The purpose of this consultancy is to support UNICEF State of Palestine in Develop an accessible, ‘light touch’ parenting programme and include modules to specifically address the needs of families caring for UASC.

Given the current challenges in delivering traditional interventions with families, this consultancy will consider the support to families in a phased approach, with deliverables under this contract forming part of more comprehensive support to be provided as possible.

Subsequent phases will engage more routine, in person assistance to families that expands on the resources developed in this first phase.

1. Work with UNICEF (partners and technical advisors) to review parenting interventions applied and tested in the State of Palestine, particularly Gaza, to identify a culturally appropriate theoretical model for developing the Parenting Programme.

2. Conduct a minimum of three FGDs (through online modality) with key child protection organizations operating in the State of Palestine and the Gaza Strip to gather information about family needs and strengths to inform the development of resources specific to the situation of unaccompanied and separated children in family care, based on the model identified.

3. Conduct KIIs (Key Informant Interview) with sectoral experts and technical personnel from UNICEF and NGOs operating in the child protection sector to inform the contextualization of the parenting package (or Programme).

4. Identification of entry points for cross-sectorial integration – either by way of integrating key messages from other sectors, or in other forms to be discussed – to provide more comprehensive support to families across different areas of need.

5. Based on inputs/findings from the FDGs and KIIs (Key Informant Interview), draft content in support of family engagement and strengthening that considers: i) a thorough review and contextualization of modules to ensure their relevance to the social fabric and cultural values predominant in the Gaza Strip; ii) an intentional design for modules, including length and content, to facilitate their delivery in conflict settings; iii) the development of new modules to specifically address the needs of separated children and families providing temporary or permanent kinship care.

6. In close collaboration with UNICEF State of Palestine/Child Protection Section and UNICEF MENA/Child Protection Section, design and support field testing of the materials for a sample of families through UNICEF partners in the Gaza Strip.

7. Incorporate findings/inputs received through the field test and finalize the Parenting Programme.

8. In consultation with UNICEF State of Palestine/Child Protection Section and UNICEF MENA/Child Protection Section, select key messages from relevant modules to be utilized for dissemination through social media posts, WhatsApp, radio messages,

leaflets, etc.

9. Develop three sets of booklets (maximum 20 pages) for: children, adolescents, and care givers (if we opt for the broader parenting programme, we will need to develop a 4th booklet for parents.

Requirements:

• Education: Master’s degree in psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Childhood Development.
• Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience in providing MHPSS programming or service delivery. Proven experience in designing and delivering mental health and psychosocial support family support programmes in complex emergencies is strongly preferred, as is experience with programming in the Middle East with Arabic speaking families, particularly Palestinian. Experience working with unaccompanied and separated children is highly desirable.
• Language: Excellent English and Arabic is essential.