Mapping and Capacity Needs Assessment Consultant

Program Background

In line with the Action “T.A.R.A.B.U.T,” which aims to promote social cohesion and resilience across communities in Tripoli, this activity constitutes a foundational step in identifying, profiling, and understanding local actors that influence social dynamics. The Safadi Foundation conducted a thorough contextual analysis using desk-based and consultative methods to identify key social cohesion problems in the greater area of Tripoli. Evidence points to continued social segregation exacerbated by the recent socio-economic decline in the country, based on sex, age, religion, nationality, functional diversity, and increasingly, socio-economic status.

The mapping will assess the roles, relationships, capacities, and potential of local actors to support peaceful coexistence, inclusion, and inter-communal collaboration. It will integrate gender-specific data and consider horizontal and vertical cohesion dynamics across public, private, and civil society sectors. Additionally, Safadi Foundation partnered with Aida Ayuda Intercambio y Desarrollo (AIDA) to localize knowledge on inclusive programming and mobilize resources for effective implementation.

Target Audience & Scope of Work

The target audience for the "T.A.R.A.B.U.T." initiative initially includes:

• Local Communities: Residents of Tripoli, particularly those affected by social segregation based on sex, age, religion, nationality, functional diversity, and socio-economic status.
• Public Institutions: Government bodies and local authorities involved in social cohesion and development programs.
• Private Sector Actors: Businesses and private organizations that can contribute to and benefit from enhanced social cohesion.
• Civil Society Organizations: NGOs, community groups, and other non-profit entities working towards social development and cohesion.
• Marginalized Groups: Specific focus on women, youth, and people with functional diversity, ensuring their inclusion and active participation.
• Social Development Professionals: Experts and practitioners in the field of social cohesion and community development.
• Individuals and Local Activists: Community members and activists who play a crucial role in promoting social cohesion and advocating for change.

   This diverse audience ensures a comprehensive approach to promoting social cohesion and resilience in Tripoli. As part of the participatory approach adopted, representatives from each target group are expected to take part in the validation workshop of the Consultant’s deliverables, ensuring the outputs are relevant, inclusive, and grounded in local perspectives.

Brief for Terms of Reference (ToR) – Planned Approach

The Action will engage approximately 250 individuals through a comprehensive capacity development and social cohesion initiative in the wider Tripoli area. Training topics will include social cohesion principles, conflict sensitivity, inclusive local development planning, public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility, gender mainstreaming, human-centered project design, and social inclusion programming.

Target groups will be divided into categories and invited to participate in tailored workshops, coaching sessions, and outreach activities, in accordance with their roles and needs. This phased approach will culminate in multi-stakeholder forums to foster collaboration and generate innovative local initiatives for social cohesion.

A competitive sub-granting process will be launched, through which the 15 most promising proposals from local civil society organizations will be awarded grants of up to USD 25,000. These sub-grants will support the implementation of context-sensitive, inclusive community projects designed and led by trained local actors.

The planned interventions will ultimately contribute to enhanced collaboration, increased community resilience, and improved trust between public, private, and civil society actors in the Tripoli region.

Tasks:

1. Methodology Design
   • Co-design participatory tools and combining mixed approaches (qualitative/quantitative) with SF and AIDA.
   • Ensure inclusion of gender and conflict-sensitive approaches.
2. Stakeholder Identification
   • Define categories (public institutions, private sector, CSOs, youth/women groups, etc.).
   • Map actors per municipality, based on influence and relevance.
3. Data Collection
   • Conduct desk reviews, KIIs, and surveys to gather comprehensive data.
   • Facilitate FGDs (focus group discussions) ensuring inclusion of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
   • Capture gender-specific roles and barriers.
4. Analysis of Connectors & Dividers
   • Map out drivers of cohesion and conflict at various levels.
   • Identify current coordination gaps and potential for collective action.
5. Capacity Needs Assessment
   • Assess each actor’s strengths, weaknesses, and readiness to participate in social cohesion initiatives.
   • Include organizational development and technical training needs.
   • Identify previous collaborations and project experiences.
6. Reporting
   • Prepare a detailed narrative report with visual maps.

Methodological Considerations and Program actors

• Gender and Inclusion: Ensure balanced representation of men, women, youth, and people with functional diversity.
• Conflict Sensitivity: Use do-no-harm principles and account for local political and social sensitivities.
• Participation: Ensure representation of all target’s groups in the four cities, apply participatory tools that allow actors to self-identify roles and gaps.
• On-Site Data Collection: Prioritize collecting data on-site and in-person.
• Ethical Protocols: Demonstrate the application of ethical protocols and steps to ensure confidentiality.

Actor

Responsibility

SF

Lead coordination, field access, stakeholder mobilization

AIDA

Co-design of methodology, quality assurance, gender mainstreaming support

Consultant/Research Team (if external)

Conduct fieldwork, analyze data, develop outputs

Local Partners

Participate in validation and feedback sessions

Deliverables and TimeLine

The payments will be released only once the deliverables are approved.

Deliverable

Description

• Stakeholder Map and Excel

Visual and categorized stakeholder list by municipality

• Capacity Needs Assessment Report

Narrative and analytical report with gender-integrated findings

• PowerPoint Summary

For use in internal workshops and planning

• Inception Report Recommendation 

A set of initial recommendations based on early findings.

The project will be implemented over a total duration of six weeks, with a structured timeline of activities designed to ensure efficient delivery, stakeholder engagement, and measurable progress toward the project’s objectives within this condensed timeframe.

Week

Key Milestone

Week 1:

Kick-off, Desk Review, Draft Mapping

Week 2:

Methodology Validation by Partners

Weeks 3-4:

Data Collection and Analysis

Week 5:

Draft Report & Map Submission

Week 6:

Validation Participatory Workshop and Finalization of All Deliverables

Required skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, development, social work or relevant fields (Master’s preferred).
• Strong gender and inclusion analysis skills
• Experience working in Lebanon, especially in Tripoli
• At least 3 years of field experience with vulnerable groups, especially women and girls.
• Proven experience in conducting social cohesion needs assessments or similar assignments.
• Experience in utilizing gender-responsive methods in outreach and engagement.
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques
• Fluent in English and Arabic
• Excellent writing skills in English
• Computer literacy (MS Office tools and data analysis)
• Advanced skills in research and data collection
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines