Senior Localization Consultant

Funded by l’Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Denmark’s development cooperation (Danida), the Shabake Project was designed within the framework of the localization of aid agenda and the need to strengthen Lebanese NGO capacities so that local recipients can take the lead in responding to crises generally and to the Syrian-refugee crisis in Lebanon specifically.

The project aims to support 13 Lebanese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to become lasting, key players in mitigating and ameliorating the effects of the multiple crises that have been impacting Lebanon for the past several years to date.

The selected beneficiary NGOs will receive funding and expert assistance for their own-capacity-building plan. They will also have an opportunity to put their new institutional changes into practice via a humanitarian project that reduces vulnerabilities. In addition, each NGO partner will be invited to meet and directly interact with donors, aid providers, and public authorities working in the development-aid ecosystem.

To this end, the Shabake capacity-reinforcement project is divided in four main components:

• Component 1: Building on the strengths, assets, capacities, and skills of the local Lebanese NGOs selected for a grant award.
• Component 2: Having each NGO partner implement a crisis-response project to reduce vulnerabilities.
• Component 3: Improving and/or integrating the participation of NGO partners in the development-aid ecosystem through networking events, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of a localization framework for Lebanon.
• Component 4: Supporting local NGOs in their implementation of innovative economic recovery and livelihood projects following the Beirut Port Explosions.

1. CONSULTANCY DESCRIPTION

This consultancy exists within Component 3 of the Shabake project. In early 2020, Expertise France launched an in-depth mapping study around the status of civil society organizations within the aid-ecosystem in Lebanon, with the purpose of better understanding the current landscape, its primary stakeholders and their respective roles and contributions or participation in the localization agenda.

Emphasis is being placed on the civil society landscape and their perspective with regards to access to capacity support and funding as local and national responders in crisis. Following the multiple crises that have impacted Lebanon throughout 2020, the study’s objectives have been adapted with further specificity to the rapidly changing context (October 2019 revolution, economic and financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and the Beirut Port Explosions). Based on the study’s findings, an Action Plan has been developed towards advocating the localization agenda in Lebanon and integrating the Shabake NGO partners into the development aid ecosystem.

Expertise France is seeking the services of a consultant who will support the Shabake Project Manager (PM) in the third component of Shabake by leading on the full implementation and follow up of the Action Plan and its activities, which includes also developing a sustainability plan with and for the Localization Task Force and its active members.

2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The overall objective of the consultancy is to lead the implementation and follow up of the Localization Action Plan and its activities, including the following:

• Conduct general research and provide continuous updates on the progress of the Grand Bargain globally, on the Middle East region, and locally in Lebanon with specific focus on the progress of the localization agenda.
• Connecting with and engaging local and international stakeholders to promote the Shabake project, its objectives and ensure their participation in the Component 3 activities.
• Collaborating closely with the Communication department to ensure documentation and dissemination of the component’s activities, including any campaign activities, to all stakeholders.
• Work closely with the PM and other relevant team members to make sure that logistical, administrative, and financial procedures linked to the component’s implementation are followed.

Implementation of Shabake Component 3 Action Plan/ Lead on the implementation of the action plan through:

• Planning and implementing events/activities related to the third component of the Shabake project, which include seminars, roundtables, workshops and conferences with EF’s partners, Donors and other local and international stakeholders. Other activities may include subcontracting partners to undertake elements of the action plan, launching communication campaigns, rapid assessments etc…
• Leading the establishment of all collaborations and partnerships with external stakeholders involved in the implementation of the action plan. This includes contracting, following up on payments, progress and communication updates with all counterparts involved.
• Following up on the milestones of the action plan, ensuring their timely completion
• Conducting regular updates and reviews of the action plan within EF and with key stakeholders to ensure that planned activities are still realistic, achievable and relevant to the Lebanese context as it evolves.
• Ensure the development of the National Localization Framework document is inclusive, representative and reflects the main outcomes, participants’ feedback and results collected from activities implemented under the third component of Shabake project
• Hold regular meetings with different stakeholders implementing localization initiatives to ensure close coordination, collaboration, complementarity and to avoid duplication
• Based on Stakeholders analysis, mapping of localization initiatives in Lebanon and the Localization Task Force (LTF) members’ vision of how the upcoming phase which will shape the LTF structure, develop a sustainability plan that ensures continuation of the program and achieving its long-term goals
• In close collaboration with an active member of the Task force, develop a methodology document that details their financial and programmatic contributions to the Localization Action Plan and follow up with relevant units within EF to formalize the collaboration in a contractual agreement
•  Support the Evaluation process of Shabake 1 project, especially on Component 3 through being available for meetings, providing required supporting documents, liaising with partners/other stakeholders to organize any required meetings/ interviews.

3. TIMELINE AND LOCATION OF THE CONSULTANCY

The duration of the assignment will span a period of 3 months till 9th of February 2023, including around 15 days of work a month (part-time) for a total of 45 days.

Location(s) of assignment: Most of the work for the consultancy will be conducted remotely, with physical meetings to take place as is permissible within the context of the COVID-19 prevention efforts.

4. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES

The Consultant will be responsible for delivering the tasks within the defined scope of work in close collaboration with the Shabake Project Manager and EF’s Program Director.

 Expertise France will contract the consultant and, through the PM, will be responsible for the overall management of the consultant including:

• Developing and finalizing the terms of reference and contract
• Reviewing and finalizing all expected deliverables with the consultant
• Supporting the consultant in connecting with and meeting with relevant stakeholders
• Overall monitoring of the assignment activities and the delivery of milestones.

5. QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant University degree in Management, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field
• At least 8 years’ experience working within the national/international aid environment, including institutional donors and civil society organizations.
• In-depth understanding of the development-aid ecosystem in Lebanon and its stakeholders
• Demonstrated knowledge of the socio-economic and political environment of Lebanon.
• Working knowledge within the themes of the Grand Bargain and the localization agenda is an asset.
• Experience in the planning and coordination of workshops, seminars and conferences (physically and online)
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English and Arabic
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate and collaborate with diverse people.