Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2017

Project

Final Evaluation of “Fostering Cooperation on Water Management among the Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanian Water Authorities” Project

Bilateral and multilateral peace talks between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority led to the creation of the multilateral Working Group on Water Resources (WGWR) in 1992. In 1994, the group established the executive Action Team (EXACT) to assist in its coordination and endorsed the Water data Bank Program that received EU support since 1995. In 2013, a contribution agreement was signed between UNDP and the European Union for the implementation of the project entitled: Fostering Co-operation on Water Management among the Palestinian, Israeli, and Jordanian Water Authorities. This project is the fifth project funded by the EU in the framework of the WGWR/EXACT initiative. It focuses on the identification and quantification of climate effects on water resources in the Core Parties territories.With approaching the project end after 4 years of operation, UNDP/PAPP planned to conduct external final evaluation for the project’s achievements and outcomes.The purposes of this final evaluation were as follows:Assessing the performance of the project and measure to what extent the objective/outputs/activities have been achieved against the results and resources framework;Identifying factors that have hindered or facilitated the success of the project;Reviewing the stages of the project and its products, with special focus on the strategic regional aspects of the project, the sustainability of dynamics generated among partners and commitments for the future.To this end, UNDP/PAPP has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.

Funded by European Union (EU); for the benefit of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP/PAPP),

West Bank – Jenin, Al- Maleh Shobash Catchment area and the south-eastern parts of Gilboa hills at the Israeli side.

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2017

Project

Final Evaluation of “Enhancing the Capacities of the Palestinian Authority in Mainstreaming Environment and Climate Change” Project.

The project aimed at enhancing capacities of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to mainstream and address the challenges of climate change into the government policy framework and plans. It also intended to support the implementation of pilot projects on climate change adaptation and mitigation. more specifically the project aimed at :To support PA, especially EQA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to engage in the International Environmental Conventions, including Rio Conventions, especially UNFCCC, in preparation for the state building;To mainstream climate change into national plans and strategies as integral component for sustainable development and green economy;To assess and strengthen the capacities of the related PA ministries and authorities in climate change mainstreaming, adaptation and mitigation according to the priorities identified;To implement selected Pilot projects from the Palestinian Adaptation Program of Action (PAPA) in the most affected areas in Palestine including water resources and food security, efficient and sustainable use of energy and sea level rise;To enable the PA to access environmental financing with focus on the GEF/SGP.With approaching the end of project, a final evaluation was necessary to provide a comprehensive and sufficient analysis of the project during the 4 years of operation by conducting an independent external assessment of the level of achievement, performance and impacts of set objectives and expected results, outputs and outcome listed in the project documents, determine the successes and/or shortcomings, as well as the factors that have hindered or facilitated the success of the project, identify lessons learned and best practices, in addition to provide recommendations to be considered in the development of future similar interventions.Specifically, the final evaluation focused on the following relevant activities: Assessing the relevance of the project in the context of the State of Palestine and the actual needs of Palestinian institutions;Determining the extent to which the project has achieved its overall goal, specific objectives and expected outputs since its inception;Addressing the gaps and highlighting challenges in achieving the desired results and outcomes;Analyzing the processes, efficacy of used model/practices/strategies, the effectiveness of project monitoring and learning processes, relations with relevant main stakeholders, and other aspects of UNDP/PAPP’s performance as implementing agency;Assessing the overall impacts of project and appraising the potential sustainability;Identifying and highlighting lessons learned, best practices, challenges faced, and providing recommendations as needed for development similar future interventions.Within this context, UNDP/PAPP has contracted GCT to undertake this final evaluation assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.

Funded by Government of Belgium; for the benefit of United Nations Development Program / Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP).

West Bank

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2016

Project

Institutional Capacity Assessment and Institutional Development Training for Water and Wastewater Unit within JSCPD in West Bethlehem .

