1. Summary:
Project: Strengthening resilience in Conflict-Affected Communities and camps in West Bank: Improving Food Security, Livelihood, Health, Social Cohesion, and Disaster Preparedness with a Focus on Women’s Empowerment.
Project duration: October 2025 (tentatively) – run 3 years
Project Country and locations: Palestine, West Bank (Locations will be selected among rural communities in West Bank, specifically Area C and refugees camps. Potential areas could be Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas, Jordan Valley. More detailed information will be shared during the selection phase. )
Resilience Analysis envisaged start and end dates: From May to July 2025
2. About Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH):
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is the humanitarian assistance agency of the Protestant Churches in Germany with headquarters in Berlin. Through its partner organisations, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe provides humanitarian aid worldwide. It supports people who have fallen victim of natural disasters, war and displacement and who are not able to cope on their own.
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe renders humanitarian aid worldwide. The organization is committed to the Humanitarian Principles, its Code of Conduct and is a signatory of the Charter4Change. The assistance Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe provides is designed to suit the local conditions and is integrated in the economic, social and political context of a specific country or region.
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe runs the Asia regional hub in Amman, Jordan, hosting the Middle East Program office and the sister organization Bread for the World (BftW) Dialogue Office.
In Palestine, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe started its support in 2006, through the delivery of humanitarian assistance and early recovery programs, from the frequent conflicts and disasters that affected the Strip over the past two decades. Priority programs areas of intervention in Palestine are DRR, agricultural livelihood support, and water management, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Livelihood.
The analysis will be produced for a consortium composed of Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, Welthungerhilfe, International Orthodox Christian Charities, and Juzoor. All partners of the consortium will be part of the consultant selection process and review of deliverables.
3. Background and Rationale
Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) and the partners’ consortium seeks to enhance community resilience in Area C and refugees camps in West Bank, Palestine, through Transitional Development Assistance (TDA) funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Affected people and communities in these areas face multiple challenges due to violence, climate change impacts, and economic insecurity. Integrated approaches to resilience focusing on livelihoods, food security, gender-based violence (GBV), health, social cohesion and disaster preparedness (DRR) have particular focus. To develop a project that effectively strengthens existing resilience capacities at different levels, DKH plans to carry out a project-designing resilience analysis. This analysis will contribute directly to the project design by identifying key areas where all the partners of the consortium can effectively support affected people and local structures in overcoming crises and strengthening their resilience in line with BMZ’s strategy on transitional development assistance (2020).
To further develop a project that effectively strengthens existing resilience capacities at different levels (individuals, households, and communities/local structures), while taking into account prevailing conflict dynamics and peace potentials, DKH plans to carry out a peace and conflict analysis (PCA). This analysis will contribute directly to the project design by identifying key drivers of conflict, fragility and violence, and based on this, peace needs and potential. The analysis will also entail the identification of various risks and potential negative effects of the planned project in line with the Do No Harm principle.
The location proposed will be selected among 40 rural communities in Area C and refugees camps. Potential areas could be Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas, Jordan Valley.
4. Purpose, Objective and Use
In order to understand, observe and reflect on the interactions between the conflict and crisis context and the envisaged project so as to inform the project design, DKH seeks to engage a consultant/consultant team to conduct a PCA in selected locations in West Bank. The analysis must use primary and secondary data and comprise the following elements:
- Key drivers of conflict, fragility and violence and needs for peace and security
- Relevance assessment for peace and security
- Risks for project realisation and risk management options
- Avoidance of potential negative effects (Do No Harm) and guidance on monitoring
The analysis must ensure a firm integration of perspectives of people affected by risks and rises. It will inform decision-making processes in the proposal development and support conflict-sensitive project management and monitoring. The results of the PCA will be shared with all the partners involved in the consortium (DKH, WHH, IOCC, Juzoor), and the backdonor.
As part of project-preparatory analyses, a comprehensive resilience analysis will be carried out in parallel. Preliminary findings of the resilience analysis shall be made available to the consultant(s).
5. Guiding Questions for PCIA
The following guiding questions are derived from the Conflict and Development (CDA) Guidelines of the UN, the BMZ/GIZ Factsheet on the PCA methodological framework and a FriENT briefing on evaluations in conflict settings. The questions may be complemented by the consultant(s) based on the specific research design of the PCA.
(1) Context Analysis
- Structures of conflict, fragility and violence: What are the central conflicts, manifestations of violence and features of fragility? What impact do they have? How do these different phenomena relate to each other? Are there key events or trends, which impact upon the intensity of the conflict? What is the impact of the conflict/crisis on gender equality and gender roles?
- Causes and dynamics: What are the underlying structural factors? What are the proximate factors? What are key driving factors of the conflict (dynamics without which the conflict would not exist or would be significantly different)? What are sudden or acute events that trigger conflict? What patterns, dividers and connectors exist? What are possible conflict scenarios of how the conflict might evolve in the near to medium-term future?
