Consultant for Enhancing Inclusion Practices in Private Companies through Self-Audit Checklists and Training

 1. Background

SIDC (Society for Inclusion and Development in Communities and Care for All) is an NGO dedicated to supporting marginalized and vulnerable populations, including people who use and inject drugs, individuals from diverse SOGIESC, vulnerable women, people involved in commercial sex work, and others at risk of social exclusion. The organization is committed to fostering inclusion, advocacy, and rights protection, particularly through capacity-building initiatives that empower individuals to champion their communities' needs. 

As part of its ongoing project funded by TRŌCAIRE, SIDC seeks to hire a consultant to guide the inclusion efforts of five private companies. The consultant will train 15 key employers from these companies on using a self-audit checklist and facilitate their capacity to identify and address inclusion gaps. The training is expected to take place over three days and focus on equipping the companies with the necessary skills and tools to foster inclusive workplaces. 

2. Objective

This consultancy aims to improve inclusion practices within five private companies by training 15 key employers on how to use self-audit checklists to assess their organization’s current inclusion practices and identify areas for improvement. The goal is to embed inclusive practices in the workplace, enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for: 

• Development of a Self-Audit Inclusion Checklist: 
  • Review and refine the existing self-audit checklist provided by SIDC, or develop a new checklist tailored to the needs of the five participating companies. 
• Ensure the checklist covers all critical areas of inclusion, such as:

• Diversity in recruitment and promotion
• Anti-discrimination policies
• Workplace accessibility for people with disabilities
• Gender equality and pay equity
• Inclusive workplace culture
• Policies for people from diverse sexual orientations and gender identities (SOGIESC)
• Employee engagement and feedback mechanisms for inclusion issues. 
• Training Design: 
  • Design a three-day training program for 15 employers from five private companies. The training should be participatory and focus on:
    • Introduction to DEI and the importance of inclusive practices in the workplace.
    • Detailed orientation on the self-audit checklist and how to use it to identify gaps and areas for improvement in their organizations.
    • Practical tools and strategies for addressing identified gaps and enhancing inclusion practices. 
  • Include interactive exercises, case studies, and real-life examples that reflect the challenges and opportunities for inclusion in private sector workplaces. 
• Training Delivery: 
  • Facilitate a three-day training program for the selected employers, ensuring they fully understand the self-audit checklist and can apply it within their companies. 
  • Provide coaching and guidance during the training sessions, encouraging active participation and problem-solving discussions among participants. 
• Post-Training Follow-up: 
  • Guide how companies can implement the action points identified through their self-audits. 
  • Support each company to create an action plan, tailored to their capacity.
  • Suggest follow-up mechanisms to support companies in tracking their progress on inclusion practices and embedding DEI into their corporate policies and operations. 
• Reporting: 
  • Prepare a final report summarizing the training outcomes, including an evaluation of the progress of the five companies, and feedback from participants.
  • Develop specific recommendations, preferably tailored to each company after gathering the necessary information from the participants for the next steps in improving inclusion practices. 

4. Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs: 

• Inception Report: A detailed plan outlining the methodology for developing or refining the self-audit checklist and the proposed structure of the three-day training. 
• Self-Audit Checklist: A comprehensive self-audit inclusion checklist tailored to the needs of the five companies, including guidance on its application. 
• Training Curriculum: A complete agenda and training materials for the three-day training program, including presentations, handouts, case studies, and practical exercises. 
• Training Delivery: Facilitation of the three-day training program for the 15 employers, ensuring hands-on learning and practical understanding of the inclusion checklist. 
• Post-Training Report: A final report summarizing training outcomes, participant feedback, and recommendations for ongoing improvement of inclusion practices within the five companies. 

5. Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be carried out throughout November / December (depending on the current Lebanese situation), with the following indicative timeline: 

• 1 Day for the review of the audit checklist and the inclusion policy,
• 1 Day of preparation for training with the 5 private companies involved,
• 3-day training: the consultant will facilitate training sessions with these companies, guiding them on utilizing the audit checklist for self-auditing purposes.
• 1 Day reviewing the audit checklist with each company individually, offering feedback and guidance,
• 1 Day will be allocated to developing tailored recommendations for each company based on their audit results,
• 1 Day to conduct individual meetings with the companies to discuss the recommendations and provide further support,
• 1 Day will be dedicated to preparing and submitting a final report summarizing the outcomes of the engagement, along with any recommended updates to the SIDC policy

The exact schedule will be agreed upon with SIDC during the initial planning phase. 

6. Consultant Qualifications

The ideal consultant should possess the following qualifications: 

• Educational Background: Advanced degree in human resources, organizational development, social sciences, or a related field. 
• Experience in DEI: At least 5 years of experience working on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, particularly in private sector settings. 
• Expertise in Training: Proven track record in designing and delivering capacity-building programs, with specific experience in training on inclusion and equity issues. 
• Knowledge of Inclusion Practices: In-depth understanding of inclusive workplace practices, relevant national/international labor laws, and best practices in DEI. 
• Facilitation Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead participatory, engaging, and practical training sessions, with experience in adult learning methodologies. 
• Cultural Sensitivity: Experience working with diverse cultural groups and a strong understanding of the social and cultural dynamics that impact inclusion in the workplace. 
• Excellent Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and effectively. 

7. Reporting and Accountability

The consultant will report directly to the Executive Director and Project Coordinator of the ongoing project at SIDC. Regular check-ins will be conducted to monitor progress and review deliverables, ensuring alignment with the project objectives.