Call for Soft Skills Trainer

About NAHNOO

NAHNOO is a registered Lebanese Non-Governmental & Non-Profit Organization. NAHNOO has been working since 2009 as a research, capacity-building and advocacy platform for participatory policymaking, towards an inclusive society in Lebanon. The NGO rallies volunteers across Lebanon and through multidisciplinary and participatory research, capacity-building workshops, and grassroots activities, we provide a platform for youth and professionals to lead the planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns and gain the skills needed to impact policy-making at the local and national levels.

Further info: www.nahnoo.org + Facebook NAHNOO

Objective/purpose of consultancy:

NAHNOO is seeking the services of experts to conduct a comprehensive process included assessment and training workshops and/or deliver training workshops in South Lebanon.

Project Background

Lebanon has long been shaped by recurrent conflicts driven by sectarian, political, and regional factors, many of which remain unresolved and continue to affect the country’s stability and development. In recent years, these pre-existing tensions have been compounded by new crises, further deepening fragility.

Since October 2023, Lebanon has witnessed its most severe escalation war since 2006, which intensified further in September 2024, reviving historical divisions linked to sectarianism, political fragmentation, and the unresolved legacy of the civil war. The displacement of over one million people, mainly from the South to Mount Lebanon, Beirut, and the North, has demonstrated strong community solidarity, yet also risks heightening tensions between internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities due to competition over scarce resources and longstanding structural divisions.

Although a ceasefire was established on 27 November 2024 and many displaced people have begun returning, sporadic israeli attacks continue to trigger new waves of displacement. As a result, returns remain uneven, with many IDPs still unable or unwilling to go back to their homes. The violence has further destabilized Lebanon’s social fabric, institutions, and economy, aggravating a crisis-ridden context.

In light of these challenges, persistent communal tensions, the spread of misinformation and hate speech, and the absence of local crisis response mechanisms have intensified polarization and mistrust, increasing the risk of conflict.

To address these risks, the project will focus on coaching and capacity building for local committee members in South and Nabatiyeh to enhance their early-warning role, improve conflict management, and support community preparedness.  The local committees will also develop local peace strategies and be trained to counter misinformation and hate speech.

Objectives of the projectEnhance local capacities for conflict prevention, insider mediation, and peacebuilding in targeted communities and the establishment of IM Crisis Prevention and Response Taskforce in villages in South and Nabatiyeh governorates.

The scope of work, key responsibilities, and deliverables are divided into two main components, to which several consultants may be assigned.

Component 1:

Soft skills encompass a range of interpersonal attributes and competencies that enable individuals to interact harmoniously and effectively with others. These skills, distinct from technical or hard skills, include abilities such as effective communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, mediation and crisis management. In today's dynamic world, these skills are invaluable for fostering successful personal and professional relationships, facilitating collaboration, and enhancing overall personal development.

The main mission of the training consultant is to be committed to furnishing the participants with comprehensive training. Topics will be chosen based on NAHNOO’s assessment to the group’s needs. However below is a list of topics that could be included but not limited to:

1. Effective communication and partnership establishment
2. Social response to war and displacement
3. Mediation, dialogue, and conflict management
4. Crisis management and understanding the context
5. Writing project proposals
6. Data and information collection and statistics
7. Participatory planning
8. Leadership, teamwork, and decision-making in times of crisis
9. Managing rumors and misinformation
10. Risk analysis and early warning
11. Preparing initiatives and local intervention plans
12. Stress management: Coping with stress, reducing anxiety, and maintaining emotional well-being.
13. Negotiation: Seeking mutually beneficial outcomes through communication and compromise.

The main task of the experts under component 1 are:

Consultants are needed to conduct up to 4 targeted capacity building training workshops to local committees in line with the gaps identified, in the assessment phase conducted by NAHNOO.

1. Training Material Preparation:

In preparation for the training workshop,

a. Discussing with NAHNOO the topics to be included based on the assessment conducted by the expert.

b. Customizing curriculum and training material based on gaps and challenges identified

2. Training Workshop facilitation:

A series of training sessions is expected to take place on topics related but not limited to the topics mentioned in the previous section.

3. Training Reporting:

The consultant will translate the results of the workshop in a training performance report including pre and post and evaluation form.

Component 2

A consultant is needed to lead the technical aspects of the project, including conducting the participatory assessments, facilitating workshops, analyzing data, and providing coaching and tailored recommendations to Insider Mediators taskforces.

Main tasks:

1. Mapping and Capacity Assessment phase: This phase will set the foundation for the intervention by initiating stakeholder engagement, collecting baseline data, and conducting participatory capacity assessments including stakeholders mapping.

• Tools Design
• Actual meetings and sessions (including the FGD, online interviews when needed, and other activities based on context)
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Development of a capacity assessment report that incorporates results from the participatory exercises and desk review including a design of a comprehensive training plan that includes a tailored curriculum and learning materials covering key themes such as conflict prevention, conflict analysis and sensitivity, mediation, communication, facilitation, negotiation, crisis management, and countering hate speech

2- Capacity building workshops: Up to 4 targeted capacity building training workshops to local committees and Insider Mediators in line with the gaps identified, in parallel to TOT for selected local committees’ members.

4. Training Material Preparation:

In preparation for the training workshop,

a. Discussing with NAHNOO the topics to be included based on the assessment conducted by the expert.

b. Customizing curriculum and training material based on gaps and challenges identified

5. Training Workshop facilitation:

A series of training sessions is expected to take place on topics related to effective communication, mediation, conflict prevention, conflict sensitivity, conflict analysis and resolution, crisis management, proposal writing, and other related topics.

6. Training Reporting:

The consultant will translate the results of the workshop in a training performance report including pre and post and evaluation form.

3- Development of Local Peace Strategies and IM Taskforces (Roadmap)

- Roadmap Development based on input collected in meetings and sessions.

- Development of Bylaws and/or Roles and Responsibilities and Processes based on context and needs as identified throughout the project

- Report on progress and finalized adopted documents

Qualifications/level requirements

Applicants with the following experience are welcome to apply:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, political science, international relations, law, social work or related majors.
• Certified trainer and/or at least 4-5 years of documented professional experience in working in relevant fields of Soft Skills, using participatory approaches. 
• Proven familiarity with Lebanese economic crisis with a good understanding of the South Lebanon context
• Previous experience working with local, national &/or international NGOs
• Strong ability to deliver a message in a clear manner and to explain a point of view during an open discussion.
• Adaptability and flexibility in working within complex and dynamic environment.
• Ability to deliver high quality results in a timely manner.
• Fluency in Arabic & English (written and spoken) is a must
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, mainly Power point.

ither

Proposed period of consultancy

To start tentatively on the 12th February 2026 at the latest specific dates to be agreed with Consultant.

1 full expert day= 8 hours of work

Tasks/activities may happen during weekends or holidays, based on a set schedule

Selection criteria:

The consultant will be selected based on competitiveness and quality of the technical and financial proposal. They will be paid upon successful completion and approval of the commissioned work based on an agreed upon payment schedule

Method of payment: via cheque to cash or bank transfer (if Blom bank), noting that NAHNOO does not cover payment charges (from bank or any 3rd parties).