Call for Consultancy: Legal Expert

LEF is looking for a legal expert to undertake analysis of existing laws/decrees/ministerial decisions related to all categories of marine protected areas in coastal environments (land and marine), and to identify, and draft as needed, a law or decree for the establishment of an effective MPA network, as described below:

Objectives of the mission

• Review the protected areas law and other related laws in Lebanon with recommendations for improvement to meet the criteria of establishing an MPA Network.
• Identify and draft the necessary law or decree for the establishment of an effective MPA network in concert with the Ministry of Environment.

Key Deliverables and outputs

The Legal expert will be working closely with LEF and IOE/UOB to produce:

1. Legal Analysis report in Arabic or English should:
   • Review existing national laws/decrees/ministerial decisions related to management and monitoring of marine protected areas;
   • Assess the gaps in the national institutional and legal frameworks in order to meet the provisions of international and regional Multilateral Agreements related to Marine Protected Areas including legislation and international agreements related to the EEZ;
   • Analyse the administrative status of existing Marine Reserves at the Lebanese Government level and identify the different actors involved in their management, control and utilization and implications within the existing national legal framework;
   • Propose institutional and legal reforms on the basis of the assessment, and prepare appropriate documentation.
   • Identify the conservation status of estuaries from a legal perspective and legal requirements to declare such areas as MPAs.
   • Be between 25 -35 pages maximum, plus annexes.
2. A short PPT highlighting the key findings of the analysis (in English or Arabic).
3. A draft of the legal law/decree to establish and sustain an effective MPAs network that includes estuaries.
4. An Individual mission’s report (2-3 pages) in English, providing details about the mission: detailed list of the persons met and their contacts, summary of discussions, bibliography if not annexed to the Legal Analysis, tasks performed, and difficulties encountered.

Requested Qualifications

• A university degree in law with extensive knowledge of Lebanese legislation and legal frameworks; expertise in environmental law will be considered an important asset.
• Relevant work experience on legislative assistance projects in carrying out needs assessments and developing legislative and regulatory frameworks in environment and more preferably in marine and coastal conservation.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in Lebanese legislation related to environment; or 10 years of relevant experience in general national laws. Specific experience in marine protected areas is considered a plus.
• Experience working with government officials, and governmental organizations;
• Excellent reporting and writing skills in Arabic and English.
• Good analytical, communication and writing skills
• Proficiency in the use of text and data processing tools (MS Word, Excel)

Timeframe

From the signing of the contract, the evaluation will have to be carried out within 12 months, including research, analysis and submission of deliverables according to the following duration:

• Date of start-up: 1 May 2024

• Foreseen finishing date: 31 May 2025