Organisational Capacity and Needs Assessment Consultant

About the project

International Alert Lebanon is implementing the “Building CSOs’ capacity to deliver social stability projects in West Beqaa, Zahle, and Upper Chouf” project in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) within the framework of “Strengthening Agriculture, Local Communities and Small and Medium Enterprises (ACE)” programme with the financial support of the German Federal Ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ). The project objective is to improve horizontal social stability in target communities through a greater capacity of CSOs to conduct conflict-sensitive activities that further social stability.

In the context of the project, social stability is understood as the state of relationships between different communities and groups. Stable and cohesive societies are characterised by positive interactions, attitudes, and trust between different groups.  

International Alert’s intervention aims to support CSOs in three areas - West Beqaa, the Upper Chouf areas, and Zahle - to strengthen social stability in the respective communities. As part of the process, participating CSOs will have an opportunity to strengthen their policies and systems in order to become more sustainable organisations. Participant CSOs will:

• Receive training on conflict and social stability as well as on how they can integrate conflict sensitivity and gender sensitivity within their projects. Furthermore, training sessions will be combined with coaching to address organisational development needs.
• Receive training including coaching on strategic planning, enhancing financial management, HR management, procurement, accountability, child safeguarding, advocacy, and communication, based on the organisation’s capacity assessment.
• Receive coaching on the design and implementation of initiatives aiming to enhance social stability, pending granting funds to applying CSOs.
• Participate in reflection, learning, and story-telling sessions supported by Alert to capture the results of the initiatives and consolidate learning on how to work on social stability and conflict-sensitive initiatives in the future.

As a part of the project, International Alert is responsible for selecting up to 30 organisations, based on the applications received with the support of an external expert working on civil society development. Alert is also responsible for conducting an organisational capacity needs assessment in the selected 30 CSOs to identify capacity development needs and priorities.

The purpose of the selection process is to identify organisations that are active in the target areas, have a potential for sustainability, and are interested in and committed to working on social stability.

The purpose of the organisational capacity needs assessment is to inform International Alert project implementation by

• Identifying training and support needs of the participating CSOs that will enable them to strengthen their systems and operations.

The consultant needs to develop the methodology and tools for the selection and the organisational capacity needs assessment.

Objectives of the consultancy

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support International Alert in the preliminary selection of CSOs and to lead the organisational capacity and needs assessment of selected CSOs.

The specific objectives are:

1. To assist the International Alert team in the selection process by contributing to the identification of the criteria for the organisation’s selection.
2. To draft a clear methodology and tools for the organisational capacity and needs assessment.
3. To conduct capacity and organisational needs assessment for 30 CSOs.
4. To produce an organisatioanl needs assessment report, including the following elements: summary of organisational capacity development needs, recommendations for organising trainings for groups of CSOs with similar needs, recommendations for development priorities requiring coaching, an annex with a brief analysis of the main social stability dynamics in each of the three areas, based on insights from the CSOs.

Methodology

As part of the selection process, the consultant will propose criteria for the selection of organisation.

The organisational capacity and needs assessment will be conducted for each organisation using mixed methods. The consultant is requested to develop a methodology. It is anticipated that the following tools will be used.

1. Key informant interviews (KIIs); to be done in person or by phone.
2. Survey questionnaire; to be administered online or on paper.
3. CSOs Profiling tool.

Support and resources to be provided by Alert

Alert staff will be available to provide the necessary support (including logistics and the needed coordination) to the consultant. 

The consultant is responsible for his/her own transportation and will need to have his/her own computer. 

Alert will also provide all key background documents (if needed) to support the Consultant perform the assignment.

Deliverables

The Consultant is responsible for 5 deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Detailed Workplan (a maximum of 60 days of work).
• Deliverable 2: Proposed criteria for the selection of CSOs.
• Deliverable 3: Methodology, and tools.
• Deliverable 4: Draft report for each organisation and a brief (2-3 pages) on social stability context overview for each region (West Beqaa, Zahle, Upper Chouf).
• Deliverable 5: Final report with a set of recommendations.

Timeline

7 February 2023:Deadline for the submission of offers.

14 February 2023: Contracting

Inception meeting

17 February: Selection Criteria

17-27 February 2023: Workplan and tools

28 February to 6 April 2023: Needs Assessment (30 CSOs)

17 April 2023: Submission of the first draft of the reports and a brief (2-3 pages) on social stability context overview for each region (West Beqaa, Zahle, Upper Chouf).

28 April 2023: Submission of the Final report

Consultant profile

• At least 5 years of experience in conducting organisational needs assessments, research, and evaluations with civil society organisations.
• In-depth knowledge of the Lebanese context with regard to development assistance, Do No Harm, conflict sensitivity, localisation, and social stability.
• Professional and educational background in international relations, international development, diplomacy, gender or peacebuilding
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of needs assessment, strategic frameworks, and programming.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic and ability to conduct interviews and focus group discussions in Arabic.
• 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.

Education degree

A relevant university degree

Languages

- English: Excellent.

-  Arabic: Excellent.

Period:

From 17 February till 28 April 2023

Compensation:

 Competitive price offers.