Finn Church Aid (FCA) is a prominent Finnish non-governmental organization (NGO) with extensive expertise in providing Education in Emergency (EiE) programs across various regions facing crisis situations. FCA is dedicated to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of circumstances, have access to safe and inclusive education, even in times of emergency or conflict. FCA has a long-standing commitment to supporting education in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and is now broadening its efforts to address humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza.
In the OPTs, where crises like conflict often disrupt the education system, alternative and innovative learning methods are essential to minimize educational losses and provide continuity in the learning process for all children. FCA aims to address these challenges by employing inclusive distance education, blended learning approaches, and psychosocial support integrated into education during emergencies.
Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest international aid organisation with more than 70 years of experience. We specialise in the world’s most fragile contexts and work with the most vulnerable people, regardless of their religious beliefs, ethnic background or political convictions.
1.2 Background info on FCA CO requesting the services
The Education department of Finn Church Aid is seeking the expertise of an education specialist located within the OPTs to develop and contextualize global best practices in inclusive distance education and blended learning (when some children are in class while others are joining online from their homes due to military operations or movement restrictions). The expert will also incorporate strategies for psychosocial support into education, considering the unique challenges posed by emergencies in the region. The expert’s role is to adapt these global practices to the context of the OPTs and provide actionable resources and training for local educators. The goal is to enhance education quality, strengthen student engagement, and promote inclusivity, even during times of crisis.
1. Objective
The objective of this assignment is to understand Finn Church Aid’s (FCA) perspectives on Education in Emergencies, integrating Finnish best practices alongside international standards for inclusive distance education, blended learning, and incorporating psychosocial support in emergency education. This will involve conducting a desk review of existing policies and standards, as well as FCA’s Distance Education
Manual. The expert will coordinate with FCA’s Education Advisers and specialists from the Teachers Without Borders network.
The expert will also develop training modules and resources (including in Arabic) focusing on inclusive distance education, blended learning (when some children are in class and others are joining online), and integrating psychosocial support during emergencies. These resources will be designed to provide actionable takeaways for local educators, helping them enhance their teaching practices while also improving their well-being.
The task will include contextualizing global best practices and existing training content to ensure the revised approach is relevant to the unique challenges of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), maximizing its impact. Additionally, the expert will develop a framework to guide future FCA initiatives in these focus areas.
The training will be delivered to 2-3 schools in the West Bank in July/August 2025, with the possibility of expanding to 10 more schools by March 2026. Follow-up mentoring will be provided to schools and educators to support the implementation of their learning.
2. Scop of work:
– Material Review and Contextualisation of Existing Training Content and Best Practices
To review FCA’s existing educational materials and liaise with FCA’s Education Advisers and educational experts from the Teachers Without Borders network to understand FCA best practice and the Finnish approach.
To review international best practices, existing training content and global standards on inclusive distance and blended learning.
To tailor and adapt these practices to align with the cultural, social, and educational context of the OPTs.
– Design of resources and training modules
Develop resources and training modules on inclusive distance education, blended learning, and integrating elements of psychosocial support into the learning during emergencies that will be implemented at the targeted schools.
Ensure that the resources and training content are theoretical, practical, and feasible within the constraints of emergency settings and provide actionable guidance and strategies for improving local capacities.
Provide local educators with practical tools enhance their own well-being at the same time.
– Framework Development
Develop a comprehensive framework on contextualized best practices and outline FCA’s crucial role and approach to inclusive distance education, and blended learning in the OPTs. The approach should integrate inclusive distance education, blended learning education and psychosocial support elements for improving local teaching practices.
– Rollout of training to schools in the West Bank
Deliver training to educators at 2-3 schools in the West Bank using the materials and resources developed
Provide follow-up mentoring to educators to help them apply their learnings
With additional funding expected in April 2026, deliver trainings to a further 10 schools in the West Bank and East Jerusalem
3. Deliverables
Training resources, materials and modules integrating contextualized international best practices. These should be provided in Arabic and English .
A recommended framework for FCA’s interventions in this field going forward
Delivery of training to at least 2-3, and possibly 13, schools in the West Bank and East Jerusalem using these materials and modules
Follow up mentoring with educators to equip them with the tools needed to improve teaching practices and support inclusive distance and blended education.
4. Duration
First phase – material review, design of resources and training modules: to begin immediately and be completed by July 2025.
Second phase – training rollout and framework development: to being in August 2025 and – if additional funding is secured for additional 10 schools – to be completed by April 2026.
5. Reporting and Communication
The expert will report to the Project Coordinator and Humanitarian Adviser in FCA.
Regular updates and feedback sessions will be scheduled to ensure alignment and progress.
6. Transport & Logistics
FCA will NOT reimburse the transportation costs to visited destinations.
7. Duty Station
The Duty Station for this assignment is the West Bank, Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
The consultant must be based in the OPTs and able to travel to schools across the West Bank, with a preference for those who can also travel to East Jerusalem. Some activities, such as meetings and training, will require in-person presence.
8. Budget
Please provide a detailed budget of the assignment with VAT.
