occupied Palestinian territory: Impact Study Palestine

Annex 1: Terms of reference

· Background information

DCA and NCA have both been active in the Palestinian areas since the early 1950’s, and started their engagement in the region with relief to the Palestinian refugees on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. In March 2015, a decision was taken to develop a DCA/NCA Joint Country Programme 2016-2020 in Palestine with DCA as a lead agency. Taking into account the contexts, and both our own organizational priorities and our partners’ profiles and strengths, we are working to the following realistic and achievable goal:

By 2020, in the areas where we work, Palestinian women, men, girls and boys will be more resilient and have increased access to their rights according to International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law. To ensure the achievement of this goal, our program focuses on four main thematic areas; Active citizenship, economic empowerment, humanitarian response as well as international advocacy. This is in addition to our strategic ecumenical partnership interventions that support churches and ecumenical partners. Capacity building of partners is definitely a cross-cutting priority

In 2013, DCA office implemented the project entitled” Empowering vulnerable households in marginalized areas (area C) and improving their living conditions to mitigate impact of Occupation Restrictions”, which is under the Community Resilience Development Project (CRDP) funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the Applied Research Institute of Jerusalem (ARIJ).

This project was implemented in two phases and aimed at improving the living conditions and income generation capacities of marginalized communities in Area C. Two projects were implemented. Through which 4 localities were targeted and 57 systems of solar photovoltaic systems were installed to the benefit of vulnerable 57 families form Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates. The installed solar PV systems were distributed as follows: 23 units at Al Rashayida, 9 units at Al Korshan, 23 units at Al Najada, 2 units at Khashem Al-Daraj.

The second project was implemented between 2014-2015 in Area C of Hebron Governorate through providing 49 vulnerable families with Solar PV within 5 localities in Massafer Yatta which are: 15 units at Jinba; 9 units at Al Majaz; 1 unit at Ar Ratheem; 9 units at Birin; 10 units at Khirbet Al Rahawa; and 5 units at Al- Halawa. Thus, the total number of the installed solar household PV systems by the two projects reached 105 units.

· contract purpose and Expected results:

· Overall objective:

Conduct a sustainability and impact study for the above mentioned intervention.

· Purpose:

The aim of this study is to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the project, building on the findings of the evaluation conducted in 2015 for the projects. Moreover, the study is expected to come out with recommendations to guide future programme work in this area, especially in the field of provision of off grid solar PV systems on household level. It is expected to generate relevant findings, lessons learned to be shared with key stakeholders and used by implementing agencies to guide and inform future sustainable programming in solar panel programming in vulnerable areas of the West Bank.

· Results to be achieved by the Consultant:

1. To come up with recommendations, lessons learned, key factors for sustainability and best practices to inform and guide future solar panel programming.

2. To assess the impact of the project based on the findings of the last evaluation conducted in June 2015.

3. To identify the gaps and challenges in the project implementation.

4. To Introduce new potential approaches to implement such interventions in future projects.

· Scope of the STUDY:

The consultant will be required to review the project starting from 2013.

The consultant should conduct:

• Preparation day (1 day).

• Desk review (2 day): Review of project documents and data from 2013 - 2015.

• An Inception Report (2 days) - within two days of signing the Agreement: It is a report that provides a detailed description of the methodology to answer the impact study questions, in addition to the proposed assessment tools and the source of data and information to be used in the study including completed questionnaires to the direct beneficiaries and number of required questionnaires. The report should also include a detailed action plan and the roles and responsibilities of the consultant/team. The report will be reviewed by DCA/NCA team and project partners for their feedback. The team may request changes if any.

• Submitting the inception report and getting the approval (2 working days).

• Field study and surveying (10 days): meeting with the stakeholders and the targeted beneficiaries directly involved with the project and getting project staff / data collectors trained on doing the survey.

• Filling questionnaires through interviewing direct beneficiaries (105 units) to achieve liable results.

• Preliminary findings note: A note on preliminary findings will be prepared during the field study period. This will together with relevant underlying documentation be presented for discussion with major stakeholders.

• Debriefing session: (1 day) The obtained and analyzed results will be presented for DCA/NCA and ARIJ related staff for getting their feedback and comments for improving the study if there is any.

• Final reporting (5 days): This will include reporting on the results focusing on impact assesment and key recommendations to improve the existing systems and the strategic guidelines to design and develop similar project proposals in the future. It will also include a thorough assessment of the project approach and implementation strategy. It has to include documentation of best practices, lessons learned and recommendations.

· Timing, logistics and facilities:

• The study should take place during November - December 2017. We are aiming to start the work by maxiimum 20th November 2017

• DCA/NCA will be responsible for procurement in coordination with ARIJ.

• ARIJ will be responsible for facilitating access in the field and providing the consultant with all necessary information and logistical arrangements.

• The total period for accomplishing this task is 21 working days.

· Reporting:

• An inception report with preliminary findings and recommendations will have to be presented for discussion by DCA/NCA and ARIJ.

• A draft report with findings and recommendations will be shared for comments.

• A final report will have to be submitted to DCA/NCA. The report should include an Executive Summary, with sections including Methodology, Findings, Recommendations, plus annexes of all persons interviewed and focus group participants, and meeting notes.

• The report should be in English and should not exceed 20 pages including annexes.

· Qualification requirements:

• The consultant must have substantial experience / skills in renewable energy enginering and solar photovoltaic systems.

• Experience in projects assessments, at least have done 3 assessments in the field of solar photovoltaic systems before, that are clearly indicated in the CV (relevant evaluations/impact studies can also be shared).

• Ability to work with a team and under pressure, meeting deadlines and producing agreed upon deliverables.

• Experience in qualitative data analysis, research and report writing.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Excellent English drafting skills.

· Contract and terms of payment:

The consultant will sign a contract with the DCA/NCA Office in Jerusalem. The payment shall be made according to the following schedule:

• 50% after signing the contract agreement. 50% after submission and approval of the final report

· How to submit a proposal:

Interested consultants are requested to submit a detailed proposal no later the 14th of November 2017 that includes:

• Methodology of conducting the study.

• Detailed budget.

• Examples of documents and tools to be used and shared.

• Implementation plan / time table for the study.

Proposals should be submitted to DCA/NCA via email: info.palestine@dca.dk

Proposal Submission Form

To be completed by candidates:

Programme:

Contract:

Proposal submitted by:

Name:

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E-mail address:

Date of proposal:

Financial proposal

My proposal for remuneration of my services is as follows:

Please submit the proposal in USD

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