Terms of Reference for delivering an International Influencing Training

1. General Background

Oxfam is an international confederation counting 19 organizations working together with partners and local communities in more than 90 countries. Oxfam has been working in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since the 1950s; a country office was established in Jerusalem in the 1980s. Oxfam mainly works in the most vulnerable communities in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Area C.

2. Program Background

Masarouna is a five-year regional program that works in 6 counties across the MENA region. The program aims to mobilize the power of young people (YP) aged 18-35, for collective action to support their work for freedom of choice and respect for their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The program works on strengthening youth engagement to influence decision makers and targeted communities to address inadequate legislation and harmful social norms that hinder youth from claiming their SRHR. Additionally, Masarouna works on strengthening civil society organizations to form alliances and lobby and advocate for SRHR.

3. Overall objective of the service:

The overarching objective of this consultancy is to provide comprehensive support Masarouna national partners in their pursuit of advancing rights and advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) at an international level. The primary assignment of this consultancy entails developing training content and delivering a specialized training program focused on international influencing within the field of SRHR.

4. Scope of work:

Task one: Preparatory Stage, a desk review of relevant documents, planning and consultations including but not limited to:

• Primary consultations with Oxfam to discuss the scope of the assignment and explain the expected deliverables from the consultancy and the role of the consultant.
• Conduct a desk review for all relevant documents under the project.
• Initial assessment of where partners stand in regard to International influencing and SRHR, available tools to achieve international influencing, and identifying gaps. This is a light assessment that will be conducted during a one session consultation meeting with partners.
• Draft an inception report to present how the assignment will be carried out and present the training curriculum.

Task two: Deliver a mapping document of regional and international events, forums and global platforms addressing SRHR where partners should invest under the mandate of the Masarouna Project.

Task three: Carry out a 3-day training for the six partners addressing the following topics:

1. Introduce international influencing strategy development and implementation with clear and defined activities approaches, and messages.
2. skills and tools of international influencing, lobbying and public speaking.
3. Principles of evidence-based Advocacy and influencing decision-maker.
4. Identifying risk and mitigation measures.
5. Introducing partners to opportunities and potential regional and international events based on the mapping conducted under task two.

5. Deliverables:

1. Inception report
2. Mapping document
3. A 3-day training to be carried out separately in Gaza Strip and the West Bank. (A total of 6 training days)
4. A final report assessing the gaps and opportunities to plan for future complementary assignments

6. Timeframe and time commitment

The assignment is expected to be completed over the period of September – October 2023 (approximately 12- 15 working days). Applicants are kindly requested to indicate in their offers the required number of days broken down by deliverable/ activity versus cost, in addition to the team size involved.

7. Essential skills and qualifications

The ideal consultant will have at least 7-10 years of relevant experience. The consultant should have the following skills and competencies:

• Proven record in developing and carrying out practical training on international influencing related specifically to SRHR.
• Proven record in mapping and identifying regional and international events, forums and global platforms addressing SRHR.
• Familiarity with constraints and challenges encountered while working on similar topics.
• Strong background/ understanding of Gender Justice and the SRHR context in Palestine.
• The consultant is expected to propose efficient and effective team composition in both West Bank and the Gaza Strip taking into consideration the social, cultural, environmental, and political/security issues. *Having a trainer in Gaza is encouraged as some partners are located in the West Bank and others in Gaza.
• Ability to work with a diverse team and under pressure to produce agreed deliverables in a timely manner.
• Commitment to and understanding of Oxfam values and principles.
• The consultant must be collaborative, willing to share thoughts, and ideas, and make constructive criticism.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic Language.