Advocacy Consultant

Background

In Lebanon, the social and gender norms, the shrinking civic space, and the discriminatory laws contribute to upholding gender inequalities and discourage girls and young women from speaking out. Formal and informal youth-led organization and women-led organization are facing a growing pressure from discriminatory social institutions, political figures, and religious leaders, that restrict their access to resources and opportunities.

Therefore, Amel association, as part of a consortium that includes, Plan international, TDH Italy, DCI Lebanon, and Dar el Amel are working together and using a gender transformative approach that aims at eliminating the structural barriers to gender equality, tackling the root causes of gender inequalities, working at all levels (grassroot, community and policy levels) to foster an enabling environment for gender equality and advance the position and conditions of girls and young women.

Assignment

Amel Association is looking to hire an Advocacy Consultant to prepare, develop and support in the implementation of detailed advocacy plan at the national level, including an analysis of laws/legislations that need to be amended/reformed, a stakeholder analysis and strategies/potential synergies with other actors to develop a public debate around priorities that will be identified, during a period of 3 and half months (September, October, November and December).

Objective of the assignment:

The objective of the consultancy is to:

1. Desk review report including analysis of laws/legislations that need to be amended/reformed following by recommendations.
2. Stakeholder analysis and strategies/potential synergies with other actors’ assessment and analytical findings report.
3. Develop an Advocacy plan/strategy to be co-led and implemented by Girls and Young Women which aims at influencing change and addressing existing Gender inequalities in Lebanon at policy and governmental level.

Tasks and duties:

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

• S/he will be responsible for the development of the holistic national Advocacy plan around gender equity, and provide technical guidance to ensure proper implementation, after validation and clearance from all consortium members.
• Desk review relevant documents including: project document, reports and evaluations; standards; communication, legal reports, laws developed in the areas of GBV, gender equity and girls and women rights.
• Draft a complete advocacy strategy, outlining clear objectives, target activities, conducting a stakeholder analysis, deliverables and indicators, as well as an implementation plan and advice on cost/ resources implication for such work.
• Develop a detailed activity plan for the remaining 2.5 years of the project including recommendations and action points to ensure sustainability after project conclusion.
• Engage with and consult members of the She Leads consortium, GYW national coalition members and other relevant stakeholders on the development of the advocacy strategy (meetings, interviews, FGD, KIIs etc.)
• Identify the role of the She Leads consortium and other stakeholders on advocacy and communication in influencing the implementation of the plan at the national level. As well, specify role division/roles and responsibilities of consortium members, GYW national coalition members and other stakeholders.
• Support the role of youth in creating social change especially when tackling topics related to human rights, gender equity, diversity and inclusion, VAWG, men engagement and masculinities;
• Develop the media strategies for advocacy purposes at different levels - how to tailor awareness raising and advocacy messages to fit into different offline or online platforms;
• Deliver the best practices on social behavioral change actions in a strategic manner for maximum effect;
• Provide new tactics and techniques, and how to use them effectively for proper and effective implementation of the advocacy campaign.

Qualifications:

• University degree, preferably in Communications sciences, Mass Communication, social Sciences, law and human rights or an equivalent combination of training and experience;
• A minimum of five years’ work experience in the areas of advocacy and campaigning, meaningful engagement of Youth, communication, strategic management, etc.) using participatory approaches; projects development/implementation and or coordination, research and analysis, with focus on gender equity and women rights.
•  Excellent knowledge on inclusion, gender equity and social behavioral change;
• Proven familiarity with Lebanese context with a good understanding of violence against women and girls and gender related issues;
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively advanced professional experience in delivering workshops and working in the mentioned field (advocacy,
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural dynamics and experience working with NGOs;
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills; able to understand highly complex issues and translate them into simple, workable actions and plans;
• Experience in creating, designing, developing and monitoring advocacy campaigns online and offline related to human rights, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, women’s issues, men engagement and masculinities is a plus
• Excellent communication skills and high flexibility; 
• Fluency in Arabic and English is a must.