Research Analyst

Terms of Reference

Consultancy Services - Research Analyst

Background:

The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD) is a Palestinian grassroots non-governmental organization working since 1981 with and for Palestinian women marginalized by the Israeli occupation and Palestinian patriarchal society. PWWSD is currently seeking to improve the mental health of Palestinian women through psychosocial services including group and individual counselling and to provide women with the resources they need to combat gender-based violence, empower themselves politically, economically and socially, and transform their society to on that is inclusive, egalitarian and democratic. PWWSD takes a gender-responsive, rights-based approach, particularly regarding international human rights. 

PWWSD, in partnership with Education for Employment-Palestine (EFE-Palestine) and Association of Women’s Action for Training and Rehabilitation (AOWA), is implementing project ”Breaking Discriminatory Norms to Promote Women’s Inclusion in the Economy” during the period August 2020 –August 2022.  To this end, partner organizations merged efforts to support Palestinian women, especially those affected by COVID-19, by challenging harmful societal norms related to women’s work inside and outside the household, where women take a double responsibility for unpaid care work and paid labor. According to the UN Policy Brief on 9 April 2020,  one in two women reported increased participation in unpaid care work (including caring for children out-of-school and elderly), while their male counterparts participated outside the household in other community and political organizations supporting the response to COVID-19.  Accordingly, the project partners aim to contribute to transforming social attitudes and promoting shared household responsibilities and encouraging women to enter all different occupations, provided that jobs are decent and eliminate horizontal and vertical occupational segregation. This is being done through different innovative and youth led approaches, including utilization of media, awareness, advocacy and policy dialogue interventions, while ensuring engaging communities, employers and policy makers.  

Under the framework of the project, PWWSD in close coordination with AOWA, are seeking the services of an experienced consultant to conduct a field research to explore social norms that supports/blocks women and girls inclusive and equal participation in the economic sector.  The field research aims to build community network of champions for gender equality and behavioural change and identify strategies for change that comprise the base for advocacy and awareness campaigns.

This project is implemented within the framework of the regional 4-year joint programme (JP) “Promoting Productive Employment and Decent Work For Women” in Palestine, Jordan and Egypt” that is implemented jointly by UN Women and ILO, funded by Sweden. The JP aims to promote productive employment and decent work for women in Palestine by promoting equitable laws and policies, engaging public, private and community actors, and reducing the uneven burden of unpaid care and domestic work.

Main Responsibilities:

• In coordination with PWWSD, AOWA and UN Women, develop the research report of (20 – 25 pages) in Arabic through collecting and analysing evidence based data. 

1. The consultant is expected to submit a work plan based on the following methodology: 

1. Upon signing the contract, participate in a preparatory meeting with PWWSD and AOWA to develop a tool to be used in the exploration of social norms and attitudes, and prepare an action plan accordingly and in close coordination with PWWSD and AWOA teams.
2. Facilitate 27 workshops in 9 universities and colleges in Gaza and the West Bank.  The workshops will be coordinated by PWWSD and AOWA.
3. Facilitate 12 group sessions in the West and Gaza at the local communities’ level. The sessions will be coordinated by PWWSD and AOWA.
4. All sessions will either be held virtually or face-to-face depending on the COVID-19 related emergency announcements by the Palestinian Authority. 
5. Document the results of the workshops and focus groups sessions in an analytical report in Arabic, including suggested potential young students, academics and leaders as well as recommendations of strategies for change. The report will include context analysis in relation to the situation of women and girls in the economic sector.
6. Present the report to PWWSD and AWOA team for feedback.
7. Integrate feedback and submit final report
8. The researcher will be welcomed to join the planning sessions that will be held with the Network of Champions for Behavioural Change.

The research analysis is expected to:

• Maintain an open and frequent communication with PWWSD on progress;
• Deliver the key deliverables including research study in a timely manner under the terms of the contract.

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Required Qualifications:

• A Gender and Development researcher who has more than 10 years of experience in academia and/or researching in Palestine is required to be a part of the research team.
• Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in social sciences (Gender and Development, Human Rights or equivalent) is a requirement. 
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in research and analysis, studies, project development, and/or related field in academia and researching in Palestine is required. 
• Very strong understanding of national and international policy and legal frameworks on gender equality, women's rights, and women’s access to economic and productive resources, including understanding of social, cultural, and political context of Palestine.
• Excellent Arabic language skills (written and spoken).

Key Competencies:

• Proven ability to collaborate well and to deliver work in a timely manner.
• Proven experience in applying human rights-based-approach (HRBA) in researches. 
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strong Leadership skills.
• Strong communication and facilitation skills.
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office and online applications).
• Highly committed, able to work under pressure, adapt to new situations, and meet deadlines. 

Consultancy duration: 

• The maximum duration for the consultancy services is 4-months from signing date of the consultancy contract.

Interested individual consultants are required to prepare and submit the following:

• A Technical proposal including context (one paragraph), approach, methodology, and work plan within the proposed timeframe. 
• CV highlighting relevant area of work
• Financial offer:  Lump Sum in NIS including VAT and all administrative costs.

Interested individual consultants are requested to send the above package to [email protected], with the subject line: “SOCIAL NORMS EXPLORATION REPORT”. The application submission deadline is on 22 October 2020.