Background

The impact of the Syrian crisis on the development trajectory of countries in the region can easily span a decade. The magnitude of the conflict has not only led to a high loss of human life and massive population displacement both within and outside of Syria, but it has also destroyed the social, economic and political fabric and has seriously compromised the future of the country and the region.

The scale of the refugee influx and its impact on host countries calls for dedicated action, as coping mechanisms are stretched and resilience is eroding. There is increasing recognition amongst concerned governments and the international community that the crisis has begun to compromise development gains and that overall stability of many countries is at risk, as social tensions continue to increase, as evidenced by declining human development and growth trends, and increasing levels of vulnerabilities. The development loss is amplified in the sub-region, which is reliant on intra-regional trade and a vibrant private sector.

This requires long-term vision that guide short and medium term interventions and that generate immediate, concrete changes in lives of people affected by the crisis while simultaneously arresting development loss. Countries affected by the Syrian crisis are in the middle-income bracket, which suggests that there are domestic resources available and systems in place that international support can build upon.

The situation in the region is protracted and a more sustainable approach, utilizing the comparative advantages of UNHCR and UNDP is required to meet the identified needs and vulnerabilities of both refugees, host communities as well as national, sub-national and local institutions.

On 17 December 2013 UNDP and UNHCR signed a regional MOU in order to consolidate the cooperation between our two organizations, and to draw on the comparative advantages of humanitarian and development organizations in order to address the range of needs on a timely basis and at an appropriate scale.

One of the key elements of this partnership is the establishment of a UNDP-UNHCR Joint Secretariat that is now launching a few key sub-regional studies to address important knowledge gaps and subsequently provide analytical and programmatic tools for Country Offices in the region.

Given the acute threats to lives and livelihoods, the response to the Syrian crisis has been primarily humanitarian. There is growing recognition that the social, environmental and economic impacts also require a development response. There is an opportunity, and indeed an imperative, for development assistance to play an important role in addressing the negative impacts of the crisis on countries in the sub-region and in supporting the systems and services on which households rely.
Unlike other conflicts where the influx of refugees in neighboring countries is contained through official camps, more than 80% of refugees live in communities and cities. In some host communities this has dramatically shifted the demographic balance in favor of the refugees. The majority of refugees seek housing and livelihood opportunities in and around ‘host cities’ as they offer the most opportunities. In context of a protracted crisis in middle income countries, those unique and complex dynamic has challenged our response to this sub-regional crisis.

Identified challenge:

In the context of a protected crisis, there is a general consensus within the international community that the ongoing response to the Syria Crisis is neither sustainable nor affordable. The crisis has reached a point where there is a need to complement humanitarian response by strengthening longer-term management capacities and the resilience of host populations and communities, including refugees, IDPs and national systems. A resilience-based development approach entails to re-visit the way the international community provides assistance, to ensure refugees, IDPs, households and community are able to cope, recover and transform from the effect of the crisis; addressing vulnerabilities and strengthening resilience in a cost-effective and sustainable manner. There are already a number of good practices and examples in the region that merit to be assessed and collected.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions:

The consultant is expected to work independently and under the overall guidance of the UNDP-UNHCR Joint Secretariat (Syria related Crisis). He/she will develop a methodology and criteria for eligibility in the collection of good and innovative practices to a refugee crisis.

Good practices should, for example Include, (1) use new or innovative ideas (2) achieve multiple objectives (2) use the most cost effective and efficient technology (3) use local knowledge and/or resources (4) involve strong partnerships (5) involve the government/municipalities in the design, implementation or have opportunities to be up-scaled by national or sub-national authorities.

Through desk reviews and field interviews, the consultant will collect good humanitarian and development practices in response to refugee crisis with a “resilience lens”, as well as innovative approaches that can support the crisis response, either with regards to technology, partnerships or user-based design. The consultant will also assess the scalability and replicability of those examples in the context of the Syria Crisis regionally, as well as opportunities for Government’s involvement and alignment with National Plans and systems where relevant.

Deliverable:

A compendium of good and innovative practices in responding to a refugee crisis with lesson learned and opportunity for replicability/scalability in the context of the Syria Crisis and its effect on neighboring countries. Practices should come from both humanitarian and development organizations and integrate a strong “resilience lens”.

The methodology should at least include the following elements:

• Development of a methodology and eligibility criteria for the collection of lessons learned and good/innovative practices;
• Preliminary Report including identified projects, good practices and lessons learned through desk reviews and phone interviews;
• Analysis of scalability/replicability of those practices in the sub-region and in the context of the Syria crisis;
• Field mission as required (in a least 3 countries of the sub-region: Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Egypt).
• Peer Review and finilization of the report.
  

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the United Nations;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies

• In-depth knowledge on development and humanitarian issues;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Ability to work independently and with limited guidance;
• Capable of working in a high pressure work environment with frequent urgent deadlines;
• Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• High level logical and methodical organizational skills;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint development programmes and projects, mobilize resources .
  

Management and Leadership:

• Focuses on impact and result for the client;
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates openness to change;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's degree in development, social science, political science, economics, international relations or related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience at international level in the development and/or humanitarian field
• Proven experience in leading and coordinating researches and the drafting of knowledge product;
• Previous experience with UNDP and/or UNHCR is a strong asset;
• Previous experience in the collection of good practice and lessons learned is preferable;
• Experience in evaluating development and/or humanitarian project is an advantage;
• Experience in supporting Development/Resilience programming in emergency situation is an advantage;
• Highly familiar with current trends in innovation (processes, products and services).

Language:

• Fluency in English is required, Arabic is an asset.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

To apply, kindly read the procurement notice and attach all the following documents as one file. Candidates that fail to submit the required information will not be considered.

• Resume;
• Cover Letter (not more than 250 words);
• Proposed Methodology;
• Financial offer (on a lump-sum basis);
• 3 Professional References (emails and phone numbers).

Financial Proposal 

The financial proposal shall include a daily rate on lump-sum bases.