Request for Quotations – Research and Advocacy Terms of Reference

Background and purpose

The ILO is implementing the We CARE project which aims to address the growing need for care in Lebanon and the increasing vulnerabilities faced by care workers in healthcare, education, and domestic work sectors. Since 2019, Lebanon has experienced significant socio-economic changes that have adversely affected working conditions of care workers who are often women, limiting progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5, 8, and 10.

The current phase of the project is focused on highlighting the importance of care work to outreach the society and advocate for a better visibility and recognition of care workers.

The ILO CARE project in Lebanon supports trade union engagement and collective action in the care economy to promote decent work for domestic, healthcare, and childcare workers. The project is being implemented in partnership with CGTL and FENASOL. To enhance visibility of the progress made, especially the campaign and capacity building efforts, there is a need to 1) produce and 2) disseminate impactful, worker-centred content on ILO and partners’ media platforms.

In this context, the ILO Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) is seeking to engage a company to develop accessible communication materials showcasing the stories of care workers, highlight their learning journeys, and consolidate all related content into a coherent narrative and web presence.

Scope of work

1. Coordinate with the ILO communications team to ensure proper branding and messaging
2. Propose visual or layout elements and designs to enhance digital storytelling
3. Responsible for liaising with trade unions representatives and workers and other stakeholders as appropriate (e.g. syndicates, government)
4. Conduct interviews with a diverse group of care workers (domestic, healthcare, childcare, education), union leaders, and trainers to develop short impact-focused stories (approx. 1 page each), considering diversity.
5. Conduct interviews with ILO staff across ROAS country offices to assess the effectiveness of project and initiative implementation, evaluate progress against the Theory of Change (ToC) for the Care Economy in Arab States, and identify gaps and potential areas for future action to strengthen the ILO ROAS approach to care across the region.
6. Story telling in film and in writing of 6 personal stories (2 per sector, max. 1-page each – Video and written interview) featuring key messages such as:
   1. How the ILO training supported their knowledge on labour rights and collective action.
   2. Why they engaged in the care strategy or visibility efforts.
   3. Their perception of change and next steps for improving conditions in the care sector.
7. Story telling in film and in writing of 2 impact stories (1 for CGTL 1 for FENASOL – preferably with executive board members or coordinators) how did the project impact their approach and perception of Care work.
8. Organize and create content for an ILO webpage that showcases:
   1. These personal stories.
   2. Key outputs (e.g., national care strategy, brochures, training videos).
   3. A short summary of the project and its achievements.
9. Propose additional communication ideas (infographics, social media captions, short quotes, etc.) to further enhance visibility.

Number of days assigned: 50 working days

Detailed tasks

Deliverable 1: Mapping of Care Initiatives Implementation across ROAS against the Care Economy and Decent Work Theory of Change in Arab States

That would include the submission of all of the following:

1. Interview Summary Report
   A compilation of key findings from interviews with ILO staff across ROAS country offices, including qualitative insights on the implementation of care-related projects and initiatives.
2. Assessment Matrix/Mapping
   A structured tool or table mapping the extent of implementation across countries, aligned with the Theory of Change (ToC) components (e.g. outputs, outcomes, impact indicators).
3. Documentation of the Domestic Workers Story in Lebanon
   A narrative documenting the journey of organizing domestic workers in Lebanon to showcase progress and illustrate the time required to achieve tangible results. This should include a mapping of key stakeholders who contributed to this process, visualizing the roles of diverse actors and emphasizing the importance of trade unions in organizing and empowering workers. This mapping will serve as a tool for all stakeholders to get to know what are the active services available for workers.  The documentation should highlight the complementarity of efforts among diverse stakeholders and the critical role of joint initiatives in driving systemic change.
4. Gap Analysis Report
   Identification of implementation gaps, bottlenecks, and areas requiring additional support or realignment, both at country and regional levels.
5. Progress Mapping Against ToC
   A visual or narrative comparison of current progress versus the expected change pathways defined in the ToC.
6. Strategic Recommendations
   A set of actionable suggestions to inform next steps for ILO ROAS, including potential programmatic focus, regional synergies, and opportunities for scaling or replication.
7. Presentation/Briefing Note
   A short, visual presentation summarizing the main findings and recommendations for internal validation or stakeholder sharing.

Deliverable 2: Amplifying Voices and Impact: Storytelling and Visibility for the Care Work Agenda in Lebanon (all three sectors, health, education and domestic work)

That would include the submission of all of the following:

1. Compilation of Personal Stories
   Six professionally written and filmed personal testimonies (2 per care sector: healthcare, education/childcare, domestic work), each max. one page, highlighting the effect of ILO training, their motivation for engagement, and their vision for change.
2. Impact Stories from Trade Unions
   Two in-depth narratives (written and filmed) capturing how CGTL and FENASOL leadership perceive the project's contribution to shifting their strategy and commitment to care work.

3. Dedicated ILO Webpage
Content for a structured and visually engaging webpage including: Personal and impact stories (text and video)Downloadable key outputs (e.g., care strategy document, brochures, training materials)A summary narrative of the project’s achievements and strategic direction

Deliverables will be considered final once approved by the ILO.

Expected deliverables

Deliverable 1: Mapping of Care Initiatives Implementation across ROAS against the Care Economy and Decent Work Theory of Change in Arab States (due date 30 July)

Deliverable 2: Amplifying Voices and Impact: Storytelling and Visibility for the Care Work Agenda in Lebanon (due date 20 August)

Reporting arrangements

The company will work closely with the Project Technical officer of We CARE and under close technical guidance of the Senior Specialist on Gender Equality and Non-Discrimination and the regional office communication department.

The company  will be responsible to submit deliverables in both EN and AR languages and support the ongoing efforts and activities under the We CARE

Detailed qualifications, experience and skills required

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in advocacy, strategic communications, evaluation and  media production within international development, humanitarian, or labour rights contexts.
• Demonstrated experience producing human-interest and impact stories in written and visual formats, preferably related to labour rights, gender equality, or social justice.
• Prior experience developing digital content, storytelling tools, or campaign materials for international organizations, UN agencies, or trade unions.
• Proven experience in managing interviews and field-based content collection involving vulnerable or marginalized groups.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong writing and editing skills in both English and Arabic (French is an asset), with ability to adapt complex information into accessible, engaging content.
• Solid understanding of gender-sensitive communication, ethical storytelling, and data protection in the context of workers' rights.
• Proficiency in designing, structuring, and updating digital content for web publication (no need for web development skills).
• Ability to liaise and build trust with workers, trade union representatives, and institutional partners.
• Familiarity with the care economy, informal work, and ILO mandates is a strong asset.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently under tight deadlines.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Company Must be based and operating in Lebanon.