Consultancy to develop the content for an online course for students on psychosocial wellbeing and dealing with conflict (re-advertised)

About the project

International Alert is a leading peacebuilding NGO, with 30 years of experience in peacebuilding. We have been working in Lebanon since 2008. Our thematic focus areas include peace education and non-violence education, youth participation, gender equality and addressing the underlying causes of conflict related to human rights abuses, gender inequality, social and economic exclusion, and insecurity. Alert is committed to ensuring safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and consultants to share this commitment.

Alert is implementing the 12-months ‘Breaking Barriers’ project, which aims to provide students with a practical online resource for individual and group learning that supports psycho-social wellbeing and personal development. The resource will allow students to follow an interactive course to develop skills to deal with stress and pressure, as well as essential skills for the labour market such as non-violent communication, dealing with conflict, and understanding social and power dynamics.

Alert’s team has developed a detailed outline of the course, including learning objectives for each module and lesson descriptions. As part of the project, the Consultant will work closely with the Breaking Barriers project manager and other staff to develop the details of each lesson and prepare the course content, which will later be digitalised and onboarded on a learning platform.

Objective of the consultancy

The overall objective of the consultancy is to lead on the development of, and produce the course content.

The consultant will produce all text and visual materials for the course, as well as transcripts for video lessons, which will later be recorded.

Scope of work

The course will be organized in five modules and will include videos, text, visuals, quizzes and interactive exercises as well as links to additional reading or video materials. The course structure is outlined below and detailed outlines will be shared with the selected consultant.

INTRO – An introductory section presenting the purpose of the course and the learning objectives.

Module 1: Stress & coping (emotional competencies).

Module 2: Conflict – understanding conflict and violence, dealing with conflict constructively.

Module 3: Communication/ working with others/ collaboration (social competencies).

Module 4: Problem solving / critical thinking / conflict resolution.

Module 5: Diversity, identity, gender.

The project anticipates the participation of a group of 20 students from the Bekaa region in the testing of the course and in the provision of feedback. The team is considering an option of including the group in content creation, for example in the filming of videos or collecting of images to be used on the course.

Outputs and level of effort

Output 1 – Development of one module based on the detailed outline drafted by Alert – 4 days, end August-mid October

In coordination with Alert, the Consultant will develop the materials for one module and prepare them for digitalisation. The module will be digitised and a working version will be uploaded (led by Alert and with support from the learning platform staff). The Consultant will attend one meeting with the testing group of students and collect feedback (in person or online depending on Covid-19 measures in place). The Consultant will then integrate any changes suggested by the group and finalise the module, that will be signed off by Alert. Video production is not included in the suggested number of days, see Output 3.

Output 2 – Development of remaining modules based on the detailed outlines drafted by Alert – 7-10 days, September-December

The Consultant will develop the remaining modules based on the outlines developed by Alert and input from the testing group. Video production is not included in the suggested number of days, see Output 3.

Output 3 (to be confirmed based on funding) – Support to video production and module testing – 3-5 days

Pending confirmation of additional funding, the Consultant may be asked to provide additional support with video production, including any of the following options: recording video lessons based on previously developed transcripts, producing video lessons with the youth group to highlight specific examples relevant to students, or supporting Alert staff in recording previously scripted lessons. The scripts for video lessons are expected to be developed as part of the work under Outputs 2 and 3. Funding permitting, the Consultant may also be asked to participate in additional module testing with youth.

Consultant profile

• Previous experience in developing education and child protection related tools and materials with a focus on dealing with conflict, 21^st century skills and emotional competencies
• Advanced degree - A minimum of master’s degree in education/Sociology or related field
• In-depth knowledge of the Lebanese context with regards to children and young people, parenting, non-formal education, psycho-social support, and work with refugee children
• Excellent English writing skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, including following data protection guidelines
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection.