Consultancy for Disability Services Capacity Enhancement

Objectives

The primary objectives of this consultancy are:

• Conducting a comprehensive field assessment of 2 to 3 partner organizations operating within Palestinian camps in the north and south of Lebanon, focusing on their provision of rehabilitation and educational services in the field of disability.
• Assessing the operational effectiveness of each organization, with a specific focus on understanding their administrative, educational, and therapeutic practices.
• Identifying areas for improvement and developing tailored strategic improvement plans for each organization to enhance service delivery and impact.
• Preparing detailed and insightful reports for each organization that summarize key findings, highlight strengths, and outline actionable recommendations aligned with the strategic improvement plans.
• Providing necessary support to the organizations based on the assessment findings, with a commitment to fostering their capacity to effectively serve individuals with disabilities in the Palestinian camps.

Responsibilities 

The consultancy will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following tasks:

Field Assessment:

• Study the structure and physical environment of each partner organization, including administrative, educational, therapeutic departments, and additional facilities within Palestinian camps.
• Conduct individual interviews with the administrative teams at each organization to understand operational mechanisms such as recruitment, work procedures, monitoring, etc...
• Review employee files to gather insights into staff backgrounds, specialties, experiences, and training.
• Interview educational and therapeutic teams at each organization to assess rehabilitation services, methodologies, curricula, interventions, student placement criteria, and communication with stakeholders.
• Review assessment and documentation tools used at the organizations.
• Review students and patients’ files and associated documentation.
• Assess additional services available at each organization.
• Conduct extended observations across relevant programs and services.

Preparation of Comprehensive Report:

• Summarize findings from the field assessments of each partner organization, highlighting key observations.
• Analyze collected data to identify strengths and areas for improvement at each organization.
• Develop a strategic improvement plan for each organization:
  • Short-term goals addressing urgent and critical needs.
  • Long-term objectives aimed at enhancing organizational effectiveness and service delivery.
• Present recommendations and practical solutions to support the implementation of the improvement plans.

Support as per Assessment:

• Upon agreement, provide necessary support to the partner organizations in implementing the improvement plans developed during the consultancy.

Deliverables:

• Conduct field visits to each organization to implement the assessments.
• Prepare a Comprehensive Assessment Report for each partner organization, summarizing key findings, strengths, areas for improvement, and the strategic improvement plan.
• Provide ongoing support to the partner organizations in implementing the improvement plans developed during the consultancy

Timeline

The expected time frame for conducting this assignment is estimated between 4 to 6 months after signature of contract.  A detailed timeline for each phase of the consultancy will be mutually agreed upon between Taaawon and the selected consultant.

Qualifications and Experience

Ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications and expertise:

• A bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field, such as Occupational therapy, disability studies, or a related discipline.
• Familiarity with current best practices in disability rehabilitation, educational methodologies, and effective service delivery strategies.

• Extensive experience in conducting thorough organizational assessments, with a strong emphasis on disability services or related sectors.
• Demonstrated ability in developing comprehensive strategic improvement plans tailored for nonprofit organizations or educational institutions.

• Strong analytical skills to gather and interpret data effectively, coupled with the capability to articulate findings clearly and concisely in reports and presentations.

Evaluation Criteria:

Candidates will be assessed based on:

• The relevance of their expertise in conducting organizational assessments, particularly in disability services or related sectors.
• Their comprehensive knowledge and understanding of inclusive education and rehabilitation principles and practices.
• Their proficiency in developing and implementing effective service delivery strategies in nonprofit organizations or educational institutions.

Remuneration:

The consultancy fee for conducting the assessment and providing support for each organization is anticipated to range between 4000 and 5000 USD. The exact amount will be determined based on the scope of work, complexity of the assignments, and the consultant's experience and qualifications.