The World Bank considered one of the key active donors in the Palestinian water and wastewater sector. In August 2012, it has approved the provision of around ($US 3,650,000) through its State and Peace-building Fund to finance a new development project entitled “Water Supply and Sanitation Improvements for West Bethlehem Villages” is supposed to last for 36 months.The project aimed mainly to improve, through a pilot project, the delivery of water and the planning of wastewater services in targeted five rural communities (Battir, Nahhalin, Husan, Wadi Fukin, Walajeh) that are marginalized due to mobility restrictions in West Bethlehem region. That in response to problems facing these rural communities which including among others: environmental and human health issues due to the pollution of springs.To this end, PWA is intend to contract with consulting firm to undertake an assignment entitled “Institutional Capacity Assessment and Institutional Development Training- Water and Wastewater Unit within JSCPD in West Bethlehem”. The main objective of this assignment is to assess the current capabilities and needs of the JSCPD and principally its new established water and wastewater unit (WWU) in terms of (institutional & administrative, technical and financial) aspects, with respect to its ability to sustainably plan, manage, operate and maintain water and sanitation system and services. This assignment will contribute in achieving the overall objective of the project under the Capacity Building Component, which represented by the improvement and enhancement the capacity of JSCPD/ WWU to plan, manage, operate, and maintain water and wastewater system and services, as measured by the preparation of a business plan (a tariff structure that aims at full recovery of O&M costs, and a tariff collection rate of at least 80%), in order to reduce reliance on subsidies.

Funded by World Bank JSCPD, Palestinian Water Authority.

West Bank - Bethlehem

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2016

Project

Support in Human Capacity Development for the Palestinian Water Sector.

In Palestine, numerous water and wastewater service providers struggle with high water losses, inefficiency in the operation of existing facilities, partly also critical revenue collection rates and lack of professional staff (in particular for wastewater management). The Palestinian Water Authority still does not have the necessary capacities, instruments and processes for an effective monitoring and steering of sector development. The newly established regulatory institution is not yet operational and doesn’t have effective instruments and processes to support service providers regarding performance improvements. With the adoption of the new Water Law in 2014, the establishment of the regulator and numerous bylaws (among which is the wastewater premises connection bylaw), the framework conditions for a far-reaching reform of the sector have been improved. However, institutions on the national level as well as WSP do not have the required capacities for efficient planning, management and regulation of water supply services and wastewater management (core problem). Therefore, the GIZ Water Program Palestine (WPP) aims to improve the capacities of the Palestinian water sector institutions with regard to planning, steering and regulation of water supply and wastewater management services. The WPP concentrates on two fields of action: (1) Support national institutions in the implementation of reform processes and (2) Improve the management capacities of the water and wastewater supply providers. Beneficiaries of the project are people including public and private institutions connected to water supply and wastewater network. Support to Human Capacity Development (HCD) of the Palestinian Water Sector is the largest of four components of the WPP. The main objective of this project is to contribute to the enhancement of the human capacities in the Palestinian water sector and to the achievement of the National HCD targets.

Funded by GIZ; for the benifit of the Union of Palestinian Water Service Providers (UPWSP)

West Bank

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2015

Project

Institutionalizing Local Economic Development and Developing Local Economic Development Plans for Selected Municipalities.

Global Communities (Formerly CHF International) is a non-profit international development organization acting as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low and moderate-income communities, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions. With funding provided by the (USAID), Global Communities is implementing a program titled "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI". The program aims mainly at promoting an enabling environment for good local governance and providing the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices. Within this context, it has developed over the past few years to encompass numerous activities through complementary components as follows:Assistance to develop the capacities, functions, and relations of national actors, particularly of the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and its regional directorate offices.Local community development which encompasses a) assistance to local communities and councils to identify needs and priorities, b) supporting the implementation of priority service and basic infrastructure projects, and c) developing strategic development and investment plans for partner Local Government Units (LGUs).Assistance to partner local councils in improving their service delivery and internal structure through training of councils' and staff members, introduction of modern systems, in addition to development of critical planning and development tools (e.g. master physical planning for the target towns and cities, etc.)Enhancement of opportunities for effective public participation and engagement in local governance matters which is pursued.Under the framework of point No.2 and following the successful implementation of the Strategic Development and Investment Plans in 10 partner LGUs under LGI and the official approval and endorsement of the modified SDIP methodology by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), LGI decided to continue working on this initiative, guided by the unified SDIP methodology, with Hebron Municipality.The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance and support Hebron municipality in developing and institutionalizing their Strategic Development and Investment Plan (SDIP) in accordance to the SDIP national methodology and approach adopted by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG).For that purpose, Global Communities has contracted the association of GCT and NCD to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

Funded by VNG International; Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF).

