Lebanese Labor Law Consultant (Legislation And Application)

Purpose and Background: IRC Lebanon currently implements legal services programming in Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon and North Bekaa, as well as North Lebanon (T5 and Akkar).  Legal services include dissemination of legal information through group sessions, individual legal counseling, and legal assistance (facilitated through a power of attorney, in relevant circumstances).  Predominately, IRC provides legal services targeted towards the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon, and focusing on birth and marriage registration, other civil status matters, and obtaining/maintaining legal stay.  On an ad hoc basis, IRC Legal Officers also engage in mediation to support refugees encountering specific difficulties (for example, withheld wages, eviction and ID confiscation).  Scope and Responsibilities of the Consultant: IRC Lebanon is now seeking to enhance its capacity to counsel and assist refugees on labor law matters, and seeks a consultant to deliver the following outputs: Desk review of research materials already gathered regarding the current labor law context for Lebanese and foreigners (with a focus on Syrian nationals) in Lebanon, including both applicable regulations/legislation and their application in practice.  Fields of research should cover the following areas: -          Different forms of labor contracts as per Lebanese labor law, other applicable regulations and decrees, and common practice; -          Regulation of vocational training, volunteering and cash for work as per Lebanese labor law, other applicable regulations and decrees, and common practice; -          NSF obligations related to foreigners (obligation to register and declare, taxation, benefits) with special focus on Palestinian workers, international conventions applicable to Lebanon, and the bi-lateral treaty between Lebanon and Syria; -          Distinctions between Syrians and other foreigners concerning the positions they are allowed to occupy; -          Regulations/legislation governing issuance of work permits to foreigners, and their application in practice; -          Safeguards against workplace exploitation and abuse, relevant to Lebanese and foreigners, and including workers of all categories (daily laborers, apprentices, full- and part-time workers); and, -          Consequences of labor law violations for both employers and employees (including lack of work permit) and public order stipulations of labor law dispositions; -          Potential remedies for those experiencing workplace exploitation and abuse (including, but not limited to, withheld wages, unfeasibly long hours or unrealistic workload, verbal and/or physical harassment, substitution of cash wages with other incentives of lesser value). Production of a research report providing in-depth analysis of the issues listed above, and any other relevant and related issues agreed between the consultant and the IRC Legal Manager. The skeleton or outline of the report will be presented to IRC for comment, feedback and agreement prior to the drafting of the full report (no later than the end of the second week of the consultancy). The draft full report will be presented to IRC for comment, feedback and final revisions no later than 5 working days before the end of the consultancy, to allow time for finalization. Production of a standalone executive summary to the report, no longer than 2 pages, that concisely summarizes the main findings of the report for non-specialists.  Production of two one-page handouts directed towards jobseekers (one targeting Lebanese and the other targeting foreigners), raising their awareness of key aspects of Lebanese labor law relevant to them.  Note that the consultant is not expected to provide graphic design elements of the handout, her/his contribution is limited to the written content that will appear on the handout.  Delivery of one half-day training session for IRC team members (15-20 people), to introduce the finalized materials. Professional Requirements: Masters degree in law, or equivalent professional experience. Demonstrated expertise in, and familiarity with, Lebanese labor law. A minimum of 5 years legal experience, in Lebanon. Experience producing professional written documents in English and Arabic. Excellent analytical skills. Experience applying and/or analyzing the application of Lebanese laws to the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon. Ability to work independently, with minimal oversight. Professional proficiency in English. Protection background/experience in the Protection sector, preferred.