TERMS OF REFERENCE
Call for Research
Improving Youth Participation in Emergency Response
American Friends Services Committee (AFSC) was founded in 1917 during World War I. In accordance with their Quaker faith, this organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. It has been working in the Middle East region since 1948.
AFSC works with communities and partners worldwide to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting peace. In collaboration with local communities, neighborhoods, and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems. AFSC’s programs foster understanding and reconciliation, promote economic development and food security, educate the public on various social issues, and foster diversity, inclusion, and equality in communities in the United States and around the world.
AFSC conducted a series of Dialogue and Exchange Programs titled “Under the Mask” in which civil society participants from around the globe identified and discussed various topics regarding the repression and restrictions enacted by governments, justified by the COVID-19 hazard. The topics discussed revolved around police brutality, state surveillance, closed borders and migration, and pushing for alternative agendas or plans while using coronavirus as a smokescreen.
Following on this work, AFSC is looking to conduct a Virtual Dialogue Exchange Programs in Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine with the objective of “Improving Youth Participation in Emergency Response.” Prom1oting youth’s inclusion in conflict management and crisis respond in governmental institutions will encourage the creation of a space for youth organizations to support for the formulation and the adoption of youth-sensitive practices and procedures that will reduce their vulnerabilities in contexts of crisis and emergency response.
The Research:
AFSC is seeking a small team of researchers to develop a country-level contextual analysis of current governmental practices in emergency (crisis) response contexts. The purpose of this research is to clarify how governmental decision-making processes are made during pandemics and crises in Jordan, in Lebanon, and in Palestine. The research must take in consideration existing laws and legal frameworks, formal and informal practices, identify formal and informal spaces where decisions are taken, and reflect the dynamics of relations between government and civil society during this process for each country. Finally, it should also reflect how decision ownership is perceived by the different stakeholders.
The findings of this research will be discussed in national and regional level virtual dialogues, for which the researchers will also map and develop a criterion for selecting the participants from civil society organizations and/or local non-governmental organizations.
During the national virtual dialogues, the researchers will present the results and act as facilitators of the discussion. The purpose of the dialogue is that participants reflect on the information presented and produce policy recommendations that are fair and inclusive of all members of society, particularly the youth. After the conclusion of the national dialogues, based on the results and findings, the researcher will develop a regional analysis to make do comparison between countries.
The regional dialogue will be a two-day online event in which participants from the local groups will connect with the rest of the participants. Researchers will participate as observers in the event to gather the input, feedback, and conclusions discussed by the groups to produce final recommendations and reports.
Methodology:
The research will take place in the three countries of Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The exact methodology is to be determined by the research team/consultant, however, additional to a literature review, of primary and secondary sources, the researchers should conduct structured and/or semi-structured interviews with relevant stakeholders such as government representatives; and focus groups discussions with the targeted groups, and at least one female focus group.
Deliverables and Responsibilities
For successful completion of all deliverables AFSC is seeking one lead researcher in Jordan, and two research assistants, one in Lebanon and one in Palestine. When conducting all required activities researchers should adhere to and observe COVID-19 regulations accordingly. No travel is required and activities must be done online. The research assistants should work in coordination with the lead researcher. The selected researchers are expected to effectively deliver the following main tasks and products:
Mapping and selection of 10 participants for national and regional dialogues, in coordination with AFSC staff (participants should be from different CSOs or LNGOs).
Each country researcher must conduct a minimum of five Focus Group Discussions, including one all-female FGD, and eight structured or semi-structured interviews with key related figures (e.g., government representatives).
Decision-making analysis during pandemic and crisis in Jordan, in Lebanon, and in Palestine, one document per country.
Present decision-making analysis for participants during the national dialogue and compile the National policy recommendations produced by participants.
Comparative analysis of decision-making processes during pandemic and crisis in the three countries, one document for the three countries. Presented at a regional virtual event of three countries.
Regional analytic research with recommendations on how to improve the relations between governmental and civil society during pandemics and crises.
Timeframe for deliverables:
Please take into consideration the following dates for the submission and preparation of your technical proposal
Preparation process (FGD, interviews, research, mapping and selection of participants) : 24/2/2021
National Level Dialogues : 4/3/2021
Regional Dialogue : 10 - 11/3/2021
By 18/3/2021 submission of the first drafts of documents
3 Decision making analysis
3 National policy recommendations
1 Comparative analysis of decision-making processes
1 Regional analysis with recommendations
Final Documents (same as above) : 25/3/2021
Required qualifications:
Teams and/or consulting firms should indicate the location of each candidate, and include a detailed proposal describing the distribution of tasks for each country.
The research proposal should include a technical and financial plan, in addition to the CV of each person that will be conducting the research.
The selected researchers should possess the following qualifications:
Demonstrated experience in previous qualitative research
Deep understanding and knowledge of the country context and governmental structures, where the research will be carried out.
A Master’s degree or higher in the field of social or political sciences, or any other related fields.
The ability to read and communicate in Arabic and in English.
Adequacy of the proposed methodology and work plan in responding to this TOR.
Budget for the facilitation
Prices are to be submitted in USD and are valid for 30 days starting from the offer’s submission closing date.
The quotation must be detailed and based on the work mechanism proposed by the consultant.
Price offers must be exclusive of value added tax (zero tax invoices) for establishments officially registered with the Ministry of Finance; while for individuals and non-profit institutions, the offered prices will be subject to law deduction of income tax.
Applicants must submit a reduction from source certificate along with the offer.
AFSC is not obligated to accept the lowest prices.
AFSC have the right to extend the deadline and/or re-advertise in the event of receiving a small number of offers and/or in case technical and financial committees do not select any candidate.
How to apply:
All proposed methodology, work plan and financial offers must be submitted by email to BOlimat@afsc.org and SShibly@afsc.org no later than February 2nd,2021 at 5:00 PM (Jordan date and time).