Individual Contributions – Beyond Covid-19: Public Healthcare and Socioeconomic Impact
1. About FES:
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) is German political public-interest institution founded in 1925 as political legacy of its namesake Friedrich Ebert, the first democratically elected German President.
The office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in Lebanon was established in 1966 and maintained its work as one of the few foreign organizations throughout the civil war (1975-1990).
In the post-war years, FES played a vital role in the strengthening of the Lebanese state and its institutions, i.e. through lobbyism for the re-launching of municipal elections and strategic support to key ministries.
Our mission focuses on the core ideas and values of social democracy – freedom, justice and solidarity. We promote a free society which offers all its citizens the same opportunities to participate on political, economic, social and cultural levels, regardless of their origin, sex, religion or orientation. We support a strong democracy, sustainable economic growth and a welfare state that provides quality education and improved health care combats poverty and provides protection against the challenges that life throws at citizens.
2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE WORK
The main reason of the proposed assignment is to draft a series of articles which analyze the Covid-19 pandemic from a wider angle than the immediate health concerns. The scope is focused on two themes:
The first theme will target the Roots of the Struggling Public Healthcare System in Lebanon. Some of the topics which could be tackled include but are not limited to privatization of healthcare in the postwar period, budget allocation and division for and within the Ministry of Health, sectarian/clientelist interests and contribution to this method of operation, etc. The proposed concept notes are free to tackle any other relevant aspect analyzing the public healthcare system from a political lens.
The second theme will target the Socioeconomic Impact of the Pandemic and Lockdown. Some of the topics which could be tackled include but are not limited to the economic ramifications, labor rights, social protection, social instability, government response, etc. The proposed concept notes are free to tackle any other relevant socioeconomic aspect.
Each article should include practical (short-term) and structural (long-term) recommendations relevant to the focus of the article.
The length of the article should range between 1,250 to 2,000 words.
The outcome of the study will be used for the following purposes:
- Obtain a socioeconomic overview of the ramifications of the pandemic.
- Publish the articles on the FES website, and other possible platforms, with full credits to the author and supporting team.
- Use the articles to design infographics for further public dissemination.
- Host a webinar with a public Q&A with the authors of the articles.
- Propose policy recommendations to relevant stakeholders.
3. OUTPUTS/EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
- Deliverable 1: Proposed concept note.
- Deliverable 2: First draft of the article.
- Deliverable 3: Final draft after incorporation of FES comments.
4. DURATION OF THE CONTRACT
The deadline of implementation is between the final week of April and the first week of May 2020.
5. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
FES will contract several contributors who will work individually and separately to undertake the assignment as described in this ToR.
The contributors will regularly coordinate with FES to follow up on the article progress.
All deliverables submitted by the consultants should be approved by FES before any payment is made.
6. DUTY STATION
The assignment is home-based.
7. REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATION:
Education qualification of contributors:
• Advanced university degree in the area of political science, international relations, economics, development studies, or other related fields.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience on the proposed topic in the concept note.
Experience of contributors:
• At least 5 years of professional experience on specified topic.
• Ability to conduct quality research.
• Good conceptual and practical knowledge of the political and socioeconomic context in Lebanon.
Language requirement:
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Arabic and English.
8. PAYMENT MODALITIES
The consultants shall be paid the consultancy fee upon submission and acceptance of the final draft.
Each article will be compensated with a payment of 1,000,000LL.
How to apply
Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply by sending their application to jimmy.matar@fes-lebanon.org The application should contain the following:
• CV with at least two professional references.
• A brief concept note (1-2 pages) of the proposed topic, how it relates to the criteria stated above, and a very brief methodology.
Deadline to apply is April 26, 2020.
Concept notes will be screened on a rolling basis with priority given to early submissions.