Researcher for Legal Framework Assessment and Reform Proposals for the Supervisory Commission for Elections

Location: Remote, with in-person meetings as needed

Duration: March- August 2025

Contract Type: Short-term Consultancy

1. About LADE

LADE is a Lebanese non-profit and non-partisan organization advocating for election integrity and fair representation as two vital pillars for a functional democracy. Since its establishment in 1996, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) has been heavily involved in instigating electoral reform on a national level through a set of well-designed interventions amongst which election monitoring constitutes a cornerstone for a viable parliament, where it features as a necessary tool to assess the electoral framework and propose amendments when needed. The association’s early efforts reached paramount in 1998 with the implementation and management of a full-fledged campaign aiming at restoring local elections across Lebanon for the first time since the breakout of the Lebanese Civil War. Consequently, LADE’s role grew further and as a leading reformist organization. LADE’s awareness extended throughout the years to cover pre-elections, e-day and post-elections activities. Moreover, the association has been able, in a short period of time, to catch up with the academic and societal debates around media ethics and gender participation and has successfully developed a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to citizenship and electoral reform. 

2. Project Overview

LADE, in partnership with the European Union, launched a 30-month project aimed at making Lebanon’s parliamentary elections more democratic and aligned with international standards. The project will focus on implementing electoral reforms, strengthening electoral bodies, and promoting transparency and inclusiveness through civil society engagement. The project aims to increase public confidence and the perceived integrity of the electoral process by introducing at least three major reforms and improving perceptions of electoral fairness among both the public and international observers.

3. Objectives

LADE is seeking a researcher to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Supervisory Commission for Elections (SCE), evaluating its legal framework, operational challenges, and potential areas for reform. This assignment will involve an in-depth review of the SCE’s existing legal structure to identify key structural and procedural constraints that limit its effectiveness. Additionally, consultations with legal experts, SCE officials, and relevant stakeholders will be conducted to gather insights into institutional challenges and the practical implications of current regulations. Based on these findings, the researcher will develop well-founded legal recommendations to strengthen the SCE’s financial and administrative independence, ensuring it operates autonomously and without external influence. Furthermore, the study will assess and propose regulatory and enforcement reforms to enhance the SCE’s authority in overseeing electoral processes, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and electoral integrity.

4. Scope of Work

The researcher will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Legal Review & Analysis

A detailed analysis of Lebanon’s legal framework governing the SCE will be conducted, using the LADE and EU 2022 Election Monitoring Reports as foundational references. This review will focus on identifying legal, financial, and operational gaps that limit the SCE’s effectiveness and independence. Additionally, international best practices in electoral oversight will be examined to benchmark Lebanon’s framework against global standards and highlight areas for improvement.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Consultations

Engagement with key stakeholders will be an essential part of the research process. Consultations and interviews will be conducted with legal experts, SCE officials, policymakers, and civil society representatives to gather insights on institutional and procedural obstacles faced by the SCE. This stakeholder input will help assess the SCE’s autonomy, enforcement capacity, and operational challenges, ensuring that the research findings reflect real-world conditions and practical needs.

• Drafting Legal Reform Proposals

Based on the findings from the legal review and stakeholder consultations, evidence-based legislative and procedural amendments will be proposed to enhance the SCE’s financial, administrative, and operational independence. To ensure feasibility and alignment with both national realities and international standards, stakeholder feedback and refinement sessions will be organized. The final reform proposals will be structured with clear legal justifications, expected impacts, and practical implementation considerations, providing a roadmap for meaningful electoral governance reforms.

5. Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following key outputs to support evidence-based electoral reform:

• Comprehensive Research Report of the SCE’s legal and institutional limitations, with proposed legislative and procedural reforms to enhance its independence and effectiveness.
• Advocacy Briefs and Policy Papers: summarizing key findings and recommendations for policymakers, civil society, and advocacy efforts.

6. Timeline and Workplan

The assignment will take place between March and August 2025, starting from the date of contract signing and concluding by the end of August 2025. The tentative work plan and timeline are as follows:

• Legal review and gap analysis: March 2025
• Stakeholder consultations: March -May 2025
• Draft legal amendments: May - June 2025
• Refinement session and validation: June - July 2025
• Finalizing report: July - August 2025

7. Required Qualifications and Expertise

• A master's or higher degree in Law, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field, with a strong focus on governance, legal frameworks, or electoral systems.
• Proven knowledge and experience in electoral law, electoral systems, and democratic governance, with a deep understanding of international standards and best practices.
• Strong research and analytical capabilities, including expertise in comparative legal analysis, policy evaluation, and evidence-based reform proposals.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with civil society organizations, policymakers, election authorities, and key stakeholders to support electoral and governance reforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both Arabic and English, with the ability to present complex legal and policy issues clearly and effectively.

8. Working Modality

The assignment will be conducted remotely, with the possibility of in-person meetings as required. The consultant must be available for virtual check-ins and coordinate effectively with LADE’s team.