Engagement in Humanitarian Architecture Research- WellSpring Syria GG

Terms of Reference

Engagement in Humanitarian Architecture Research

 

Commissioning manager:

MENA RiC

Type of paper:

 

Development on Index & Case Studies

Expected length (number of pages and word count):

Maximum permitted length:

Briefing Papers (av.350 words/page): 7000 words + references
c.15 pages up to max. 20 pages
+ 2 page summary

Briefing Notes (av.450 words/page): 2700 words + refs
c.4 pages up to max. 6 pages

1 Research developing index (6-7 pages approx.)

3 Case studies on each country: Syria, Jordan, Lebanon (6-7 pages each)

 

Background

Oxfam in MENA aims to contribute to address the challenges facing local NGOs and CBOs in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan with respect to their effective engagement with the humanitarian coordination structure as one essential element in achieving commitments of localisation.

 

Local NGOs in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan face several challenges that inhibits their effective engagement with the response mechanisms in their respective countries. The causes are diverse, they range from language difficulties, the use of exclusionary linguistic (acronyms etc), time consuming and other aspects. The nature and design of the humanitarian architecture excludes local actors. All these factors results in an intimidating and difficult environment for local NGOs to effectively engage in the humanitarian response architecture.

 

To create more engagement, and ensure a better space to advocate on behalf of communities in need, series of reforms are required that would increase the engagement of local groups within the coordination system and allow these groups to utilise these spaces to advocate for the desired changes in the response.

 

The production of this research will be timely as the Regional Resilience and Recovery (3RP) and the respective country response plans are being reviewed and launched.

 

 

Audience

 

Primary audience: UN inter-agency systems in each country, HCT bodies,

Secondary audience: Donors, NGOS/INGOS/Coalitions engaged on the localization agenda (see ICVA for example)

 

Proposition

What is the paper’s core argument and policy recommendation(s)? Include specific gender/women’s rights points here if possible.

What impact will this have on poverty? (Summarize in one paragraph).

1. What are the factors that constitute drivers, and challenges for the engagement of local actors in the response mechanisms? Highlighting particular challenges affecting Women Rights Organisation, LGBT groups, refugee led organisations and organisations of PwDs(Index)[1]
2. What is the current level of engagement of local NGOs within the humanitarian architecture? What are the areas of improvements to increase their effective engagement? (case studies)

 

 

Methodology and Process

 

Phase 1: Development of Index

The researcher will conduct a thorough literature review and interviews with relevant stakeholders to highlight the areas challenging NGO engagement with the humanitarian architecture in country. This phase will conclude with a development of a matrix/index that would highlight the different factors and criteria that would be studied in order to identify the areas inhibiting or facilitating engagement. The matrix will also facilitate the development of specific recommendations.

The researcher will consult with the Oxfam MENA RiC along with the Localisation/Grand Bargain focal point.

 

Phase 2: Case studies

In phase 2, the researcher will apply the developed matrix to study the engagement of select partners/CSOs in the response mechanism and coordination bodies. The case study will allow Oxfam to highlight the areas of strength and the areas of improvements. Three case studies will be conducted, one in each of the following countries: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan. The researcher should also seek to interview relevant stakeholders from the coordination structure and the inter-agency in place particularly coordinators to record their perspectives on these challenges and the measures put in place or exercised to increase local NGO participation in the response.

 

The researcher will conduct series of semi-structured interviews with selected partners of the CO to respond to complete the case study. The case study will conclude with a number of tailored recommendations.

Expected outputs

• 1 research identifying the development of the matrix
• 3 case studies 

Gender

 

The index ought to include a gender specific lens such as particular challenges facing women, members of the LGBT community and others.

The interviews should also target partner organisations focused on women rights, LGBT rights and refugee led organisations.

 

Translation requirements

Please note: if the full text is to be translated, all language versions must publish together. English language papers will not be made publicly available in advance of the others, but will be held until all versions are complete.

Case Study will be translated from English to Arabic.

The Arabic version will undergo the same revision process as the English version.

The Arabic version will be signed off by the Arabic-speaking CD and relevant members.

The Arabic version will be published at the same time as the English version.

Libel check

Will this paper require a libel check by a legal expert? (for example if company names are mentioned and there is a libel risk)

No libel check is required

Production schedule

This section will be drawn up by the project manager

 

 

Working days allocated

1.  First draft due by:

November 23, 2021

 

2. Comments required from:

 

Syria Influencing lead Jordan Influencing Lead, Lebanon Influencing Lead, MENA RiC.  

 

3.  Comments due by:

December 1, 2021

 

4.  Revisions by authors:

December 3, 2021

 

5.  Final draft due by:

January 8, 2022

 

6. Edit:
(1 day per 4000 words)

January 20, 2022

 

7.  Author accepts/rejects edits:

January 24, 2022

 

8. Sign-off:

Oxfam in Lebanon Country Director, Oxfam in Syria Country Director, Regional Advocacy and Campaigns Manager

 

January 30, 2022

 

 

Distribution

List here any specific distribution requirements (both electronic and hard copy) for this particular paper (e.g. to specific targets, policy/media specialists, listservs, networks etc).

 

•  

A detailed outreach plan will be developed.   

      

-Process of submission =

Interested consultants should submit their:

• CV.
• Sample of previous work
• Quotation including consultancy fees and all associated estimated costs such as logistics and communication costs. Note that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered. Please provide MoF# & document if registered
• Quotes should be fresh USD
• Email to be sent to [email protected] with “WellSpring Syria GG” in the subject.

[1] As relevant and possible in each of the countries selected. In Jordan for example, refugee led organizations are not accepted, hence the difficulty of including them in the research. In Syria for example, refugee led organizations do not apply. For LGBT organizations, their inclusion in the research depends on the civic space environment in each country and whether they operate any programs related to the response. Hence why these two configurations might only apply to Lebanon. In Jordan we might instead look at the Royal NGOs and non- royal NGOs which is more specific to the Jordanian context and more pertinent.