Conflict Sensitivity and Prevention Expert

Background:

Oxfam in partnership with Right to Play, SHiFT and ALEF is implementing a European Union-funded project entitled “Working for Engagement, Acceptance and Mediation: A Community-based Approach to Social Cohesion in Lebanon – WE’AM.” The project is implemented between March 2023 and February 2026 in Lebanon. WE’AM aims to leverage experiences and complementarities to build consensus and stimulate lasting social cohesion initiatives in Lebanon following three working streams: addressing drivers of tensions at the community level; disseminating gender-responsive conflict prevention and resolution tools and methods; mainstreaming community-level social cohesion into programming.

Objective:

As part of the project and under its first outcome [Women and Youth’s capacities to address and counter the drivers of social and political tensions within and among local communities are enhanced], project partners will map, reactivate and establish Women and Youth groups and Local Mediation groups. Representing the different communities in their area of intervention, the women and youth groups will gather throughout the project’s timeline to define, address and discuss drivers of tension and social instability, and suggest mechanisms for stability and local development through different tools offered by the project. To support the mapping of conflict and its root causes, the WEAM Consortium has commissioned a field study to a peacebuilding expert, with the findings expected to be out gradually throughout the last quarter of 2023. A further study, taking a Gender focus and investigating the role of women in addressing conflict will as well be launched towards the end of the current year – and will serve as well in further defining the groups’ strategy and interventions in their geographical localities. To counter tension, the youths and women will mainly be supported to come up with Quick Impact Projects addressing basic needs, lack of resources, scarcity of job opportunities [and other identified sources of conflict].

The major goal of this role is to support and harmonize the Consortium’s approach to working with the said community groups [women and youths] as well as Consortium partners across all project locations, encouraging conflict sensitivity and prevention in the near future. The expert will work with community groups, partners, and the Project Management Unit to improve understanding, cooperation, and conflict-awareness techniques where the consultant has to meet with each group and develop a plan for collaborating with the groups throughout the Project

Scope of Work: The Conflict Sensitivity and Prevention Expert will be responsible for the following tasks over a 65-day period:

1. Conduct two days of engagement with each of the 24 community groups (total of 48 days):
   • Facilitate workshops to raise awareness about conflict sensitivity.
   • Validate the conflict from an already conflict study done and determine possible conflict causes in respect with the ones already determined and devise participatory conflict resolution methods.
2. Team up for two days with each of the four partners (total of eight days):
   • Manage, Monitor, and facilitate the discussions taking place during the sessions
   • Assess partners' existing conflict-sensitivity approaches.
   • Co-develop conflict prevention action plans with partners.
   • Provide recommendations for improved collaboration and conflict management.
3. Spend two days working closely with the Project Management Unit (PMU):
   • Review project plans and identify potential conflict flashpoints.
   • Advise on integrating conflict sensitivity throughout the project.
   • Train PMU members on conflict-sensitive project management.

Timeline and Geographical coverage:

The activities are being carried out across 12 distinct localities: Baddawi, Jabal Mohsen/Tebbeneh, El Mina (Tripoli); Fneidek, Mashta Hammoud/Mashta Hassan, Tikrit (Akkar); Ein Remmeneh/Shiyah, Hay el Gharbeh/Ghobeiri (Beirut); Barja (Mount Lebanon); Saida (South); Baalbek, Deir al Ahmar (Baalbek-Hermel).

Deliverables:

• 24 Conflict sensitivity action plans (1 for each community group and partner)
• Recommendations for conflict-sensitive adjustments to project plans.
• Final Report outlining the expert's interventions and impact.

Cost: The expert's daily fee, including all expenses, should be included in the overall cost estimate. The total cost should cover the entire 65-day period of implementation.

Qualifications: We are seeking candidates who possess the following qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in social or political science and conflict resolution, peacebuilding, mediation, or a similar diplomas/courses are a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict assessment, training, and facilitating
• Strong understanding of conflict in a variety of cultural situations.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and training abilities.
• Fluent in English and Arabic
• Previous work experience with community groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and/or development organizations 
• Solid knowledge of the Lebanese historical and political context, as well as social dynamics of the different population
• To have a fresh account USD
• Previously developed and produced reports Related to the deliverables:
  • 24 Conflict sensitivity action plans (1 for each community group and partner)
  • Recommendations for conflict-sensitive adjustments to project plans.
  • Final Report outlining the expert's interventions and impact

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