Advocacy and Organisational Development Consultants

Description

OUR COMPANY:

ARK Group is a stabilisation and development company committed to empowering local communities and beneficiaries in conflict, post-conflict, and fragile areas through the provision of evidence-based programmatic interventions, policy recommendations, research and capacity-building. Working with and through local communities, we seek to understand and then mitigate the negative effects of conflict and instability, enhancing social cohesion and resilience whist promoting human security, development and economic opportunity with a focus on the following UN Sustainable Development Goals – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Reduced Inequalities, Gender Equality and Partnerships for the Goals.

ARK’s approach combines mixed-methods research with strong, consistent engagement with local communities and stakeholders to bridge the gap between the aspirations of local communities and the priorities of governmental and multilateral actors, thus informing the design and implementation of relevant interventions. Utilising innovative quantitative and qualitative methodologies to generate data, we deliver, monitor, evaluate and learn from our programming.

ARK believes in enabling local communities to realise their aspirations and potential through the participatory design of projects and programmes that address the drivers and causes of conflict and instability. We are responsive and accountable to the communities we work in because so many of our staff and partners are from those communities.

We value inclusive, academically-rigorous, ethically-driven research and participatory design. We are innovators and incubators, finding and nurturing solutions in cooperation with our partners, whilst seeking to bridge the gap between our donors and the communities they wish to support. To the traditional project management disciplines of Economy, Effectiveness Efficiency and Equity, we add Empathy.

With over twenty nationalities in the company, we embrace diversity, nurture opportunity and leverage the youthful enthusiasm of our staff, whilst drawing on the experience and expertise of our more senior staff. We believe in hard work, delivering results that everyone can be proud of, and caring for each other. Our staff are our biggest asset and their welfare is our first priority.

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

ARK Group is developing a pool of consultants to support training and mentoring for selected CSOs and NGOs nationwide in Lebanon. Selected CSOs and NGOs, chosen through a nationwide call for proposals, will receive micro-grants to implement projects aimed at enhancing public accountability and advocacy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities of selected candidates will vary depending on needs identified following the call for proposals, with the overarching aim of increasing the CSOs' knowledge of policy making and participation in local planning through improved capacity for networking and advocacy. This could include the following indicative activities:

Developing an advocacy training curriculum including modules on the rights and obligations of CSOs under Lebanese law, networking and advocacy planning and delivery.

Support CSO grantees in developing advocacy messaging and targeting strategies for approaching governmental authorities at different levels (e.g. national, municipal, ministry, etc.).

Support the design of frameworks for evaluating the impact of advocacy projects implemented by selected CSOs/NGOs.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelors in Education, Social Science or a related field.

Extensive experience (8+ years), progressively responsible, working in advocacy, organisational development and capacity building, and/or public accountability, ideally in Lebanon or the broader Middle East region.

Knowledge of and experience in delivery of advocacy training and preparation of educational tools; preferably in Lebanon.

Knowledge of project cycle management and experience delivering project management training.

Extensive experience working with civil society in Lebanon and knowledge of the civil society space in Lebanon.

Previous experience working with small grants programs and knowledge of administrative and financial management is desirable.

Must be a self-starter with a demonstrated aptitude for creativity and adaptability in challenging environments.

Arabic fluency required; English fluency high desirable.

Digital literacy; Ability to work remotely.

ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer.  We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is thus committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related-personnel are expected to share this commitment, and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.