Advocacy Coalition Consultant

RDFL-Beirut in collaboration with Plan International Lebanon is seeking an advocacy expert to moderate a two days workshop and provide an advocacy action plan.

Project Background:

This consultancy falls under outcome 3 for the Four years project titled “ Civil Society Strengthening” Project funded by “The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, SIDA” and implemented in Bekaa and Beirut/Mount Lebanon by “The Lebanese Democratic Women’s Gathering, RDFL” and three other youth community-based organizations in partnership with “Plan International Lebanon”.

Plan International and RDFL have set three intermediate outcomes that will contribute to the ultimate expected impact of the project which is to increase the enjoyment of human rights by women and girls and the advancement of gender equality in a vibrant and pluralistic civil society.

Outcome 1: Selected formal and non-formal CSOs and three youth-led groups have increased (organizational and technical) capacities and skills to promote and support age-appropriate SRHR and contribute to changing harmful social norms including CEFM (Child Early and Forced Marriages) and other forms of GBV.

Outcome 2: Girls, boys, and young women and men have the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to make informed decisions around bodies, sexuality, and relationships; and promote and enhance gender equality.

Outcome 3: CSOs and youth-led groups in Lebanon actively engage with Governmental institutions, (duty bearers), national actors, CSOs, media, and service providers to promote positive change around gender equality, SRHR, including tackling CEFM and other forms of GBV.

Building on ongoing national-level efforts under outcome 3, the project will support the “National Coalition for Protecting Children from Early and forced marriages”. Based on RDFL’s belief in women’s right to equality, and since the state is the sole reference to protect and guarantee the rights of female citizens; and to complement the years’ struggle carried out by women organizations in order to protect children and girls from the child, early, and forced marriage, which constitutes a flagrant violation of their right to safety and protection and opens the door to the worst forms of violence, exploitation, and trafficking, the Lebanese Democratic Women's Gathering, in partnership with a group of non-governmental organizations active in the field of advocating for the rights of women and children, has initiated the formation of this National Coalition that aims to legislate the protection of all those under the age of eighteen and living all over the Lebanese territories from the child, early and forced marriage. The objectives of the established National Coalition are to:

1. Ensure the adoption of a civil law that sets the age of marriage in Lebanon at eighteen full years for both men and women.

2. Pressure the representatives to assume their legislative responsibilities.

3. Gain the support of the media and public opinion.

Consultancy Time Frame ( 8 Working days)

Responsibilities and deliverables:

1. Conduct two days of kick-off consultation meetings with Plan International, RDFL, and coalition members to identify the challenges, advocacy targets, and buy-in.

2. One day to go through findings and prepare for a two days workshop.

3. Moderate and conduct two days workshop for coalition members on developing an advocacy action plan for the coalition.

4. Three days to develop an advocacy action plan to be submitted. The plan will be reviewed and approved by RDFL and Plan International Lebanon.

Experience and skills required

RDFL is seeking an advocacy consultant with the following:

· A minimum of 10 years of experience in Gender Equality and National and International advocacy on gender equality and women's rights.

· Demonstrated experience in developing, coordinating, and/or leading on national advocacy coalition;

· Well-developed networking skills and high-level contacts in development both at the national and international levels, and gender equality.

· Experience in advocacy stakeholder mapping;

· Ability to coordinate with multiple and diverse stakeholders;

· Detail-oriented, flexible, and able to take initiative.

· Experience in moderation and facilitation.