Wpe Outreach Consultant

The International Rescue Committee is an international organization specializing in emergency and humanitarian programming.  In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the IRC operates a Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) program implemented in various locations in the Northern and Beka’a Governorates. During an internal assessment of adolescent girls’ needs conducted in February and March 2014 in Lebanon, the IRC identified groups of extremely vulnerable segments of adolescent girls who were unable to access services and activities for adolescent girls offered at the IRC’s Women and Girls’ Community Centers (WGCC).  These groups included adolescent girls who work in agriculture and other types of low paid labour, married girls and adolescent mothers. The levels of psychosocial distress observed amongst these specific groups during the assessments were considerably higher than those of girls who were able to access education or could regularly attend psychosocial and skill-building activities at the WGCCs, and their isolation and lack of support networks appeared evident. The IRC has further identified a gap in reaching engaged and married adolescent girls through outreach as well as with dedicated activities. Purpose of the Consultancy The consultant will be engaged to review existing approaches being used by the IRC, by other organizations in Lebanon, in the region, and globally to refine the outreach strategy that the WPE program is using to target engaged and married as well as other isolated adolescent girls. Based on this desk review and focus group discussions with adolescent girls, parents, community leaders, and other gatekeepers, the consultant will be responsible to develop a refined outreach strategy for the target population. The consultant will work with the WPE team to test the activities and train the IRC staff on the new approach. Additionally, through this review and material development process, the consultant will work with the IRC team to review the approach for conducting activities with the target population to ensure that critical information is being shared in a timely manner as well as identifying ways in which these adolescents can be included in ongoing activities. Proposed Outputs and Key Tasks Desk review of existing materials, approaches, and strategies for reaching young married and engaged adolescent girls Conduct focus group discussions with adolescent girls, gatekeepers, parents, and others on ways in which approaches can be improved for reaching the target population Based on the review and feedback, develop a refined outreach strategy in consultation with the IRC team Conduct training with relevant IRC staff on the new approache Work with the Adolescent Girls Manager and relevant staff to identify changes that can be made to the intervention approach to ensure that activities are appropriately tailored Develop a tailored package of reduced life skills modules that can be delivered independently and focus on key topics for girls affected by early marriage Conditions of the Consultancy The consultant will work in coordination with the Adolescent Girls Specialist based in Beirut. All curricula and materials designed and produced under this consultancy will be property of the IRC. Qualifications Work Experience: Professional experience in GBV prevention and response programs in emergency Experience working with adolescent girls in empowerment, life-skills or risk mitigation programs. Thorough understanding of best practices in GBV response and GBV primary prevention and risk reduction Experience training, mentoring and coaching staff on new program approaches and core competencies Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Clear understanding of gender, human rights, and issues surrounding violence against girls. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, prioritize work under pressure Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well Language Skills:  Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English required