Local Actors' Mapping Consultant

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Lebanon is undertaking a foundational exercise to deepen its understanding of the operational and stakeholder landscape in Lebanon. A comprehensive understanding of this ecosystem is a strategic imperative to strengthen program design, inform partnership development, and advance IRC’s localization commitments.

This stakeholder mapping consultancy aims to systematically identify, verify, and analyze a wide range of actors operating within IRC’s areas of intervention. The exercise goes beyond a simple inventory to adopt a systems-based approach, identifying linkages, gaps, and opportunities across civil society, government, private sector, academia, and informal actors.

The findings will inform:

• Systems-based program design and stakeholder analysis
• Government engagement strategies
• Strategic partnership development and localization efforts
• Opportunities for collaboration, advocacy, and joint programming across the humanitarian– development nexus

Scope of work and Consultancy Objectives

The consultant will execute a multi-faceted methodology designed to produce a deeply nuanced map of the operational landscape, adopting a systems approach that moves beyond a simple inventory of names.

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive, verified, and categorized database of local actors operating in the designated locations to inform IRC's strategic engagement.

Specific Objectives:

a.            Map the Ecosystem: Systematically identify and profile a diverse range of stakeholders, with a specific focus on smaller, emerging, and less visible entities (e.g., community-based organizations, informal groups, and local initiatives) often overlooked in traditional lists.

b.            Categorize & Profile: Map actors according to their geographic coverage, thematic expertise, and operational structure using the specific IRC framework defined in this ToR.

c.             Analyze Engagement History: Assess and document IRC's engagement history with these stakeholders to inform future partnership strategies and avoid redundancy.

Required Methodology

The consultant is expected to follow a rigorous process to ensure data validity:

• Initial Data Review: Systematically review IRC's existing data, including previous stakeholder mappings and Strategic Action Plan (SAP) outcomes.
• Internal Consultations: Convene meetings with IRC technical coordinators and field teams to crowdsource initial lists.
• Targeted Identification of Emerging Actors: Proactively seek smaller/invisible actors (CBOs, volunteer collectives) via field visits and community consultation.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conduct targeted KIIs to validate information where data is incomplete, confirming operational status and areas of expertise.
• Data Triangulation: Cross-reference information from multiple sources (municipalities, coordination bodies) to verify details.

Key Deliverables

A. Completed Stakeholder Database: A comprehensive and validated Excel database of local actors in the South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon, completed using the provided IRC template and adhering to all guidance in this ToRs.  (please see mapping guidance below)

B. Summary Narrative Report (2-3 pages): A concise report in Microsoft Word format providing:

• Overview of methodology.
• Summary of key actor types and sectoral strengths in the region.
• Initial analysis of gaps and potential partnership opportunities for IRC.

Timeline and Reporting

• Duration: The consultancy is estimated at 20 working days.
• Deadline: Final submission of all deliverables is due by 13 March 2026.
• Reporting: The consultant will report directly to the IRC Partnerships Coordinator.

Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in mapping and engaging with a diverse range of local actors beyond just civil society. The consultant must have proven knowledge of Government entities (municipalities, unions, technical departments), Private Sector actors (cooperatives, social enterprises), and Academic/Research institutions in the target region
• In-depth knowledge of the social, political, and operational context of Beirut, Mount Lebanon and South Lebanon.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including desk research and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
• Familiarity with systems-based approaches to stakeholder analysis is highly desirable.
• Ability to organize, analyze, and synthesize large volumes of information into structured databases and clear analytical outputs.
• Strong coordination and communication skills, including the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders
• Proficiency in both Arabic and English, written and spoken, is required.

Mapping database guidance

Geographic Focus

The consultancy covers South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates. For each stakeholder identified, the consultant must specify the Governorate, District, and Locality of their operations.

Stakeholder Categories

To ensure consistency and strategic alignment, the consultant must categorize each stakeholder according to the following framework:

a. Civil Society Organization (CSO)/ Community Based Organization (CBO)

• Must be further identified by the following sub-categories if applicable:
• Women-Led Structure/Entity OR Women’s Rights Structure/Entity
• Organization of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) OR Structure for PWDs
• Youth-Led Structure/Entity OR Structure focusing on youth inclusion
• Refugee-Led Structure/Entity OR Structure focusing on refugee rights
• Faith-Based Structure/Entity
• Structure/Entity for people with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC)
• Structure/Entity focusing on age inclusion (older persons)

b. Government or Local Authority

• Ministries and National Institutions
• Decentralized Local Authorities: Municipalities, Unions of Municipalities.
• Technical Departments: Health, Education, Social Affairs offices.
• Coordination or Policy Bodies.

c. Private Sector or Cooperative

• Businesses and Social Enterprises.
• Cooperatives.
• Private Service Providers (including those delivering essential services).
• Chambers of Commerce and professional associations.

d. Academia or Research Institution

• Universities, Research Centers, Think Tanks, and Policy Institutes.

e. Informal Actors

• Initiatives, Volunteer Groups, and Collectives (networks, alliances, coalitions, taskforces).

f. International or Regional Actor

Thematic Focus / Area of Responsibility (AoR)

Each stakeholder must be mapped against their primary and secondary areas of thematic expertise:

• Protection (GBV, Child Protection, Rule of Law, WPE)
• Health & Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC)
• Economic Recovery & Development (Livelihoods, Food Security, Early Recovery)
• Climate and Environmental Action
• Digital / Innovation
• Education & Early Childhood Development
• Social Protection / Governance
• Advocacy & Policy
• Research / Evidence Generation

4. Strategic Data Points

In addition to standard contact and operational data, the database must capture Engagement Relevance:

• Current: IRC currently collaborates with this actor.
• Previous: IRC collaborated in the past.
• Potential: Relevant for future initiatives but no history of partnership.

Required Operational Data Fields In addition to the categorization above, the Consultant is required to complete the following operational data points for every mapped entity, ensuring 100% completion of the columns provided in the Excel template:

• Registration Details: Registration Status (Registered/Pending/Not Registered) and Year of Establishment.
• Contact Information: Name of Focal Point, Position, Phone Number, and Email Address.
• Physical Location: Full address including Street/Building, etc.
• Online Presence: Links to Website, Facebook, or other social media pages.
• Staffing & Capacity: Estimated entity size (e.g., Volunteer-based, <10 staff, Medium, Large) and number of volunteers.
• Target Population: Primary beneficiary groups (e.g., Women, Youth, Refugees, Host Community).

Stakeholder Analysis & Compliance Data

The Consultant must complete the strategic analysis and compliance columns for each entity to support IRC’s risk management and partnership planning:

Power & Interest Analysis:

• Level of Influence: Rate the stakeholder's ability to impact decision-making or program outcomes (High / Medium / Low).
• Level of Interest: Rate the stakeholder's interest in IRC’s specific programming areas (High / Medium / Low).

Compliance & Due Diligence:

• Compliance Status: Indicate any known vetting status (e.g., Vetted, Restricted, Unknown).
• Risk        Level:    Preliminary         assessment         of            operational         or            reputational        risk (if applicable/observable).
• Notes/Remarks: Any specific flags regarding neutrality, past conduct, or conflict sensitivity.