Consultant for Mapping and Assessment of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

ENTITY BACKGROUND

About the Lebanese Transparency Association (LTA)

The Lebanese Transparency Association - No Corruption (LTA) was established in 1999 with the aim of reducing rampant corruption in Lebanon, promoting the principles of transparency and accountability, establishing the rule of law and respecting the fundamental rights inaugurated in international laws and the Lebanese Constitution, by focusing on systematic improvement, building alliances, and encouraging civil society organizations to take measures towards transparency and accountability. LTA later became the national chapter of Transparency International (TI).

Our mission is to promote transparency and integrity as well as prevent and fight corruption through collaboration, advocacy and active engagement, in public, private and non-governmental organizations, contributing thus to the fulfillment of our vision of a Lebanon with well governed, transparent and accountable institutions, free of corruption and built on the rule of law.

LTA has worked to enhance transparency in the public and private sectors in Lebanon for more than a decade, by implementing a number of projects that ranged from contributing to the development to lobbying the anti-corruption laws (such as the draft law on the Right to Access to Information, the Whistleblowers Protection Law, the Asset and Interest Declaration and the Punishment of Illicit Enrichment Law etc....), and the monitoring of parliamentary elections since 2009, in addition to other projects aimed at empowering youth and municipalities on issues related to good governance.

LTA was selected as a member of the first Independent Oversight Board (IOB) for the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF), which is a framework launched by the World Bank Group (WBG), United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), Civil society, Lebanon’s government, and the international community in response to the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion.

The framework for Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction (the 3RF) is part of a comprehensive response to the massive explosion on the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020. The 3RF is structured around four strategic pillars: (1) improving governance and accountability; (2) jobs and opportunities; (3) social protection, inclusion, and culture; and (4) improving services and infrastructure. Each pillar identifies a set of strategic objectives and priority areas across both the recovery track and the reform and reconstruction track.

For the first time, and through the 3RF governance structure, CSOs have the opportunity to actively engage and contribute to implementation or monitoring of reconstruction and reforms efforts.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

BINA’ project brief

Funded by the European Union (EU), and in partnership with Transparency International Secretariat (TI-S) and the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies (LCPS), BINA’ project overall objective’s is to enhance the role of civil society actors as active pillars in enhancing governance, accountability and transparency in Lebanon, as it specifically expands the abilities of civil society, both local and national, to actively monitor and advocate for transparency and accountability on the 3RF in Lebanon.

BINA’s program key objectives are:

1. To improve the capacities of CSOs, expand organizational abilities and coordinated efforts among civil society networks to ensure transparent and sustainable implementation of the 3RF in Lebanon.
2. To improve capacities of local CSOs, grassroots and community-based organizations outside Beirut to participate in policy dialogues and monitoring processes related to recovery and reform at local and central level.
3. To sustain an inclusive multi-stakeholder dialogue with local, national and international actors that advance reform efforts, with an emphasis on the role of CSOs.

BINA’s target audience is diverse: (1) Civil Society Organizations (formal and informal) in Beirut and across Lebanon, (2) Youth groups and initiatives, (3) Women’s organizations/initiatives promoting gender equality, (4) Municipalities/Local Authorities and (5) citizens as Final Beneficiaries.

BINA’ and the 3RF

The World Bank Group (WBG), United Nations (UN), and European Union (EU), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Lebanon’s government, and the international community launched the framework for Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction (the 3RF) which is part of a comprehensive response to the massive explosion on the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020.

The 3RF recognizes that regaining the trust of the Lebanese people in governmental institutions is imperative for successful recovery. The government needs to assume responsibility and take urgent action to promote recovery and reconstruction. Lebanon also needs to adopt a new governance model that breaks the capture of political elites over state institutions and ensures that these institutions serve people’s needs and can respond to the crises the country faces

The 3RF aims to help Lebanon achieve three central goals in response to the Beirut port explosion. First, a people centered recovery that returns sustainable livelihoods to the affected population; improves social justice for all, including women, the poor, and other vulnerable groups; and ensures participatory decision making. Second, the reconstruction of critical assets, services, and infrastructure provides equal access for all to quality basic services and enables sustainable economic recovery. Third, the implementation of reform to support reconstruction and to help restore people’s trust in governmental institutions by improving governance.

The 3RF framework provides a critical foundation for the reform, recovery and the reconstruction of Beirut that has been deeply affected by the Port Explosion. Although BINA’s project falls under the 3RF, it aims at pushing forward its goals beyond the Beirut Explosion affected areas. The 3RF is structured around four strategic pillars, each of which identifies a limited set of priorities across both the recovery track and the reform and reconstruction track. These priorities are based on detailed sectoral assessments in 17 sectors that were affected by the Beirut port explosion. Each sector is anchored in one of the pillars; cross-sector aspects are considered and prioritized in relevant sectors and pillars, with a view to ensuring coherence in the overall response.

