Gender Expert

About the project

International Alert is one of the world's leading peacebuilding organisations, with 30 years of experience supporting communities, and advising governments, organisations, and companies on how to build peace. Alert works with people in conflict-affected and conflict-threatened areas to make a positive difference for peace; improve the substance and implementation of international policies relevant to peacebuilding; and strengthen the peacebuilding sector.

Alert has been registered in Lebanon since 2009 and currently has three offices: Beirut, Tripoli, and Beqaa.

Lebanon faces complex challenges stemming from social, confessional, ideological, economic, and cultural identities. Systematic discrimination and violence undermine the rights of marginalized populations, including women, people with disabilities, refugees, young individuals, and LGBTQI+ communities. Compounded crises, political instability, the impact of COVID-19, and the Beirut port explosion have exacerbated interconnected challenges, particularly affecting gender inequality and exposing women to various forms of violence. UN Women, in alignment with the 1325 Lebanon National Action Plan, collaborates with CENTRE PROFESSIONNEL DE MÉDIATION(CPM/USJ) and International Alert under the "Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in the Arab States (Phase II)" program. This initiative focuses on enhancing community-level conflict resolution mechanisms and building the mediation skills of local women networks. International Alert's project, "Creating Space for Women Peacebuilders in Lebanon," implemented in 2022, increased the knowledge and capacity of women mediators on gender issues and conflict resolution. To sustain this impact, there is a continued need for support, capacity building, and increased visibility for these women. International Alert aims to strengthen communication and advocacy strategies, amplifying the voices of these women peacebuilders and recognizing their vital contributions to peacebuilding.

International Alert’s expected results sit under Output 2: “Women and young women increase their capacity and access to participate in social cohesion and conflict prevention at national and community levels” of Phase III UN Women’s regional project “Women, Peace and Security in Arab States” funded by the Government of Finland.

• Outcome 1: The Women, Peace and Security Agenda is strengthened amongst women mediation networks through an enabling environment that supports and recognizes women’s role and integral participation in conflict prevention and community peacebuilding.
• Outcome 2: Women and young women of enhanced capacities contributing to peace and security efforts at both national and community levels through the GEWS.

Objectives of the consultancy

The primary objective of the consultancy is to assist International Alert in:

• Objective 1: Providing five training sessions on gender-related topics for each set of 10 mediator networks.
• Objective 2: Updating the existing Gender Early Warning System and piloting it in two distinct mediator networks.

Specific Objectives: The specific objectives include:

• Collaborating with the International Alert team to develop the content of the training sessions.
• Conducting five training sessions on gender topics for 10 mediator networks.
• Updating the methodology and tools for the existing Gender Early Warning System.
• Training and piloting the new methodology and tools in two different mediator networks.

Methodology

The training sessions will be conducted in person or online. The consultant is requested to develop a methodology that includes different ways and activities to ease the information received by the participants.

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 in performing the assignment.

Deliverables

The Consultant is responsible for 3 deliverables for each objective:

• Objective 1: Providing five training sessions on gender-related topics for each set of 10 mediator networks.
  • Deliverable 1: Detailed training materials (with training agenda for each session) including the methodology and tools to be used based on an inception meeting with Alert.
  • Deliverable 2: Conduct the training sessions.
  • Deliverable 3: Final report on the training session with a set of recommendations.

• Objective 2: Updating the existing Gender Early Warning System and piloting it in two distinct mediator networks.
  • Deliverable 1: Updated methodology and tools and detailed training materials (with training agenda for each session).
  • Deliverable 2: Conduct the training sessions.
  • Deliverable 3: Final report on the training session with a set of recommendations.

Timeline

Dates

Deliverable

16 January 2024

Deadline for the submission of offers

22 January 2024

Contracting

Inception meeting

Objective 1

5 February 2024

Submit the training materials, agenda, and methodology (pre and post-test).

19 February 2024 to 28 June 2024

Conduct the training.

15 July 2024

Submit the final report.

Objective 2

30 August 2024

Submit an updated version of the GEWS methodology and tools.

9 September till 29 November 2024

Conduct the training sessions and pilot the methodology and tools.

14 December 2024

Submit the final report.

Consultant profile

• A minimum of 5 years of expertise in delivering training sessions on Gender-related issues, the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and the memory of war.

• In-depth understanding of the Lebanese context, particularly in terms of gender, social stability, Do No Harm principles, and conflict sensitivity, with a specific focus on inter-community dynamics.

• Professional and educational background in international relations, international development, diplomacy, gender studies, or peacebuilding, with a specialization in gender.

• Proficiency in both English and Arabic, coupled with the capability to conduct training sessions proficiently in both languages.

• Adept at working independently and collaboratively within a team setting.

• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information discreetly and professionally, adhering to data protection guidelines.

• Capability to perform effectively under pressure and meet designated deadlines.

Languages

- English: Excellent.

-  Arabic: Excellent.

Period:

From 22 January to 14 December 2024, the consultancy will span 62 days in total, with 52 days allocated for Objective 1 and 10 days for Objective 2