Consultant Community Outreach

1. BACKGROUND: The Women’s Access to Justice in the MENA region project Phase 2 is a 3 year project implemented by Justice without Frontiers in partnership with Oxfam GB and five other NGO partners in Lebanon, Jordan, Yemen and Egypt. It is designed to build upon the successes of Phase 1 (April 2011 – March 2014).   Women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have been linked to the broader changes in the region that started with the Arab uprisings of 2011. The unstable political environment and unsteady transition however have toned down the optimism among women’s rights advocates. Among many today there is a realisation that fostering women’s rights in a region of weak institutions, male-dominated social and cultural sphere, and limited space for women’s participation, is a long-term process requiring action at multiple levels. Particularly in Lebanon, a country which ratified CEDAW, women continue to suffer from discrimination enshrined by several laws, most notably the nationality law that does not allow Lebanese women to pass on their nationality to their children and spouses. Discriminatory provisions in the labor and social security laws remain despite some earlier amendments. Personal status issues are under the jurisdiction of Lebanon’s 18 religious laws and courts, and a civil personal status law does not exist despite the efforts of women’s rights organizations. The Syrian crisis has put additional pressure on women, primarily Syrian and Palestinian displaced by the conflict to neighbouring countries. The majority of refugee women face harsh living conditions often paired with discrimination from the host communities. Gender-based violence; forced marriages and prostitution are on the rise among the refugees.[1] CSO activists from Jordan and Lebanon also observe a negative impact of the refugee crisis on Jordanian and Lebanese women from underprivileged communities, who see the Syrian women as competitors both for scarce jobs and local suitors. In Lebanon, as a reflection of the unfolding crisis in Syria, a designated Prime Minister has been unable to form a Cabinet for over 2 years, and general elections postponed. All these developments point to the lack of legitimacy of political institutions and the complex challenges on the way to justice sector reform. The key problem this project will address is the limited and inequitable access of poor and vulnerable women to justice. The underlying factors are described in more detail below. 1)      Limited capacities of women to claim their rights due to limited ability to make well informed decisions related to one’s rights and limited affordability of legal services and litigation for women. 2)      Women are socially deterred from accessing the judicial system. 3)      Formal and informal justice systems are perceived as gender biased/ discriminating against women. 4)      Limited impact of CSO advocacy on women’s rights and access to justice.   Designed by Oxfam GB and partners, the proposed project seeks to work at the personal, community and systemic levels while fostering stakeholders’ engagement and influencing decision makers at all levels. According to the theory of change the Project seeks change at different levels that will cumulatively create an environment in which women are able to claim their rights through the judicial institutions.   2. PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY: The consultancy aims at designing a community outreach and mobilisation strategy that can be used during implementation of the WAJ project activities.   3. KEY TASKS: ·         In coordination with JWF team, identify gaps in coverage of outreach and mobilization mechanics in Mount Lebanon ·         Identify local stakeholders in target areas and provide recommendations on best strategies for mobilization ·         Identify opportunities for linkages with other organizations and key players to strengthen JWF outreach and initiatives ·         Develop strategies for effective community mobilisation that builds upon WAJ project and activities, including for example tools, activities, awareness raising events ·         Setting a clear vision for engagement with and mobilisation of influential community members ·         Setting guidelines with JWF team on how to further develop the plan 4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS: A detailed community outreach and mobilisation strategy 5. TIMELINE: JWF expects the fulfilment of the mentioned tasks within a period of 5 days starting from the day the contract is signed. 6. TEAM COMPOSITION: Upon the conclusion of an open and competitive bidding process, JWF will select and commission a technically qualified independent consultant with the required competencies.   7. GOVERNANCE & MANGAGEMENT OF THE BASELINE SURVEY: The Consultant will directly report to the WAJ project officer and JWF director The Consultant will work closely and in consultation with the JWF team in Lebanon   8. BUDGET: The budget for this task depends on the experience of the applicant Payment will be done in two instalments: 25% upon contract signature and 75% upon approval of the final report and requirements by JWF 9. CONSULTANT PROFILE The ideal consultant will have 5 years of relevant experience. The consultant should have the following skills and competencies:   Experience in the development of community outreach and mobilization strategies Good understanding of gender justice work and method for assessing changes related to active participation and women leadership Ability to communicate fluently in English and Arabic (preferably) and write reports in English Excellent verbal/written communication skills and strong report writing skills in English Ability to work with a diverse team and under pressure to produce agreed deliverables in a timely manner The consultant must be collaborative, willing to share thoughts, ideas, and make constructive criticism     10. EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI): JWF invites the submission of an EOI from an individual with the experience and skills described above. The EOI must include: a)      A cover letter of no more than 2 pages introducing the consultant and how the skills and competencies described above are met, with concrete examples b)      An outline of no more than 5 pages of the proposed process and key considerations. c)       A CV outlining all the experience obtained and relevant for the project   Please submit the EOI and requested documents (as mentioned above) by the 18th of July 2016 addressed to: jwficc@yahoo.com & jnoun@jwf.org.lb quoting “WAJ II- Awareness Strategy Consultant” in the subject line.