Country: Jordan
Closing date: 24 Mar 2019
COPING STRATEGIES CONSULTANCY - TERMS OF REFERENCE
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
Consultancy – Coping Strategies Consultant
BACKGROUND
The Gaza Strip has been under blockade since 2007. This has had severe repercussions on the Gaza economy which is dependent on one official entry and exit point for all goods, the Kerem Shalom crossing. All movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza is highly restricted. The estimated population in Gaza is around 1.9 million of which 1.57 are registered as Palestine refugees with UNRWA. The unemployment rate is considered to be one of the highest in the world at 44 per cent. The Gaza strip has been subject to recurrent violence and conflict.
As of 2017, poverty in the Gaza Strip has increased from 38.8 per cent in 2011 to 53 per cent in 2017. In contrast, the poverty rate decreased in the West bank from 17.8 per cent to 13.9 per cent over the same period. Similarly, food insecurity levels are estimated at 68.5 per cent in Gaza in 2018 – compared to 11.6 per cent in the West Bank. The proportion of household food consumption is 34.8 per cent of the total household consumption.
- While these figures describe a dire situation and deteriorating living standard trends in the Gaza Strip, they are mute on the actual meaning in relation to daily lives of the population including Palestine refugees living in the Gaza Strip, for instance: What does it mean when a majority of the population moves from being employed and food secure into poverty or even deep poverty (the latter of which affects 33.8 per cent of the Gaza population)?
- What does it mean when household expenditures on food increase to over one third of total household expenditures and affordability of other items is out crowded by basic needs?
- What does it mean when electricity is available only 4 hours a day over prolonged periods?
- What does it mean when children are growing up without the possibility of getting to know anything but the limited square kilometres of the Gaza Strip – with close to no prospect of travel or employment – unless dangerous exit routes offered by human traffickers are sought out?
- And how does the location or status of households influence coping strategies?
Making ends meet is classified in the humanitarian jargon as “applying coping mechanisms” for which a set of indicators has been defined according to which the level of deprivation can be measured and compared.
However, it does not talk about:
The daily trade-offs that have to be made to secure basic needs – and the choices and discussions happening in the families and the impact it has with regards to social relations and potential physical and psychological effects – beyond the standard usually applied indicators of the economies of deprivation.
The impact of these discussions and trade-off decisions on intra-household power dynamics and gender roles. While statistical data is available illustrating the current declining economic trends, there is little qualitative and descriptive material available on how this impacts social lives.
How the chronic crisis situation is affecting these assigned roles and what dynamics are put in motion as families try to make ends meet.
How different types of personal/family crises affect “normal” coping strategies.
Description of Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Relief and Social Services and in close collaboration with the Gaza field Relief and Social Services Programme team, the consultant will provide the following deliverables:
1) Literature review - livelihoods in Gaza; coping strategies frameworks; coping strategies reports from Gaza or elsewhere
2) Outline of study methodology and expected analytical framework
3) Collection of primary data among selected communities and individuals in the Gaza Strip focusing on women; production of media materials such as photos, human interest stories, short video clips
4) Preliminary findings report and adjusted analytical and reporting framework following on site field research
5) Final study report
Proposed methodology for field work: Qualitative research engaging with a cross-section of the population but with a focus on women and girls living in the Gaza Strip focusing on individuals and groups. A disaggregation of the analysis by factors shaping their coping strategies as influenced by the different aspects of the current crisis situation is expected.
minimum Qualifications and Experience
● Advanced university degree in social sciences, anthropology, development studies, psychology, economics or any other relevant field.
● At least 5 years of relevant experience in research and/or evaluation in humanitarian contexts.
COMPETENCIES
● Ability to collect, validate and analyze qualitative data;
● Advance analytical skills and ability to conduct independent research;
● Ability to design, manage and implement qualitative data
● Excellent team leadership skills
● Proven writing and analytical skills;
● Fluency in spoken and written English;
dESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
● Previous experience with UNRWA, other UN agency;
● Experience working in the Middle East;
● Able to travel to UNRWA fields including Gaza.
Additional information
● The incumbent may be required to travel in the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
· The duration of the consultancy is based on the agreed upon deliverables.
· Remuneration for this consultancy will depend on the qualifications and experience of the candidate;
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “**Coping Strategies Consultancy**” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 24 March 2019.**
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.17 March 2019
How to apply:
Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “**Coping Strategies Consultancy**” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 24 March 2019.**
UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women. Only those applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.