Strategic National Protection Plan Development Consultant

Title: National Consultant for Developing the Strategic National Protection Plan for the Ministry of Social Development, Home-Based, State of Palestine, Local Consultant

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. 

UN Women’s triple mandate, along with its global network and deep policy and programming expertise, continues to endow the Entity with a unique capacity to: (i) support Member States to strengthen global norms and standards for gender equality and women’s empowerment, and mainstream gender perspectives in other thematic areas; (ii) promote coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and women’s empowerment; and (iii) undertake operational activities to support Member States, upon their request, in translating global norms and standards into legislation, policies and strategies at country level. 

UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997 (as UNIFEM). In line with the national priorities, the work of UN Women for the period 2023-2025 is aligned with three of the Palestine United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework’s (UNSDCF) outcomes:

• Palestinians have greater access to economic opportunities that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, including decent employment and livelihoods opportunities in an empowered private sector.
• Palestinians, including the most vulnerable, have equal access to sustainable, inclusive, gender responsive and quality social services, social protection, and affordable utilities.
• Palestinian governance institutions, processes, and mechanisms at all levels are more democratic, rights-based, inclusive, and accountable.

Its three-year Strategic Note supports the efforts to achieve measurable results in country in terms of four UN Women global Strategic Plan impacts (2022-2025): (SP Impact 1). Governance and participation in public life; (SP Impact 2). Women’s Economic Empowerment; (SP Impact 3). Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and SP Impact 4. Women peace and security, Humanitarian and Disaster Risk Reduction. 

The war on Gaza and the escalation of violence in the West Bank are impacting women and girls at unprecedented levels with loss of life and catastrophic levels of humanitarian needs. While humanitarian assistance is hardly reaching any segment of the population, women and girls are further disadvantaged by gender inequality in access to supplies, services, and resources. This is particularly true for women-headed households, a distinctively vulnerable group. The crisis also impacts power dynamics and gender relations, which must be considered in the delivery of aid and in the planning for the so- called “the day after the war”. This is particularly important as negative coping strategies are increasing as resources further deplete, creating increased risk of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) especially for women and separated children, and desperate coping mechanisms such as early marriage, child labor, reduction in food intake, being forced to exchange sex for basic needs, or begging.

As per UN Women’s Gender Matters Bulletin No. 1, as of December 2024, 1.5 million people (around 739,500 women and girls, and 760, 500 men and boys) are in urgent need for protection from physical and sexual violence, repeated displacement, and the collapse of family and community safety nets. The same document highlighted the challenges facing people in Gaza who are forced to flee without warnings or belongings, while thousands remain trapped in high- risk areas without access to evacuation routes, clothing, communication or essential supplies. As in other conflict- affected contexts, women and girls, particularly those with disabilities- face disproportionate challenges, and increased risks of violence. [1]

In line with this, the situation in the West Bank is also very critical. Displacement and house demolition entwined with movement restrictions, military invasions and mass arrests have been heavily increasing since 7 October 2023. As per the latest Protection Analysis Update of March 2025, state and settler violence against Palestinians has surged in the West Bank, which is exposing Palestinian communities to record levels of violence and abuse. The expanding of movement restrictions severely limits Palestinians’ access to critical services including education, health and water, which increasingly rendering livelihoods unsustainable and deepening economic deprivation, while also serving as a flashpoint for gender-based violence. These drivers are converging to entrench the long-standing coercive environment, triggering displacement, and increasing the severity of protection risks. [2]

On the other hand, the ongoing political division between the West Bank and Gaza Strip severely limits the Ministry of Social Development’s ability to provide unified and effective protection services across Palestine. This fragmentation weakens institutional coherence, disrupts coordination, and restricts the Ministry’s ability to deliver inclusive support, particularly in Gaza, where women and girls including those with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing essential services. As a result, vulnerable groups remain underserved, deepening existing inequalities.

To support mitigating protection related risks, it is essential to strengthen the Ministry’s institutional capacities, to enable it to fulfill its mandate and lead national protection efforts. Enhancing organizational structures, human resources, and coordination mechanisms will strengthen the provision of quality services, ensure better crisis response, and promote equitable and gender-responsive protection for all at-risk populations.

In this context, UN Women Sawasya III programme in full cooperation with the MoSD plans to recruit a national protection expert to support the Ministry in developing a National Strategic Protection Plan for Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, covering the different humanitarian and recovery phases.  

