Occupied Palestinian Territory: Environment Study

Sep 18, 2022 | DanChurchAid
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DanChurchAid is an independent, faith-based non-missionary humanitarian and development non-governmental organization (NGO). DCA invites candidates to submit a proposal for an environment study.

For full details and Terms of Reference and details of submission, please contact Nadine Bannourah at nkhr@dca.dk.

DanChurchAid and Norwegian Church Aid (DCA/NCA) have both been active in the Palestine since the early 1950s and started their engagement in the region with relief to the Palestinian refugees on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Both organizations have been working closely together. In 2016, both organizations came together in a Joint Country Program in Palestine (JCPP). The JCPP works across the humanitaian-development-peace nexus by supporting partners under thematic areas of Fight Extreme Inequality (Fights), Build Resilient Communities (Build) and Save Lives (Save). With a main vision that Palestinians enjoy equality, self-determination, democracy, as well as access to justice and accountability in accordance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL).

Climate change and the impact of it on the environment is the most prominent threat the world is facing, and it is having a severe impact on all aspects of life on this planet. Like all countries, the State of Palestine will be hit hard by climate change. Signs of the impact are already evident, well defined, and clearly observed with water and food security being key issues to address (cf. National Adaptation Plan of Palestine, 2016). The State of Palestine also faces many other challenges, such as the Israeli occupation, movement restrictions, and a lack of sovereignty and control over resources. The inability to manage natural resources sustainably, or to enforce laws, aggravates the threat of climate change, especially in the face of increasing population, poverty levels, and food insecurity.

As part of the ACT Alliance, DCA and NCA view the fight against climate change as a fight for justice and equity. Poor and vulnerable communities, especially marginalized groups, including women and youth are disproportionally affected by climate change, despite their minimal contribution to it and are often left our of decision-making processes. As members of the ACT Alliance, DCA and NCA emphasize the historic responsibilities to deal with climate change and advocate for mitigation action to be compatible with the 1,5 degrees ambition, adequate climate adaptation support for those most in need, scaled up locally led adaptation and mobilization of finance to address climate related loss and damage. Both NCA and DCA have taken a strategic commitment to consider climate action and environmental sustainability in programming and operations (cf. DCA International strategy 2022-2026, DCA Climate Policy 2019 and NCA Climate and Environment plan, 2020).

Climate justice is a new lens and component of the JCPP 4 years strategic plan. DCA/NCA would like to explore how this connects to its country strategy and how its programmes may prepare for, cope with, recover better from, adapt, and transform to the effects of climate change.

Introducing a climate justice lens to DCA/NCA’s thinking is integral to the organizations programming. It will improve DCA/NCA’s understanding of climate impacts and vulnerabilities in Palestine, including how these impacts intersect with related issues, for example, the work to further human rights, gender equality, building resilience and supporting economic empowerment of vulnerable groups.

In addition, DCA/NCA is keen on focusing on the impacts of climate change and options for adaptation and resilience programming and having elements of mitigation (reducing or capturing emissions) within our programs and operations.

Contract purpose and Expected results

Overall objective:

Integrating aspects of environment sensitivity, climate mitigation and adaptation and greening into DCA/NCA programs and thematic focus

Purpose:

DCA/NCA want to undertake action research/ documentation on how to incorporate environment and climate sensitive approaches into its programming work, with a special focus on climate justice projects within the thematic focuses; Fight, Build, Save.

Results to be achieved by the Contractor:

1. Climate risk and vulnerability analysis - national level and also for the different areas where DCA/NCA operates
2. Policy framework analysis – mapping of national and local level strategies and priorities related to climate and environment (both policies that are enabling and others that might be constraining).
3. Stakeholder mapping – including relevant networks and organizations at local, national and regional level
4. Analysis of DCA/NCA previous experiences – challenges and successes
5. Identification of entry points for integration of climate and environment into programming
6. Identification of advocacy opportunities – key agendas and stakeholders
7. Key actions / recommendations

Scope of the Services

Covering the program of DCA/NCA (West Bank including East Jerusalem and Gaza)

• Literature review for the main DCA/NCA documents such as the DCA climate policy, DCA global strategy, NCA global strategy, and cross cutting policies and commitments.
• Reviewing DCA/NCA new strategic plan (in progress) and the different thematic focuses in Palestine and the projects that are being carried out and provide an approach on how we can incorporate environment sensitive and climate change component within the work
• Meetings with the different partners of DCA/NCA to understand more about the work they carry out and challenges they face.
• Meeting with different stakeholders in the field
• Provide the Action Research Report according to the timeline mentioned below

The contractor will report to Manal Shehade – Program Officer and Climate Change focal point, who will work closely with DCA/NCA management and climate advisors at HQ.

Timing, Logisitics and Facilities

Period of implementation to start in September with final report to be submitted in December.

The consultant will be based in his location with meetings to be held at the DCA/NCA officer with virtually meetings to be held with the Gaza team and partners.

The period of implementation if from the 15th of September till the 15th of December.

DCA/NCA will not be providing office accommodation

How to apply

For those who are interested, please contact us to get the full TOR

DCA

Contact person: Nadine Bannourah

Tel: 0546193310

Fax: 02-5825638

Email: nkhr@dca.dk