Case Studies/Fact Sheet Development Consultancy

Tender Description

Integrated Market Development Program across the Occupied Palestinian Territory”

Terms of Reference

Case Studies/Fact Sheet Development Consultancy

Background & Introduction:

The Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU) in partnership with OXFAM is implementing a project entitled “Integrated Market Development Program across the Occupied Palestinian Territory” that is funded by SDC and DANIDA and aims to contribute to a resilient, sustainable, and equitable agricultural growth. The project is implemented by Agriculture Development Association (PARC), Economic & Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC), Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU), and UWAC. The SDC-DANIDA project is a four-year large-scale agricultural market development program in the West Bank and Gaza. The program aims to operate at two levels: at the sectoral level to facilitate agricultural market system changes and specific value chains level. Three inter-related outcomes will be targeted: (1) Market-based interventions and facilitation result in improved quality and increased market share. (2) Agriculture sector and its key sub-sectors attract and create more income opportunities and empowerment for women and youth. (3) The internal and external operating environment becomes more conductive for agricultural sector, reducing barriers, and creating opportunities.

CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND

The state of Palestine total area of cultivated land is estimated at 1.2 million dunums, or 21% of the total area of the WBGS, of which 90% is in the West Bank and 10% in the Gaza Strip. Eighty-one percent of the area is rain-fed; the remaining 19 % is irrigated. While rangeland amounts to 2.02 million dunums, the area available for grazing is only 621,000 dunums. In addition to the limited grazing area available, livestock breeders and farmers continuously deal with the effects of the Israeli occupation’s annexation procedures.

In April 2019, United States President Donald Trump announced a “deal of the century” to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The plan does not place any restrictions on Israel in regard to annexing parts of the West Bank. In regard to borders, the plan recognizes 70% of the West Bank as the right of Palestinians, which gives Palestinians less land than previous proposals. The plan also will give the Jordan Valley, which is important for Palestinian agriculture, to Israel. The Jordan Valley, which is a Palestinian path to the Jordan River, irrigates 80,000 hectares of agricultural land in the West Bank. The plan would not allow Palestinians to control their own water resources. From a Palestinian perspective, any form of annexation would be completely disastrous to Palestinian control of their land and self-dependency.

In addition to annexation, farmers are also dealing with competition within the Palestinian market as a result of Israeli dumping and the monopolization of large Palestinian companies. With regard to dumping, many farmers have difficultly marketing their crops because the Israeli occupation authorities deliberately flooding the Palestinian market with Israeli products, forcing Palestinian farmers out of competition. Palestinian farmers also face competition from large Palestinian companies, who are capable of selling their products at a much lower price than small-scale farmers. Palestinian small-scale farmers cannot compete with these prices and, therefore, are being forced out of the Palestinian market.

PFU aims to raise awareness and disseminate information about the current situation and challenges of small-scale farmers, especially in Area C. The enhancements of farmers’ steadfastness cannot be ensured without changes in policy. In order for there to be changes in policy, it is important that the government as well as local and international NGOs be aware of the current problems that farmers face and propose policy changes. PFU’s position is that without policy changes, in the case of annexation, Palestinians would lose all land (including but not limited to agricultural land) and resources, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and further increasing poverty and food insecurity. With regards to market competition, many small-scale farmers will be forced out of the market because they will not be able to compete with Israeli practices of dumping and monopoly. Therefore, it is critical that PFU develops factsheets and policy briefs to the proper audience in order to create awareness about the current situation on the ground.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The consultant will be responsible for developing a total of 9 case studies/fact sheets on dumping and its impact as well as policy recommendations on different issues. Each case study or factsheet will cover a specific topic, such as dumping of certain crops, annexation and Area C, COVID-19, market regulation as well as any other topic that emerges during the period of the consultancy. Case studies or Factsheets will be decided upon with PFU management based on a monthly task order as per the necessity.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main purpose of developing these factsheets and case studies is to analyze and present the specific issues faced by small-scale Palestinian farmers. Factsheets/ case studies should clearly present the current situation at hand, with both quantitative and qualitative data, in order for appropriate policy interventions to be proposed.

CONSULTANCY OBJECTIVES

Conduct research to identify the current situation relating to each topic requested.

Conduct interviews with relevant governmental bodies, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, other Ministries, as well as relevant organizations and farmers.

Conduct in depth analysis required to shed light on dumping, monopoly, annexation, etc.

Conduct meetings with farmers negatively impacted by dumping, monopoly, annexation potential, etc.

Develop factsheets/ case studies for decision makers and stakeholders to highlight the situation on the ground and the absolute need for policy intervention to benefit small-scale farmers.

PLAN AUDIENCE AND USE OF FINDINGS

PFU will use the factsheets/ case studies developed by the consultant to inform and raise awareness of key governmental bodies, local and international NGOs, and farmers about the current situation of the related topics. The final PFU-approved factsheets/ case studies will be shared with governmental bodies and local and international NGOs to encourage them to propose policy interventions and form key policy asks that will enhance the steadfastness of Palestinian farmers.