3RF promotes the sustainability of service provision by reinforcing the role of the Ministry of Social Affairs and its Social Development Centers (SDCs) in providing social welfare and protection services; invest in capacity building for local government and civil society organizations and systematize linkages between SDCs and CSOs (Civil Society Organizations) for more efficient delivery of services. This is where BINA’ recognizes CSOs as the main pillar and target group of the project. One of its main objectives is to enhance the role of civil society actors as active pillars in enhancing governance, accountability and transparency in Lebanon, as it specifically expands the abilities of civil society, both local and national, to actively monitor and advocate for transparency and accountability on the 3RF in Lebanon. Transparency and accountability are relevant to the first Thematic framework of 3RF (out of 4) which is “Improving Governance and Accountability To promote the transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance of Lebanon’s economic and social resources”. Under this thematic framework, four main aspects are covered (PFM & Procurement; Anti-Corruption, Integrity & Transparency and Justice & Human Rights) and this is where BINA’s would be operating in synergy with 3RF.

BINA’s framework can effectively support this: (1) through the strengthening of internal governance of CSOs that the action is focusing on, (2) the creation of a coalition/network focused on monitoring and conducting advocacy, (3) the creation of tools and platforms to share knowledge and sustain monitoring processes. A comprehensive program of capacity building, peer-to-peer exchanges offer CSOs and activists support to increase their organizational resilience. Most importantly the action empowers local small organizations through (4) third party sub granting related projects to enhance social accountability, collaboration and partnership with municipalities to achieve greater transparency and accountability. Similar to the 3RF Framework, the Action promotes the inclusiveness of communities as a cross-cutting priority through (5) its inclusive approaches adopted whether in research, capacity building, focus groups, advocacy efforts and awareness that will enable a wide range of citizens, particularly individuals and groups at risk of marginalization and discrimination, to have voice and representation that will reach national decision makers and the international community. The action will also (6) encourage the fostering of dialogue and strategic collaboration among CSOs and with the EU and the Government especially in relation to advocacy and monitoring reform efforts.

CSOs

Civil Society Organizations (formal and informal) in Beirut and across Lebanon are one of the main target groups under the scope of the BINA’ project. LTA is looking to secure technical and financial support in order to empower them to play a more active role in advocating for reforms at the local and national levels. This mapping is key to build up the capacity building plan that will be put in place to develop their capacities based on the assessment findings. This Action will directly  support LTA to implement BINA’ main output towards working to empower Lebanese civil society with the knowledge, tools, networks and skills to strengthen their organizational capacities, making them capable of sustaining long term projects; to limit and reduce their own risks of corruption and mismanagement of funds, and to help them become credible and formidable actors of governance able to dialogue and debate with decision makers on how to collectively advance reform efforts.

In addition to their participation in the trainings, CSOs could benefit from a Third-Party Financial Support, where they would submit their applications through a call for proposals, and could be eligible if they meet a rigorous standards and selection criteria. An inclusive and participatory approach will be prioritized in developing advocacy plans to ensure local ownership and a strong representative of diverse voices is adopted. Moreover, the project will encourage the fostering of dialogue and strategic collaboration among CSOs under 3RF and beyond and with the EU and the Government especially in relation to advocacy and monitoring reform efforts.

Consultancy assignment objectives

The overall objective of the consultancy is to build CSOs’ detailed mapping as a matrix that will support LTA to:

1. Identify and select CSOs with experience in policy and advocacy change across different sectors to be part of a coalition, building on the existing 3RF thematic working groups:  Anti-Corruption Coordination Group, Rule of Law, Private Sector, Social Protection Forum, Social Inclusion and Gender, Culture, Housing, Municipal services, Port, Environment, Electricity, Education, Health, Water.
2. Identify and select the CSOs which are potential candidates to participate in the capacity building program (upon assessing and identifying their needs and organizational gaps, etc.)
3. Develop the selection process that will support LTA to identify and select potential CSOs which might benefit from the Financial Support to Third Party scheme under the project, based on a set of selection criteria
4. Build-up the basis of the Multi-functional portal that’s intended to be developed. The portal is an online platform that has three pillars: 1) information-sharing regarding the 3RF process, 2) CSO engagement with affected communities, 3) monitoring of the 3RF process. The portal will aim to appeal and engage youth citizens through its produced data and feedback mechanism – where youth and/or public are engaged in the monitoring and evaluation process of the 3RF. Finally, the portal will also have an online feedback mechanism. The platform will be launched and promoted online through communications campaigns.
5. Identify coordination mechanism and existing structure among CSOs vis-a-vis (1) 3RF working Groups, (2) national sectoral working group and (3) regional working group as the basis for the development of a structured dialogue framework for the EU to engage with CSOs in policy-making.