West Bank- Ramallah, Al Bireh, AL- Samou’, BirZeit and Tubas).

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2015

Project

Developing Strategic Development and Investment Plan- SDIP for the benefit of Hebron City.

Global Communities (Formerly CHF International) is a non-profit international development organization acting as a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low and moderate-income communities, helping them improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions. With funding provided by the (USAID), Global Communities is implementing a program titled "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI". The program aims mainly at promoting an enabling environment for good local governance and providing the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices. Within this context, it has developed over the past few years to encompass numerous activities through complementary components as follows:Assistance to develop the capacities, functions, and relations of national actors, particularly of the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG) and its regional directorate offices.Local community development which encompasses a) assistance to local communities and councils to identify needs and priorities, b) supporting the implementation of priority service and basic infrastructure projects, and c) developing strategic development and investment plans for partner Local Government Units (LGUs).Assistance to partner local councils in improving their service delivery and internal structure through training of councils' and staff members, introduction of modern systems, in addition to development of critical planning and development tools (e.g. master physical planning for the target towns and cities, etc.)Enhancement of opportunities for effective public participation and engagement in local governance matters which is pursued.Under the framework of point No.2 and following the successful implementation of the Strategic Development and Investment Plans in 10 partner LGUs under LGI and the official approval and endorsement of the modified SDIP methodology by the Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), LGI decided to continue working on this initiative, guided by the unified SDIP methodology, with Hebron Municipality.The main objective of this project is to provide technical assistance and support Hebron municipality in developing and institutionalizing their Strategic Development and Investment Plan (SDIP) in accordance to the SDIP national methodology and approach adopted by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG).For that purpose, Global Communities has contracted the association of GCT and NCD to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

Funded by USAID Global Communities, Local Government and Infrastructure program – LGI.

West Bank -Hebron

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2014

Project

Development of New Legal Framework (Laws and Bylaws) for governorate offices in the oPt.

UNDP/PAPP issued the Development for Freedom (Empowered Lives Resilient Nation) consolidated plan of assistance for the years 2012-2014. The plan focuses on strengthening particular affected geographic areas and vulnerable populations, Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Area C, by providing assistance in four main sectors: Democratic governance and the social contract, Promoting productivity and dignity through livelihoods, Natural resources and environment, and Public and social infrastructure.In line with this program and the 13th Palestinian Authority (PA) Government Plan of 2011-2013 which known by “Ending the Occupation, Establishing the State”, UNDP/PAPP governance team in coordination with Palestinian partner institutions developed the "Supporting Governance for Palestinian Statehood" program document (Statehood Program). This program aims at improving development management of state bodies, especially in the areas of planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring, while facilitating civic participation throughout this cycle. it has the following three main outputs: Institutions of governance and public administration able to fulfill responsibilities and undertake administrative/ financial functions; Sustainable platforms inclusive dialogue and accountable interaction between state and citizen established with an emphasis on women and youth; and State and independent bodies empowered and challenges for statehood. UNDP/PAPP has successfully completed a capacity assessment, a capacity development strategy, and a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for governorates in Palestine in 2012, which is considered as a first step towards achieving that program’s objectives, in cooperation with GCT.As a second step and in accordance with the diagnostic report’s recommendations which prioritized the development of a new legal framework as a top priority, UNDP/Statehood Program was intended to develop a new unified legal framework for Palestinian governorates that would be tackled the weaknesses of existing legal framework and replace or/amend the unclear mandates of governorates and its overlapping responsibilities with other government bodies.The main objective of this assignment is to develop a new legal framework (law and bylaws) that provide a clear mandate of the governors/governorates in line with existing Presidential decrees and the government's cross-sectorial strategy on local government and administrative development, through achieving the following sub-objectives: Develop a draft legal framework (law and bylaws) defining the mandate and functions of governorate administrations; Provide technical assistance to the Office of the President to support its efforts to establish a consensus on the new legal framework. To this end , UNDP/PAPP has contracted GCT to undertake the consultancy service to develop a new legal framework that would clearly regulate the mandate of the governors/governorates, subject to its endorsement by the President.

United Nations development program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP).

West Bank

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2014

Project

Situational Analysis Study and Development of an Implementation Plan for a Future More Decentralized/ Devolved Palestinian Local Government System.

