Syria Program Development

1. Background

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) a communion of 148 churches, established in 99 countries, representing 75.5 million of Christians. A multi-mandated organization, World Service contributes to positive changes in lives of poor and oppressed people affected by natural and men made emergencies, while also tackling the root causes of poverty for sustainable development. For more information, see https://www.lutheranworld.org/content/about-dws

The Syria crisis, now in its tenth year, has left millions displaced from their homes within Syria itself and in neighboring countries. In 2012, following an invitation by the local Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the Holy Land, LWF established an operation in Amman to assist Syrian and Iraqi refugees and vulnerable local communities. The program is focused in the three northern governorates Irbid, Zarqa and Mafraq, and in Zaatari camp, in the sectors of protection and social cohesion, livelihoods, and quality services.

In 2016, LWF received a second registration in Jordan, as a non-operating branch of a foreign entity. This registration enabled the establishment of a regional office, set up to support humanitarian interventions in Syria and beyond. The regional office is under the management of the LWF Jordan / Syria Representative and supported part-time by the LWF Jordan Finance Manager.

2. LWF in Syria

LWF was active in Syria in the period 1952 – 1974, primarily to assist Palestinian refugees. Following an invitation the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in 2018, a delegation from LWF visited Syria in 2019 to explore possibilities for renewed work in Syria. Co-operation was established with the St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC) and CARITAS Syria, in Damascus and Aleppo respectively. Through the regional office in Amman, and with the support of the LWF World Service Humanitarian Team, LWF is currently providing annual support to the activities of EPDC and CARITAS, among other to assist children in accessing educational services, and Food and NFI distribution.

In spring 2020, LWF World Service completed a Global Mapping Analysis and the justification for an increased LWF engagement in Syria were underlined. As a faith-based, multi-mandated organization, LWF responds to urgent humanitarian needs within an overall triple nexus approach. LWF has relevant experience in sectors such as protection and social cohesion, livelihood and quality service in the region, and work both operationally and through local partners. At the same time, LWF recognizes that humanitarian access is currently limited and that LWF is not registered in Syria. Further exploration of the potential and concrete steps to develop the Syria Programme is therefore necessary.

3. Scope of Work

3.1. Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is two-fold: a) to explore the potential and provide concrete recommendations for developing a more comprehensive LWF Syria Program, and b) to implement the agreed recommendations.

3.2. Specific Objectives

At the end of this consultancy, the consultant will be able to:

Produce a short report (4-6) pages) clearly outlining the overall potential as well as concrete recommendations for developing the LWF Syria Program. The recommendations will include perspectives on self-implementation vs. working through partners, (initial) assessment of potential partners, registration vs other forms of presence in Syria, suggested geographical and thematic areas of intervention, networking and stakeholder management, arrangements for monitoring, reporting and evaluation, financial and funding perspectives, including clear, practical recommendations related to the above areas.

Following discussion and agreement with LWF, and in close co-operation with the LWF Jordan / Syria Representative, implement the agreed priority recommendations to develop the LWF Syria Programme.

3.3. Process

· Document review: the desk review will enable the consultant to explore existing information within LWF, including 2019 assessment report, Syria partner agreements and partner reports LWF Global Entry and Exit Guidelines, Emergency Manual and other related documents.

· In-depth bilateral meetings with key staff in LWF Jordan / Syria and LWF WS Geneva

· External consultations to learn from the experience and approaches of other NGOs, in particular members of the Action by Churches Together Alliance (ACT) and relevant faith-based organizations operating in Syria

· Consultations with relevant local stakeholders including existing and potential new LWF partners, humanitarian coordination mechanisms / clusters, INGO Forums etc.

· At least one virtual consultation to present draft report and proposed recommendations to LWF

· Drafting of concrete work plan based on agreed recommendations and implementation of work plan

3.4. Expected outputs

Three outputs are expected from this consultancy:

1) A 4-6 pages report on how to develop the LWF Syria Program with clear recommendations (with more detailed appendices as per need)

2) A work plan with concrete timelines based on the agreed recommendations

3) A final report on the implementation of the agreed recommendations

3.5. Timeframe

The first output document is expected to be ready by 15.01.2021, the second by 15.02.2021, while the third will be submitted/completed at the latest by 30.04.2021.

The assignment is expected to take approximately 25-35 consultancy days over this period.

4. Application Process:
1) A narrative proposal with a description that clearly expresses your understanding of the task, detailed methodology and work plan.
2) One example of similar work accomplished on behalf of a non-profit, non-governmental organisation.
3) A detailed financial proposal.
4) A CV of the main consultant (if the application comes from a company) with past experience in conducting similar research. The CV must prove that the consultant’s skills and qualifications match those necessary to fulfill this work:

· Experience working with humanitarian INGO (including field work) at a senior management, leadership, decision making levels

· Proven conceptualisation capacity and development of strategies, policies or procedures

· Knowledge and understanding of Syria and of recent global discussions in the sector (e.g. grand bargain, humanitarian-development nexus, localisation, etc.)

· Ability to write and present in a concise manner, clearly and user-friendly large amount of complex information in English

· Good interpersonal skills and capacity to connect with a network of humanitarian agencies

· Excellent workshop facilitation skills

· Advanced knowledge or experience with churches/faith-based organisations is required; experience with LWF is a strong additional asset.