Placemaking Expert Consultant

ABOUT THE
PROJECT

International Alert is implementing
the Creating Space for Peace: Supporting Local Peacebuilding and Local
Citizen-State Relations Project in Lebanon. The project aims to strengthen
local capacities in dialogue and cooperative action and reduce and mitigate
conflicts in the Bekaa. This is to be achieved through supporting youth groups
to engage in multistakeholder dialogue processes and implementation of
community initiatives.

Alert’s approach to achieving this
involves capacity building, coaching and accompaniment to a youth network in
Majdal Anjar, Central Bekaa to drive the reimagining and reinvention of an
existing public space in their village through the placemaking method.

As such, Alert is looking for an
individual expert consultant to work with our programme team; to build
capacities of the youth dialogue group on placemaking as a method for
reimagining and reinventing the public space; and to provide expert support
throughout the placemaking process – from the design to implementation phases.

The placemaking process will
include capacity building to the youth group on topics to be suggested by the
expert consultant; consultations with Majdal Anjar community groups,
stakeholders, and users of the public space; rehabilitation works to the public
space, and a community opening event.

AIM OF
CONSULTANCY

The aim of the consultancy is to
provide technical and expert support, to our programme team as well as to a
youth dialogue group in Majdal Anjar, on placemaking as a people-driven process
to reimagining and reinventing a public space in Majdal Anjar. This process
will include an aspect on documenting and consolidating learning from using
placemaking as a method to drive improved inter and intra community relations,
as well as improved community-local authority engagement.

The consultant
will report to the Programme Manager and will work closely with the Bekaa
Projects Coordinator and DMEL Manager on this consultancy.

DELIVERABLES
& TIMEFRAME

The consultant
is expected to start working with our team staring week four of August 2021
until February 2022.

We foresee an
overall 20 days of
consultancy work between August and December 2021. The consultant is expected
to deliver the below tasks against the timeframe:

Hiring the consultant

August
2021, week four

Brief and
Initial Scoping on Alert’s dialogue work in the Bekaa and the Creating
Spaces for Peace project and introducing the project team. Review
project documents.

August
2021, week four

1 day

Submission of
tailored placemaking methodology for design and implementation and tools for
community consultations to Alert for comments and approval.

September
2021, first half

1 day

Meet with youth dialogue group,
in person or online, to establish relationship and present placemaking.

September
2021, first half

Capacity building workshops with
youth group on topics that were suggested in the placemaking methodology and
approved by Alert

Mid-September
2021 – Mid-October 2021

5 days

Accompany youth group and/or
provide technical support to Alert field team to accompany youth group in
community consultations

Mid-October
2021, End-November 2021

2 days

Draft and submit report outlining
findings and takeaways of the community consultations, with practical
workplan for the rehabilitation phase.

Mid-December
2021

2 days

Accompany youth group and/or
provide technical support to Alert field team to accompany youth in
rehabilitation of public space. Either option would include field visits to
the public space site.

January
– February 2022

5 days

Work with youth group and project
team to design and plan a community event once rehabilitation works are
completed.

February
2022

2 days

Submit final report, with Alert’s
feedback

2 days

PERSONAL SKILLS
& COMPETENCIES

·       An understanding of peacebuilding, conflict prevention and
development.

·      
Knowledge and experience of
community engagement principles and practice including consultation and
facilitation processes, social research and networking.

·      
At least 5 years experience
in a professional role dealing with urban design and placemaking.

·      
Knowledge of Lebanese laws
and regulations around public spaces including good understanding of local
government and relevant government policy directions and legislation.

·      
Ability to work
collaboratively with a range of stakeholders including the community, municipality,
Alert staff, etc.

·      
Sensitivity to the needs of
a diverse community and tact in dealing with a range of stakeholders.

·       An understanding of, and commitment to, safeguarding with young
people and vulnerable adults.

·       Demonstrable commitment to Alert’s mission, values and ethics.

·      
Well-developed written and
oral communication skills including the ability to facilitate meetings and
trainings and to document and prepare reports that cover the placemaking
process.