Objectives of the Assignment:

The main objective of this consultancy is to support the MoSD in developing a comprehensive, evidence-based National Strategic Protection Plan that responds to the increasing protection needs and concerns of women and girls in the West Bank and Gaza, in the context of ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.  

The plan should cover different aspects, including but not limited to prevention of violence; response; partnerships and coordination, monitoring and accountability; risks mitigation and budget, covering the different humanitarian response phases, including initial response, stabilization, early recovery, and long- term development. 

The assignment will focus on two interlinked components:

1. Conducting a participatory and context-sensitive assessment of the current protection concerns, needs and priorities of women and girls, including those facing intersecting vulnerabilities. This will ensure that the plan is grounded in the lived realities of women, and that interventions are tailored to promote recovery, empowerment, and prevention of recurrence.
2. Analyzing the institutional and programmatic capacities of the MoSD- using SWOT analysis- to help evaluate the internal and external factors affecting the work of the MOSD. The SWOT analysis should guide the assessment of the Ministry’s ability to effectively, responsively and efficiently respond to the needs on ground. The capacity assessment will cover the necessary human and financial resources, skills, processes, infrastructure, coordination and partnerships, in addition to logistical and technical systems—with the aim of:

• Identifying key challenges and capacity gaps that hinder the effective, responsive and coordinated protection response.
• Identifying opportunities and strength elements for institutional and technical support to enable the Ministry to implement and monitor the plan effectively, ensuring accountability and fostering sustainability.

Based on the assessment’s findings, the expert will develop the Strategic National Protection Plan that covers the different humanitarian response phases, including initial response, stabilization, early recovery, and long- term development. The Plan will provide a clear roadmap for the Ministry’s protection goals within the current humanitarian and escalation of violence context; identifying targets, tools and means, resources, challenges and risks amongst others. It should position the Ministry to lead and coordinate gender-responsive, survivor-centered and inclusive protection interventions at both national and local levels. 

Moreover, the plan should also be comprehensive, evidence-based, aligned with national priorities identified in the government’s plan for recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, and the relief and recovery plan prepared by the Ministry and the Ministry of Relief for the West Bank, and related national and international assessments and Alerts.  It should also take stock of national frameworks, such as the National Referral System (NRS) and the Essential Services Package (ESP) as minimum standards, Palestine National Action Plan on 1325, and local mechanisms such as Women’s Protection Networks and community-based mechanisms amongst others. In addition to that, it should refer to international frameworks, notably the UNSCR 1325, Geneva convention, United Nations Human Rights Council, and the Inter- Agency Standing Committee (IASC) policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action.  

The objectives mentioned should be carried out using a gender-responsive, inclusive, rights-based, and conflict-sensitive lens, particularly given the context of protracted conflict, displacement, and trauma.

The consultant will be reporting to SAWASYA III Rule of Law and Protection Specialist and will be supported by UN Women Sawasya III programme Analysts, in addition to the Finance Associate who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities/ Scope of Work:

The plan is envisaged to provide a clear, sustainable, and costed roadmap to support the MoSD and its partners in preventing and responding to all forms of VAWG in humanitarian context – ensuring the provision of gender- responsive and inclusive protection services, with a focus on physical and psychological recovery, empowerment, and the prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. 

1. Developing the inception report:  

• Meet with UN Women and partners’ focal points to discuss the assignment and its objectives. 
• Conduct desk review of related national and international literature and frameworks, including related conventions and frameworks, the Government’s plans and reports, UN, international organizations and CSOs reports and assessments, relevant legal standards, and gender-sensitive guidelines. Specific Attention should be directed to the IASC policy on Protection in Humanitarian Action in guiding the development of the plan, highlighting issues around protection mainstreaming, meaningful engagement, prioritizing safety and dignity, accountability and participation, collective approach and addressing underlying causes. 
• Develop and share with UN Women the inception report for review, inputs and approval, including the desk review, the methodology, the deliverables and time frame in addition to the initial skeleton of the National Strategic Plan. The methodology should be based on human rights and gender and conflict sensitivity approaches. It should ensure the safety, security, confidentiality and privacy of cases of women survivors of violence. The data collection tools; management and analysis should be in line with UN Women’s data management’s ethics and guidelines. 

       2. Developing Stakeholders Mapping and Engagement:

Identify protection actors and stakeholders at national, local and districts levels, covering all types of actors, including governmental, CSOs, community- based actors, UN and international, and elaborate on their mandates, geographic coverage, roles and responsibilities. 

