Policy Consultant for the Development of a Policy Paper on W...

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Dossier Number: TA-2024-PRO-05

Policy Consultant for the Development of a Policy Paper on Women’s Participation in ICT, Digital Marketing, and Graphic Design Sectors

Background

Tahaluf Consulting and Capacity Development (Tahaluf Consulting) is a leading consulting firm located in Hebron, West Bank. Its mission is to provide innovative, sustainable, and effective solutions to development challenges such as IT, environmental compliance, and climate change, while empowering individuals and organizations to achieve their goals through capacity building and development.

The SheTech Palestine Project, funded by the U.S. The Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), implemented by Tahaluf Consulting, aims to empower young Palestinian women in ICT, digital marketing, and graphic design by providing them with advanced technical and leadership training, mentorship, and support for entrepreneurship and job placement.

Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective of the consultancy is to develop a comprehensive policy paper that:

• Analyzes the barriers faced by women in ICT, digital marketing, and graphic design sectors in Palestine.
• Provides actionable recommendations for policy reforms to promote gender inclusivity in those sectors.
• Supports lobbying and advocacy efforts aimed at influencing policy changes.

Scope of Work

The Policy Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Desk Review

• Conduct a thorough review of existing policies, studies, and reports related to women’s participation in ICT, digital marketing, and graphic design sectors.
• Review project-related documents, including the SheTech proposal, agreement, and prior assessments.
• Stakeholder Engagement

• Arrange meetings with private sector partners and universities, mainly those that signed MOUs with Tahlouf in addition to representatives of related Ministries (Ministry of Labor, Economy, Information System, Women Affairs, etc)  and women’s organizations, to discuss policies and laws that support women in the above mentioned sectors..
• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and consultations to gather the needed information for developing the policy paper.
• Policy Analysis and Development

• Analyze systemic barriers to women’s participation and advancement.
• Identify key areas for policy intervention and formulate evidence-based recommendations.
• Drafting the Policy Paper

• Prepare the policy paper within the timeframe of March 1, 2025, to April 30, 2025, ensuring comprehensive analysis and actionable recommendations.
• Discuss draft with project staff and incorporate their input
• Finalization and Presentation

• Revise the draft based on feedback.
• prepare the final draft of the policy paper
• Conduct lobbying and advocacy meetings in coordination with project staff with relevant ministries and local stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations of the policy paper during the period of July to October 2025.

Deliverables

1. Work Plan and Methodology

• A detailed work plan outlining the approach, data collection tools, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Stakeholder Engagement Summary

• A report summarizing findings from stakeholder consultations.
• Draft Policy Paper

• A draft policy with detailed analysis, findings, and recommendations.
• Final Policy Paper

• A comprehensive and finalized policy paper incorporating all feedback and not to exceed 3 pages.

Evaluation Process

The selection of the consultant will be based on the following criteria:

1. Technical Proposal (70%)

• Experience and Qualifications (15%): The consultant’s relevant experience, particularly in conducting policy analysis and advocacy in the ICT, digital marketing, or graphic design sectors, as well as their qualifications.
• Proposed Approach and Methodology (40%): The quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology for developing the policy paper, including data collection, stakeholder engagement, and analysis.
• Past Performance and References (15%): Feedback from previous clients or evidence of similar assignments conducted by the consultant.
• Financial Offer (30%)

• The competitiveness of the proposed financial offer, including the daily rate and the overall cost of the consultancy.
• Value for money and alignment with the project’s budgetary constraints.

The evaluation committee, which includes representatives from Tahaluf Consulting, will review both the technical and financial proposals and make the final selection based on the combined score.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in public policy, gender studies, social sciences, or related fields.
• Proven experience with examples in policy analysis, development, and advocacy.
• Strong understanding of gender issues and the ICT industry in Palestine or similar contexts.
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Experience in engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government, private sector, and civil society.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

1. Technical Proposal:

• An overview of the consultant’s qualifications, including experience related to policy development in ICT, digital marketing, and graphic design sectors.
• A proposed methodology and work plan for developing the policy paper, including the approach to stakeholder engagement, data collection, and analysis.
• At least two references or examples of previous relevant work.
• Financial Offer:

• A detailed financial offer that includes the daily rate, total consultancy fee, and any additional expenses required to complete the assignment. The financial offer must be submitted in a separate document from the technical proposal.
• Submission:

• All proposals (technical and financial) must be submitted electronically in PDF format to [email protected] by 20-01-2025.
• Any inquiries or clarifications regarding the ToR can be sent to [email protected] no later than 10-01-2025.
• All proposals and inquiry emails shall be titled as [TA-2024-PRO-05 – Name of Consultant/Consulting Firm].

Late submissions will not be considered.

Duration and Timeline

The assignment will be carried out over the following periods:

• Policy Paper Preparation: March 1, 2025 – April 30, 2025.
• Advocacy and Lobbying Meetings: July 1, 2025 – October 31, 202