Improving Youth Civil Society Organizations Participation In Policy Design And Decision-Making During Pandemics And Emergency Situations

Background & Rationale

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 virtual Dialogue and Exchange Programs (DEP) 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, using coronavirus as a smokescreen.

AFSC is looking to conduct a DEP in Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine with the objective of “Improving youth civil society organizations participation in policy design and decision-making during pandemics and emergency situations”. Promoting 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 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 level dialogues, the researchers will present the results and act as facilitators. The purpose of the dialogue is that participants produce policy recommendations that are fair and inclusive of all members of society, particularly the youth.

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, with at least one female focus group.

Tasks 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. The research assistants should work in coordination with the lead researcher. The selected researchers are expected to effectively execute the following tasks:

1. Decision-making analysis during pandemic and crisis in Jordan, in Lebanon, and in Palestine

2. Comparative analysis of decision-making processes during pandemic and crisis in the three countries.

3. Mapping of participants for national and regional dialogues, in coordination with AFSC staff (minimum of 5 CSOs or LNGOs per country)

4. Each country research must consider 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).

Timeframe for deliverables:

Please take in consideration the following deliverables for the submission of your technical proposal

Task Descriptions

Implementation Dates

National dialogues: Before the 30th of November.

Compose a first draft of the country-based research: First week of December.

Regional Dialogue: Second week of December (7thand 8^th of December)

Final reports : Second week of December before the 15th.

Required qualifications:

Individual consultants, teams, and/or consulting firms can apply. Candidates applying individually should indicate their location. Teams or consulting firms should submit a detailed proposal detailing 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:

1. Demonstrated experience in previous qualitative research

2. Deep understanding and knowledge of the country context and governmental structures, where the research will be carried out.

3. A Master’s degree or higher in the field of social or political sciences, or any other related fields.

4. Ability to read and communicate in Arabic and in English.

5. Adequacy of the proposed methodology and work plan in responding to this TOR.

Budget for the facilitation

1. Prices are to be submitted in USD and are valid for 30 days starting from the offer’s submission closing date.

2. The quotation must be detailed and based on the work mechanism proposed by the consultant.

3. 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.

4. Applicants must submit a reduction from source certificate along with the offer.

5. Payments will be as follows:

i. 40% upon contract signature and AFSC approval on the workplan.

ii. 40% upon AFSC approval on the first draft of the country-based researches.

iii. 20% upon AFSC approval on the final copies of the research.

* AFSC will cover, separately, any additional cost of hall rent, video conference, meals, and transportation for AFSC organized collective CSOs meetings in alignment with AFSC financial guidelines.