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

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

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Assessment Study of Ramallah Trademark Clothes Market .

Assessment Study of Ramallah Trademark Clothes Market .

US21 is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and logistics to the DoD, national security agencies, federal civilian agencies, prime contractors, and non-profits worldwide. Focused on supply, sustainment and logistics, we design and develop solutions that support a broad range of mission critical programs, national security programs, foreign assistance and aid programs. In 2015, it has contracted GCT in order to implement an assessment study .The main objective of this assessment study was to conduct an assessment study of trademarked clothes/apparel Market within Ramallah area covering (men, women, children, and those specialized for Lingerie), by assessing the opportunity which the market has, and the viability of such opportunities. Based on the results the market assessment reveals, US 21 decided on further steps to study the technical and financial feasibility of possible investments in the market.

US 21 Company

West Bank- Ramallah

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Evaluation of Welfare Association's projects and programs in Jerusalem (2010-2014).

Welfare Association (WA) is an independent non-profit organization established in 1983 to provide humanitarian and development assistance for Palestinians in the West Bank including Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, 1948 Areas, and the Palestinian communities in Lebanon. Its works focused on 4 main sectors that are considered the cornerstone for achieving local development which are Education,Culture, Community Development, Emergency and Humanitarian Assistance. Since its establishment, it has implemented several development and pilot programs and projects of development that were aimed at promoting these sectors and improving the level of services provided in accordance with the actual development needs and expectations of those targeted beneficiaries.During its long work history , WA has given special attention and distinctive position to Jerusalem city at the forefront of its agenda and a top priority among its development interventions. In 2010, WA has developed a Jerusalem Document entitled ( O Jerusalem we crossing your walls ). A set of development projects have been implemented under this document during the period between (2010-2014) , particularly in the sectors of Education, Cultural and Community Development.These projects have focused on the whole on empowering and strengthening the steadfastness of Jerusalemites as a result of their bad situation due to the Israeli racism policies.Within this context, WA has intended to evaluate the implemented interventions under Jerusalem document during the period between 2010- 2014, in order to identify and assess the direct and indirect impacts , and come up with a set of recommendations to improve the designing and implementation mechanisms of such projects, as well as to enhance the services provided to target beneficiaries towards achieving the planned impacts, in the light of the change theory that put forward for WA's development interventions in Jerusalem city.The main objective of this assignment was to examine the effectiveness - efficiency - relevance - and impacts of the implemented projects in a participatory manner with all relevant parties, evaluate WA‟s achievements in comparison with other donors / key actors in the targeted area, as well as provide recommendations for scale up and future interventions in line with the development priorities of Jerusalem city.For that purpose, WA has contracted GCT to implement this evaluation study in an effective manner in line with their requirements and expectations to develop the future programming and implementation mechanisms of development interventions.

Welfare Association (WA)

Jerusalem

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Market Review for a Spectacle Retail Shop in West Bank.

Market Review for a Spectacle Retail Shop in West Bank.

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG) is a charitable provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. It is providing the sight-saving work to the highest international standards, and is often delivered against very challenging and difficult odds. The severe system of movement restrictions imposed on the West Bank due to the Separation Wall, settler-only roads, and the many checkpoints have had a disastrous effect upon the health of the Palestinian residents; both directly by preventing people from accessing health care, and indirectly by adversely affecting the economy, resulting in a decrease in living standards and in people’s ability to afford health care. As an attempt to contribute in mitigating this situation, SJEHG have established various means of treating Palestinians in the West Bank such as establishment of Anabta Clinic in Nablus where number amongst the poorest in the oPt live, and establishment of Hebron Hospital for eye care. Accordingly, it has planned to conduct a market review and assessment for Spectacle Retail Shop in the West Bank, and get a professional opinion on whether it can use these markets as a tool to create a very useful income stream to support its charitable work.The specific objectives of this study were to a) identify the various barriers to enter these markets if any, and the available opportunities, from a retail mindset, and b) provide a comprehensive market data, particularly from financial aspect.To this end, SJEHG has contracted GCT to implement the market study in an effective manner in line with their requirements and expectations.

