Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

2018

Project

Evaluation of the project “Contributing to Bedouin Communities Access to Essential Health Services in the Jordan Valley Project WBK012.

Medical Aid Palestinians (MAP UK) is a British registered charity that has been reaching out to Palestinian communities, striving to deliver health and medical care to the worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement. This project was a collaboration between MAP and Islah Charitable society (ICS) to support the mobile clinic that targets 27 Bedouin communities in Jordan valley. The main objective of this project is as follows:This project aims to improve the health status of the vulnerable Bedouin communities in the Jordan valley by providing access to mobile health clinics, which provide PHC and MHC services and aiming for the following objectives:Improve access to and quality of essential primary health care servicesPromote fully comprehensive, integrated family health care services (including reproductive/sexual health services for men and woman) within the primary health care Improve population level mental, infant and child mortality and morbidity rates Improve population level mental, infant and child malnutrition rates

Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP UK), in collaboration with Islah Charitable society (ICS)

West Bank - Jordan valley area

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2018

Project

Assessment of current and need human resources of PIEFZA (Palestinian Industrial Estates and Free Zones Authority)

Industrial park (IP) development is considered as an important tool for national goal for transformation to sustainable industrialized economy of Palestine. Three IPs, at Jericho, Bethlehem and Jenin, supported by Japan, France and German respectively, are ongoing to develop. However, PIEFZA, responsible to plan, supervise and regulate IPs development, has limited human resources. On the other hands, Palestinian Authority also faced shortage of budget and human resources. Clear requirement (number and qualification required) and priority of human resource mobilization plan is to be made. The objective of this assignment is to conduct assessment and evaluation of the current and needed staff qualifications in PIEFZA (the assessment &evaluation by a competent party) is the most important component of this systematic control and evaluation work.The Project objectives:Assessment of present organizational structure, job descriptions, qualifications and staffs, whether they can be responsible for implementing the requirement of each ideal role of Directory through management and individual interview.Recommendation on human resource mobilization as well as further capacity development of existing staffs and effective outsourcing.

Funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); for the benefit of PIEFZA.

West Bank- Ramallah

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2017

Project

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), as well as for enabling the Directorates General for Planning, Financial Affairs and project management to fulfil their respective tasks.

In early 1999 the MoEHE launched a participatory process to prepare its first Five Year Education Development Plan (2001-2005). 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. 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.The key support areas for this consulting service are as follows:Program Budgeting and Financial ManagementElaboration of annual work plans and educational planningPolicy and concept development/formulationProcurement regulationsReportingFurther development of implementation structure of EDSPElaboration of capacity needs assessments and training modules together with NIET; Monitoring and evaluation and; Support the MoEHE in the implementation of the Education Sector Working Group and Technical Working Groups TORs.

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

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2018

Project

Develop MOEHE Planning and Budgeting Procedures Manual 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. Improve the design and procedures of the planning and budgeting management system and capture both in a form of a operations manual; therefore MOEHE contracted PLANCO/ General Consulting and Training GCT/GOPA to review and then develop MOEHE’s Planning and Budgeting Procedures Manual.The main objective of this assigment was to identify the process of planing and budgeting to assist ministry staff in conducting the propoer planing process as well as contributing to the creaation of a Planning Financial MIS at the MOEHE.

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

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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

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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

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2018

Project

Rural Development Project in the Jordan Valley Region (Study tour Turkey)

The AFD has decided to fund a project targeting communities in Area C of the Jordan Valley.The general objective of this project is building the resilience of Palestinian communities in Area C. This is defined as the ability of palestinian communities to cope with a host of socioeconomic and political shocks that threaten their assets, way of life, and their continued presence on their land.Within the framework of the project activities which is included in enhancing Capacity Building for both the Ministry of Local Government and the LGU’s for planning and Development in order to support the Palestinian communities in Area C, the RDO project aimed to organize a study tour and conduct successful experiences for sharing knowledge and project management by reviewing project management methodologies and experiences in the public sector in Turkey.Training and Study Tour Objectives:Provide required exposure to international experiences on integrated rural development and poverty reduction.Provide hands on experience with rural development project management best practices, including site visits to ongoing relevant projects.Get insights on experience of both recipients and implementers of rural development projects, through site visits, meetings and in class lecture.

Funded by French Development Agency (AFD) for the benefit of Ministry of Local Government (MoLG)

Istanbul

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2017

Project

Social and Baseline Survey and PRA/FGD on Jalazon and Old Askar Refugee Camps.

“Refugee Camp Improvement Project- PALCIP” is a three -year project funded by GoJ, and implemented by JICA in cooperation with DoRA since Jan 2017. This project came as a result of DoRA’s request from GOJ to provide assistance for improving its capacity and the relevant community groups necessary for camp improvement, which was subsequently appraised and adopted by GOJ. That request was raised due to the difficult living and socio-economic situation that are facing the refugees’ camps inside Palestine, along with limited service provided by UNRWA, which caused the creation of substantial gap between the provided services and the demand of the refugees both in terms of quantity and quality. Moreover, the demand for other developmental needs remain mostly unmet and are left to the limited efforts of Popular Committees of the camps as well as ad-hoc support from international communities. Based on the foregoing, a social and baseline survey and PRA are needed to ensure that development/improvement projects are directed towards meeting the different needs of refugees inside the camps.To this end, JET has contracted GCT to implement this assignment according to their requirements and expectations. The main objectives of this assignment were as follows:Collecting necessary basic information about the two target camps and the baseline data for the indicators described in the PDM by Conducting Social and baseline survey;Discussing and identifying the existing problems in the camps, their needs and various available resources which can be utilized for handling these problems by conducting PRA and FGDs with camps residents.

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

West Bank – Ramallah, Nablus

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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.

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2017

Project

Organizational Development Review of Union of Palestinian Women Committees (UPWC).

NPA international strategy and Partnership policy focuses on people organization and participation to promote a just distribution of power and resources. It works mainly with civil society organizations in different countries overall the world, and cooperates with people’s own initiatives and agendas. In Palestine, NPA is currently working in partnership with 8 Palestinian civil society organizations in West Bank and Gaza Strip as part of its long-term development program funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). One of these organizations, is the UPWC. The cooperation between NPA and UPWC started in 2011 and continued. In 2016, a four years partnership agreement 2016-2019 was signed.To this end, NPA has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.The main objective of this assignment was aimed mainly at assessing and improving the organizational capacities of UPWC, as well as NPA partnership approach by reviewing how it practiced. This review will cover the UPWC’s branches in WB and GS.More specifically, this assignment is aimed mainly to:Assess how and to what extent UPWC has changed from 2011 to 2017 in terms of policies and strategies and what was the role of NPA to support UPWC to mobilize people for rights;Identify and evaluate the relationship and mechanisms for representation, influence and decision making between UPWC branches and the women’s Committees in WB and GS;Evaluate current and future trends UPWC have with networks and alliances;Improve UPWC’s Organizational Development through providing clear recommendations based on the review findings and final results.

Funded Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA); for the benefit of Union of Palestinian Women Committees (UPWC).

West Bank and Gaza Strip

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2017

Project

Impact Assessment of “Public Libraries in Palestine and Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon: “A gateway for empowering local communities” Project.

Taawon is an independent non-profit organization established in 1983. It strives to make a distinguished contribution toward furthering the progress of the Palestinians, preserving their heritage and identity, supporting their living culture and building civil society in the different working areas: The West Bank including Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the 1948 Areas, and the Palestinian communities in Lebanon. Taawon works closely with local, grassroots organizations to address the specific needs of the Palestinian refugees living in difficult circumstances throughout our areas of operation. It supports the implementation of a range of initiatives under seven specific programs: Education, Culture, Youth Empowerment, Community Development (including relief), Orphan support, Old cities rehabilitation and the Palestinian museum.One of its development project in cultural sector the “Public Libraries in Palestine and Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon: A gateway for empowering local communities” which was funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented in Palestine (West Bank Including Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip) and Lebanon in the period between October 2014 to December 2017 (3 years).This project was aimed mainly to empower Palestinian individuals and social groups through capacitated public libraries that are vibrant and equipped with needed digital and human resources both in Palestine and in Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon. The project specifically counteracted the isolation and marginalization of Palestinian citizens as well as refugees in Palestine and Lebanon through enhancing access to information, technology and community based initiatives.With approaching the end of project, Taawon seeked to evaluate the impact/s achieved under this project. The main objective of this impact assessment was to evaluate the impact of the project and define the strengths and weaknesses to build on for future cultural projects planning concerning libraries, and define lessons learnt to improve quality of work as well as serving as a guide for the overall advancement of Taawon work for future follow up on similar interventions.To this end, Taawon has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.

Taawon (Welfare Association).

West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, and Lebanon

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2017

Project

External Evaluation and Strategic Plan Formation to The Jerusalem Legal Aid \& Human Rights Center (JLAC).

The Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC) is one of the key and major players in the fields of Human rights and legal aid. JLAC’s mission is to combat all forms of human rights violations regardless of perpetrating authority, through; facilitating access to justice, lobbying and advocacy, mobilizing social capital, and high professionalism. JLAC is providing its services now through 4 main offices in Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus and Salfeet. With the end of JLAC’s current Strategic Plan (2013-2017), it seeks to undertake an external evaluation of its operations and programming, in order to inform the development of a new strategy for JLAC’s work, address shortcomings, identified during the evaluation process, and build on existing strengths. The general objective of this assignment was to evaluate JLAC’s programming and wider institutional role of service delivery, as well as measure the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, structures, internal environment and sustainability towards the formation of new Strategic Plan (2018- 2022) which considers the identified strengths and shortcomings.More specifically, the assignment was aimed to:Measure extent to which the programming objectives align with the needs of the beneficiaries and donor strategies;Assess programmatic achievements (i.e. expected vs. obtained results);Measure manner of economic viability employed in achieving objectives Evaluate extent to which programming contributes to the attainment of overall development goals Examine to which degree the programming yields lasting positive changes continuing past the intervention;Identify gaps, challenges and obstacles, institutional/programmatic strengths and weaknesses;Examine reporting accuracy to what extend it reflects successes and weaknesses;Conclude lessons learnt and draw recommendations for institutional/programmatic improvements.To this end, JLAC has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in line with its requirements and expectations.

The Jerusalem Legal Aid \& Human Rights Center (JLAC)

West Bank

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