CONSULTANCY FOR GOVERNANCE STRENGTHENING AND DONOR ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT

Objectives

The consultancy aims to support FDCD in strengthening its governance including leadership, and operational systems across its Lebanon and Syria structures. The consultant will provide strategic guidance and capacity-building support to enhance organizational effectiveness, responsiveness, and sustainability. Key objectives include:

1. Governance and Leadership Assessment
   1. Assess FDCD’s governance framework (board functionality, leadership roles, internal policies) and provide recommendations.
   2. Assess FDCD’s current resources (staff, financial, logistic, operational, etc…) and provide recommendations
2. 3. Assess FDCD’s governance framework, including board functionality, leadership roles, and internal policies.
   4. Identify gaps and bottlenecks in decision-making, reporting, and team empowerment.
3. Organizational Development and Strategic Planning
   1. Guide strategic planning and enable organizational development to maximize effectiveness, resource utilization, and sustainable growth.
   2. Recommend structural and procedural reforms for long-term improvement.
4. Communication and Donor Engagement
   1. Facilitate reflection on internal and external communication, delegation, and coordination practices.
   2. Enhance FDCD’s donor engagement strategies through improved reporting mechanisms, operational innovation, and relationship management.
5. Capacity Building and Mentorship
   1. Deliver coaching and mentoring sessions to FDCD’s senior leadership and hub coordinators, focusing on decentralized leadership, effective communication, and governance models suited to emergency contexts.
   2. Equip teams with practical tools to strengthen empowerment, streamline reporting, and enhance monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices.
   3. Facilitate organizational change through targeted support for transition planning and resilience-building.
   4. Advise on structural and procedural enhancements that promote long-term sustainability.
   5. Strengthen FDCD’s internal capacity to maintain governance and donor engagement improvements beyond the consultancy period.
6. Transparency and Accountability

Strengthen FDCD’s transparency and accountability mechanisms through practical tools and improved monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems.

Scope of Work

The consultant will provide tailored support to FDCD’s leadership team and operational teams through a participatory and diagnostic approach. The scope includes organizational assessment, stakeholder engagement, strategic facilitation, capacity building, and reporting.

1. Organizational Assessment
   1. Perform a comprehensive SWOT analysis covering governance, human resources, procurement, and operational systems.
   2. Review internal documentation and workflows related to delegation of authority, reporting lines, and communication protocols.
   3. Build on previous consultancy feedback, identifying what worked and what needs to change.
   4. Assess decision-making systems, coordination mechanisms, and institutional adaptability.
   5. Revise and update governance documents, including bylaws, board charters, and conflict of interest policies.
   6. Evaluate donor engagement practices and identify opportunities for improved transparency and responsiveness.
   7. Review FDCD’s capacity strengthening plan for team members in Lebanon and Syria.
   8. Evaluate Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems, including the use of post-distribution monitoring (PDM) data and alignment with project indicators.
   9. Observe management practices to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
   1. Conduct in-person interviews with FDCD’s leadership team in Lebanon.
   2. Facilitate in-person and virtual interviews and focus groups with FDCD staff in Lebanon and Syria.
   3. Engage with representatives from MCC, CFGB, FDCD local hubs, and—where feasible—program beneficiaries to gather diverse perspectives on governance and donor relations.
3. Strategic Facilitation and Planning

1. Facilitate strategic reflection sessions with FDCD leadership to explore leadership styles, team empowerment, and partner engagement strategies.
2. Develop a governance strengthening roadmap with clear milestones and phased implementation.
3. Design a change management plan with practical tools and recommendations to support organizational transition and resilience.
4. Capacity Building
5. Deliver mentoring sessions to FDCD senior leadership and hub coordinators on decentralized leadership, effective communication, and emergency-context governance.
6. Provide tools and guidance to enhance team empowerment, reporting efficiency, and M&E practices.
7. Support change management and advise on structural and procedural reforms for long-term sustainability.
8. Strengthen FDCD’s internal capacity to maintain governance and donor engagement improvements beyond the consultancy period.

5. Reporting

1. Submit a final consultancy report summarizing findings, actionable recommendations, and proposed next steps.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to adopt a participatory and context-sensitive approach, using qualitative tools that promote reflection, ownership, and inclusive engagement across FDCD’s Lebanon and Syria teams.

Suggested tools and methods include:

1. Document Review: Examination of governance policies, workflows, reports, and role definitions.
2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): In-person and virtual interviews with staff, coordinators, and operational leads in Syria and Lebanon, subject to access and security conditions.
3. Reflection Workshops or Mapping Exercises: Facilitated sessions to assess institutional memory, decision-making flows, and team dynamics.
4. Benchmarking: Comparative analysis with similar organizations or contexts to identify best practices and areas for improvement.

The consultant may propose additional tools or adapt the methodology based on field realities and stakeholder feedback.