The outputs of this consultancy will be utilized by PFU to highlight key information that will encourage support for small-scale Palestinian farmers which, in turn, will strengthen Palestinian presence in Area C through developing / encouraging government policies for investors and farmers.

PFU plans to develop 9 case studies/factsheets during the period October 2020 to October 2021. Case studies / factsheets shall be issued on monthly basis. The selected consultant shall receive a monthly task order to define type of case study or fact sheet requested for that specific month.

Case studies shall focus on dumping issues for variant commodities such as water melon, potato, onion, grapes, poultry, etc.

CONSULTANCY QUESTIONS

What is the current political and socio-economic situation?

What are the most important issues faced by small-scale farmers in regard to the topic-at-hand?

What policies are in place in regard to this situation?

How can these policies be improved?

What additional policy interventions can be proposed?

How can this information be highlighted and disseminated in a clear and concise manner?

METHODOLOGY AND ACTION

The following methodology will be applied in carrying out the consultancy as outlined:

A desk review of existing literature on the history and current situation of related topics. The consultant should highlight past, current, and future social, political, and economic impacts of the topic at hand. He/she should also review past and current work/projects in relevant areas and highlight strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.

Conduct meetings with relevant governmental bodies, organizations, and farmers to gather information about the reality on the ground (primary information).

Conduct research about possible policy interventions that could be taken based on information gathered.

Summarize relevant findings based on desk review, research, interviews and field work.

Develop a monthly case study / factsheet highlighting all key information related to the topic-at-hand.

DELIVERABLES

9 CASE STUDIES/FACT SHEETS, including narrative, with referenced statistics presented in tables, charts, photos and graphs. The following structure is proposed:

Updated background of current situation of topic requested.

Information gathered from desk review, research, and interviews is highlighted in a clear and concise manner, with all appropriate headings.

Economic, social, and political impacts of the topic are mentioned.

Conclusion highlighting the need for policy interventions.

Quantitative information should be neatly presented in tables, charts, or graphs.

All case studies/fact sheets must be submitted in both English and Arabic languages.

TIMEFRAME

The consultant will have 12 months to undertake the above-mentioned tasks including desk and field research. PFU will ask the consultant on monthly basis to develop a case study or factsheet that PFU finds out its necessary to work on. The produced materials will be reviewed by PFU staff and feedback will be provided to the consultant.

MANAGEMENT

The commissioning manager of the consultancy will be PFU Executive Director. The consultant will submit action plan including detailed methodology prior to starting data collection phase for each case study / factsheet. PFU’s Executive Director will provide necessary technical support for the development of the methodology and tools and review all produced materials.

REQUIRED SKILLS

A team of consultants or a consultant with very good knowledge of the agricultural sector, agri-business economy in the West Bank, and legal related experience.

Proven experience in developing policy papers, research and fact sheets.

Expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.

Previous experience with INGOs procedures, approaches, and operations.

Proven analytical skills with ability to prepare cost estimates in a professional and credible manner.

Previous experience in undertaking complex research and presenting findings in a comprehensive manner.

Similar consultancies with recognized organizations.

Excellent command of reading and speaking English.

Excellent English and Arabic reporting skills.

Desired: previous experience and knowledge of topics to be researched.

The technical offer should include:

A cover letter of no more than 2 pages introducing the consultant and how the skills and competencies described above are met, with concrete examples (CV, experience including type of task, employer, project title, location, achieved outputs). The cover letter should also indicate consultants’ availability for the proposed period. The cover letter shall clearly defines availability and readiness of the consultant to dedicate designated time every each month to respond to the monthly task orders requested by PFU during the entire 12 months’ period.

An outline of no more than 6 pages of the proposed process and key considerations including:

Key considerations

Proposed outline methodology

Proposed actual number of days per month for each case study / factsheet ( timeframe).

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

The Financial proposal should contain the following information:

Prices are valid for 60 days.

The submitted offers should be in US Dollars. The individual should be able to issue payment request and PFU will deduct 10% of final payment in accordance with Palestinian Taxation department & laws/if the consultant submit the offer through a firm or company so the price will be vat excluded /zero vat invoice, in such case the firm should provide valid deduction at source certificate.

Prices shall include all types of expenses such as effort, transportation, communication, etc.

Price should be defined per factsheet or case study.

The consultant shall include total cost per one case study or factsheet and then multiply the cost for the 9 case studies or factsheets.

The remuneration is to be paid based on the following milestones:

Monthly payment for the completed task order

Acceptance: Award of a proposal does not imply acceptance of its terms and conditions. PFU reserves the option to negotiate on the final terms and conditions with the consultant.

Please submit the proposal (technical & financial offer) and requested documents by sealed envelopes to the Palestinian Farmers Union Headquarter (al-Bireh, close to the representative office of Netherlands) no later than the end of the day on 24/09/2020.

For any questions, feel free to contact Abbas Milhem at PFU’s head office: 02 240 0792

Location Ramallah

Deadline 24, Sep, 2020

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