Advocacy and Communications Specialist

About Lebanon Humanitarian & Development NGOs Forum (LHDF)

The Lebanon Humanitarian and Development NGOs Forum (LHDF) is an independent entity, composed of local NGOs operating in Lebanon, that facilitates the coordination between them and other relevant stakeholders to have an efficient response to the humanitarian and development needs in the country.

One of the Forum’s mandates is to develop advocacy papers and policy briefs on behalf of the forum members. Accordingly, the forum is currently seeking to contract an advocacy specialist consultant to support this effort.

The LHDF Advocacy and Communications consultant will be responsible for policy analysis and coordinating collective advocacy and communications initiatives for LHDF, reflecting member-identified priority issues. The consultant will undertake research to develop evidence to underpin advocacy and coordinate LHDF advocacy actions across members and working with other NGO networks; engage effectively in the various fora available to LHDF to effect policy change; develop LHDF advocacy strategies; and deliver regular reports, analysis, briefing and position papers.

OBJECTIVES 

• Develop strategies, technical guidance, and related policies and procedures.
• Identify International aid trends and donor priorities.
• Ensure that key learnings are extracted from advocacy activities.
• Position LHDF in relevant forums, including with other NGOs, UN agencies, and the Government of Lebanon and facilitates its representation with the support of LHDF Secretariat and Steering Committee.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES 

• Develop and implement LHDF advocacy strategy, in direct coordination with the Coordinator and Steering Committee and in collaboration with the LHDF membership.
• Analyze socio-economic and humanitarian developments and trends in Lebanon and the Syrian Crisis more broadly, in particular as pertains to refugees and the mixed humanitarian/development policy context, informing LHDF Coordinator, Steering Committee, members and external partners, and proposing amendments to LHDF advocacy strategies where relevant.
• Identify research opportunities and develop research proposals with partners and develop terms of reference for research consultants.
• Advise on and coordinate the development of LHDF positions, briefings, research papers, policy analysis, etc.
• Liaise with external advocacy partners, including, and not limited to ICVA, InterAction, Crisis Action, the SIRF LHIF, and academics such as AUB-IFI to identify advocacy and lobby opportunities for LHDF and inform others’ plans. 
• Coordinate and monitor advocacy messages and initiatives to ensure impact and that LHDF external advocacy is in line with good humanitarian and development principles.
• Convene dedicated advocacy meetings on a monthly basis or more with the Steering committee and on ad-hoc basis with the members’ plenary, keep member advocacy focal points informed of developments, and keep abreast of member advocacy activities (and opportunities for collaboration).
• Develop a calendar of upcoming advocacy opportunities and initiatives and share with relevant parties.
• Support the Coordinator and Steering Committee in ensuring visibility of LHDF activities, most notably the LHDF Help Desk, in close collaboration with relevant focal points and parties.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy/Administration, development, or any other related field,
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in policy analysis, advocacy strategy, communications, and research,
• Demonstrated capacity to develop and implement advocacy and communications strategies with clear theories of change
• Fluent in Arabic and English, both written and spoken, knowledge in French is a plus.
• Previous experience working with national NGOs (international NGOs and UN are a plus).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

CONTRACTUAL TERMS

• Comply with and adhere to Lebanon Support (LS) & LHDF policies, guidance, and procedures.
• Contract from the 1st of February 2021 till 30th of April 2021 (renewable upon evaluation and funding available).

About Lebanon Support (LHDF host organization)

Lebanon Support is an action-oriented, non-profit research center for and about civil society.

Lebanon Support is a multidisciplinary space creating synergies and bridging between researchers, experts, civil society and NGO practitioners, and activists. Lebanon Support aims to foster social change through innovative uses of social science, digital technologies, and publication and exchange of knowledge.

Lebanon Support achieves its action-oriented mission through 3 main programs:

• Daleel Madani: Lebanon’s civil society network
• The Civil Society Knowledge Centre (CSKC): Lebanon Support’s online research and information platform on public action and civil society issues.
• The Civil Society Incubator which provides tailored support and mentoring