Vacancy Consultant Statement of Work

Consultant Statement of Work

Civil Society Programs Enhancing Local Governance Accountability in NES

Introduction:  

This SOW outlines the scope of work and responsibilities for a consultant working on civil society programs aimed at enhancing local governance accountability across the three distinct operative environments of Hasakeh, Raqqa, and Deir ez Zor. In NES, local government bodies face significant hurdles in effectively communicating with citizens and addressing their needs. With limited budgets, inadequate equipment, lack of administrative skills, less developed regulations, and a lack of qualified staff, engaging constituents becomes a challenge. Moreover, the credibility of these local governments is questioned due to perceptions of imposition rather than election. As a result, reform-minded actors encounter difficulties in establishing sustainable engagement mechanisms. Within this constrained environment, civil society struggles to build consensus and platforms that amplify the diverse voices of Syrians and hold authorities accountable. IMPACT seeks to address these challenges by strengthening civil society through advocacy, enhancing essential skill sets, fostering coalition building, and engaging political stakeholders. The consultant will provide expertise and support to design programmatic interventions that address the specific challenges faced by civil society engagement in local governance accountability in NES.

Objectives:

The primary objectives of the consultant are to undertake research and program design broadly seeking:

  1. To strengthen local governance accountability mechanisms in NES through targeted civil society programs.
  2. To enhance the communication channels between local government bodies and citizens to address their needs effectively.
  3. To support the development and implementation of effective civil society capacity-building initiatives to overcome administrative and regulatory challenges.
  4. To foster civil society led coalition building and engagement with political stakeholders to establish sustainable mechanisms for citizen participation and accountability.

Scope of Work:

The consultant will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

  1. Situation Assessment: i. Conduct a targeted analysis of the local governance context in NES, including identifying the specific challenges related to civil society engagement with local government. ii. Assess potential civil society opportunities to help support the capacity and effectiveness of existing local governance structures in NES in promoting administrative accountability, considering factors such as limited budgets, inadequate equipment, lack of administrative skills, less developed regulations, and a lack of qualified staff. iii. Identify potential partners, stakeholders, communal leaders, and civil society organizations involved in local governance and accountability initiatives in NES.
  2. Program Design and Implementation: i. Develop a detailed program design that addresses the specific challenges identified in the NES context, including strategies, methodologies, and activities to enhance local governance accountability through partnerships with civil society.
  3. Capacity Building: Identify capacity-building needs of local civil society organizations context of local governance accountability, considering the constrained environment and challenges they face.

Deliverables:

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following key outputs:

  1. Situational Assessment Report: A comprehensive report outlining the findings of the local governance context analysis specific to NES, including challenges, opportunities, and potential partners/stakeholders.
  2. Program Design Document: A detailed program design document, tailored to the NES context, including strategies, methodologies, and activities for civil society to enhance local governance accountability.
  3. Capacity-Building Needs: Development and delivery of capacity-building workshops and training materials for local civil society organizations and stakeholders not affiliated with SANES (i.e. local governance actors) in NES.

 

Timeline:

The anticipated timeline for this consultancy is no more than 13 days. Specific milestones and deadlines will be mutually agreed upon between the consultant and the relevant stakeholders involved in the program.

Qualifications:

The ideal consultant for the Civil Society Programs Enhancing Local Governance Accountability in NES should possess the following qualifications:

  1. Extensive Experience in Local Governance and Civil Society: The consultant should have a strong background and proven expertise in working with local governance structures and civil society organizations, particularly in conflict-affected environments. Knowledge of the Syrian context and familiarity with the challenges faced by civil society in engaging with local government bodies in NES is highly desirable.
  2. Research and Program Design Skills: The consultant must demonstrate a track record of conducting comprehensive situational assessments and program design in the field of governance and accountability. They should be adept at identifying challenges and opportunities and translating findings into practical and context-specific programmatic interventions.
  3. Capacity Building Expertise: Experience in designing and delivering capacity-building initiatives for civil society organizations is essential. The consultant should possess the ability to tailor training materials and workshops to address the specific needs of civil society actors operating in constrained environments like NES.
  4. Analytical and Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical skills are critical for the consultant to understand complex governance dynamics and design effective strategies to enhance local governance accountability. Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities will be essential for developing sustainable engagement mechanisms between civil society and local government bodies.
  5. Stakeholder Engagement: The consultant should demonstrate experience in working collaboratively with various stakeholders, including civil society organizations, communal leaders, local government actors, and political stakeholders. Effective communication and relationship-building skills will be key to fostering coalitions and partnerships.
  6. Conflict-Sensitive Approach: Given the context of NES, the consultant must exhibit a deep understanding of conflict sensitivity principles and the ability to apply them throughout the program design process. They should ensure that interventions do not inadvertently exacerbate existing tensions or conflicts.
  7. Timely and Efficient Delivery: The consultant must be able to adhere to the agreed-upon timeline and deliver high-quality outputs within the specified timeframe. Proactivity and efficiency will be crucial for the successful implementation of the consultancy.
  8. Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability: Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work in diverse settings are essential, considering the unique cultural and social dynamics in the target areas of Hasakeh, Raqqa, and Deir ez Zor.
  9. Language Proficiency: Proficiency in Arabic and English languages is required, as the consultant will be required to engage with stakeholders in both languages and produce reports and documentation in English.

 

Payment Method:

100% of the payment will be released to the consultant after completing the work.

Location:

Online

How to apply?

  • Updated curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Financial quotation detailing the consultant’s fees.

TECHINCAL PROPOSAL:

The technical proposal should include but not limited to the following information:

  1. A brief outline of recent experience and client references in carrying out assignments of similar nature (Max. 1 pages)
  2. Detailed description of how the consultant/firms understands and will respond to the ToR including time frame.
  3. Curriculum Vitae of consultant.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL:

The financial proposal must contain overall quotation in Euro for all the services to be provided and must follows the following:

  1. Summary of the total costs for the services proposed.
  2. IMPACT will not cover any tax.

Evaluation Criteria:

The weighting ratio of the technical proposal to the financial proposal is 50%.

Interested applicants must submit quotation docs signed and stamped to [email protected] along with a signed copy of the ToR, registration Docs and supporting Docs which meet skills/competencies otherwise the quotation will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

ToR

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