       3. Developing the National Strategic Protection Plan: 

3.1 Develop the Protection Needs Assessment: Assess and analyze the current protection risks, concerns, needs, gaps, and available services for women and girls in the West Bank including East Jerusalem and Gaza, with attention to intersectional vulnerabilities (e.g., age, disability, marital status, displacement status).

3.2 Conduct an institutional capacity assessment of the MoSD at central and field/districts levels, to assess its ability to effectively, responsively and efficiently respond to the needs on ground. The capacity assessment will cover the necessary human and financial resources, available frameworks (policies, strategies, SoPs referral mechanisms), skills, processes, infrastructure, coordination and partnerships, in addition to logistical and technical systems.

As part of the assessment, conduct direct consultations with MoSD frontliners (caseworkers, GBV focal points) and women beneficiaries; engage with the Protection Cluster, GBV sub-cluster, and other humanitarian actors to ensure alignment with ongoing efforts and avoid duplication.

      3.3 Developing the National Strategic Protection Plan: 

- Draft a comprehensive National Strategic Protection Plan. The plan should include amongst others the following points: 

• Contextual analysis, strategic objectives, outcomes, outputs, and indicators with clear and explicit cross-cutting themes (disability, age, marital status, displacement, etc.).
• Phased priority interventions categorized by the following themes: prevention of violence against women and girls, response including access to multi- sectoral services: legal protection, psychosocial support, economic empowerment-and others as relevant, distributed over the different humanitarian’s response phases.
• Coordination and referral mechanisms (including the UN humanitarian coordination system and existing national, local and community- based referral systems).
• Monitoring and evaluation framework, in addition to a plan to document human rights violations against women.
• Risks analysis and mitigation plan.
• Resource (human and financial) mobilization plan. 

- Share the draft plan with UN Women and the MoSD for review, inputs and comments.

- Amend the plan in line with provided comments.

- Facilitate at least 3 validation sessions with counterparts in Gaza and the West Bank and amend the

  plan in accordance with provided comments.

- Submit the final approved plan, along with an executive summary and actionable recommendations.

          4. Reporting on the assignment: 

Develop a final narrative report on the assignment – that includes a description of the methodology, the main results, challenges and recommendations, in addition to related annexes, including minutes of consultations- including the minutes of the validation sessions, participants lists and other documents as relevant

Deliverables:

Deliverable Expected completion time 

Approved inception report (in Arabic)

(including methodology, workplan, etc.) along with stakeholder’s mapping and engagement (in Arabic)

 Two weeks after the signing of the contract  Approved protection and institutional capacity needs assessment reports (2 reports) (in Arabic) Two months after the signing of the contract   Approved National Strategic Protection Plan (in Arabic) Four months after the signing of the contract  Final narrative report (in English) Four months and a half after signing the contract  

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel:

This is a home-based consultancy, with field visits to protection partners if possible. 

[1] UN Women, 28 April 2025.  No Relief in Sight: The impact of escalating hostilities, repeated displacement orders and the ongoing aid blockade on women, girls, men and boys in Gaza, p 8-9. 

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Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Very strong background on gender and Solid understanding of issues related to violence against women, women’s rights, and the legal procedures involved in prosecuting sexual assault cases.
• Experience in Strategic Planning and Policy Development
• Expertise in Institutional Capacity Assessment
• Familiarity with Humanitarian Coordination Structures (e.g., GBV Sub-Cluster, Protection Cluster)
• Proficiency in Participatory and Rights-Based Approaches
• Strong Understanding of Disability Inclusion and Intersectionality
• Experience Working with Government and Civil Society Stakeholders
• Ability to Develop Resource Mobilization Strategies
• Knowledge of Protection and Social Service Delivery Systems in Humanitarian Settings
• Ability to manage time and meet tight deadlines.
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Proven networking, organizational and communication skills.

Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• A master’s degree in Gender Studies, Law, Human Rights or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of professional experience in the fields of gender, protection, or women’s rights, with a focus on violence against women is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in developing protection plans, strategies and/ or policies in humanitarian or crisis context is required.
• Experience in data collection and data analysis illustrated in developed research or documents is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in the work of CSOs and governmental bodies responsible to provide protection services to women in Gaza and the West Bank is desirable.
• Experience working with UN or international organizations is desirable. 

A sample of a previously developed strategy or a plan or research on women’s protection during war times or in humanitarian contexts must be attached as part of your application.

Languages:

• Fluency in Arabic is required. 
• Fluency in English is required.

Statements:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.

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