Junior Governance Consultant (Short-Term Consultancy)

      DISCLAIMER   It is mandatory to mention the job title in the subject of your application email   Applicants who do not mention the position they are applying for will be disregarded     Background Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980’s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps promotes economic and social development in marginalized communities and respond to emergency needs as they emerge. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Mercy Corps in Lebanon has shifted its programs towards emergency based interventions while integrating long-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Social Stability (GSS), and Livelihoods. Under the scope of the Governance and Social Stability (GSS) Sector, Mercy Corps is working in Bekaa mainly in Baalbek-Hermel Governorate and Bekaa Governorate (West, Bekaa, Zahle and Rachaya districts), targeting in particular nine vulnerable municipalities (Rayak, Kfarzabad, Kab Elias, Jeb Jannine, Qaraoun, Ksarnaba, Douris, and Fakiha). The overall objective of the programs is to empower vulnerable municipalities and communities to mitigate conflict caused by resource tensions exacerbated by the Syrian crisis. In this regard, Mercy Corps works closely with municipalities to mobilize and enrich community members with skills that can help them identify sources of common tensions and create action plans that will mitigate those tensions. Consultant objectives and deliverables Prepare advanced training material in Arabic on “good governance” (principles of accountability, transparency, local community participation, responsiveness to community needs and priorities, efficiency and effectiveness of decision making, equality and inclusiveness of all community members) Prepare advanced training material in Arabic on “right to information” (principles, explanation of the law, importance, criteria, examples of successful mechanisms of access to information in other countries, suggested mechanisms to ensure right to information between municipalities and their communities) Assist in preparing and customizing training material in Arabic on “strategic planning”, “contingency planning”, “proposal writing”, and “community engagement” in the context of municipal work. Undertake additional tasks as required. Qualifications MA/S or equivalent in governance studies, development studies, social work, social sciences, human rights, or other relevant field required, MA preferred; 5 years of relevant experience with municipalities and civil society organizations; Fluent Arabic speaking and writing skills. Additional strong English skills preferred Works directly with: Capacity Building Coordinator.   Payment In bank checks or wire transfer, after the successful delivery of the service based on monthly invoices and timesheets submitted (to include work days and hours. 9 hours = full day and 4.5 hours = half a day), with an approved consultant deliverable report. Incidentals, including transportation, per diems and communications costs, will not be covered separately by Mercy Corps, as they should be included in the consultant’s daily rate. Submission guidelines: Applicants are requested to submit the following documents by email to lb recruitment@mercycorps.org. Please mention the title “Junior Governance Consultant” in the subject of the email.  1)      Consultant’s CV 2)      List of consultancies conducted in the last three years. Please include: Client name Brief description of services performed Client phone number and email Number of days worked Substantiated daily consulting rate A scan/copy of applicant’s registration at the Ministry of Finance. In case applicant cannot provide this document, and is selected for this consultancy, Mercy Corps will deduct the 7.5% services tax imposed by the Ministry from submitted invoices. N.B:  Interested firms are also encouraged to apply. Applicants firms are requested to submit the following documents by email to lb-recruitment@mercycorps.org. Please mention the title “Junior Governance Consultant” in the subject of the email.  3)      3 References 4)      A scan/copy of the firm’s registration at the Ministry of Finance. In case the firm cannot provide this document, and is selected for this consultancy, Mercy Corps will deduct the 7.5% services tax imposed by the Ministry from submitted invoices. Payment: In bank checks or wire transfer, after the successful delivery of the service based on monthly invoices and timesheets submitted (to include work days and hours. 8 hours = full day and 4 hours = half a day), with an approved consultant deliverable report. Incidentals, including transportation, per diems and communications costs, will not be covered separately by Mercy Corps, as they should be included in the consultant’s daily rate. Note: In case the consultant wants to seek support from other external experts must notify Mercy Corps upon submission of technical and financial offers; however no extra fees shall be charged on Mercy Corps. Contract duration November 1-15 2017; the number of working days is 8.  Fees paid as per requested deliverables.