الوصف الوظيفي

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Advocacy Consultancy for the Protection of Palestinian Rights under International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Project Name Provide lifesaving integrated protection support for vulnerable children and adults in Gaza and the West Bank

Funded by: EU Humanitarian Aid

Introduction

Alianza por la Solidaridad-ActionAid Spain (Alianza-AA SP) is a feminist, non-governmental, non-denominational and independent organization founded in Spain in 1986, and which has been present in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) since 1993.

Since 2018, the organization has been a member of ActionAid (AA) International, a global federation working with more than 41 million people in over 70 countries towards a just, fair, and sustainable world in which everybody enjoys the right to a life of dignity, and freedom from poverty and oppression. AA works to achieve social justice and gender equality, and to eradicate poverty.  

Hand in hand with its Palestinian civil society partners, and in line with its 2020-2026 Strategic Plan, the promotion and defense of women’s rights and gender equality lie at the heart of Alianza-AA SP’s work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Concretely, its development cooperation and humanitarian programs seek to prevent, respond to and mitigate Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and to ensure women’s civil, political, social and economic rights.

Since October 2023, together with its sister organization, ActionAid Palestine and the AA’s International Humanitarian Action and Resilience Team (IHART), Alianza-AA SP has launched a response to the humanitarian emergency in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, centered on supporting partner organizations to sustain and expand critical basic needs, protection, health and livelihoods services and assistance, with a cross-cutting focus on supporting the participation and leadership of women and young people in the response. CVA for protection is one of the lines of intervention of this response.

Background

The ongoing conflict in Gaza and its spillover effects in the West Bank have severely impacted vulnerable populations, particularly women who are survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and those at heightened risk.

In response to the humanitarian crisis provoked by this situation, and as part of a consortium of three international and five Palestinian organizations, Alianza-AA SP is the recipient of a grant from European Commission’s Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), for the implementation of the project “Provision of integrated life-saving protection support for vulnerable children and adults in Gaza and the West Bank”, from 01/07/2024 till 30/09/2025.

Partnership and Implementation Framework

Under the abovementioned project, Alianza-AA SP will implement the advocacy activities outlined in this ToR in close collaboration with its established partners in Gaza and the West Bank. These partners bring valuable expertise and local knowledge to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of the advocacy initiatives. The partnerships include:

Gaza Strip:

Al Awda Health and Community Association (Al Awda): Focused on delivering essential health and community services, including psychosocial support and protection for vulnerable groups.
Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA): Specializes in empowering women and children through community-based approaches and advocacy for gender equality and human rights.
West Bank:

Palestinian Counselling Center (PCC): A leader in mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services, addressing the needs of children and families affected by conflict.
Subcontracted Partner:

Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC): WCLAC will be subcontracted to contribute to advocacy activities focusing on legal aid and rights-based approaches, particularly in cases involving Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) affecting women and children.

Objective

The objective of the advocacy consultancy to be contracted under the present ToRs is to strengthen advocacy efforts at national and international levels by documenting and disseminating violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL). These efforts will particularly focus on their impact on the mental health and protection needs of conflict-affected children, women, and families in the West Bank and Gaza. The ToR will guide initiatives to increase awareness, engage stakeholders, and promote adherence to IHL, while ensuring access to comprehensive, quality protection services, including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, and individual case management.

This objective aligns with the overarching goals of the consortiumto:

Support to build a robust evidence base for advocacy through systematic documentation of IHL violations.
Organize targeted campaigns and dissemination activities to influence policies and ensure protection for vulnerable populations.
Facilitate access to national and international advocacy platforms for key stakeholders to amplify the voices of affected communities.
Promote sustainable investments in MHPSS and GBV services to address immediate and long-term needs of the impacted population.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant, in close collaboration with all consortium partners (War Child, Alianzapor la Solidaridad/ActionAid Spain, and Terre des Hommes), will be responsible for the following tasks as outlined in the updated Advocacy Plan These tasks aim to activate advocacy initiatives and ensure adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the provision of protection services for vulnerable populations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Participation in Advocacy Planning Consortium Workshop

Participate in facilitating an advocacy planning workshop with consortium partners to:

Identify shared advocacy targets, dissemination channels, and synergies with ongoing EU-funded projects.
Define methodologies for documenting IHL violations, ensuring a do-no-harm approach and safeguarding the rights and dignity of affected populations based on Alianza implementing partners (Al Awda, CFTA and PCC).
Clarify roles and responsibilities for consortium partners in implementing advocacy initiatives.

Coordination of Synergies Between Advocacy Activities

Work with consortium partners to ensure advocacy initiatives align with and complement other EU-funded projects, such as:

The "معاً نستطيع Prevention, Response, and Accountability for Palestinian Children Exposed to Child Rights Violations in East Jerusalem."
The Dutch Relief Alliance Gaza Acute Crisis Joint Response.

Strengthen collaboration among partners to maximize the impact of joint advocacy efforts and ensure cohesive messaging.

Production of Advocacy Reports

Develop and publish a comprehensive advocacy report, including:

Documentation of case studies highlighting the challenges faced by Palestinians in accessing humanitarian services, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services.
Analysis of violations of IHL and IHRL, with a focus on the impact on children, women, and families.
Insights into the effects of the shrinking humanitarian space, prolonged blockade, and settler violence.