- Actors: Who are key actors (groups that can significantly influence the conflict dynamics) for conflict? What are their main interests, goals and positions? What horizontal inequalities exist and what are their impacts on relationships amongst stakeholders, including among groups by identity, religion, ethnicity, region, etc.? Who is worst affected by conflict, fragility and violence?
- Potential for non-violent conflict transformation: What strategies and resources are already in place to overcome conflict, fragility and violence? What brings people together (connectors) and what local capacities for peace exist? Which actors could promote peace? What role does gender play in the conflict and is it a positive transformative role?
- Needs for peace and security: What are peacebuilding needs or points of leverage for change? What areas should take priority for peaceful and inclusive development? What can civil society and local actors contribute to peace and security?
(2) Assessment of relevance to peace and security :
- Thematic relevance: Are there potential conflict triggers on the horizon that the planned project needs to account for? Does the project address issues that contribute to peaceful and inclusive coexistence? Is the planned project design conflict- and gender-sensitive? How can the planned project ensure to make a relevant contribution to peace and security as a primary or secondary objective?
- Geographic relevance: Does the planned project cover project locations that are particularly affected by fragility and conflict? Does the planned project cover project locations that are particularly affected by displacement?
- Relevance of actors: Does the planned project involve the main actors and those most affected by conflict, fragility and violence? Does the planned project follow an approach, which is sensitive to conflict dynamics, when involving certain actors? Which peace engines is the project leveraging
- Timing: Does the planned project intervene at the right point in time? Is there a chance of exerting an effective influence on conflict, fragility and violence?
- Relevance of instruments and modalities: Does the planned project employ appropriate and effective measures and modalities in the context of conflict, fragility and violence?
(3) Dealing with risks in the context of conflict, fragility and violence
- Risks: What natural and human-made risks exist or may arise in the project environment that could have a negative impact on the planned project, target groups, communities, project staff, service providers etc.? Which interests of conflict actors actually create some of these risks? What are the potential triggers?
- Likelihood and impact of risks: How likely (low/ medium/ high) are the different types of risk to occur? What would be the impact (low/ medium/ high) on the planned project if they were to occur
- Mitigation plan: What strategies can be taken at project level to reduce the likelihood of these risks occurring and their impact if they do occur? What contingency measures should be prepared to facilitate an appropriate response in the event that risks materialise?
(4) Monitoring impacts and avoiding negative impacts
- Do No Harm: What unintended negative impacts might the planned project have on the context of conflict, violence and fragility? What options are available to address unintended negative impacts
- Monitoring: How can the monitoring system of the planned project be designed to ensure that activities remain sensitive to conflict? Which indicators best facilitate an assessment of the intended positive impacts of the planned project?
6. Methodology
The consultant(s) will be responsible to design the study, including methodology, sampling, research methods and data collection tools. The study should involve the following steps:
- An extensive desk review focusing on key secondary sources (such as available analyses, documents and data on conflict, fragility, violence, risks, gender etc.),
- Primary data collection with a clear focus on qualitative methods such as focus group discussions (FGD), workshops and key informant interviews (KII). In this step, information is collected, triangulated and discussed in an inclusive, participatory, gender-and conflict-sensitive manner in order to deepen and complement the desk review.
- If necessary, relevant and feasible, this qualitative approach should be complemented by quantitative surveys.
- Data collection should be followed by a consultation process. The results of the preliminary analysis and data collection are discussed, validated and, if necessary, supplemented with partners, target group representatives and other relevant actors. This consultation process can take the form of a validation workshop.
- After data collection and validation/consultation, the final study must provide the following elements: a full peace and conflict analysis report with evidence-based answers to the research questions above, as well as recommendations for conflict-sensitive project design, management, monitoring and evaluation.
- The study is part of a more comprehensive bulk of analysis that will be conducted in parallel (Resilience, Peace and Conflict, Gender and Inclusion, Market and Value Chain). Therefore, the selected consultant/team must be ready to coordinate and harmonize the approach with other consultants/teams of consultants, under the supervision of the partners organizations forming the consortium.
7. Sampling
The consultant is expected to propose 2-3 communities from each area, representative of rural and non-rural communities. The consultant/team is also expected to explicit the number of KIIs, FGDs and surveys he/she/the team intends to conduct in each community.
The consultant(s) must propose an appropriate sampling framework during the design process. The sampling framework should seek to be representative of different social groups in the intended project areas, considering age, gender, community affiliation/identity, religion, status (IDP, returnee, refugee etc) and disability status.
Qualitative data should be used to gather in-depth information. The consultant(s) must propose a sufficient number of KIIs and FGDs to be conducted and cover all information needs. The consultant(s) should elaborate a detailed description of the sampling method as well as the selection of the respondents in the Inception workshop.
