Research Consultant

ALEF will employ a mixed-methods approach to map the priorities of various stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), political actors, and donors. This phase will start with the findings from the Vienna Commission and its consultations with Lebanese actors, using these insights as a foundation.

ALEF proposes to analyze the findings through the lens of the "political settlements" theory. Specifically, ALEF will apply Mushtaq Khan’s political settlement model to evaluate the potential success of the 3RF in establishing a settlement capable of delivering the necessary judicial reforms. This phase will focus on power dynamics and their impact on governance, highlighting the complex interplay between state and non-state actors. ALEF believes that by using Khan’s framework, it can better forecast the challenges and opportunities for the 3RF in pushing forward meaningful reforms. The model will also allow understanding how power distribution among political actors affects reform progress, providing a valuable tools for the prioritized advocacy.

Ultimately, ALEF’s goal is to identify the barriers to judicial reform within the 3RF process and provide actionable insights to help unblock these challenges. Understanding the power dynamics and the priorities of actors along with the distribution of benefits and incentives within political settlements is key to advancing stable and effective judicial outcomes in Lebanon.

This consultancy will be contracted and undertaken under the supervision of ALEF.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

• Conduct face-to-face Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with relevant stakeholders, including judges, lawyers, civil society representatives, and government officials to gather first-hand perspectives on challenges and opportunities in the judiciary sector.
• Produce an outcome paper describing the outcomes of the KIIs.
• Present the outcome paper in two separate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Convene a workshop to validate the recommendations drafted for the research.
• Develop a comprehensive research that provides practical recommendations on advocating for progress on priorities in the judicial sector.
• Participate in a roundtable with relevant CSOs following the dissemination of the research.
• Participate in an advocacy event organized by ALEF to push for collective work on the recommendations developed.

Deliverables:

• 10 Key Informant Interviews – The KIIs will focus on the extent of progress on these priorities, identifying bottlenecks, and understanding the dynamics affecting progress. These focused interviews will help ALEF refine its understanding of stakeholder priorities and ensure a comprehensive analysis.
• 1 outcome paper - Following the KIIs, the Consultant will produce a draft describing the outcomes of the KIIs.
• 2 FGDs - The outcome paper will be presented in two separate FGDs. In the first FGD, the Consultant will discuss the paper with the aim of learning from their expertise on challenges and progress, understanding their perspective on the bottlenecks, and discussing further the priorities put in place and how to enhance progress to become more impactful.
• A 1-day Validation Workshop - A validation workshop discussion will be convened by the Consultant with representatives from CSOs and stakeholders engaged in the KIIs and FGDs to validate the recommendations drafted for the final research production. The workshop will offer the participants an opportunity to provide final feedback and share additional insights. By engaging directly with the stakeholders involved in the 3RF processes, the workshop discussion aims to ensure that the final set of recommendations is both feasible and responsive to the needs and perspectives of stakeholders involved in the 3RF policy dialogue processes.
• 1 research paper on “Identifying Solutions to Blockages in the 3RF Judicial Reform Agenda”.- Based on the outcomes of the KIIs, FGDs, and the validation workshop, the Consultant will develop a 15-pages research that provides practical recommendations on advocating for progress on priorities in the judicial sector. The research will examine various elements related to the status of these priorities, including. It will also echo the 3RF’s own evaluation of how to more effectively advocate for these priorities.

Consultancy Period

The work is expected to start once the contract is signed by the consultant, planned for 26 March 2025, and end within 29 working days. A more detailed timeline will be agreed upon with the consultant.

The consultant is expected to produce all deliverables, inclusive of several rounds of feedback (to the extent that is needed).

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Political Science, International Affairs, Humanitarian Affairs, Development, Economy, and/or related field experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in carrying out high level analytical work.
• Proven research, data collection, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated experience in governance, judicial reform, and accountability, particularly in Lebanon or the MENA region.
• Experience conducting Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and mixed-methods research.
• Excellent report-writing skills.
• Understanding of policy processes and experience producing research that informs advocacy strategies.
• Ability to facilitate discussions and validation workshops with diverse stakeholders, including CSOs, government officials, and international actors.
• Familiarity with Lebanon’s political, legal, and governance structures, particularly in relation to judicial reforms.
• Excellent English communication skills, with focus on written and presentational capacities.
• Knowledge of Arabic is mandatory.