is part of the EU-funded project ‘Conflict Reduction through Improving Healthcare Services for the Vulnerable Population in Lebanon’, led by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and implemented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with WHO, UNICEF, International Alert and International Relief and Development. An assessment of the institutional capacity for conflict sensitivity in the health sector[1] conducted in June-July 2014 revealed that the waiting room is often an area where tensions surface. Frontline PHC staff such as nurses, receptionists, administrators and social workers are in a position to diffuse tensions between patients and staff, as well as between Syrian refugee and Lebanese patients using the PHC services.   Background on conflict sensitivity in the Lebanese health sector A growing number of reports point to an increasing tension between the Lebanese population and the 1.1 million registered Syrian refugees who have mostly found shelter in towns and villages across the country. The causes for such tensions are to be found in the competition over jobs and accommodation, which have pushed wages down and rent prices up. The presence of the refugees has also put a strain on the weak service provision, including primary healthcare. A number of factors cause tensions related to healthcare provision. Firstly, due to UNHCR providing subsidies for refugees, out-of-pocket primary health care expenses for Lebanese patients are higher than the cost incurred by the Syrian refugees for both consultations at the PHCs and for subsidized medication. With decreasing humanitarian funding healthcare NGOs face the challenge of using scarce funds to cover the healthcare needs of the most vulnerable. Secondly, behaviours and attitudes of PHC staff are often seen as discriminatory towards Syrian patients; negative attitudes usually relate to perceived lack of hygiene of the refugees and high birth rates. Thirdly, Lebanese healthcare users are themselves prejudiced against Syrians – issues of poor hygiene are paired with fears of lice and scabies, and often fueled by inaccurate perception that the refugees receive all services free of charge. As part of a broader range of capacity building activities aimed to enhance the conflict sensitivity of the response in the healthcare sector, Alert is planning trainings for interested nurses, administrators and social workers from across Lebanon. Trainings will be held in four or five locations in Beirut/ Mount Lebanon, North, South and Bekaa.   Objectives of the training The overall objective of this training course is to increase the conflict sensitivity of the PHCs and strengthen their ability to provide services without exacerbating existing tensions. The specific objective is to build the skills of nurses, receptionists, social workers and administrators working in PHCs to mitigate conflict, manage stress and communicate effectively with their patients.   Level of effort The total number of consultancy days for this assignment will depend on the total number of groups to be trained: 4 or 5 groups of 20-30 participants each. The overall training cycle including planning and evaluation includes the following:   Provisional: logistical arrangements for the trainings 2 days curriculum development (with Alert)   4-5 training courses for 4-5 groups of 20-30 participants 3-day training course for PHC staff (non-consecutive days) 1 day follow-up meeting with PHC staff 2 days preparation and reporting 1 day debriefing & evaluation (with Alert)   Timeline and location Below is the tentative schedule of trainings, which will be revised and adjusted as needed with the contracted trainers. The number of individual consultancy days per trainer will be determined based on the total number of contracted trainers. Trainers will work in teams of two.                         Tentative dates Activity Detail Location # Days Language 29-30 November Curriculum development The training curriculum will be developed jointly by the trainers and Alert’s Head of Training and Learning at a two day session. Beirut 2 days English 1-19 December Training delivery Each training course will be 3 days long, with one training day per week (i.e. every Wednesday). In December, the objective is to have at least two courses completed, with a possibility of having more. Beirut and South (tbc) 3 days per course 1 day reporting per course Arabic 19 January – 28 February 2015 Training delivery Holding the remaining training courses: 3-day course, with one training day per week (i.e. every Wednesday). North and Bekaa (tbc) 3 days per per course 1 day reporting per course Arabic March-April 2015 Follow-up session with trainees One day follow-up session for each of the trained groups to reflect on experiences of applying new skills Beirut, South, North, Bekaa 1 day per group (4-5 groups) 1 day preparation and reporting per group Arabic March-April 2015 Debriefing and evaluation meeting The meeting will bring together all trainers and Alert’s Head of Training & Learning to debrief on the process and evaluate the outcome. Beirut 1 day English   Logistics and Costs Interested trainers are invited to submit a budget for the training delivery that includes their fees and individual transportation to the training locations. Three or four 3-day courses and the respective follow-up meetings (12-16 training days in total) will be held in the regions. To reflect PHC working hours, the trainings are likely to be held between 8am and 2pm. Alert encourages proposals that include logistical arrangements, i.e. selection, contracting and payment for training materials, venue and refreshments, but will give equal consideration to proposals for training delivery only.   Trainers profile -       Proven experience in the delivery of similar trainings -       Fluent English and Arabic language skills and ability to deliver training in Arabic -       Strong knowledge of the Lebanese context and the implications of the Syrian refugee crisis -       A good grasp of the concept of conflict sensitivity is an advantage -       Understanding of the Lebanese primary healthcare sector in an advantage -       Interpersonal skills that evoke trust and are gender and culturally sensitive