October 31, 2022 - Baytna is looking to engage a consultant to conduct in-depth research on civil liberties and basic freedoms in Syria.

The purpose of the research is to present a detailed analysis, inform Baytna’s programming on the topic, and develop a call for proposals. The research should address the issue of civil liberties in Syria, their current status of laws, the factors preventing achieving them, the roles of the different stakeholders in fostering and/or hindering them, challenges, and points of interventions. The research should pave the way for civil society organizations to design effective, impactful, and strategic projects and activities, and should provide recommendations on how civil society would engage with the different stakeholders particularly, the local community and local de facto authorities.    

Background:

Baytna is a Syrian-led organization, based in Brussels in Belgium and registered as an association under the name "Association Baytna Pour le Soutien de la Société Civile ".

Baytna was established to address the challenges that the Syrian civil society is facing. The organization supports Syrian civil society organizations (CSOs) and contributes to enhancing their institutionalization and project delivery. Baytna is 100% Syrian-led, which means that the organization enjoys broad knowledge about the local context in Syria. Baytna’s mandate covers grant awarding, capacity development, networking, and advocacy.

Baytna’s overall goal for the ongoing program is to empower civil society as a force for democratic change and inclusive peace and stability; to support transitional justice; and to promote respect for human rights and civil liberties, using different tools and approaches including advocacy, lobbying, and policymaking.

Baytna’s expected outcomes include that Baytna’s supported civil society groups and activists effectively monitor the governing structures and the democratic processes, and document violations and promote accountability; that Baytna’s supported civil society groups and activists foster public participation in policy making and decision-making; that Baytna’s supported civil society groups and activists influence national and international policies to contribute to democratic change; and that Baytna contributed to a more mature, diverse, and inclusive civil society narrative.

Baytna aims to provide a credible, independent, and sustainable entity capable of networking amongst Syrian CSOs and promoting public participation, accountability, and empowerment. Baytna provides three core services: (1) a hub for Syrian civil society organizations, Syrian refugees, diaspora, and others to meet and coordinate; (2) knowledge capacity building workshops to Syrian CSOs; and (3) small-scale grants to which Syrian CSOs can apply, a mechanism facilitated through its Syria-based field officers.

Baytna’s Board of Directors, comprised of five independent, prominent Syrian figures, has a written by-law and meets at least three times a year. It supports the general orientation of Baytna and provides guidance and leadership in setting policy, vision, and strategic objectives for the organization.

 

Consultancy Objectives, Purpose, and Expected Results:

The overall goal of the consultancy is to conduct in-depth research to develop Baytna’s strategic component on civil liberties, define challenges facing Syrian civil society in that context, and identify key entry points, intervention focus areas, and programmatic priorities. Finally, the consultancy will develop a call for proposals and help in the proposal assessment of projects that are relevant to the current reality, conflict sensitive, and encourage civil society to engage in critical issues related to civil liberties.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following outputs:

1.       A research proposal and methodology.

2.       A detailed context analysis identifying programmatic priorities and key intervention areas.

3.       A consolidated summary on key findings and recommendations, as well as a scorecard on the programmatic priorities.

4.       A detailed call for proposals.

5.       A civil liberties expert evaluation of received proposals.

Location and Timing

Remote.

The first 4 deliverables should be completed within 20 days of commencing the consultancy. The last deliverable should be completed in the five days following the deadline for receipt of proposals.

Required Expertise

Relevant and proven experience in qualitative research methodologies, in addition to  experience and expertise in conducting remote research studies. Experience in the Syrian context. Background in civil liberties and human rights is a must.

How to apply

Should you wish to apply, please send a detailed proposal, quote, and CV no later than 30th of November 2022 to: procurement@baytna.org.

Only complete applications (proposal + financial quote + CV) will be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted