Protection from Violence and Abuse & SEA Expert

Persons with special needs (PwSN), older persons, youth and other vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by different forms of violence and abuse. These include physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological violence, with persons with disabilities or dependency needs at higher risk. Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) are among the risks these groups are exposed to with lack of awareness of their rights, or inability to understand and report the abuse they face. The Protection from Violence and Abuse and SEA prevent and mitigate such risks by empowering the targeted groups and their caregivers with the knowledge and tools they need to recognize and report abuse (including gender-based violence).

I’mpossible is partnering with PCPM under an LHF-funded project to address unmet multi-sectoral needs in Wadi Khaled, Jered El Qayteh and Sahel Akkar focusing on the most vulnerable populations, including the elderly and Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN).

As part of this project, I’m Possible will implement targeted awareness campaigns for direct beneficiaries, youth, and community members. These sessions, led by experts, will cover a range of topics including protection from violence, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). By fostering a supportive environment and providing targeted education and resources, this project will empower youth, the older persons, and PwSN in Akkar to build resilience against community challenges and lay the foundation for a more secure and prosperous future.

Purpose of the position
To address these protection risks and harmful stereotypes as well as to foster a culture of respect, I’mPossible is seeking an Expert on Protection from Violence and Abuse and SEA who will design, implement, and facilitate awareness sessions for vulnerable individuals as well as their caregivers and community members.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and deliver sessions on gender roles, types of violence, protection from abuse and SEA to youth, caregivers, older individuals, and persons with disabilities. The sessions will foster understanding of challenging stereotypes and will promote equality and prevention from violence physical, emotional, sexual, and financial, that pose particular risks to vulnerable groups such as PwSN, elderly, and youth. Raising awareness about PSEA will empower these individuals and their caregivers to recognize signs of abuse, understand their rights, and know how to seek help.
• Develop a full sessions package, based on needs, gaps and priorities, including PowerPoint presentation, handouts, exercises and tools.
• The program should be tailored to equip caregivers with tools to recognize violence, communicate effectively, and foster a supportive environment while ensuring accessibility and cultural sensitivity.

• Prepare a detailed methodology and work plan indicating how the objectives of the project will be achieved to promote healthy lifestyles, focusing on mental health, and positive coping mechanisms.

• Identify support services available in the area of intervention. Facilitate discussions and encourage participant engagement about available support services.
• Cooperate with I’m Possible team to improve session content and delivery methods.
• Launch a community-based campaign to promote zero tolerance for violence and sexual exploitation. The campaign will involve community discussions, social media engagement.

   

Deliverables

• Submit a curriculum for the awareness sessions, tailored to the target groups addressing both education and early intervention strategies. The curriculum should incorporate protection-related issues, multisectoral messages, and inclusive approaches for older persons and PwSN on the following topics:
   - Root causes of abuse such as challenges, stress, trauma, and social exclusion.
   - Addressing gender roles, types of violence, PSEA, and violence prevention.
   -  Support available and referral mechanism.
  - Promoting positive coping strategies, healthy behavior, and life skills to prevent abuse.
• Submit a methodology outlining the process and approach for delivering the sessions, with clear objectives, learning outcomes, and strategies for engagement. Use a variety of training methods (e.g. group discussions, role plays, media campaigns etc.) to ensure active participation.
• Develop presentations and training materials, incl. brochures, and interactive activities, ensuring that they are tailored to the specific needs of the targeted groups (separate sessions for youth, parents, caregivers, community leaders).
• Provide daily updates to the protection and project officer on project progress against work plan. Document and share lessons learned with the I’m Possible staff.
• Design a brochure with clear guidance and support pathway, on where to seek a safe space to discuss abuse and mental health challenges, reducing stigmatization and promoting open dialogue.
• Submit a final report summarizing the work completed, detailing challenges faced, and offering recommendations for future improvements.

Geographical location of the project

• Selected villages in Wadi Khaled, Jered Al Qayteh, and Sahel Akkar unions of municipalities in Akkar.

Duration of the consultancy

• A total of 21 working days over 3-4 months between December 2024 and March 2025, including 18 days for the awareness sessions implementations and 3 days for curriculum preparation and reporting.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of protection, PSEA and Gender Mainstreaming.
• Expertise in Gender Diversity, Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, this includes a strong understanding of the challenges faced by women, PwSN, older persons in the community and strategies to address them effectively.
• Additional certifications or training in PSEA, gender-based violence prevention, or child protection is required.
• Experience in gender-focused projects and addressing GBV in different contexts.
• In-depth knowledge of GBV prevention strategies and survivor support services.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering training programs related to substance abuse prevention and youth empowerment.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences and adapt materials to different learning styles.
• Ability to deliver on tight time frames and meet deadlines within agreed budgets.
• Substantive and linguistic quality of all materials and reports prepared.

• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Power Point, reporting tools, feedback tool…

Competencies

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity to community needs. Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage vulnerable populations and community leaders in a non-judgmental manner.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing conditions and requirements.
• Excellent knowledge of the social, political and economic situation in Lebanon.
• Proven presentation, interpersonal, communication and reporting skills. Ability to work with diverse teams and participants groups.