8.Limitations
The overall security situation in the intended project areas is volatile and subject to sudden change. The PCA is expected to tackle some sensitive topics around gender and conflict, and the personnel conducting the analysis need to be well trained and contextually aware.
The PCA shall be carried out as per the timeline in Section 11. In case of sudden access limitations due to the above, or any other force majeure (conflict, natural disaster, pandemic etc.), the consultant(s) must be able to continue with data collection via phone or other means as set feasible.
Other context factors such as religious holidays must be taken into consideration.
9. Logistics
The consultant(s) will be responsible to handle all the logistics for the data collection at the field level. DKH team and partners’ consortium may be able to provide support if needed.
10. Outputs and Deliverables
The consultant(s) will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:
- Inception Report: Detailed methodology and work plan, including data collection tools and proposed sampling methods to be discussed in an inception meeting
- Data Collection: Complete data collection (notes, transcripts of KII and FGDs, and datasets in Excel
- Preliminary Report: Draft report summarising key findings based on data analysis
- Validation Workshop: Organize and conduct a workshop to present and validate findings with local stakeholders and project partners
- Final Report: A comprehensive report (max. 30 pages excluding annexes) detailing PCA findings, recommendations for conflict-sensitive project design, management, monitoring and evaluation and a comprehensive bibliography.
Working languages are English and Arabic. All written outputs must be produced in English.
10. Timeline
- Task (1)
Description: Inception report
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 8 days
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (2)
Description: Inception Workshop (present and discuss desk review findings, proposed methodology and tools); approval by DKH, WHH, IOCC, Juzoor
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 1 day
Responsible : Consultant(s), DKH Amman, WHH, IOCC, Juzoor, DKH Berlin - Task (3)
Description: Train local researchers and/or enumerators, if needed
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 2-3 days
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (4)
Description: Data collection
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 1-2 Weeks
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (5)
Description: Data cleaning, analysis and prepare draft report
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 1 Week
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (6)
Description: Consultation process with local stakeholders e.g. as validation workshop
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 5 Days
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (7)
Description: Submission of preliminary report to DKH
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: Mid- End June
Responsible : Consultant(s) - Task (8)
Description: Review of draft report
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 1 -2 Weeks
Responsible : DKH Amman, WHH, IOCC, Juzoor, DKH Berlin - Task (9)
Description: Validation Workshop with all partners of the consortium
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: 1 Day
**Responsible :**Consultant(s), DKH Amman, WHH, IOCC, Juzoor, DKH Berlin - Task (10)
Description: Final Report submitted
Tentative timeframe / Deadline: Mid-July
Responsible : Consultant(s)
12. Safeguarding and Data Confidentiality
The consultant(s), along with all enumerators and sub-contractors, will be required to sign and follow DKH’s Code of Conduct (DKH Code of Conduct).
All primary data collected during the research process is to remain confidential and is not to be shared with third parties.
13. Conflict of Interest
The consultant(s) must declare any potential or perceived conflicts of interest linked to any aspect of this study. Such conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- Business interests in a community included in the study
- Financial, family, political or business affiliation with any DKH or partners’ consortium staff, or local authorities included in the study.
Declaration of a conflict of interest will not be viewed negatively and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Failure to declare a potential conflict of interest may lead to the disqualification of the consultant’s application or, if selected, the termination of the consultant’s contract.
14. Required Qualifications and Expertise
- A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience delivering PCA or similar services in Palestine or similar operational contexts.
- Professional working experience in Palestine and in-depth knowledge of its context of conflict and fragility.
- Proven experience with gender- and conflict sensitive research and application of the Do No Harm approach.
- Previous experience in monitoring, evaluation or research exercises in relation to peace and conflict, including primary data collection.
- Proven experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative studies for the humanitarian and/or development sector and access to technical expertise related to the study topics.
- Proven capacity to engage an experienced, local team to carry out data collection.
- Good knowledge of data collection software (such as Kobo), statistical packages (such as SPSS) and advanced analysis skills.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic.
- A minimum educational qualification equivalent to a master’s degree in a relevant
Field. - Willingness to avail senior management to discuss progress against contract deliverables
How to apply
Consultants/consultancy firms are invited to submit:
• Technical Proposal: Detailing the approach, methodology, and timeline for the assignment
• Capacity statement: Demonstrating experience and ability to deliver on the ToR
• Sample of previous work: At least two relevant resilience assessment reports, including at least one study that was 100% led by the lead consultant
• Financial proposal: Budget breakdown including consultancy fees, logistics, and any related costs, VAT
• CVs of key personnel: Detailing qualifications and experience
• References: Contact details for two references for similar assignments done not more than two years ago
Applications should be submitted to tender.JOR@diakonie-katastrophenhilfe.de by Tuesday, 22nd of April 2025.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.