Vacancy Notice – Facilitator

Assignment Description: Facilitating five half-day discussions events.

Assignment Location: Various regions in Lebanon

Employment Type: Short-term consultancy 

Assignment Period: March - April 2024

Level of Effort: Five expert days   

How to apply: Please send the application documents to info.lebanon@democracy-reporting.org cc’ing e.haddad@democracy-reporting.org, by 17 March 2024, 11:59 PM local time. 

DRI is looking for an experienced facilitator to design and facilitate five half-day discussion events: townhall meetings, brainstorming sessions, and consultations  that will enable civil society to capture the needs of their communities, identify pressing challenges, and co-create solutions with local authorities in different regions of the country.

Background

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. It has been established in Lebanon since 2016. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions worldwide. Democratic discourse is the basis of our mission and vision. In our work, we facilitate discussion and exchange about democratic government and the need for a continuous discourse adhering to democratic rules.   

In the framework of the project “Localising political reform in Lebanon: Supporting local governments and civil society to effect change in their communities”, DRI is contributing to setting the political reform agenda through building a community of change makers at the national and local levels. DRI will fund and support the implementation of small grant projects at the local community level to enhance local capacities and to strengthen the ability of local actors to advocate for reform and effect change in their communities. DRI will partner with local non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), and other civil society organisations (CSOs) from all geographical areas in Lebanon.

Therefore, DRI is recruiting a facilitator to moderate five half-day discussions as part of people-centred and inclusive community-driven processes such as townhall meetings, brainstorming sessions, or consultations that will enable civil society to capture the needs of their communities, identify pressing challenges, and co-create solutions with local authorities.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the supervision of and in close coordination with the DRI project Focal Point , the Expert will:  

• Conduct regular meetings with the DRI project team to plan and agree on prospective dates, topics, and queries to be presented during the five events;
• Advise on the selection of possible speakers/experts/panelists and develop communication channels with them – and ensure their attendance during the events;
• Prepare introductions and questions to be approved by DRI team five days prior to the events’ dates;  
• Facilitate the events to ensure inclusive and equal participation of attendees;
• Prepare and submit an expert activity report in accordance with DRI’s MEL reporting criteria;
• Ensure that the dialogue is engaging, and synchronising with the relevant topic while maintaining a neutral, impartial stance; 
• Ensure that DRI guidelines, mission, values, and visibility are adhered throughout the events.

 Your Skills & Experience  

• A university degree in media studies, journalism, communications, or a relevant field;
• At least 7 years of experience in facilitating or moderating political, economic, or social dialogue events;
• Solid experience in facilitating complex meetings involving a wide array of stakeholders (high-ranking officials, academics, grassroots actors, private sector, youths/students, laypersons, etc.);
• Deep knowledge of the Lebanese general political, social, and economic context;
• Deep understanding of democratisation, human rights, political reform, and civic engagement;
• Engaging on-stage persona and presence;
• Gender and cultural sensitivity;
• Outstanding professional public speaking and dialogue skills in Arabic.