Ensure the report adheres to international standards for evidence collection and documentation, prioritizing the privacy and safeguarding of participants.

Organization of Advocacy Dissemination Events

Plan and conduct online and offline dissemination events to:

Share findings from the advocacy report with stakeholders, including national and international audiences.
Advocate for actionable recommendations to improve the provision of protection services and adherence to IHL.

Engage consortium partners actively in event planning and delivery.

Development of Advocacy Messaging and Social Media Campaigns

Collaborate with consortium partners and the Alianza-AA SP communications team to:

Develop and disseminate advocacy messages on social media platforms, focusing on the impact of IHL violations on MHPSS and GBV.
Publish at least 12 coordinated social media posts, along with visual storytelling content (e.g., photo essays, infographics) that highlight project outcomes and key findings.

Publication of Open Letters and Op-eds

Draft and ensure the publication of evidence-based advocacy materials, including:

International open letters and/or opinion editorials highlighting IHL violations and humanitarian challenges.
Advocacy content targeting decision-makers and the global public to mobilize support for Palestinian rights.

Facilitation of Access to International Advocacy Platforms

Assist local partners in accessing key international advocacy platforms, such as:

UN Children and Armed Conflict Agenda in New York.
Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Advocacy spaces with governments in London, Madrid, The Hague, Stockholm, and Berlin.

Support local partners in presenting evidence and engaging stakeholders on international stages.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

Collaborate with consortium partners to:

Monitor progress and ensure the implementation of all advocacy activities as per the plan.
Provide regular updates on the number of advocacy products developed, events held, and engagement metrics achieved.
Submit a final report summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations for future advocacy efforts.

Expected Deliverables:

Advocacy Planning Workshop Report:

Summary of identified targets, strategies, and dissemination channels.

Documented roles and responsibilities among partners.

Advocacy Products:

One briefing report on documented IHL violations.

Advocacy material tailored for dissemination to international audiences.

Social media posts, success stories, and photo essays showcasing project impact.

Case-study report documenting IHL violations and challenges in humanitarian settings.

Advocacy Kick-off Meeting:

Detailed agenda and participant list.

Summary report of meeting outcomes.

Visibility and Communication Outputs:

Implementation of visibility guidelines in all activities and materials.

Organization of an advocacy dissemination event to publicize emerging data and the case-study report.

Execution of an international advocacy campaign with targeted outreach through media outlets and radio.

Monitoring and Reporting:

Regular updates on progress and challenges.

Final report detailing achievements, challenges, and recommendations.

Indicators of Success

Number of advocacy products produced and disseminated.
Number of meetings/events held.
Engagement metrics for advocacy products (e.g., reach, downloads, citations).
Implementation of visibility guidelines in all communication materials.
Completion of international advocacy campaign with documented outcomes.

Implementation Duration

The consultancy will commence on 20 February 2025 and conclude on 30 September 2025. Key milestones include:

February 2025: Advocacy Planning Consortium Workshop.

July 2025: Submission of first draft advocacy products.

August 2025: Dissemination event organized.

September 2025: Submission of final deliverables and consultancy report.

متطلبات الوظيفة

Requirements of the Consultant

1.1 Qualifications and Competencies

The ideal consultant should meet the following qualifications and competencies:

Advanced degree in social sciences, international relations, or related fields.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in advocacy and humanitarian programming.
Proven expertise in IHL and human rights documentation.
Strong communication and report-writing skills.
Languages: Proficiency in English and Arabic.

5.3 Submission of Proposals

Interested consultants or firms are invited to submit a comprehensive proposal demonstrating their qualifications, approach, and financial offer to fulfill the scope of work outlined in this ToR. Proposals must include the following:

Technical Proposal:
Approach and Methodology:

A detailed description of the proposed approach and methodology for achieving the objectives outlined in the ToR.
A clear work plan, including timelines for completing each activity, deliverable, and milestone.

Expertise and Experience:

Evidence of expertise in advocacy, documentation of IHL violations, and humanitarian programming.
Relevant experience in implementing similar projects and working with international advocacy platforms.

Financial Offer in EURO:

The financial offer must include a detailed budget, structured in the following format:

Detailed Budget:

Breakdown of consultancy fees, administrative costs, and any other anticipated expenses required to fulfill the scope of work.
Daily or hourly rates, along with the estimated time required for each component of the project.
Total costs should align with industry standards for the region and type of work.

Payment Schedule:

Proposed payment milestones based on deliverables and structured around project phases.
Clear terms outlining when payments will be released upon approval of each milestone or deliverable.

Tax and Compliance:

Indication of whether the financial offer includes all applicable taxes.
Confirmation of compliance with local and international regulations related to consultancy and service contracts.

A detailed budget should be presented in table format, including:

Consultancy Fees: Daily or hourly rates and the estimated time required for each project component.
Administrative Costs: Any other costs directly related to project delivery.
Total Cost: A complete financial summary in EURO, clearly aligned with the requirements specified in Section 1.2.

تفاصيل الوظيفة

المسمى الوظيفي Advocacy Consultant

آخر موعد للتقديم 17 - Feb - 2025

المكان القدس

نوع الوظيفة العقود والاستشارات

المستوى المهني متوسط الخبرة

الراتب N/A

الدرجة العلمية الماجستير

الخبرة 5 سنوات

التصنيف العلوم الإنسانية

آلية التقديم

5.4 Submission Deadline