Subcontracting Social Workers on Consultancy Basis

About Taawon

Taawon is an independent non-profit organisation established in 1983. Taawon strives to make a distinguished contribution toward furthering the progress of the Palestinians, preserving their heritage and identity, supporting their living culture, and building civil society in the different working areas it serves: the West Bank (including Jerusalem), the Gaza Strip, the 1948 Areas, and the Palestinian communities in Lebanon.

Taawon works closely with local, grassroots organisations to address the specific needs of the Palestinian refugees living in difficult circumstances throughout the country. We support the implementation of a range of initiatives under three specific programs: Education, Community Development (including health and relief), and Culture.  We work in close partnership with more than 40 local partners and touch the lives of more than 100,000 Palestinian refugees annually.

About the consultancy

1. Background

Under the project titled "Enhanced Services for People and Children with Disabilities Living in Palestinian Gatherings", Taawon (The Palestinian Aid Society) has collaborated with the Palestinian Disability Forum (PDF) to improve the quality of life for Palestinian persons with disabilities (PWDs) residing in refugee gatherings across Lebanon. This project aims to enhance the support, services, and resources available to people with disabilities, ensuring their inclusion in society and access to essential care.

To meet the needs of PWDs effectively, Taawon and its partners developed a new Database Management System (DBMS) tailored specifically for Palestinian PWDs. The DBMS serves as a centralized platform for managing the data of individuals with disabilities, tracking their specific needs, and ensuring that interventions and services are appropriately targeted. It incorporates previous features of the prior DB Manager System, improving its accessibility, usability, and functionality.

The DBMS is a crucial tool for the PDF as well as for Taawon’s work with local partners, allowing for accurate data collection, real-time updates, and better decision-making in providing services to PWDs. Regular updates to the system are essential to ensure the database remains accurate and comprehensive. To support this, 8 social worker consultants will be hired to review, update, and validate existing data, ensuring that all information is accurate and aligned with the project’s goals of providing enhanced services to PWDs.

1. Objectives

The primary objective of this consultancy is to ensure that the DBMS is up-to-date, comprehensive, and accurate. The social worker consultants will work to review, verify, and update the data for Palestinian disability cardholders across all regions Beirut, Bekaa, South Lebanon, and North Lebanon.

Specific objectives of the consultancy include:

• To review and validate existing records in the DBMS for Palestinian PWDs, ensuring all data is accurate and up to date.
• To collect and input any missing or updated information from PWD cardholders in Beirut, Bekaa South Lebanon, and North Lebanon.
• To ensure that the DBMS is fully updated and synchronized with the current needs of the population, allowing for better targeting of services and interventions.

1. Scope of Work

The social workers will undertake the following tasks:

• Review the current records in the DBMS to identify any outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate information.
• Update data as required by the project partners, ensuring all information is current and reflects the needs of the Palestinian PWDs in Lebanon.
• Modify existing records based on the requirements provided by partners, ensuring consistency with the updated guidelines.
  • Contact Palestinian PWDs to collect missing or updated information. These calls will be used to verify existing data and gather additional details as required by the partners.
• In cases where phone contact is not possible or additional support is needed, the consultant will conduct home visits to gather the necessary data. These visits will be conducted in a sensitive and ethical manner, respecting the privacy and dignity of individuals.
• Ensure all data is collected accurately, following the format and standards outlined by the partners.
• Use the data collection process to engage with PWDs, assess their current needs, and ensure that the database reflects up-to-date and actionable information.
• Enter the newly collected data into the DBMS in accordance with the established protocols, ensuring all updates are recorded accurately.
• Work closely with the partners to ensure that all data collected is aligned with the specific needs and priorities outlined by the partners.
• Ensure that all data is handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting the privacy of individuals.
• Adhere to data protection laws and standards while managing sensitive information related to PWDs.
• Keep detailed records of the data collection and update process, including the number of contacts made, the type of information gathered, and any issues encountered.
• Provide weekly progress reports to the supervisor, detailing the tasks completed, updated data, and any challenges faced.

1. Qualifications and Experience

• A degree in social work, or a related field.
• Experience working with Palestinian communities in Lebanon, particularly with vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities.
• Experience in data management or database systems, particularly in the context of social services.
• Familiarity with the DBMS used for Palestinian PWDs (or similar systems).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data collection and entry.
• Knowledge of ethical standards for working with sensitive data and vulnerable populations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a team and local partners.
• Ability to travel across Beirut, South Lebanon, and North Lebanon as required for data collection. Proficiency in Arabic is required; knowledge of English is an asset.

1. Skills and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a caseload.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of mental health and psychosocial support principles.
• Experience with documentation and report writing.
• Good organizational and time-management skills.

1. Deliverables

An updated DBMS with accurate, verified, and complete data for Palestinian PWDs in Lebanon.

Weekly progress reports outlining the tasks completed, data updated, and any issues encountered.

A final report summarizing the work completed, data discrepancies encountered, and recommendations for future updates to the DBMS.

Timeline

The expected timeframe for this assignment is approximately 2 months, (February- March 2025), starting from the contract signature. A detailed timeline for each phase of the consultancy will be mutually agreed upon between Taawon and the selected consultant.

Submission Guidelines

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV and a cover letter to recruitment@taawon.org no later than 29 January 2025. Please include “Social Worker for updating Database” in the subject line of your email. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Taawon is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, or any other status.