Global Communities is a non-profit international development organization whose mission is to create long-lasting, positive and community-led change that improves the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people across the globe. With funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Global Communities-West Bank/Gaza (WBG) is implementing "Local Government and Infrastructure - LGI" Program. The main objective of this program is to promote an enabling environment for good local governance and provide the basic infrastructure necessary for sustainable improvements in the quality of life for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. A key intervention of the program is to strengthen local government capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to community needs by promoting and institutionalizing good democratic governance practices.Within this context, the LGI aims to conduct an analytical study on decentralization covering the current realities and the possibilities for a more decentralize/devolved Palestinian local government system.The main objectives of this analytical study were to: Research, analyze and diagnose the current situation of the local government system in the WB, identify its level of decentralization as stipulated by the Local Authorities Law/s and based on current practices establish criteria to assist in evaluating the roles and responsibilities of the LGUs and the MoLG.Provide decision makers with insights and recommendations to determine the appropriate level of decentralization/devolution in the future for the Palestinian local Government System.Develop a doable practical implementation steps and plan building on what exists, what needs to be changed, requirements for change and in what timeframe to move for a more decentralized/ developed local government system. Inclusive of Laws need to be changed/updated and implications.Build consensus among relevant stakeholders on the practical steps that need to be adopted in the short, medium, and long term, to move for a more decentralized local government system. To this end , GC has contracted the local association of GCT and NCD to undertake this assignment in professional and comprehensive manner.

Funded by USAID; for the benifit of Global Communities, Local Government and Infrastructure program – LGI

West Bank

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2014

Project

Capacity development of Palestinian banking sector in using the sign language and dealing with people with hearing disabilities (Basic Level).

Proceeding from the social responsibility as active institutions and players in the Palestinian business sector from one hand, and their right to access to services provided by these institutions in various sizes and forms as an integral part of Palestinian society , General Consulting and Training(GCT) in collaboration with the Charitable Society for the Deaf in Ramallah city has worked on designing and implementing a professional training program on skills of using the sign language and dealing with people with hearing disabilities (Basic Level), in favour of Palestinian banking sector.The program was designed and developed based on the results of the needs assessment survey which conducted at the first training day with an active participation from Arab Bank staff (24 trainees).The program was aimed mainly to facilitate the process of communication between bank employees and the persons with hearing disabilities by enhancing their knowledge about the used signs in social relations and related terminologies to break the barriers between the trainees and this category of customers, and thereby being able to deal with them directly and meet their needs for banking services, by acquiring the most common used signs related to different provided services in the bank environment. One of the main expected output from this training, is to adopt the necessary actions towards providing the sign language translation service in the bank’s branches across the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Arab Bank

Ramallah -West Bank

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2012

Project

Provision of Capacity Assessment, Development of Capacity Development Strategy and a Diagnostic Report of the Existing Legal Framework for Governorates Offices in the oPt.

UNDP/PAPP issued the Development for Freedom (Empowered lives. Resilient Rations) consolidate plan of assistance for the years 2012- 2014, which focus on strengthening particular affected geographic areas and vulnerable populations (Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and Area C), by providing assistance in four main sectors: democratic governance and the social contract, promoting productivity and dignity through livelihoods, natural resources and environment, public and social infrastructure.In line with this program and the 13th Palestinian authority (PA) Government plan of 2011-2013 which called ending the occupation, establishing the state, UNDP/PAPP governance team in coordination with Palestinian partner institutions developed the "supporting governance for Palestinian statehood" program document (statehood program) which aims to achieve three main outputs: 1. Institutions of governance and public administration able to fulfill responsibilities and undertake administrative/ financial functions, 2. Sustainable platforms inclusive dialogue and accountable interaction between state and citizen established with an emphasis on women and youth, and 3. State and independent bodies empowered and challenges for statehood. In line with above three outputs mainly the first output, there was a key activity included in the statehood program aiming at developing a comprehensive intervention at the governorates level entitled "support APLA (Association of Palestinian Local Authority) and local governorates to improve decentralized service delivery to local constituencies". Within this context, UNDP/PAPP has planned for conducting a capacity assessment for the governorate offices, development of capacity development strategy, and a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for Governorate Office in the oPt and provide recommendations on the way forward. In order to these activities be implemented, UNDP/PAPP was contracted GCT to undertake this assignment toward achieving the main objectives. The main objectives of this study were to:Conduct a capacity assessment of all governorate offices.Formulate capacity development strategy to address capacity gaps and capacity development action plan for governorate, based on the results of the capacity assessment.Develop a diagnostic report of the existing legal framework for governorate offices in the oPt (both in Gaza and the West Bank), provide recommendations for improvements and highlights of a suggested new legal framework that clearly defines responsibilities and authorities of governors, with special emphasis on the relation with local government units, PA line ministries at the governorate level, and regional (governorate) planning.

