Consultancy – First-Time Voter Guidebook

1. Background

The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization committed to promoting democratic principles, electoral integrity, and citizen participation in Lebanon.

As part of the Let Us Vote Lebanon project, supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), LADE aims to enhance the understanding and engagement of first-time voters in the upcoming 2026 parliamentary elections.

To achieve this, LADE will produce a First-Time Voter Guidebook/Kit, designed to simplify election-related information, promote civic participation, and ensure accessibility for all citizens, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive and user-friendly First-Time Voter Guidebook (print and digital) that clearly explains the voting process, the electoral system, and voter rights and responsibilities. The guide should be written in clear, accessible Arabic and suitable for wide public dissemination.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant/researcher will be responsible for:

Research and Content Development

• Gather and verify information on voting procedures, electoral laws, and processes in Lebanon.
• Explain the ballot structure and the preferential vote in an accurate and simplified manner.
• Highlight common causes of invalid ballots and provide guidance to avoid them.
• Develop an updated elections calendar with key milestones and deadlines.
• Create or update the “How to Vote” / Voting Mechanism explainer with visual and textual elements.
• If applicable, include diaspora voting guidance.
• Integrate a dedicated section on reporting pathways for gender-based electoral violence (GBV-EV), ensuring clarity on safety, confidentiality, and data-protection principles.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Coordinate closely with LADE’s communication and technical teams for content validation.
• Align content with LADE’s visual identity and public communication standards.
• Ensure consistency and coherence between print and digital (web) versions.

Deliverables

• Draft outline and table of contents.
• Full draft of the guidebook (Arabic, with suggested visuals or infographics).
• Final, edited version incorporating LADE’s feedback.

4. Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Communications, or related field.
• Proven experience in research, writing, or content development related to elections, civic education, or voter awareness.
• Strong understanding of Lebanon’s electoral system and political context.
• Excellent writing skills in Arabic (native level) and working proficiency in English
• Familiarity with gender, inclusion, and accessibility principles is an asset.
• Experience working with NGOs or international projects preferred.