The maximum budget is 10,500 EUR for phase 1 and training rollout to 2-3 schools, with an additional 9,000 EUR available for further rollout to 10 additional schools, subject to securing additional funding
Bids exceeding this amount will not be eligible for evaluation.
Applicants’ proposals must include a detailed and competitive budget inclusive of all fees, costs
and taxes.
Processing time for financial payments is 10 working days and will be only transferred to consultant’s bank account.
The income tax will be the responsibility of the consultant and must be paid directly to the income tax department. A certification of payment will be required.
9. Validity
Tenders/Offers shall remain valid and open for acceptance for a period of 7 working days after the closing date for the submission.
Prior to the expiry of the original tender/offer validity period, the Contracting Agency may ask tenderers/candidates in writing to extend this period. Tenderers/candidates that agree to do so will not be permitted to modify their tenders/offers. If they refuse, their participation in the tender procedure will be terminated.
10. Timetable & Payment Modalities
Payment will be based on the completion of deliverables and progress milestones :
For Phase 1 – up to 5,000 Euro
For Phase 2 – up to 5,500 Euro for initial training rollout, with an additional 9,000 Euro for further rollout, subject to securing additional funding
11. Required Expertise and Qualification
– Education qualification of the consultant:
At least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
– Experience & Expertise of the Consultant:
Proven experience in inclusive distance education, blended learning, and psychosocial support in emergency settings.
Demonstrated ability to design capacity-building frameworks and training modules.
Strong understanding of the educational landscape and challenges in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) or similar contexts .
Proficiency in Arabic and English, with ability to write materials and delivery trainings in Arabic, as well as excellent comprehension, writing and communication skills in English .
Ability to travel in person to schools across the West Bank (preferably also to East Jerusalem) .
(Preferred) Expertise in learning through play and innovative pedagogical approaches .
(Preferred) Familiarity with FCA’s programming approaches.
– Professional Experience
Proven experience in delivering engaging and interactive training sessions for educators .
Experience in contextualizing global best practices in inclusive distance education and blended learning to align with local cultural and educational contexts .
Experience in developing educational frameworks that integrate psychosocial support into learning environments .
Experience in mentoring and follow-up with educators to ensure the effective implementation of training outcomes.
12. Eligibility Criteria
The service providers will initially be verified for eligibility according to the criteria below. # Description Means of verification and required documentation
Curriculum Vitae/ Portfolio
Curriculum Vitae/ Portfolio
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university
University degree certificate
Financial proposal and availability
Budget including VAT
Technical Proposal committing to the required deliverables, and time frame.
A brief outline of their approach and methodology for each phase.
A proposed timeline and deliverables.
A breakdown of expected hours and associated costs for each phase
14 Contract Award Criteria
The offers will be evaluated according to the contract award criteria below:
#
Description
Weight
Scoring methodology
1
Skills / expertise of the Consultant to be assessed according to the CV
25%
2
Technical Proposal including the methodology, availability and timeframe.
25%
3
Interview with FCA team
25%
4
Financial proposal / within the budget
25%
Lowest bid receives highest score. Other candidates’ scores are calculated proportionally based on the lowest bid.
13. Evaluation Process
The evaluation process is managed by FCA’s Procurement Committee.
Candidates will be first evaluated according to the requirements in section 12 – Required Expertise and Qualifications. Candidates which are eligible will be allowed to proceed to the evaluation phase and their offers will be evaluated according to the contract award criteria in section 14.
Questions
Candidates are not allowed to approach the Contracting Agency for verbal clarification.
Any prospective candidate seeking to arrange individual meetings with either the Contracting Agency and/or any other organisation with which the Contracting Agency is associated or linked may be excluded from the tender procedure.
Candidates may submit questions in writing via email to the address above latest two days before the deadline.
Terms of contract
Confidentiality – Highlight any confidentiality or certain commitment concern
During the assignment, the consultant does not represent FCA and has no mandate to negotiate, make commitments or agree on behalf of FCA.
The consultant is expected to use own computer and other equipment required for the works.
By submitting an offer, the candidate/consultant/service provider confirms to abide by FCA Code of Conduct, Safeguarding policy, Data-Protection Agreement and consent for screening.
The ownership and copyright(s) of the report(s) and any other produced material will remain with FCA.
All information gathered from FCA, partners and beneficiaries must remain confidential and not shared with any party without FCA written consent.
The Consultant is responsible for payment of all social costs, other employment related costs and insurance contributions and for all other liabilities of a statutory nature.
How to apply
Application procedure
Deadline for submission of offers is 21.03.2025, 16:00 PM, Jerusalem time zone.
Candidates must send their offers via email to procurements.joco@kua.fi no later than the deadline as mentioned above. Any tenders received after the deadline will not be considered.
Candidates must put < Expert to enhance Inclusive Distance Education and Blended Learning > in the subject line of their emails when submitting their offers.
No tender may be changed or withdrawn after the deadline has passed.
The candidate shall bear all costs associated with the preparation and submission of the offer and the Contracting Agency will in no case be responsible or liable for these costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the procurement process.