United Nations development program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP).

West Bank

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2012

Project

Impact Assessment Survey of JICA's Major Projects in Assisting Palestine.

The Japanese government has provided assistance and big support to Palestine since 1994 until now by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as the implementing organization to the Japanese government’s assistance policy toward Palestine, which reflected in the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity”. JICA has played a significant role in Palestine from 1997 by addressing the Seven Priority Areas and expanding its cooperation to Palestine.JICA has contracted Japanese consultant team (consortium structured by Oriental Consultants Co, Ltd. and KRI International Corp) to conduct a survey titled “Data Collection Survey on Assistance Approach in Palestine”, for the purpose of achieving this study the consortium in turn has contracted GCT to conduct an Impact Assessment of JICA's Major Projects in Palestine to be a reliable reference for JICA in planning its operation and strategy toward assistance for Palestine.The main objectives of this study were to assess the individual and collective impacts with quantitative and qualitative analysis of the major projects in the seven priority areas (SME development & export facilitation, agriculture, tourism, local governance, public finance management, water & waste water management, health, and education) in which JICA has been committing, through the following sub objectives: To find good practices and success stories in each area form micro to macro levels (communities to governmental levels).To review to what extent each of projects has positively impacted on the fulfillment of sector goal set by Palestine - National Development plan.To suggest, whenever possible, the further actions, remedies needed to ensure positive impact generated, sustainability and sound development of each cooperation area or sector.To pinpoint both positive and negative factors and drawbacks associated with each of projects and/or target area, individually and collectively.

Funded by Japanese consultant consortium (Oriental Consultants Co, Ltd. and KRI International Corp), JICA study team of “Data Collection Survey on Assistance Approach in Palestine”; for the benefit of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

West Bank –Ramallah

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2011

Project

Ex-Post Evaluation Study of Third Country Training Programs (TCTP) in Jordan.

The Third Country Training Program (TCTP). Under the frame work of this program, several training programs were held in Jordan for the benefit of Palestinian public servants who belong to three major sectors in palestinian government which are: Civil Defense, Water and Justice . These training programs were designed by the Palestinian National Authority, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) -Jordan office of Jordan government, and held by Jordanian implementing organizations with financial and technical support from JICA - Jordan office.The main objectives of these programs were to provide the participants from the beneficiary organizations with an opportunity to improve their knowledge, technical and technological capacity in these sectors.The training programs for civil defense sector were implemented by Jordan Civil Defense Directorate (JCDD) and continued in an intermittent basis during the period between 2005- 2009 by focusing on fire fighting and rescue techniques for Palestinians. While the water sector training programs were focused on capacity building of water resource management for palestinians and implemented by Ministry of Water and Irrigation – Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) between 2006-2009 , where as the judicial and legal training was targeted the palestinian Ministry of Justice and implemented by Judicial Institute of Jordan during 2003 – 2007.After the completion of these training programs for the targeted sectors , there must be ongoing monitoring followed by good assessment to make sure that desired goals are achieved , identify the degree of the participants‘ realization, review the training process to reveal strengths and weaknesses in order to provide sufficient feedback for stakeholders for performance improvement in future interventions.In this context, JICA headquarters requested JICA Jordan Office to conduct an Ex-post Evaluation Study for TCTP to evaluate the results of training programs implemented by Jordanian organizations for Palestinian National Authority (PNA). To this end, JICA Jordan office has contracted Team International to implement this evaluation study which in turn contracted GCT as sub-contractor to conduct a number of filed visits & interviews with the Palestinian public servants who participated in these programs.

Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)- Jordan office

West Bank \& Gaza

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