Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2019

Project

MOEHE Public Finance Management Improvements and Development UNDER the Project of “Supporting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) with the implementation of the Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)” (the current strategic plan from 2014-2019).

In 2013, The MoEHE started the preparation of its latest EDSP (2014-2019), “A Learning Nation” and launched it in March 2014. The EDSP III is aligned to national planning processes and the National Development Plan (2014-2016) of the PA. The government is currently working on the National Policy Agenda for 2017-2022 and the MoEHE is adapting the EDSP III to align with it as well as the Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) is a basket funding mechanism supporting the Ministry of Education in implementing and achieving the objectives of the EDSP III . The overall goal / vision of EDSP III is “A results-based and student-centered education system that provides 21st century relevant education services at all levels with high quality and full equity considering individual needs and being at the heart of the political, economic, and social development in and for Palestine”. The general purpose of this consulting service is to support the MoEHE in the timely implementation of the current EDSP III (2014 – 2019) .Within the frame work of this consulting service there was a need to enhance MoE’s capacity in financial management with regards to issues pertaining to the external audit’s qualifications including accounting, internal controls, financial reporting, auditing, financial monitoring, funds flow and disbursement management. Therefore the assignment main objective was to prioritize the action plan tasks and qualifications that need to be rectified and assist primarily MoE (as well as MoF) to eliminate those qualifications and close the outstanding issues in an institutionalized manner to ensure sustainability by enhancing the financial management systemTo this end, MOEHE contracted PLANCO/ General Consulting and Training GCT/GOPA to implement this assignment in professional and objective manner that guarantee the achievement of its objectives.

Funded under the JFA between Germany, Finland, Ire-land, Norway and Belgium. In partnership with PLANCO – Lead Consultant, and GOPA; for the benifit of Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)

West Bank

View Project Details

2017

Project

Professional Translating, and Editing Services UNDER the Project of “Supporting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) with the implementation of the Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)” (the current strategic plan from 2014-2019.

In 2013, The MoEHE started the preparation of its latest EDSP (2014-2019), “A Learning Nation” and launched it in March 2014. The EDSP III is aligned to national planning processes and the National Development Plan (2014-2016) of the PA. The government is currently working on the National Policy Agenda for 2017-2022 and the MoEHE is adapting the EDSP III to align with it as well. The Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) is a basket funding mechanism supporting the Ministry of Education in implementing and achieving the objectives of the EDSP III . The overall goal / vision of EDSP III is “A results-based and student-centered education system that provides 21st century relevant education services at all levels with high quality and full equity considering individual needs and being at the heart of the political, economic, and social development in and for Palestine”. The general purpose of this consulting service is to support the MoEHE in the timely implementation of the current EDSP III (2014 – 2019) focusing initially on 9 Priority Support Areas, devoted to the main reform tracks in EDSP III, all of them covering respective operational responsibilities of the MoEHE. Within the frame work of this consulting service there was a need to translate from Arabic to English the MOEHE’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report of 2016. Therefore the assignment main objective was to conduct the necessary proof-reading and editing of its content in order to produce a proficient English language version.To this end, MOEHE contracted PLANCO/ General Consulting and Training GCT/GOPA to implement this assignment in professional and objective manner that guarantee the achievement of its objectives.

Funded under the JFA between Germany, Finland, Ire-land, Norway and Belgium. In partnership with PLANCO – Lead Consultant, and GOPA; for the benifit of Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)

West Bank

View Project Details

2017

Project

Transport Service Feasibility Study for the Application of Emergency Policy UNDER the Project of “Supporting the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) with the implementation of the Education Development Strategic Plan (EDSP)” (the current strategic plan from 2014-2019

In 2013, The MoEHE started the preparation of its latest EDSP (2014-2019), “A Learning Nation” and launched it in March 2014. The EDSP III is aligned to national planning processes and the National Development Plan (2014-2016) of the PA. The government is currently working on the National Policy Agenda for 2017-2022 and the MoEHE is adapting the EDSP III to align with it as well.The Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) is a basket funding mechanism supporting the Ministry of Education in implementing and achieving the objectives of the EDSP III . The overall goal / vision of EDSP III is “A results-based and student-centered education system that provides 21st century relevant education services at all levels with high quality and full equity considering individual needs and being at the heart of the political, economic, and social development in and for Palestine”. The general purpose of this consulting service is to support the MoEHE in the timely implementation of the current EDSP III (2014 – 2019) focusing initially on 9 Priority Support Areas, devoted to the main reform tracks in EDSP III, all of them covering respective operational responsibilities of the MoEHE. Within the frame work of this consulting service there was a need identify the best practice for providing safe access to school students in fragile and marginalized areas (Jerusalem, “Area C”, and Hebron) in order to deter dropouts and lost class hours due to the volatile environment they live in. Therefore the assignment main objective was to conduct a feasibility study that shall recommend an education in emergency policy on safe access for school students in fragile/remote areas. The study shall recommend the most efficient and effective methods for mitigating the challenges of safe access within an environment of education in emergency. This includes efficient and effective transport service provision that could also serve as a solution for school buildings in remote/marginalized areasTo this end, MOEHE contracted PLANCO/ General Consulting and Training GCT/GOPA to implement this assignment in professional and objective manner that guarantee the achievement of its objectives.

