Consultancy Service For Coaching On Data Collection Methods To Measure Social Stability

Lebanon Reforestation Initiative Terms of Reference “Consultancy Service for coaching on data collection methods to measure social stability”   I. INTRODUCTION Project Background Information The Lebanon Reforestation Initiative is an ongoing, multi-year project funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the United States Forest Service (USFS), implementing a community-based reforestation program that has resulted so far in the planting of more than half- a-million native trees throughout Lebanon since 2011.  The project promotes a community-led approach to reforestation, bringing together diverse committed municipalities, community stakeholders, Lebanese civil society organizations, and other actors such as the private sector, to restore and replant degraded community lands. With administrative offices in Beirut, LRI technical experts manage a multi-year work program of activities throughout Lebanon in collaboration with grassroots organizations and local communities. LRI Project Goal LRI Project Goal is to build social stability and promote sectarian harmony in host communities through sustainable participatory reforestation, capacity building and protection from environmental threats. Under this Goal, The Governance and Social Stability component in LRI will support the creation of Corridor Planning Committees (CPC) in selected Social and Environmental Corridors (SEC), one in the North SEC and one in Rashaya SEC for the first year of the project and one in the Chouf for the second year of the project. These committees will be composed of identified champions from each community on each of the corridors and will be supported to develop strategic plans and implement individual and joint activities between communities. In this context, LRI will be measuring the improvement in social stability resulting from the implemented activities within the targeted communities in each SEC as a performance indicator to monitor the achievement of the project Goal. The first phase of this task is to conduct a baseline social stability assessment, which will require development of data collection tools and field coaching on the data collection methods.   II. PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY LRI seeks a consultant to coach the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) staff and field officers on the design and implementation of Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) in the purpose of measuring the baseline social stability status in the target communities. The categories adopted by LRI to reflect social stability are: The quality and frequency of inter-community contact; The existence of conflict management mechanisms; The presence of connectors between groups.   The coaching is expected to include the following: Revision of project documents and tailoring of coaching sessions content and methodology based on LRI requirements of reporting (indicators, existing data collection tools, human resources, target communities, etc…). Participatory design of data collection tools for KII and FGD including methodology of selection of Key Informants and FGD participants based on LRI data (stakeholder analysis, list of contacts, etc…). Coaching of field and M&E staff on the developed tools and methods of collection. Provision of field coaching for conducting test key interviews resulting in lessons learned and discussion of recommendations for improvement. Provision of field coaching for conducting one FGD resulting in lessons learned and discussion of recommendations for improvement. Development of a summary report at the end of the coaching sessions including major challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.   Interested consultants are requested to send a detailed proposal including; objectives of the coaching, deliverables, methodology to be used, detailed agenda, resumes, portfolio of similar previous experiences, detailed budget.   III. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES TIMEFRAME In close coordination with the LRI’s M&E officer, the consultant is expected to conduct and deliver the coaching sessions during the month of November 2016 (Dates of field sessions to be confirmed in coordination with the KI and FGD participants). IV. REQUIREMENTS The Consultant for the design and facilitation of this assignment should possess the following competencies, and experience: Previous experience in designing and implementing similar activities; Demonstrated experience in implementing social and/or environmental projects and community based initiatives; Demonstrated track record of success in delivering previous trainings on qualitative data collection tools; Demonstrated knowledge in developing tools for monitoring performance of activities/projects. Implemented at least two similar assignments in Lebanon during the past 5 years. Proven experience in curricula development and training delivery in Lebanon. Track record in providing consulting and training services for NGOs in Lebanon. Command of spoken and written Arabic and English.   V. CONTACT INFORMATION For further information, please contact:  Mireille Jazi, email: info@lri-lb.org Proposal with the title “Consultancy Service for coaching on data collection methods to measure social stability” to be submitted in sealed envelope, by Friday 28 October 2016 (COB). To the following address: Lebanon Reforestation Initiative; Hazmieh Square, 4th Floor, Ilham Said Freiha Street, Hazmieh. P.O. Box 16-6975 Beirut – Lebanon; Tel: +961-5-951 521 / 508