Public Call for Tender nb. 83430269 Covid measures technical support 21.2202.6-003.00 PART II

Brief information on the project

Strengthening the influence of Palestinian refugees on their living conditions in the MENA region (PART II)

The project “Strengthening the influence of Palestinian refugees on their living conditions in the MENA region (PART II)” was commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in December 2021 to support Palestinian refugees to influence their living conditions. The project is active in the Palestinian Territories, Jordan and Lebanon; its main partner is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It works in close cooperation with host government institutions as well as local NGOs and CBOs.

PART II combines a conflict-transformative multi-level and a multi-stakeholder approach on a local, regional and international level. It focuses on improving psychosocial well-being as well as mental health in conjunction with strengthening social and economic participation. The project has a special focus on young Palestinian refugees, people with disabilities as well as people affected by poverty and gender-based violence.

Background information on the context

The unresolved and lasting conflict experienced through occupation and continuous violence in the Middle East is one of the most complex and outstanding conflicts worldwide. The situation of Palestinian refugees in the camps is characterized by greater poverty, denser housing, higher unemployment and, in some cases, limited rights compared to their respective local populations. The ongoing war in Syria, the current political and economic crises in Lebanon and Jordan, violent escalations in Gaza, divisions in the Palestinian leadership, further settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to the further deterioration of living conditions. Refugees are subjected to physical, psychological, structural and cultural violence at various levels. Many suffer from the fact that they are often excluded from social life and perceived only from a problem- and emergency-oriented perspective. Their manifold potentials, resources, educational aspirations, competencies as well as their needs for participation and co-determination are often not taken advantage of.

Context on National Level

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GIZ PART  has been collaborating with the Lebanese Palestinian Dialogue Committee (LPDC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen the Palestinian healthcare sector in Lebanon. Within the framework of the COVID-19 measures of the German government, GIZ PART  supported three hospitals of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and one hospital of the Human Call Association.

PART provided a total of 61 new COVID-19 intensive care beds (including five paediatric beds), 30 regular beds and 8 ambulances to four hospitals (Al Bus in the South, Safad in the North, Al Hamshari in Saida and Human Call in Ein El-Helweh camp). The hospitals Safad, Al Hamshari and Al Bus (55 of the total 61 ICU beds provided) are accessible and available for all people living in Lebanon. Additionally, 4 generators with 1.060 kVA, 1 solar system with 180 kWp, 8 fully equipped ambulances, 30,000 PCR test kits and 1 PCR machine were provided. Within the scope of the project, 320 medical and non-medical staff received relevant training, and 10.816 people registered for a COVID-19 vaccination. The overall financial contribution until the end of 2021 was EUR 9.7 million.

In 2022 and 2023, PART II deepens the cooperation with UNDP in the implementation of COVID-19 measures (EUR 1.95 Mio.) and builds on the results achieved in PART I. A total of two vaccination centers will be established in UNRWA health clinics (Beddawi and Burj Barajne clinic), with the provision of equipment leading to sustainable improvements in UNRWA's health infrastructure. Additionally, the project aims at supporting the energy supply for 4 UNRWA clinics by providing 4 generators (Beddawi, Rashidiyeh, Ein el Helwe, and Burj Barajni clinic) and 3 PV solar systems (Beddawi, Rashidiyeh and Ein el Helwe clinic). To increase the outreach of the vaccination efforts the project will additionally provide four mobile vaccination clinics (2 for UNRWA and 2 for the PRCS). The staff of the newly established vaccination centers will receive additional medical training.

GIZ PART II seeks to support UNDP in the successful implementation of grant agreement 81283738 through technical onsite support, biomedical advisory services and coordination efforts.

 Assignment

The main objective of the consultancy is the regular on-site support of the implementation of the ongoing UNDP grant agreement 81283738 until the completion of the project 31.12.2023 as an external expert on behalf of the GIZ PART II project.

1. GIZ shall hire the contractor for the anticipated contract term, from 01.04.2023 to 31.01.2024.
2. The contractor shall provide the following service:

Review all project documents of the grant agreement 81283738 and get acquainted with the involved organizations (UNRWA, UNDP, LPDC, GIZ), and project activities implemented by UNPD.

Follow-up on a weekly basis on-site of the implementation of the ongoing UNDP grant agreement 81283738

• Conduct regular inspections/on-site visits of the ongoing project to support the timely completion of the work to the specified standards and in accordance with all relevant regulations and guidelines.
• The site visits for the ongoing project include the, UNRWA Burj Barajne clinic and UNRWA Beddawi clinic.
• The visits will be coordinated with GIZ, UNDP, and UNRWA.
• Collaborate with the UNDP coordinator, UNDP external engineer, UNRWA engineering department, clinic supervisors, and other relevant stakeholders to identify and resolve any issues or concerns related to the quality and safety of the project.
• Support the timely finalization of the project.
• Regarding the installation of generators and solar systems the consultant will support the UNDP engineer wherever necessary.  

Reporting

• a) provide monthly progress reports of (up to 1-page per facility) to GIZ;
• c) a final report, maintaining the timeline agreed upon with GIZ; including a one-page summary of the final report.

The contractor will be required to act promptly on information requests from GIZ regarding all tasks related to these ToRs, ensure a good and constant information flow among all involved stakeholders and attend meetings (including MS Teams, telephone and/or video conferences) on request by GIZ.

Tender requirements

1. Qualifications of proposed staff

1.1 Expert 1:

1.1.1 General qualifications
Education:

• Minimum Diploma in electrical, civil or biomedical engineering or other relevant fields.

Professional experience:

• Minimum 15 years of working experience in the public health sector, medical equipment & architectural project planning
• Minimum 15 years of managerial and technical experience in biomedical operations management and engineering
• Minimum 5 years of experience in planning, designing, implementing and  reviewing of medical facilities and healthcare centers

1.1.2 Experience in the region/knowledge of the country  

• Excellent knowledge of medical equipment used in Lebanon, quality assurance, and procurement.
• Working Experience with international organizations (especially UNDP).
• Proven experience working in the Palestinian Refugees’ healthcare sector in Lebanon.
• Knowledge of the MOPH hospital accreditation standards is an asset.