Funded under the JFA between Germany, Finland, Ire-land, Norway and Belgium. In partnership with PLANCO – Lead Consultant, and GOPA; for the benifit of Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE)

West Bank

View Project Details

2017

Project

Needs Assessment, Capacity Development and Coaching on Community Initiatives Development and Implementation for Youth in Aqabat Jabr Camp.

In August 2014 the Department of Refugee Affairs (DoRA) of the Palestinian Liberation Organization requested that the Government of Japan (GoJ) provide assistance for the Project with the objective of improving the capacity of DoRA and the relevant community groups necessary for camp improvement, which was subsequently appraised and adopted by GOJ. Based on the above request, the “Refugee Camp Improvement Project” was commenced in January 2017. This project is implemented by a group of Japanese experts/specialist in cooperation with Palestinian experts who's named JICA Expert Team (JET).The project is focused on Aqabat Jaber Camp in Jericho, as a pilot camp. Under the different projects’ activities, it is planned to conduct a training for youth in the camp who are their age’s between15-30. The main objectives of this training assignment are as follows:Strengthening the life skills of the trainees;Strengthening the abilities of the trainees through the training course and group activity;Developing future leaders to improve Aqabat Jabr Refugee Camp.To this end, JET has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.

Funded by JICA, implemented by JICA Expert Team (JET) in cooperation with Department of Refugee Affairs (DoRA).

West Bank – Jericho.

View Project Details

2017

Project

Local Venue Support Services and Event Management of TAIEX Workshop on the Set-Up of a Police and Customs Cooperation Centre in Jericho.

IBF International Consulting provides logistical support for seminars, workshops and other training events in East and Southeast Europe as well as in the European Neighborhood countries benefiting from the EU-financed TAIEX project. TAIEX stands for (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange), which is an instrument providing short-term technical assistance to the EU pre-accession process in the field of approximation, application and enforcement of the EU community acquis and related issues. TAIEX is demand driven and draws heavily on EU Member States’ administrations and institutions to make experts available for its activities. These include workshops, expert missions and study visits. The main objective of the workshop was to improve cooperation between Customs and Police acting under the Palestinian General Administration for Borders Crossing by sharing EU standards and best practice so as to reinforce its capacities to prevent and fight against border crimes and fraud.Based on the foregoing, IBF has contracted GCT to provide LVS services and manage the workshop during its duration in Jericho.The key responsibilities of the LVS expert is to coordinate all elements in the organization of the event such as technical support, coordination of journalists, speakers coordination, cooperation with TAIEX representatives from Belgium, venue organization with all the various requests, and coordination of all the participants and registration.

IBF International Consulting, in Cooperation with The General Administration for Borders Crossing (GABC).

West Bank – Jericho

View Project Details

2017

Project

Market Penetration Study Europe

The Palestinian Market Development Program (PMDP), is funded by UK Department for International Development (DFID) and European Union (EU) in-cooperation with the Ministry of National Economy and .implemented by DAI Europe over a period of five years in the OPT, with offices both in Ramallah and Gaza.The program has been designed to improve market systems and improve the competitiveness of the Palestinian private sector. PMDP aims to improve private sector competitiveness through technical assistance and matching grants. Additionally, PMDP will work on strengthening trade and investment linkages as well as linkages with the Palestinian Diaspora to play an active role in economic development in the OPTs.Program key outputs:Output 1: Improved Private Sector Skills and Innovation - Provide matching grants and technical assistance to firms or consortia – under a competitive process, which specifically help firms to innovate and develop their Products/services, improve processes and enter into new markets.Output 2: Address Market System Failures in Specific Sectors - Undertake market analysis and facilitation to address market system failures by identifying how specific market systems operate, Identifying what factors drive underperformance, and facilitate improved performance and value chain integration and sharing of knowledge and best practice.Output 3: Strengthening Trade and Investment Linkages with International Markets - Provide technical assistance to key market institutions to encourage and support foreign and local investment in Palestine. The objective of this assignment is to conduct a business development study in order to allocate European consulting firms/ training institutions willing to cooperate with GCT. B2B meetings will be organized.

