Expressions of Interest for Psychosocial Support Facilitators - UDP_NL project

Brief Information on the Project

On behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is implementing the “Local Development Programme for Urban Areas in North Lebanon (UDP_NL)” in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). UDP_NL seeks to contribute to political stability in North Lebanon (which includes the districts of Tripoli, Minnieh-Dannieh, Zgharta, Batroun, Koura, Bcharri) through addressing critical sources of stability and conflict prevention in the region. The main target groups are vulnerable youth and women.

The programme applies a holistic approach by integrating measures of income and employment promotion, infrastructure development, and strengthening of relationships between ethnic-religious communities in its projects. It works closely together with municipalities to implement sustainable, long-term projects. Projects are mainly implemented through national and international partner organizations involving the local population, which increases the acceptance of realized activities and strengthens North Lebanon’s civil society. In addition, selected partner organizations are also capacitated to enhance their organizational and management competencies.

Context of North Lebanon

The Governorate of North Lebanon is characterized by low economic growth, high unemployment, and the country's highest poverty rates. The already fragile situation is being strained by a high number of Syrians displaced, leading to competition in the provision of public services and the unskilled labour market. Likewise, urban living conditions are declining due to uncontrolled urban growth, the deterioration of urban infrastructure and the lack of recreational opportunities. The unfavourable socioeconomic conditions, the lack of opportunities for personal development, and often also of social values, especially among younger populations, increase social tensions among communities and form a breeding ground for conflict.

Description of Psychosocial Support Program in North Lebanon

GIZ UDP_NL is collaborating with the World Bank to reduce conflict and improve social cohesion in North Lebanon. One of the objectives of the collaboration is to contribute to conflict prevention among youth through addressing relevant psychological processes and skills.

Complementing a sports program implemented by local NGO Al Midan, a psychosocial (PSS) group training program that draws on principles from various theoretical approaches in clinical and social psychology will be implemented, based on best scientific practices and context-specific information. The sports program is a football intervention for 70 teams, and a subset of 21 teams will receive the PSS intervention. The rationale to provide a PSS intervention, as a complement to the sports program, is to equip youth with specific socio-cognitive skills and evaluate if such skills could promote inter-community cooperation and cohesion, beyond general physical and mental development offered by the sports program. The assumption is that, through strengthening socio-cognitive and emotional capacities, especially among the most deprived, stability can be contributed to through the prevention of future hostilities.

The PSS intervention will be 10 weekly sessions for each of the 21 teams. The 21 teams will be appropriately divided among selected PSS facilitators. The intervention is based on components related to cognitive behavioral intervention, social and emotional learning, and group therapy. The intervention will facilitate youth (~9 to ~16 years old, from North Lebanon) through the process of building cohesive relationships with varying social and ethno-religious groups, managing conflict in a positive way, and creating life-long coping mechanisms by learning, internalizing, and practicing socio-cognitive skills. Participants will learn core skills that include conflict management, impulse control, emotional self-awareness, emotional self-regulation, and future orientation. The PSS intervention will promote an environment where youth participants challenge themselves, respect their fellow group members, and have fun.

Tasks of PSS Facilitators (detailed TOR will be provided at a later stage)

GIZ UDP_NL seeks written Expressions of Interest from qualified facilitators/trainers for the following tasks:

1. Participate in a rigorous Training-of-Trainers (TBD in July 2021/early August 2021) and any follow-up/supervision sessions;
2. Deliver a pilot of the curriculum to rehearse content;
3. Deliver and adhere to the PSS curriculum for youth in the program (curriculum to be developed by an expert separately and provided to the facilitators at ToT);
4. Liaise and coordinate with UDP_NL, Al Midan and consulting clinical psychologist;
5. Maintain and ensure the consistent participation of youth in the program (e.g. through continuous follow-up and communication); and
6. Monitor and report attendance along forms provided by UDP_NL.

Desired Qualifications and Skills of PSS Facilitators

Education: University qualification (bachelor’s or master’s) in psychology, social work, clinical psychology, social sciences, or related field.

A master’s degree qualification should be considered preferable but not necessary. Experience in delivering sensitive psychosocial curricula/sessions and necessary soft skills and ethics are the main requirements for PSS facilitators.

Professional experience: Strong field or clinical experience (2-5+ years) in working with and delivering MHPSS, PSS or SEL programming, particularly with youth (9 to 16 years old). Robust knowledge of cognitive-behavioral and social-emotional learning principles is a plus. Prior leadership, community, and teaching experiences are a plus. Experience in North Lebanon is a plus.

Language skills: Fluency in Arabic is a must as the program will be delivered in Arabic. Fluency in English.

Soft skills and ethics: Excellent communication and facilitation skills; sensitive and mature listening skills; strong work ethic and commitment to program; high motivation; keen interest in psychological concepts and socio-cognitive skills; openness to learn and implement new learnings; readiness to receive feedback and improve delivery skills; meticulous adherence to content and components of curriculum; and comfort working with communities from other nationalities/political/religious groups. Commitment to equal rights and the principle of do no harm are ethical requirements that facilitators must uphold throughout the program.

Facilitators are preferably based in North Lebanon.