Technical Expert on Social Cohesion

 Background

Established in 1996, Restart Center is a Lebanese Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) dedicated to preventing torture and other forms of violence and ill-treatment, through awareness-raising, advocacy, and capacity building, and to ensure that survivors obtain redress, particularly through the provision of mental health services and psychosocial support.

In alignment with its mission, Restart Center is implementing a project funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the European Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) . The aim is to improve access to dignified and culturally appropriate Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services for 3,100 individuals from displaced and conflict-affected populations in North Lebanon, Akkar, Beirut, and Mount Lebanon. 

The project aims to strengthen ongoing MHPSS efforts addressing the impacts of conflict and displacement by improving the psychosocial well-being and resilience of affected individuals, families, and communities. Through awareness-raising and MHPSS activities, the project will enhance individual and collective resilience, address psychosocial distress, promote social cohesion within and between communities, and strengthen institutional capacities to deliver sustainable and effective MHPSS services.

 Scope of Work

Given the project’s strong emphasis on MHPSS, social cohesion, conflict sensitivity, peace-building, and community resilience, Restart Center is seeking a Technical Expert in Social Cohesion and Peace-building with demonstrated knowledge and experience in integrating MHPSS approaches across these areas. The expert should have a background in social cohesion and strong experience applying an MHPSS lens and integrating both approaches.

The expert’s role is to build the capacity of Restart Center staff and key frontliners through targeted capacity-building and hands-on technical guidance, particularly in the design and delivery of MHPSS community and family support activities (specifically socio-relational activities (social and cultural activities) for mixed groups to promote their psychosocial well-being and social cohesion. Frontliners need the skills to engage participants from diverse backgrounds through mixed groups, through sessions that foster social cohesion, strengthen collective resilience, and build sustainable community-based support networks that promote well-being and solidarity beyond the project’s implementation. Restart will draw on IOM resources to design these interventions, including “Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating the Impact of Social Mixing Programmes: A Toolkit for IOM and its Partners.”

Key Responsibilities:

1. Capacity Building: provide structured capacity-building support to staff and key frontliners; this includes strengthening practical skills related to conflict-sensitive facilitation, socio-relational approaches, and community resilience.

2. Technical Guidance on Session Design:  provide hands-on technical guidance to staff and frontliners on the design and facilitation of socio-relational activities with an integrated MHPSS approach.

These sessions should aim to:

Strengthen interpersonal bonds and family relationships

Reduce tensions and address shared psychosocial stressors

Promote positive social interactions and trust among individuals from diverse nationalities and communities

Enhance communication and positive coping strategies within families and peer groups

 Qualifications

A background in social cohesion, with substantial experience in applying an MHPSS lens and integrating both approaches.

Demonstrated expertise in MHPSS, social cohesion, conflict sensitivity, and community resilience.

Experience designing and facilitating community- and family-based psychosocial interventions.

Strong capacity-building and mentoring skills for frontliners and field staff.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and cross-cultural skills.

Relevant academic degree in psychology, social work, community development, or related field.

Prior experience working in humanitarian or conflict-affected settings is highly desirable.