PMDP implemented by DAI Europe in cooperation with of the Ministry of Economy

West Bank

View Project Details

2017

Project

Local Venue Support Services and Event Management of TAIEX Workshop on the Set-Up of a Police and Customs Cooperation Centre in Jericho.

IBF International Consulting provides logistical support for seminars, workshops and other training events in East and Southeast Europe as well as in the European Neighborhood countries benefiting from the EU-financed TAIEX project. TAIEX stands for (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange), which is an instrument providing short-term technical assistance to the EU pre-accession process in the field of approximation, application and enforcement of the community acquits and related issues. TAIEX is demand driven and draws heavily on EU Member States’ administrations and institutions to make experts available for its activities. These include workshops, expert missions and study visits. Under the TAIEX activities in the state of Palestine, IBF was planned for conducting a workshop for two days on The Set-Up of a Police and Customs Cooperation Centre in Jericho for The General Administration for Borders Crossing (GABC).The main objective of the workshop was to improve cooperation between Customs and Police acting under the Palestinian General Administration for Borders Crossing by sharing EU standards and best practice so as to reinforce its capacities to prevent and fight against border crimes and fraud.Based on the foregoing, IBF has contracted GCT to provide LVS services and manage the workshop during its duration in Jericho.

IBF International Consulting- Belgium, in Cooperation with The General Administration for Borders Crossing (GABC)

West Bank

View Project Details

2016

Project

Diagnostic Review for Work Based Learning (WBL) Legislation and Development the Needed Complementary Bylaws.

The ECIB Program focuses on improving the qualitative and quantities aspects of work-based learning practices at the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs in Palestine, which is aligned to the national TVET strategy and the five-year plan of relevant ministries (MoEHE & MoL).Within this context and to support the objectives of ECIB program, BTC was intended to support the MoEHE and MoL in reviewing and assessing the work-based learning legislation in Palestine, and develop the needed bylaws, to bridge the gaps in the regulatory framework for WBL.The main objective of this assignment was to explore and diagnose the need for a specialized law and legislation on TVET field, as well as in outlining the main axes of this law and the key contents to be addressed by its legal articles. For achieving this objective, it was necessary to start with diagnosis the current situation of legal framework that governs TVET sector in Palestine through conducting a comprehensive diagnostic study, and then starting the development of necessary bylaws and legislation based on the results of the diagnostic study. More specifically, the assignment was aimed to:1- Analyze of the current status of development of drafting law on TVET and align with efforts of GIZ and ILO.2- Assess of the Labor Law No.7 regarding contractual and regulatory arrangements for WBL;3- Prepare of Bylaw to the Labor Law No.7 or other such legislation in order to cover company-based apprenticeship and all other forms of WBL, as well as a legal basis for any future incentive for employee and apprentices; 4- Draft potential by-law for various forms of WBL practices in the education and higher education law; 5- Draft of a potential separate act on apprenticeship, in line with examples from many countries around the world;6- Consultation with ongoing labor law reform process in Palestine to ensure consistent approach;7- Draft by-law to improve the inspection and complaints tools in order to ensure compliance for both employer and trainee.

Enhancing Capacities for Institution Building (ECIB) Program, Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC).

West Bank

View Project Details

2016

Project

Final Evaluation for “Enhancing Youth Employability”Project.

“Enhancing Youth Employability” is a three year TVET/LM project implemented by Islamic Relief Palestine (IRPAL) in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) during the period from ( Jan 2013- Feb 2016), in order to improve youth employability in the Gaza Strip while, at the same time, improving the overall TVET system in Gaza .The key objectives of the project was to adopt and implement key elements of the National TVET strategy in the Gaza Strip, revitalize the capacity of public TVET centers in terms of improved facilities and curricula and human resource that will contribute to the delivering of vocational training based on new national standards and successful trainees find employment. Its overall goal was to enhance employability of young women and men in the Gaza Strip through an improved and unified TVET system with public TVET centers providing trainees with labor Market relevant skills and employment services. With approaching the end of project, a final review was necessary to evaluate the progress realized, in addition to SDC decision to exit from the TVET sector and to focus only on skills development/vocational training in the field of agribusiness which led SDC to consider the importance of consolidating results of TVET projects and to the possible extend ensure sustainability and continuity. The main objective of this final evaluation was to provide a comprehensive and sufficient analysis of the project’s three years of operation (Jan 2013- Feb 2016)that by conducting an independent assessment of the level of achievement and impact of set targets and expected results- with a major focus on effectiveness and sustainability, outputs and outcome listed in the project’s documents and log frame, determine the successes and shortcomings, identify lessons learned and best practices, in addition to provide recommendations on how to improve sustainability of results while proposing options to further develop vocational training in the field of agribusiness particularly, in line with SDC’s new cooperation strategy of focusing on this sector only , in addition to provide recommendations for preparing the phasing out of IRPAL project , as well as for similar projects in future.

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Gaza Strip

View Project Details

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

View Project Details

2015

Project

Launching the Fourth phase of the Youth local Councils (YLCs) in the West Bank for the benefit of 18 partner LGUs.

Youth constitute an overwhelming majority of population in the West Bank & Gaza and despite of this, there have been few opportunities for them to engage in community affairs and local governance. In response to this unbalanced situation, Global Communities (Formerly CHF) piloted the Youth Shadow Local Council initiative in four communities in 2008 with funding from USAID. By the beginning of 2015, Global Communities has intended to launch the fourth phase of Youth Local Councils (YLCs) in the 18 partner LGUs (Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, Bethlehem, Beit Fajjar, Halhoul, Beit Ommar, Anabta, Qalqilya, Tubas, Aqaba, Salfeet, Bedia,Qabalan, BirZeit,Tibeh, Abu Dis,Al-Ram and Jericho).The overall objective of this project was to enhance the youth participation in the local governance sector and enable them to have a say and play a role in bringing about positive change and initiating community mobilization process for local sustainable development.Its specific objectives were to:1.Encourage local community to support youth participation in public and local discourse and decision- making;2.Promote democratic practices within youth sector 3.Enrich and building the capacities of youth to play an effective role in bringing about a positive change in the community towards fulfilling their actual needs and priorities ;4.Enable elected youth to practice a leadership experience with municipalities, institutions, ministries and decision makers, and take a part in the development activities and initiatives at the local level.Within this context and for achieving these specific and general objectives, Global Communities has contracted GCT to implement this project in an effective manner within the highest possible quality standards.

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

West Bank (Northern, Middle and Southern areas)

View Project Details

2015

Project

Feasibility Study for Establishment of Al-Dahrieh International Football Stadium.

The MDP is a multi-phase national program which is implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF). Its first phase was spanned over a three years period from 2010 to 2013 targeting all 134 municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and has provided municipalities with a combination of technical assistance and annual performance-based grants for priority sub-projects to improve municipal finance and municipal planning. The second phase of MDP(Phase II) is planned to support municipalities - over the short-term- in improving their municipal management practices for better municipal transparency and service delivery. It is designed to address the core issues in municipal service delivery, including: poor management practices that compound an already severe budgetary crisis, lack of local budgets for capital investments, and low revenue generation.The French Development Agency (AFD) has contributed to the 1st cycle of Phase II of the Municipal Development Program (MDP) with a 1M€ grant. This grant mainly serves to finance technical assistance and capacity building services to a few pilot municipalities across West Bank and Gaza to enhance their capacities to design and manage Local Economic Development (LED) approaches/projects. In that matter, MDLF shall support the packaging and emergence of pilot LED projects, as well preparing to play the role of a mediator/facilitator between the private stakeholders and qualified municipalities. Within the frame work of AFD grant and windows 4 of MDP, MDLF is intend to use part of the grant to contract with consulting firm to undertake an assignment entitled “Feasibility Study for Establishment of - Al-Dahrieh - International Football Stadium”, for the benefit of Al-Dahrieh municipality. The main objective of this assignment was to conduct feasibility study for establishment of -Al-Dahrieh - International Football Stadium, to help the municipality to decide whether to proceed with this LED project or not, and if this project will be feasible to catalyze economic activities not just in its surroundings but also throughout the city.Within this context, the study will focus on the project impacts on the different key aspects of local development (economic, financial, urban and social) at the individual, local and national level. As a result of the study, the municipality will be provided with logical justifications enriched with evidence - based research to proceed with the project or not. Furthermore, this study will examine the expected impacts on the mid and long term of the project to assess the degree of project success be a viable and sustainable financial, urban, economic model.

Funded by AFD ; MDLF, for the benefit of Al- Dahrieh Municipality.

West Bank-Hebron

View Project Details