Trainers for Capacity Building of Municipal Staff and Community Council

Project: Sioufi Garden – Strengthening Social Cohesion and
Inclusive Urban Governance
Implemented by the American University of Beirut (AUB) through the Environment
and Sustainable Development Unit (ESDU), in partnership with Dawaer Foundation
and the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs
(IFI).
Funded by KfW through UNOPS.

1. Background

The Sioufi Garden project seeks to transform Sioufi Garden
in Achrafieh into an inclusive and vibrant public space that fosters social
cohesion, dialogue, and participatory governance. To achieve this, the project
includes a structured capacity-building process targeting Beirut Municipality
staff and members of the newly established Community Council. These trainings
aim to equip both groups with the skills and tools needed to promote inclusive
community participation, collaborative leadership, and protection standards in
managing public spaces.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

This Call for Tenders invites qualified trainers or training
institutions to design and deliver two complementary training components
focused on:
1. Strengthening the capacities of Beirut Municipality staff to plan and manage
inclusive public-space initiatives.
2. Enhancing the joint capacities of municipal staff and Community Council
members to co-design, lead, and sustain inclusive community activities within
Sioufi Garden.

Each component will contribute to building stronger local governance and
participatory mechanisms that promote social cohesion and inclusive engagement.

3. Training Components

Component 1: Training for Municipal Staff Only

Objective: Build the capacity of Beirut Municipality staff
to understand and apply inclusive, participatory, and conflict-sensitive
approaches in community engagement and public-space planning.
Participants: 15 municipal staff members.
Duration: Two (2) full-day workshops.

Workshop 1 – The Role of Public Spaces in Fostering Social
Cohesion and Inclusion:
• How inclusive public spaces strengthen community ties and dialogue.
• The role of municipalities in promoting diversity, accessibility, and
participation.
• Gender and inclusion considerations in public-space governance.

Workshop 2 – Designing Participatory and Conflict-Sensitive Initiatives:

·       Tools for community
consultation, stakeholder mapping, and participatory planning.

·       Identifying local
priorities and co-creating initiatives that address social tensions.

·       Ethical engagement,
Ensuring equal and safe participation for all community groups.

Component 2: Joint Training for Municipal Staff and Community Council
Members

Objective: Strengthen the joint capacity of Beirut
Municipality staff and Community Council members to co-plan and sustain
inclusive, participatory activities in Sioufi Garden.
Participants: 15–20 individuals (mix of municipal and Community Council
members).
Duration: Three (3) full-day workshops.

Training Topics:
• Design of Inclusive and Participatory Activities: co-creation of initiatives
that reflect diverse community needs.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Awareness: ensuring representation and
respect across social, religious, and gender groups.
• Community Mobilization and Effective Outreach: tools for engaging youth,
women, elderly persons, and people with disabilities.
• Collaborative Leadership and Teamwork: fostering trust, dialogue, and shared
decision-making between the municipality and community actors.
• Child Protection, Gender Equality, and PSEA: ensuring ethical conduct,
accountability, and safety in all public activities.

4. Deliverables

• Training agendas, methodologies, and materials (Arabic and
English).
• Pre- and post-training evaluation tools and results.
• Attendance lists and photo documentation.
• Final report summarizing the training content, evaluation results, and
recommendations.

5. Required Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of experience delivering training
in municipal development, community participation, or social cohesion.
• Proven expertise in inclusive governance, gender equality, child protection,
and PSEA.
• Demonstrated experience applying participatory learning and facilitation
techniques.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills in Arabic and English.
• Prior work with municipalities or UN-funded governance projects is an asset.