Gender Peacebuilding Consultant

About the Project

International Alert is one of the world’s leading peacebuilding organizations, with over 30 years of experience supporting communities, advising governments, organizations, and companies on how to build peace. Alert has been operating in Lebanon since 2009 and currently has three offices: Beirut, Tripoli, and Bekaa.

Lebanon faces complex challenges related to gender inequality, conflict, and social cohesion. Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a significant issue, exacerbated by ongoing crises and political instability. Through this project, International Alert aims to:

• Raise awareness of GBV and its impact on communities.
• Strengthen family and community mediation practices through gender-sensitive approaches.
• Empower local mediators, particularly women, to lead conflict resolution efforts.

This initiative falls under UN Women’s broader Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) framework and builds on International Alert’s previous work in supporting local women mediators. A key deliverable of this consultancy is the development, piloting, and refinement of a Family Mediation Handbook to guide community mediation efforts and reinforce gender-sensitive conflict resolution approaches.

Objectives of the Consultancy

The consultancy aims to:

1. Develop a comprehensive methodology for integrating gender-responsive mediation and the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) framework.
2. Design and test a Family Mediation Handbook in collaboration with local mediators, focusing on gender, relationships, communication, and collaborative decision-making.
3. Conduct four workshops to pilot the handbook with diverse community groups (15–20 participants per workshop) and collect feedback for refinement.
4. Facilitate training sessions for 200 community members, including women mediators, on the family mediation handbook. 
5. Contribute to the final project report, documenting lessons learned, achievements, and recommendations for future interventions.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to:

• Design a structured and participatory methodology that aligns with the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) framework.
• Incorporate training tools, mediation techniques, and gender-sensitive practices tailored to the needs of communities in South Lebanon.
• Ensure the methodology provides clear guidelines for integrating gender-sensitive mediation practices into community structures.
• Engage local women mediators in the testing and refinement of the Family Mediation Handbook, leveraging their expertise and insights.
• Pilot the handbook through four workshops, ensuring diverse participation and feedback collection for refinement.
• Provide training sessions on the handbook for 200 persons in South Lebanon.

Support and Resources to Be Provided by Alert

• Logistical and administrative support for workshops and training sessions.
• Access to key background documents, resources, and data relevant to the project.
• Coordination with local stakeholders, including women mediators and community leaders.
• Guidance on UN Women’s WPS framework and alignment with project goals.

Deliverables

1. Family Mediation Handbook:
   • Gender-sensitive conflict resolution strategies.
   • Communication and mediation techniques.
   • Case studies, practical exercises, and tools for community mediators.
2. Four Pilot Workshops:
   • Conduct workshops with diverse community groups to test the handbook.
   • Collect and incorporate feedback for refinement.
3. Training Sessions:
   • Facilitate training for 200 community members, focusing on GBV awareness, conflict resolution, and gender-sensitive mediation.
4. Final Report:
   • Document training outcomes, feedback, achievements, and recommendations for future interventions.

Consultant Profile

The ideal candidate will have:

• Expertise in gender, mediation, and peacebuilding methodologies.
• Proven experience in GBV prevention, conflict resolution, and community engagement.
• Strong facilitation and training skills, with the ability to work with diverse groups.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.
• In-depth knowledge of the South Lebanon context, particularly in the Tyre area, and familiarity with community mediation practices.
• Experience in implementing the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) or similar participatory methodologies.

Period of Employment

The consultancy will cover a total of 30 working days between March and July 2025.