St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group (SJEHG)

West Bank

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Baseline Survey /Study for “Improved Access to Markets for Female and Male Small Scale Farmers in the West Bank “Project

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries in order to find practical and innovative ways for protecting people from poverty.One of Oxfam’s development interventions in the OPT is a three-year pro-poor market development Program entitled “Improved Access to Markets for Female and Male Fresh Fruits and Vegetable (FFV) Small Scale Producers in the West Bank”. This project merges two existing projects in the West Bank which are a) Access to markets project and b) Its overall objective is to enhance productivity of women and men farmers and improve relations with the market and service providers, thus contributing to better connect the supply side with the demand side. This will be achieved by facilitating a process which should enhance the capacities and abilities of key actors to play their role along the selected Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) value chains.Specifically, the main objectives of the assignment are to: Document pre-intervention levels of the project indicators as defined in the log frame;Document pre-intervention levels of the project assumption and risks as identified in the log frame;Review and sharpen Program performance indicators through an evidence- based, participatory research and facilitation process, based on the baseline findings;Provide a broad assessment of the Program’s relevance and outline the project M&E steer on the basis of analysis of baseline data;Provide Recommendations for improvement of project log frame and MEAL system;Provide Recommendations for possible strategies / actions for greater impact.The final results of this baseline study will serve as the pre-intervention status description against which the follow-up assessments (Midterm, and End - line survey) will be compared during and after the end of project’s operation years.

Oxfam GB, Occupied Palestinian Territory

West Bank

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Final Evaluation of Livelihoods Security and Civil Society Strengthening in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (TATWEER) project.

Livelihood Security and Civil Society Strengthening in the occupied Palestinian territory (TATWEER), is a six – year project funded by the Australian Government, as part of the Australia - Middle East NGO Cooperation Agreement (AMENCA II). The project has been implemented by CARE International (WB&G) during the period between (May 2009- April 2015), in partnership with Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ); Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC); and New Farm Company (NFC).The overall objective of this project was to reduce vulnerability among communities in Jenin and Tubas Governorates through improved and sustainable livelihood security and increased capacity of civil society organizations. Its specifics objectives were as follows:Improve food security, livelihoods, and natural resource management;Increase the participation of women and youth in the Palestinian development process; Strengthen the role of community organizations in the development process; and Contribute to efficient and effective management of the AMENCA II program.After 6 years of operation, CARE International (WB&G) has intended to conduct an independent assessment of the performance and achievement of TATWEER project, identify lesson learned and drawing recommendations to improve future programming through: Determining the extent to which the project has achieved its overall goal, specific objectives and expected outcomes;Analyzing the processes, efficacy of piloted models and approaches, as well as the effectiveness of project monitoring and learning processes;Assessing the intended and unintended impacts of the project on the target beneficiaries (farmers, women, youth, CBOs) and vulnerable communities in Jenin and Tubas;Providing recommendations to improve quality and impact to CARE and project’s partners;Identifying and highlighting lessons learned, good practices and strategies to enhance the success of a subsequent phase, related programming, future interventions and opportunities for scale-up or replication.For that purpose, CARE International (WB&G) has contracted GCT to undertake the intended evaluation assignment in a professional, subjective and comprehensive manner.

Funded by Australian Government; for the benefit of CARE International (WB\&G).

West Bank (Jenin and Tubas)

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

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

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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Mid-Term Review of “Moving herders from aid dependence to self-sustaining growth through livestock husbandry development and market expansion” (SULALAH).

Mid-Term Review of “Moving herders from aid dependence to self-sustaining growth through livestock husbandry development and market expansion” (SULALAH).

Moving herders from aid dependence to self-sustaining growth through livestock husbandry development and market expansion” (SULALAH) , 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.SULALAH project under the field level component is implemented by Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) in partnership with Gruppo di Volontariato Civile (GVC);Palestinian Hydrology Group (PHG); Qatar Charity; Laore Sardegna; Ta'amreh Cooperative for Livestock; and Jericho Cooperative for Livestock Development. Its overall objective is to improve the food security of Palestinian male and female herders by protecting, sustaining and developing livestock production, with specific aim to improve resilience of vulnerable herders living in the eastern slopes of the West Bank through improving production capacities, enhancing access to assets and expanding income opportunities from livestock. After 10 months of operation, UACW 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, UAWC has contracted GCT to undertake this evaluation assignment in professional and comprehensive manner.

Funded by EU; for the benefit of Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC).

West Bank (Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Jericho)

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