Call for Soft Skills Trainer

About NAHNOO
NAHNOO is a registered Lebanese Non-Governmental & Non-Profit Organization. NAHNOO has been working since 2009 as a research, capacity-building and advocacy platform for participatory policymaking, towards an inclusive society in Lebanon. The NGO rallies volunteers across Lebanon and through multidisciplinary and participatory research, capacity-building workshops, and grassroots activities, we provide a platform for youth and professionals to lead the planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns and gain the skills needed to impact policy-making at the local and national levels. 
Further info: www.nahnoo.org + Facebook NAHNOO

Objective/purpose of consultancy:

NAHNOO is seeking the services of soft skills expert to develop training material (English and Arabic) focused on targeted communities (Saida & Tripoli youth) and train youth participants about it. 

Project Background

The current situation in Lebanon is characterized by a severe economic crisis that has had wide-ranging impacts on the country and its people. The economic downturn has led to high levels of inflation, increased poverty rates, and soaring unemployment rates. The economic crisis has had a significant impact on the labor market in Lebanon, with many businesses closing down and workers losing their jobs. The unemployment rate in Lebanon has reached unprecedented levels, with the World Bank reporting an unemployment rate of 35% in 2021. In addition to the poverty rate which has been rising steadily, the United Nations estimates that over 78% of the population is currently living below the poverty line. The youth situation in Lebanon remains challenging, with high unemployment rates and limited opportunities for education and employment. Many young people have been forced to leave the country in search of better opportunities, leading to a brain drain and a loss of talent.

Moreover, Ein El Hilweh, the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, recently faced deadly clashes between rival groups, which started since Saturday 29th July 2023, killing more than 12 individuals, and injuring more than 60 as more than half of the camp residents fled their homes, according to internal security sources cited in the August 2023 ICRC report. This escalation has further elevated the demand for comprehensive humanitarian aid. 
Empowering young individuals through vocational training, well-being support, and leadership development not only equips them with the necessary skills but also reinforces their employment prospects. By addressing the pressing issues of unemployment and limited opportunities, such a program can foster social stability, helping to alleviate tensions exacerbated by resource scarcity. Ultimately, investing in youth empowerment translates to a pathway towards positive change, fostering resilience and inclusivity in Lebanon's complex socio-economic situation. 

Objectives of the project:
1.    120 Youth have skills and education to pursue productive futures in Saida and Tripoli.
2.    Improve the psychosocial well-being of 150 youth (12-22 years) in Saida and Tripoli.
3.    Strengthen the local communities' capacities and foster positive youth leadership roles in society using youth participatory approach.
4.    Promoting the sustainability of actions.

Scope of work, key responsibilities & deliverable

Soft skills encompass a range of interpersonal attributes and competencies that enable individuals to interact harmoniously and effectively with others. These skills, distinct from technical or hard skills, include abilities such as effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem-solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. In today's dynamic world, soft skills are invaluable for fostering successful personal and professional relationships, facilitating collaboration, and enhancing overall personal development. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more specific to interpersonal relationships and effective workplace integration.

The main mission of the soft skills expert is to be committed to furnishing the youth participants with comprehensive soft skills training.

Soft skills topic will be chosen based on NAHNOO’s assessment to youth needs. However below is a list of topics that could be included but not limited to:

1. Communication skills: Listening, speaking, writing, and non-verbal communication skills.
2. Critical thinking: The ability to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems.
3. Decision-making: Making informed choices based on available information and considering the consequences.
4. Problem-solving: Identifying, evaluating, and implementing effective solutions to challenges.
5. Time management: Organizing and prioritizing tasks to make the most efficient use of time.
6. Goal setting: Establishing clear objectives and developing a plan to achieve them.
7. Self-awareness: Understanding one's strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and values.

8. Emotional intelligence: Recognizing, understanding, and managing one's own emotions and the emotions of others.
9. Stress management: Coping with stress, reducing anxiety, and maintaining emotional well-being.
10. Resilience: Bouncing back from setbacks, adapting to change, and maintaining a positive outlook.
11. Self-motivation: Initiating and sustaining personal drive and ambition.
12. Collaboration: Working effectively with others, fostering teamwork, and resolving conflicts.
13. Leadership: Inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal.
14. Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings and perspectives of others.
15. Negotiation: Seeking mutually beneficial outcomes through communication and compromise.
16. Financial literacy: Understanding personal finance, budgeting, and managing money.
17. Digital literacy: Proficiency in using digital technologies and navigating the online world.
18. Healthy lifestyle: Practicing good nutrition, exercise, sleep, and self-care.
19. Assertiveness: Expressing opinions, needs, and desires in a confident and respectful manner.
20. Adaptability: Being flexible and open to change in different situations.

Main tasks:
1.    Training Material Preparation: 
In preparation to the training workshop,
a. Discussing with NAHNOO the topics to be included based on the youth’s assessment conducted by NAHNOO.
b. Prepare the material in both English and Arabic.

2. Training Workshop facilitation:
A series of training sessions covering soft skills is expected to take place two days per area per year (out of 3 years); in the South & North Lebanon.

       3. Training Reporting:
The consultant will translate the results of the workshop in a training performance report.
Deliverables
-    First draft of the powerpoints presentations of the workshops
-    Second draft of presentations integrating NAHNOO feedback
-    Final draft of the material integrating NAHNOO feedback
-    Pre & post-test questionnaire along with training performance report.

Qualifications/level requirements

Applicants with the following experience are welcome to apply:
-    Minimum MA in Psychology, social sciences or business.
-    At least 4-5 years of documented professional experience in working in relevant fields of Soft Skills, using participatory approaches. 
-    Proven familiarity with Lebanese economic crisis with a good understanding of role of civil society and youth engagement
-    Previous experience working with local, national &/or international NGOs
-    Strong ability to deliver a message in a clear manner and to explain a point of view during an open discussion.
-    Adaptability and flexibility in working within complex and dynamic environment.
-    Ability to deliver high quality results in a timely manner.
-    Fluency in Arabic & English (written and spoken) is a must
-    Proficiency in Microsoft Office, mainly Power point.

Proposed period of consultancy

To start tentatively on the 15th July at the latest, specific dates to be agreed with Consultant.
1 full expert day= 8 hours of work

Selection criteria: 

The consultant will be selected based on competitiveness and quality of the technical proposal (C.V & quotation). They will be paid upon successful completion and submission of the advocacy toolkit based on an agreed upon schedule