Tenders are invited for Consultancy to Conduct an in-Depth Mapping and Analysis of the Existing Child Protection Structures consultancy Assignment for the Project: Strengthening Holistic Child Protection Services in Westbank and Gaza Strip Project Overview The conflict in Gaza, which commenced in October 2023, has had significant humanitarian and psychological impacts, not only in Gaza but also throughout the West Bank. UNICEF reports that numerous children have been separated from their families, increasing their susceptibility to exploitation and elevating the need for protection services. The demand for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) has risen urgently, with almost all children now requiring such assistance. In the West Bank, the effects of the conflict have been compounded by escalating violence, demolitions of homes, and severe restrictions on movement, further destabilizing communities and disrupting the lives of children and their families. These circumstances have heightened childrens exposure to harm, displacement, and insecurity, placing additional pressure on an already fragile child protection system. Critical deficiencies persist, including the lack of safeguarding policies for care facilities, limited child-friendly justice procedures, inadequate enforcement of mandatory reporting, and insufficient integration of child protection into the national case management system. These gaps further hinder the effective response to the growing protection needs of children. Given the deteriorating situation, there is an immediate requirement to enhance community-based child protection mechanisms. Accessing affected areas remains a challenge, and child protection counselors are facing growing workloads that hinder prompt interventions. A community-based approach is crucial in bridging these gaps by strengthening community ownership of child protection mechanisms. Thereby, facilitating more efficient and sustainable interventions, particularly during emergencies, ensuring that children and families receive the necessary support. In collaboration with UNICEF and the MoSD, Tdh seeks to engage an independent consultant to develop a rapid mapping report. This consultancy will assess the capacities of the MoSD and other formal and non-formal community-based structures in two selected governorates in the West Bank. The findings will inform the development of a community-based approach, focusing on best practices, operational structures, and sustainable solutions that benefit children, households, and communities. The consultant will implement a series of activities and data collection methodologies, designed and agreed upon collaboratively with Tdh and UNICEF, to ensure the delivery of actionable insights and recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness, accountability, and accessibility of child protection systems in Palestine. Objective of the Consultancy In Palestine, UNICEF and Tdh have been working collaboratively to enhance the child protection system by strengthening by reinforcing both governmental and community-based protection mechanisms. Through extensive consultations with the MoSD and UNICEF, Tdh has identified the critical need to strengthen the community-based protection approach as an integral component of the broader child protection framework. The primary objective of this consultancy is to conduct an in-depth mapping and analysis of the existing child protection structures at two interconnected levels: National (governmental) level: Assessing formal systems, including policies, procedures, staffing, resource allocation, and service delivery mechanisms under the leadership of the MoSD. Community-Based Protection Level: Assessing informal and community-driven mechanisms, including their capacities, roles, and coordination with formal systems to safeguard children effectively. The consultancy aims to identify strengths, gaps, and overlaps within the systems to evaluate their effectiveness in addressing child protection challenges. It will specifically examine critical areas such as: · Child protection prevention and response mechanisms. · Staffing and budget allocation at national and community levels. · Case management processes and their alignment with national referral systems. · Information management systems and the flow of critical data. · The accessibility and quality of service delivery for vulnerable children and families. To this end, the consultancy will assess the capacity of the MoSD in two selected governorates and evaluate the functionality and impact of community-based protection structures. Building upon these findings, the consultancy will inform the development of a comprehensive, actionable approach to strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms in the West Bank. This process will involve close collaboration between Tdh and UNICEF specialists, an external expert, and the consultant of this assignment, ensuring the recommendations are practical, culturally relevant, and tailored to the local context. The assignment will prioritize: · Capacity building for key stakeholders, · effective resource allocation, and · strengthening coordination mechanisms between national and community systems. The consultancy will employ a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, ensuring an inclusive and participatory approach. Relevant stakeholders, including governmental representatives, community leaders, and child protection practitioners, will be actively engaged throughout the process. The final deliverable will be a comprehensive report that includes a detailed mapping of current child protection systems operating the two targeted governorates, analysis of their effectiveness, and actionable recommendations. These insights will guide the development of a cohesive community-based protection framework, ultimately enhancing the capacity, accountability, and responsiveness of child protection mechanisms in the West Bank. Tender Link : https://www.jobs.ps/en/tenders
