The Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) is a leading Palestinian Agricultural
Development Organization that was established in 1983. Since its establishment, PARC has
been efficiently engaged in Palestinian land development, water resources & environment,
poverty reduction and women empowerment, olive oil marketing, as well as other crucial
rural development programs.
PARC is implementing the project: “Enhancing Drought Resillience through innovative
Water Management in the Gaza Strip” (EDRIWM), in partnership with DIAKONIE
KATASTROPHENHILFE, and funded by the BMZ-Germany and will be implemented in
different governorates in the Gaza Strip.
In order to provide evidence based information on the population adaptation strategies with
regards to the Gaza water crisis, PARC would like to contract a researcher to conduct a study
on "Adaptation strategies under the Water Crisis in Gaza Strip", PARC is seeking the
expertise of a research expert.
"Adaptation Strategies under the Water Crisis in Gaza" Study
Location: Gaza Strip Governorates
Assignment working day: 45 days.
Assignment duration: Through 2014
Starting date: As soon as possible.
Language Required: English and Arabic
Justification
PARC "Enhancing Drought Resilience through Innovative Water Management in the Gaza
Strip" project, funded by BMZ – Germany through Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is a
project that is being implemented in the Gaza Strip.This project aims atincreasing good
quality water availability among Palestinian households and farmers in Gaza Strip. The
overall objective of the project isto mitigate drought risk in the Gaza Strip by strengthening
resilience through water rationalization strategies applied to agriculture and domestic
practices.
Scope of work
Considering the above and the need for evidence based information on what type of
adaptation strategies are used to battle the water crisis and also in order to find out what
methods were most useful in this regard. The researcher main objective is to assist PARC to
conduct a field research study on "Adaptation strategies under the Water Crisis in the Gaza
Strip". The main research question is what are the different types of coping mechanisms used
by Gazans, farmers and non-farmers, during the water crisis in the Gaza Strip. A principal
researcher from PARC will be closely involved in the research alongside a number of 30
freshly graduated agronomists.
Main tasks:
In close and continuous coordination with PARC, the consultant should perform the
following tasks:
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Identify and develop research questions based on previous studies (local and
international) and reports related to Palestine that cover the different aspects of the
main research questions in relation to previous droughts and expected climate change
impacts. Those research questions should be approved by PARC
Design a research methodology(quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods approach)
that can effectively answer the research questions with related justifications and
explanations. This will include the development of all data collection tools and a clear
data analysis methodology. The research methodology and data collection tools must
be approved by PARC
Data Collection: In partnership with PARC, the consultant will do the following
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Identify sampling strategies and size for quantitative research or/and individual or
group informants for qualitative research
Guide, train and prepare 30freshly graduated agronomists, so that they are able to
conduct (field) research and apply data collection techniques.
Supervise thecollection of primary datawith researchers.
Collect any additional needed data which agronomists are not able to collect
considering their skills and experience.
Data Analysis:
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Data entry and preparation of databases
Performing descriptive and analytical analysis of the gathered primary data
Presenting of findings based on data entries
Presenting main conclusions and provide recommendations
Final Report Preparation
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Submit an academic quality report covering all above-mentionedaspects of the study
both in English and Arabic.
Expected Deliverables
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A report describing that includes the research questions and analysis of the literature
Methodology including all data collection tools
Report on research implementation progress.
Executive Summary of the research results.
Final academic worthy report in Arabic and English languages.
Note: The delivery process of each of the above is considered components of the research
study and is only completed when it is approved by PARC.
Application
Interested consultancy firms or individual consultant are invited to send their proposals
to:PARC Office, Salah El Din road. The proposal should include both technical and financial
offers. The technical offer should include a summarized discussion of the theoretical
grounding of the proposes research, description of the general data collection and analysis
methodology and approaches, and a discussion of the Gaza context in relation to water crisis,
climate change and the coping strategies. The financial offer should include the cost of every
working day that lead to total sum of the financial offer.
Qualifications
The requested minimum qualifications of the consultant or principal researcher are:
Education:
 At least Masters degree in agronomy, environmental science/engineering,
environmental sociology, or related fields
Work Experience:
 Preferably 5 years of experience in conducting research in similar fields
 Preferably demonstrated experience in conducting similar research on coping
strategies, vulnerability, and drought management in Palestine or elsewhere.
 Demonstrated experience of Gaza water crisis issues, research methodology, data
analysis, training of researchers, academic writing, and coping strategies.