Tenders Are Invited For Contracting A Researcher To Prepare A Research Paper Entitled: The Effectiveness And Role Of Female Members Of Local Councils In Palestine... From Representation To Influence

Tenders are invited for Contracting a Researcher to Prepare a Research Paper Entitled: The Effectiveness and Role of Female Members of Local Councils in Palestine... From Representation to Influence Service Location: Remote Jobs Terms of Reference (TOR) Contracting a researcher to prepare a research paper entitled: "The Effectiveness and Role of Local Council Members in Palestine... From Acting to Influence" As part of the project "Enhancing Palestinian Womens Political Participation and Increasing Their Impact", funded by the International Foundation of the Swedish Centre Party (CIS) August, 2026 CIS PWWSD First: About the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development The Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development (PWD) is an independent Palestinian NGO established in 1981 that works to promote womens rights and empower them politically, economically, and socially, based on the principles of social justice, equality, and human rights. The association implements various programs aimed at enhancing womens political participation, expanding their access to decision-making positions, building the capacity of women leaders, and promoting community accountability and local governance, thus contributing to building a democratic society based on gender equality. In 1998, the association launched the initiative to form shadow councils, with the aim of contributing to enhancing the presence of women in decision-making circles, especially at the level of local bodies. These councils constitute a societal model that aims to enhance womens participation in local governance, develop their roles in influencing local policies, follow up on the performance of local authorities, support women elected to these bodies, and enhance communication between women and decision-makers. In the 2026 elections for local authorities, 113 women members of shadow councils and community activists targeted by the association ran, with 98 women and young women reaching membership in local bodies, either through direct election or through acclamation in locations that did not witness elections. Second: About the Project The Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development (PWD) is implementing the project "Enhancing the Political Participation of Palestinian Women and Increasing Their Impact" in partnership with the International Foundation of the Swedish Centre Party (CIS), with the aim of promoting womens active participation in political and public life, and increasing their influence in decision-making processes at the local and national levels. The project focuses on developing the capacities of women leaders, supporting womens shadow councils, supporting women council members, promoting dialogue with decision-makers, and producing knowledge and evidence that contributes to the development of policies related to womens political participation, in line with the principles of democracy, good governance and gender equality. Third: Context of the Mission The recent local elections have seen an increase in womens participation in candidacy and victory, highlighting the need to examine the effectiveness of women councillors after they reach decision-making positions, and to analyze the nature of their roles, the challenges they face, and the factors that enhance or limit their influence within local councils. This paper also comes as a continuation of the efforts of the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development in documenting the accumulated experiences of womens shadow councils and members of local authorities, and benefiting from their experiences in analyzing the reality of womens political participation, and coming up with practical recommendations that can be built on in the development of future policies and programs, which will contribute to womens transition from participation and representation to the ability to have an effective influence, and enable them to exercise their leadership and influence roles within local authorities, in a way that enhances their effective participation in decision-making and planning processes Local development is responsive to the needs of women and society and is gender-sensitive. Accordingly, the association intends to contract with a researcher and consultant to prepare an analytical research paper entitled "The Effectiveness and Role of Local Council Members in Palestine... From Representation to Influence", noting that the scope of the mission will include the West Bank. Fourth: Expected Outputs of the Research Paper: Analyze the reality of the participation of women members of local councils and their roles in local decision-making processes. Reviewing the most prominent achievements of women within the local councils. Identify institutional, societal and political challenges and obstacles that affect the effectiveness of women council members. Identify success factors and best practices that have contributed to enhancing the role of women within local authorities. Formulate practical recommendations targeting decision-makers and relevant institutions to promote womens political participation at the local level. Fifth: Scope of Work and Themes of the Research Paper The researcher is expected to prepare a research paper that addresses the following topics: The legal and institutional framework regulating the work of local authorities and womens participation in them. The Reality of Womens Representation in Palestinian Local Councils. The extent of participation of local council members in: Decision Making. Specialized Committees. Preparing plans and budgets. Oversight and Accountability. Connect with the local community. The most prominent achievements that women have contributed to within the local councils. Challenges facing women members of local councils, including: Legal challenges. Institutional challenges. Social and cultural challenges. Political challenges. The impact of previous experiences, trainings, and capacity building programs on the performance of female members. The role of womens shadow councils in supporting women members of local councils and enhancing their effectiveness. Lessons learned and future recommendations. Sixth: Work Methodology The researcher is expected to adopt a research methodology that combines quantitative and qualitative tools, including: Review of the literature and previous studies. Review relevant legislation and policies. Analyze available data and statistics. In-depth interviews with local council members. Interviews with women shadow council members as co-authors of the paper, to benefit from their experiences and assess the experience. Hold focus groups with members of localbodies. Hold consultative sessions (where needed) to discuss and verify the initial findings. Prepare a first draft, then a final version after receiving feedback. Seventh: Obligations of the Researcher: The researcher is obliged to provide the following: A meeting organized by the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development will be held with the Director of the Political Participation Program in the Association, who is directly responsible for managing the project as the coordinator of the project, and any other members of the Association to discuss the main topic that will be addressed in the content of the policy paper. Preliminary reportThe Inception Report includes the action plan, methodology, data collection tools, and other research requirements within a maximum of one week of the start of the task. Prepare the first draft of the research paper in Arabic with an executive summary. Submission of the first draft of the research paper to the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development by 5/10/2026 for feedback. Submission of the final paper to the Assembly no later than 5 days after receiving feedback from the Assembly on the first draft. A final version in Arabic after reviewing the Societys observations. Executive summary in Arabic and English. Participation after the completion of the research paper (if required) in a presentation session organized by the association to discuss the results of the paper with the project team, members of the Womens Shadow Councils Forum and any other relevant parties. Supervision and Follow-up The researcher will work in direct coordination with the project team at the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development, and all outputs will be reviewed and approved by the association before approving the final version of the research paper. Eighth: Implementation Period The mission will be carried out between 1/9/2026 20/10/2026, according to a timetable agreed with the Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development. Ninth: Required Qualifications The researcher or consultant is required to have the following: An undergraduate degree in political science, public administration, womens studies, sociology, or any related discipline. With a minimum of three years of experience in research and analytical studies. Proven experience in the preparation of studies and research related to local governance, political participation, or gender issues. Good knowledge of the legislation regulating local government in Palestine. Good knowledge of the Palestinian context, and of gender issues Experience in the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Highly skilled in analysis, drafting research papers, and policy recommendations. Ability to adhere to the schedule and coordinate with the project team. Tenth: Ethical Commitment and Protection Policy from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse The Palestinian Working Womens Association for Development (PWWSD) is committed to preventing all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse, and c Tender Link : https://www.jobs.ps/en/tenders/august-2026-cis-pwwsd-15723.html