Advocacy Consultant

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 realization 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 neighboring 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. 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 11 months, 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.   This 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 setting the advocacy strategy for the project.   The specific objectives are: Mapping stakeholders that are involved or could be involved in the project. Setting a participatory advocacy strategy which aims to further develop the understanding of all members of the community of women’s rights.   3. KEY TASKS: ·       To set a participatory advocacy strategy aiming to reach all members of the community taking into consideration the gender sensitivities present in the Lebanese context. ·       To assess primary and secondary stakeholders in terms of their power, the influence they have over the project and their level of interest. ·       To classify the stakeholders as pushers, blockers or facilitators as well as to draft possible strategies that JWF can adapt to enhance the relationships with each of them. ·       To classify national and international agencies as well as private sector corporations with which JWF can form partnerships, alliances or collaborations. ·       To identify possible political parties as well as religious leaders that will be of remarkable influence on community members mainly in the Mount Lebanon area. ·       To prepare an advocacy strategy that is in accordance with the project’s goals i.e. to be able to reach all stakeholders involved at the personal, community and systemic levels. 4. EXPECTED OUTPUTS: A three-year advocacy plan for the second phase of the project “Women’s Access to Justice”. A draft report which will include the mapped key stakeholders for the advocacy campaign as well as any recommendations or small strategies that can enhance the relationships with them.    5. 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.   6. BUDGET: The budget for this task is of maximum 3,000. Payment will be done in two instalments: 25% upon contract signature and 75% upon approval of the final report and requirements by JWF. 7. CONSULTANT PROFILE Upon the conclusion of an open and competitive bidding process, JWF will select and commission a technically qualified independent consultant with the required competencies.   The ideal consultant will have 5 years of relevant experience. The consultant should have the following skills and competencies:   Experience in project planning. Knowledge of issues related to gender equality and women’s rights in the MENA region. Previous experience with stakeholder analysis, power mapping and social analysis. 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.