Baseline Study Consultant

Baseline Study Consultant

Organisation

Amal Organization for Relief and Development

Position

Baseline Study Consultant

Type of Contract

Short-Term Consultancy

Location

Home-based with field mission travel to Aleppo, Syria

Relevant languages

English, Arabic

Application Deadline

17.11.2026

Starting Date

01.12.2026

Project Title

Fostering climate-resilient livelihoods,
inclusive learning environments,
and social cohesion in conflict-affected Aleppo

Background and Organisational Setting

This baseline study is commissioned, prior to project implementation, under the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) budget for development projects run by private organisations.

SoH will be the private German executing agency and the contracting party, with Amal Organization for Relief and Development (Amal)being the local implementing partner.

The project aims to sustainably strengthen the resilience and recovery capacities of conflict-affected communities in Eastern Aleppo through an integrated approach that links livelihoods, education, and social cohesion. In the livelihoods component, market-oriented and sustainable vocational training, entrepreneurship support, on-the-job training and apprenticeship schemes, as well as small grants will be provided to promote sustainable income opportunities. In parallel, the project supports access to quality education by rehabilitating educational infrastructure, integrating mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and social-emotional learning (SEL), and strengthening teachers’ capacities. Complementary activities will foster social cohesion through dialogue-based youth- and women-led initiatives, contributing to trust-building in conflict-affected Aleppo. By combining these components, the project contributes to community stabilisation and the creation of long-term development prospects.
Direct target group: 3,850 people

Baseline Study Objectives

The purpose of the baseline study is to provide SoH with a sound basis for developing a complete project concept, by identifying project prerequisites, opportunities and risks. This process includes an assessment of the baseline of the proposed project intervention to assess if it can plausibly achieve planned objectives given existing contextual realities.

This comprehensive study will verify relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the proposed project intervention. The study will provide concrete and practical recommendations that will assist with the finalisation of project design elements, including the logframe, risk analysis, problem analysis and relevance of the proposed project intervention, stakeholder analysis, among others.

The study will support the project quality assurance measures implemented by SoH and contribute to the decision-making process regarding the funding of the proposed project activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected Consultant will work in close cooperation with the responsible SoH Officer and the local implementing partner.

The duties and responsibilities of the consultant will include:

• Develop a work plan outlining the proposed research methodology, geographical coverage, and schedule to conduct the baseline study,
• Carry out a project site visit to the project location to conduct research, collect data and establish contact with the local implementing partner, potential beneficiaries and relevant project stakeholders,
• Review existing policies and structures, government development strategies as well as relevant studies and research projects that could serve as a basis for the baseline study,

Identify relevant project stakeholders at various levels (local, district and national if applicable), including local governing bodies, academia and industry as well as lessons learned and best practises of similar on-going and implemented projects relevant to the project, including the identification and assessment of existing formal and informal organisational structures among the target groups, comprising their composition, membership, roles, capacities, representativeness and level of participation,

• Evaluate all available data and sources providing background information on identified issues, the problem analysis as well as the selected intervention and establish the baseline values for all indicators included in the project impact matrix using appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, including the respective data sources and measurement methods,
• Assess the proposed activities, as well as their timing and required financial resources.
• Assess the physical condition, safety, accessibility and functionality of the four selected schools and the existing VTC facilities, including relevant equipment and refurbishment needs,
• Examine institutional, technical, staffing and financial capacities of the selected implementing partner, as well as its relationship with the target group. Based on the findings, determine if there are areas in which capacities of the local implementing partner need to be developed,
• Review main governmental and non-governmental stakeholders with a purpose to see if there is a potential overlap or conflict of interest as well as opportunities for coordination with the aim of creating synergies and new cooperation partnerships, while also assessing the alignment of the proposed project with the national recovery plan,
• Examine the identified target group, its needs and role in the broader social context as well as the relevance of the planned project activities for addressing their needs,
• Assess the environmental and climate-related production practices of selected enterprises, including energy and water use, waste generation, raw material efficiency, procurement and processing practices.
• Identify potential obstacles and alternatives to overcome the foreseen challenges,
• Review and analyse all available project design elements and draft documents related to the project concept, if necessary,
• Critically review the planned project in terms of OECD/DAC criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability (please see http://www.oecd.org/development/evaluation/daccriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentassistance.html),
• Prepare a report containing the findings on the above items, specific recommendations for the project concept with a view to planning and implementing foreseen project activities.

Expected Deliverables

The study will produce the following deliverables:

• a baseline study outline, including the proposed methodology and data collection tools, table of content and a timeline of research activities (inception report) prior to the site visit to the project location,
• a summary containing a brief overview and the main findings of the study,
• Baseline values for all indicators included in the project impact matrix, specifying the respective data sources and measurement methods.
• a comprehensive report of a maximum of 30 pages with practical recommendations and relevant annexes,
• Findings and recommendations regarding the condition of the four selected schools and the existing VTC facilities, including identified refurbishment and equipment needs.
• a review of the main project design elements and provision of concrete recommendations for improvement,
• an analysis of the institutional structure required for project implementation, stipulating the roles and responsibilities of staff members involved, a detailed problem analysis, a stakeholder analysis, a revision of the target group, an analysis of the potential risks and recommendations on how to mitigate these risks, a schedule of project activities, a financial plan (planning budget), a detailed project logframe with SMART indicators for the project objective and results listing related activities and required resources,
• a “Do-no-harm analysis” including recommendations on how to mitigate potential harm and conflict situations that can potentially arise during or as a result of the project activities
• a Gender mainstreaming analysis identifying potential risks and recommendations to ensure gender equality in all aspects of the project design and implementation.

A template will be provided to serve as a guide and suggested structure for the final report.

Process/Timeframe

• A total duration of the assignment is up to 20 working days within the period of 01.12.2026 to 28.12.2026.
• A planning meeting with Amal, handover of relevant documents 1 day
• Initial document review and preparing inception report 3 days
• Sharing inception report with SoH and Amal 1 day
• Data collection site visit to a project location 5 days
• Data analysis, draft report with annexes, presenting to SoH 5 days
• Incorporating received feedback and finalising the report 5 days

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum of 5 years of project evaluation and/or implementation experience in the result-based management framework
• Proven experience of conducting baseline studies, evaluations and other research projects
• Technical and methodological knowledge to conduct research projects and formulate conclusions based on a solid methodology, assessing projects for relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of projects
• Experience working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and partnered projects
• Access to technical expertise to assess the condition of the selected schools and identify needs for minor refurbishment works.
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Desirable:

• Experience in the relevant field
• Fluency in written and spoken Levantine Arabic
• Professional familiarity with the project country/region
• Practical experience of working for and/or evaluating BMZ-funded projects

Academic Background

An advanced level university degree (Masters’ degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public administration, international development studies, law and/or another relevant field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

The consultant is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organisation or government entity regarding this evaluation.

Companies as well as independent consultants are invited for this tender. Female and differently abled candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please note that due to a large number of applications we may limit establishing contact to shortlisted applicants.

Bids received after deadline will not be considered. If offers are incomplete, bidders may be able to hand in missing documents within a deadline upon request by SoH.

The selection of the consultant will be conducted jointly by Amal and SoH. Interviews with shortlisted candidates will be held online.

The consultancy agreement will be set up by SoH and Amal. Consultancy agreements set up by consultants won’t be accepted.

Criteria and weighting for the evaluation of the submitted proposals:

1. Essential and desirable competencies, proposed methodology: 11 %
2. Financial proposal (fee): 11 %
3. Performance during interview: 35 %
4. Writing samples: 7 %
5. Minimum amount of years of relevant experience: 3 %
6. Language skills: 3 %

Annexe 1: Impact Matrix. Please download the annex by visiting the following link:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yH19NSOMraW08M_lYPBB0TmdmlDV6anU?usp=sharing

PROTECTION FROM HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION:

Amal Organization is dedicated to fostering a secure and respectful environment for employees and those they interact with in the course of their work. The recruitment, retention, and promotion of staff are inherently tied to maintaining high ethical standards and a commendable reputation. Amal Organization unequivocally prohibits and will not tolerate (zero tolerate) any form of discrimination, abuse, harassment (whether sexual or otherwise), based on race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship status, disability, or military status. Employees and associated personnel must strictly refrain from engaging in any discriminatory, harassing, or abusive behavior, whether physical, sexual, verbal, or otherwise, both within and outside the Amal organization.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Amal Organization recognizes that ensuring a secure environment for children begins with the recruitment of qualified employees equipped with the necessary competencies and skills to perform their duties effectively, safely, and reliably. This commitment is geared towards safeguarding children from all forms of exploitation, labor, or potential harm.

In our dedication to children's safety, our selection process incorporates comprehensive background checks, underscoring our unwavering commitment to preventing abuse and ensuring the well-being of children.

SAFEGUARDING EMPLOYEE RELATIONS:

In line with our commitment to fostering a secure and respectful work environment, the post holder is required to adhere to Amal's anti-harassment policy. This policy underscores our dedication to safeguarding the well-being of our staff by promoting a workplace culture characterized by mutual respect and professionalism. The role holder plays a vital part in this commitment, ensuring a supportive atmosphere and actively contributing to the safeguarding of their colleagues through the promotion of positive employee relations.

How to apply

Please submit the following documents as PDF files (documents in other formats will not be accepted) with the subject line “Baseline Study in Aleppo, Syria, DC-SYR26.01” to procurement@sign-of-hope.org no later than 17.11.2026 23:59 CET:

• A résumé indicating all relevant experience (max. 2 pages),
• contacts of at least two professional referees,
• a cover letter, including a brief description of the proposed research methodology (technical proposal max 1 page) and a comprehensive breakdown of costs (financial proposal), including professional fees and all other relevant costs such as travel expenses,
• a writing sample of a document of similar research value (for example, a baseline study, an evaluation report).