Our Projects | GCT Consulting & Training

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

Mid-Term Review of Strengthening Livestock Holders’ Livelihoods in Area C Project (Rawasi).

Strengthening Livestock Holders’ Livelihoods in Area C (Rawasi), is two years project funded by the European Union's Food Security Thematic Program' (FSTP) which was launched in 2007, to address food security challenges at global and regional levels, and in exceptional transition situations as well as in fragile states, through a set of actions that ensure overall coherence, complementarity and continuity of EU interventions, including in the area of transition from relief to development.The Livestock-based Livelihood Support Program – with its both field (LbL-f) and institutional (LbL-i) level components – is financed by the FSTP. The overall objective of the (LbL-f) programs is to improve the food security and sustain the livelihoods of the vulnerable population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with a particular focus on “Area C”, while bridging emergency and development.Rawasi project under the field level component is partially funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation and implemented by CARE International in partnership with Palestinian Agriculture Relief Committee (PARC), and International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).Its overall objective is to improve the food security and sustainable livelihoods of livestock holders, including herders, in the West Bank particularly Area C (north and central), with specific aim to strengthen the resilience and increase income of sheep and goat holders and special focus on women and Bedouins. To achieve these objectives, it targets 2000 sheep and goat holder households in 30 locations in Northern and Central areas in West Bank particularly Area C; 12,000 (individuals and members of 17 CBOs), and all livestock holders in target locations (5 central and northern West Bank districts: North East Jerusalem, East Ramallah, Jericho, East Nablus & Tubas (Center and North Jordan Valley).After 10 months of operation, CARE International has intended to conduct Mid-Term review to advise on any correction needed to strengthen the implementation mechanisms over the remaining duration by: Reviewing the main project documents and related action plans; Addressing the gaps and highlighting challenges in achieving the desired results and outcomes,Providing recommendations and corrective actions on the action plans, budget, M&E system, management structure and mechanisms. Assessing the synergies and challenges related to the existing coordination mechanism for the field component of LbL, and providing recommendations to enhance better outcomes as a result of a coordinated approach. To this end, CARE international has contracted GCT to undertake this evaluation assignment in professional and comprehensive manner.

Funded by EU, and partially by the Austrian Development Cooperation; for the benefit of CARE International West Bank \& Gaza.

West Bank (North East Jerusalem, East Ramallah, Jericho, East Nablus \& Tubas).

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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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2013

Project

Context Analysis about the Situation of Youngsters and Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Ramallah area 2013.

The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) is one of the key civil organization that plays a big role in the field of disability , it started its work in Jerusalem in 1966 to target the persons with intellectual disabilities. In 1981-1982 it established the Day Center which is currently located in Al Bireh for the purpose of training teenagers and young adults. It aims at enabling boys and girls/young men and women to enjoy their right to develop their personality, talents and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Now it has 15 participants whose age ranged between 14 – 34 years old from the area of Ramallah, Al Bireh, Bethounia, and Hizme. They receive training in daily life skills, physiotherapy, speech therapy, suitable educational training, and pre-vocational training. The Day has during 2012 started to introduce self-advocacy in the work to help parents became more involved and received training in self-advocacy and how to advocate the rights of their sons and daughters in the society and towards decision-makers.SOIR Strategic Platform for 2011 –2020 emphasizes on working in partnership with civil society organizations and to phase out service delivery commitments or strengthen these with relevant components supporting a right based approach. SOIR needs to define its future work in alignment with that platform by conducting a context analysis study about the situation of youngsters and adults with intellectual disabilities in Ramallah area.To this end , SOIR has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in effective and professional manner. The main objective of the context analysis study was to tackle the whole relevant parties and key items toward enhancing the collaboration in providing the expected services to youngsters and adults with intellectual disabilities, and defining SOIR’s future work in alignment with the Strategic Platform for 2011 –2020. The expected outcomes of this study were to serve as a point of departure for the planning of the next strategic period 2015 -2017.

Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR)

West Bank –Ramallah

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2013

Project

Evaluation of SOIR’s Day Centre in Al Bireh 2013.

The Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR) is one of the key civil organization that plays a big role in the field of disability , it started its work in Jerusalem in 1966 to target the persons with intellectual disabilities. In 1981-1982 it established the Day Center which is currently located in Al Bireh for the purpose of training teenagers and young adults. It aims at enabling boys and girls/young men and women to enjoy their right to develop their personality, talents and creativity, as well as their mental and physical abilities. Now it has 15 participants whose age ranged between 14 – 34 years old from the area of Ramallah, Al Bireh, Bethounia, and Hizme. They receive training in daily life skills, physiotherapy, speech therapy, suitable educational training, and pre-vocational training. The Day has during 2012 started to introduce self-advocacy in the work to help parents became more involved and received training in self-advocacy and how to advocate the rights of their sons and daughters in the society and towards decision-makers. The historic focus of the training at the Day Centre has been on special education, but nowadays the mainly occupational therapy methods are used for work with and training of youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. This led SOIR to an important question which if a special education approach is suitable to continue or if training methods should change to be in alignment with an occupational therapy approach. To this end SOIR need to conduct an evaluation to the current used training methods in comparison with occupational therapy methods. SOIR has contracted GCT to undertake this assignment in effective and professional manner. The main objective of this evaluation study was to determine the quality of current working methods at the Day Center and to find possibilities for developing the work and training methods on one hand. The expected outcomes of this study were to serve as a guiding document for future developments which will guide the implementation of the recommendations and future work at SOIR’s Day Centre.

Swedish Organization for Individual Relief (SOIR)

West Bank –Ramallah

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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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2011

Project

A Comprehensive Business Plan Study for the Next 3-5 years.

The Government Plan “End Occupation – Establishing the State” stated that one of the basic public rights is to be informed and question all matters of public life through a public service broadcaster .Accordingly, the plan initiated the creation of an independent board of trustees which has become to be known as Media for Palestine. The Media for Palestine (MFP) established in 2009), consequently it formed Radio Alif in August 2010, in order to apply the principles set in the board’s charter as news website . MFP was keen to provide Radio Alif with a professional state-of-the-art business plan, for the span of the next 3 to 5 years, for that puropose it has contracted GCT to implement this assignment in professional manner based on its extensive experince in strategic planning, financial planning and market studies.The main objective of this study was to provide Radio Alif with a professional state-of-the-art business plan for the span of the next 3 to 5 years, which aimed at marketing the website, launching the aired radio station, defining different levels of audience, analyzing revenues and expenditures in line with the news coverage “hits and audience interactions” and the station’s human resources. Which all falls under the objectives of promoting free speech, contributing to social activities of advancing the culture of a democratic responsible citizens, and of no less importance, empowering various public sectors to interact freely through an independent public platform, besides development of Palestinian local news sector based on professional principal of journalism.

Funded by Palestinian Government Media Center (PGMC)- Media for Palestine/ Radio Alif.

West Bank

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2010

Project

Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs.

MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in oPt, with its branches in 17 Governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. MOSA is the only institutional organization effectively vested with the mandate and responsibility to define and implement the social protection strategy. Its responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor".In response to this situation that needs for international technical and financial assistance, EC has launched the project of “ Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs“ which commenced in March 2010 and ended in September 2012.The main objectives of this project were to:Improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social protection. This including the modernization of its administration and putting in place effective means by which the capacity can be continuously updated and maintained beyond the lifetime of the Project, in full cooperation with key stakeholders.Support the Ministry of Social Affairs in implementing its responsibilities, particularly regarding reform of social safety nets and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system.

Funded by European Commission; for the benefit of Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

West Bank

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2011

Project

Assessment Study of the Reality of Information Technology in the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Palestinian Authority UNDER the project of “Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs.”

MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in oPt, with its branches in 17 Governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor".“Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs“, is a two years EC funded project that commenced in March 2010 and ended in September 2012. The overall objectives of this project were to:Improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social; and Support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) in implementing its responsibilities, particularly regarding reform of social safety nets, and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system covering all poor and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population.Within the scope of the second objective, an assessment study was conducted for the current IT situation in the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). More specifically, this assignment was dedicated to:Assess the current IT situation in the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA). It depicts a semi-comprehensive picture about the current situation in general and the IT current situation specifically;Expose the training needs assessment in the field of information technology for the ministry employees in the headquarter; andHighlight the general strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for each directorate, unit in the ministry central, and two Directorates (Nablus and Yatta) and more specifically in terms of IT.

Funded by European Commission; for the benefit of Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

West Bank

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2011

Project

Develop a Strategy plan for the Information Technology Unit in the Ministry of Social Affairs in the Palestinian Authority UNDER the project of “Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs.”

MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in oPt, with its branches in 17 Governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor".“Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs “, is a two years EC funded project that commenced in March 2010 and ended in September 2012. The overall objectives of this project were to:Improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social; and Support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) in implementing its responsibilities, particularly regarding reform of social safety nets, and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system covering all poor and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population.Within the framework of this project, a Comprehensive Information Technology Strategy and medium- term action plan was developed, for further development of IT and MIS functions at the Ministry of Social Affairs. This assignment aimed at developing the Information Technology Strategy report; that includedPortrait of the current situation of the database and the future perspectives to enhance its performance and security. Discussion on the CTP system testing, motoring and reporting to ensure that the system is working securely and generate the essential reports needed to monitor the system. Capacity building in information technology for the IT department staff and the MOSA Staff in general and what are the needed training courses to enhance the staff performance and improve their productivity and work quality. Action plan to execute the strategy and achieve its objectives.

Funded by European Commission; for the benefit of Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

West Bank

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2011

Project

Review of legislations for Ministry of Social Affairs UNDER the project of “Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs.”

MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in oPt, with its branches in 17 Governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor".“Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs “, is a two years EC funded project that commenced in March 2010 and ended in September 2012. The overall objectives of this project were to:Improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social; and Support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) in implementing its responsibilities, particularly regarding reform of social safety nets, and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system covering all poor and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population.Within the scope of the second objective, review and assessment of the current legal social legislations was conducted besides; a long-term strategy was disgned for this legislation development, in order to provide supportive and appropriate legal environment in MOSA for the social protection system reform process.The main objective of this assignment were to :Conduct a comprehensive review of the existing social legislations in Palestine.Design a development plan for social legislations.Set the priorities concerning the activities and areas of legislations referred to in the development plan, and prepare the draft legal documents in the selected areas of priority. Provide training to the experts in the legal affairs department at MOSA.

Funded by European Commission; for the benefit of Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

West Bank

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2012

Project

Capacity building - Training in strategic planning and social administration for key staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) UNDER the project of “Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs.”

MOSA is the regulatory body and implementing agency responsible for the Social Protection System in oPt, with its branches in 17 Governorates in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its responsibility is twofold: 1) to develop, populate and manage a centralized database of "poor households in Palestine" and 2) to develop, manage and implement a single, poverty-based cash transfer program that caters to the "poorest of the poor".“Technical assistance in development and implementation of Social Protection Systems at Ministry of Social Affairs “, is a two years EC funded project that commenced in March 2010 and ended in September 2012. The overall objectives of this project were to:Improve the Ministry of Social Affairs’ (MOSA) capacity to carry out its mandate regarding social; and Support the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) in implementing its responsibilities, particularly regarding reform of social safety nets, and development and implementation of an integrated and comprehensive strategy and policy for a more effective social protection system covering all poor and vulnerable segments of the Palestinian population.Within the frame work of this project, a large training programme in strategic planning and social administration was implemented for key staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) of Palestine. The training programme targeted three groups: Top-level administrative staff at the central ministry, Middle-level administrative staff at the central Ministry, and Key administrative staff of the MoSA regional directorates and special units.

Funded by European Commission; for the benefit of Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

West Bank

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