Scope of Work

Conduct detailed mapping and assessment of Lebanese CSOs:

• Mapping and assessment of CSOs: by working groups/sectors, track record of activities, types of interventions, platform and partnerships they are part of (based on previous and/or ongoing desk review conducted between LTA and LCPS and through undertaking KIIs, surveys, field visits etc.)
• Tapping into grass-roots movements and initiatives
• Tracking of coordination mechanisms between them (existing, initiated recently and planned)
• Identifying needs and gaps
• Identifying potentials and aspirations of the CSOs.

Methodology and operational plan

Proposals must include the consultant’s methodology to deliver the desired end-product “CSOs Matrix”. In addition to the specific services listed above, applicants are invited to recommend any additional services and capacity building provided by their entity that may be helpful to CSOs; however, these must be directly linked to overall project’s objectives:

Desk review, data collection tools design, assessment and data compilation & analysis.

• Review and analysis of results of past and on-going mapping and assessments (internal and external resources, LTA and other CSOs existing information and reports)
• Identification and contact with Stakeholders and other Studies / Projects.
• Contextual analysis, including stakeholders, capacities and risks (qualitative)
• Develop the assessment and data collection tools (including desk reviews, KIIs, and survey questionnaires).
• Develop the primary data collection plan (field work and KIIs).
• Data assessment: the data gathered must be assessed and analyzed to identify compatibility with the overall project’s objectives.
• Establish baseline data for COSs matrix.
• Identify the existing coordination mechanisms, specifically between CSOs and existing national WGs and national & regional coordination platforms.
• Discover patterns and trends through special mapping of the collected data about CSOs (outreach and exposure).
• Draft the Matrix and include readjustments of the indicative new data coming out.
• Consultation of stakeholders and validation of findings.
• Finalization of the Matrix and with selected indicators/ categorization.

Geographical scope

The assessment is designated to map and identify all CSOs in all Lebanese Mohafazas and outreach to the hard-to-reach organizations and unpacking existing initiatives at macro-scale levels.

Eligibility Requirements

• Individual consultants or consultancy firms can apply 
• 8+ years of experience in field-research based projects
• Experience with INGOs and NGOs
• Experience of working in complex contexts
• Professional knowledge of organizational aspects and networking building
• Objective and neutral with solid understanding of Lebanese political and social contexts
• Documented results related to the consultancy’s requirements, particularly in data collection, evidence-based analysis, drafting reports, coordination and networking
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in conducting mixed-methodological research and primary data collection approaches
• Able to proactively reflect on contextual change while conducting field work
• Networking skills and strong experience working with and/or UN, government, Unions of Municipalities, municipalities, CSOs, grass-roots organizations and initiatives and other critical stakeholders
• Working in policy and advocacy around development-related issues is desirable

Guiding Principles

• The selected consultant is expected to conduct itself in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and LTA policies, procedures, and values at all times
• LTA has zero-tolerance for sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, child abuse and exploitation. Any violations of these principles and policies will be treated as serious misconduct
• The candidate should have a high level of integrity, accountability, and punctuality and be willing to work with great flexibility
• He/she should also demonstrate and be exemplary in portraying LTA values and ethics

Awarding criteria

LTA will award the Contract to the Candidate whose proposal has been determined to be substantially responsive to the documents of the Request for Proposal and which has obtained the highest overall score. The decision will be taken by a bidding committee.

Applicant’s Ability to access the relevant locations in Lebanon (score 10)

Team Composition e.g., relevance, technical expertise, language skills, education, analytical skills (score 10)

Realistic and adequate work plan in responding to the scope of work and activities, with clear time frame and milestones leading to the set deliverables (score 20)

Proposed detailed methodology for the mapping and assessment / risks along the consultancy (score 20)

Detailed Financial Proposal that includes all costs related to (1) developing and implementing the assessment and (2) Matrix production (score 20)

Technical Expertise in local context research related to humanitarian or development response (crisis, resilience, recovery, post emergency, etc.) (score 10)

Relevant Track Record of similar assignments. A Minimum of one publication of previously conducted research/study should be attached (score 10)

Timeline and milestones

Mention the milestones and payments upon achievement in relation to the total budget booked for this consultancy, the expected duration (# of days) and the total cost in USD for:

1- Desk review

2- Literature review 

3- Mapping and assessment of stakeholders

4- Development of questionnaire

5- Conducting KIIs / data validation

6- Development of Matrix content

7- Development of final report

8- Participation and presentation at partners and donor’s meeting (TIs, LTA and EU)