Consultancy for Needs Assessment and Initiative Development

Consultancy for Conducting Needs Assessment and Supporting Initiative Development in Selected Villages

1. Background
In partnership with GIZ, the Strengthening Inclusive Local Governance and Vertical Social Cohesion in Lebanon project aims to strengthen inclusive local governance and vertical social cohesion by engaging inhabitants from diverse backgrounds in participatory planning and decision-making processes. The project’s objectives are to increase the capacity of local governments and inhabitants to engage in participatory approaches, improve trust and cohesion between local governance structures and the community, and ensure inclusive representation and ownership of service-enhancing initiatives. The project is being implemented across the Bekaa, South Baalbek, Hasbaya, and Mount Lebanon regions.

2. Objective of the Assignment
The goal is to engage an entity (consultant or firm) to support Working Groups (WGs) in selected villages to conduct participatory needs assessments and develop actionable initiatives addressing local challenges in sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, economic development, social cohesion, and the environment.

3. Scope of Work
The contracted entity will be responsible for the following:

3.1. Needs Assessment

• Conduct a one full-day workshop in each of the 25 municipalities engaging the Working Group (WG) established in each municipality. Each WG will consist of 45 participants representing diverse community segments.
• The workshop will focus on:
  • Sectorial needs assessment
  • Tension risk analysis
  • Identifying initiatives responding to these needs

3.2. Selection of Initiatives

• Conduct a half-day meeting in each village to select three initiatives based on GIZ criteria.
• The consultancy firm will:
  • Review the list of initiatives developed during the needs assessment workshop.
  • Shortlist feasible initiatives based on GIZ criteria.
  • Guide each working group in gathering necessary information to develop their proposals.

3.3. Developing Work Plans and Budgets

• Conduct three full-day meetings in each village (one per working group) to develop the work plan and budget for each initiative.
• This includes:
  • Organizing a full-day or two half-day sessions with each working group to develop initiative proposals and budget estimations.

3.4. Reporting

• The consultancy firm will provide Berghof Foundation with reports on:
  • The needs assessment findings for each village.
  • The selected initiative for each group.
  • The work plan and budget estimation for implementing each initiative.

4. Deliverables
The consultancy firm is expected to deliver the following:

4.1. Needs Assessment Deliverables:

• A completed needs assessment chart for each village, summarizing key challenges, risks, and priorities.
• A comprehensive needs assessment report, detailing the findings for each village.

4.2. Initiative Development Deliverables:

• A list of three feasible initiatives for each village, aligned with donor criteria and community priorities.

4.3. Proposal and Budget Deliverables:

• A proposal document for each initiative, including detailed objectives and expected impact.
• A comprehensive budget for each initiative, with cost estimates and justifications.

5. Timeline
The consultancy is expected to be completed within a total of 120 days, allocated as follows:

Needs Assessment Workshops

25 full days

One day per village for needs assessment workshops.

Selection of Initiatives

12.5 days

Half-day per village for conducting meetings to select initiatives.

Developing Work Plans & Budgets

75 full days

Three full days per village to develop initiative proposals and budgets.

Final Reporting and Review

7.5 days

Compiling reports and finalizing deliverables.

Note: The timeline may be adjusted in coordination with the selected entity to ensure quality deliverables and alignment with project goals.

6. Qualifications and Requirements
The selected entity must meet the following qualifications:

• Proven experience in conducting participatory needs assessments and facilitating community-based workshops.
• Expertise in working with local communities in Lebanon, particularly with knowledge of conflict-sensitive and inclusive approaches.
• Strong understanding of sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, economic development, social cohesion, and the environment.
• Demonstrated ability to ensure women’s participation and inclusivity of marginalized groups.
• Previous experience working with international organizations and/or donors is an asset.

7. Coordination and Reporting
The awarded entity will:

• Coordinate closely with the Berghof Foundation team throughout the process.
• Provide regular updates on progress, challenges, and proposed adjustments to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Submit all deliverables in English and Arabic, as agreed upon during the inception phase.