Legal Coordinator

PROJECT OVERVIEW

ECODIT is implementing the USAID DAWERR Activity, a five-year project that will establish sustainable and replicable integrated solid waste diversion and valorization solutions in different rural areas in Lebanon, leading to improved social and economic well-being for Lebanon’s population.  The Activity aligns with USAID/Lebanon’s desire to introduce financially sustainable solutions that increase the reuse, recycling, and monetization of solid waste to reduce the amount of solid waste that goes into landfills. The Activity has the following four objectives:

Build the capacity and commitment of municipalities to provide improved solid waste management (SWM) services either directly or indirectly;

Empower communities to sort at the source and participate actively in various stages of the recycling value chains (RVCs);

Develop successful business models that create green economic opportunities and generate net incomes along the value chains; and

Provide tailored solutions to agrifood industries for the treatment and valorization of their organic waste.

The Activity’s period of performance is August 1, 2020, to July 31, 2025.

During the first three years of the Activity, DAWERR worked with four municipalities -Baskinta, Jezzine, Rachaya el Wadi and Qaraoun- and supported them in the development of SWM solutions at the individual/municipal level. For these Phase 1 individual solutions, DAWERR supported each of the four municipalities in:

Designing and implementing sorting at source awareness and social behavior change (SBC) campaigns with local Community Based Organizations (CBOs);

Developing optimized selective collection of waste (schedule and routing);

Selecting the most suitable technology for the treatment of organic waste;

Designing the composting station based on the selected technology;

Getting the needed permits for the construction of the composting station - establishment permit from the Ministry of Industry (MOI), environmental approval of the Ministry of Environment (MOE) based on the Initial Environmental Examination, and construction permit from the Order of Engineers;

Enhancing the existing value chains for recyclables;

Developing a business model for the SWM solution, including but not limited to operating and maintaining of the composting station; and

Assisting municipalities to develop draft tender/bidding documents -based on the Public Procurement Law 244/2021- to engage Private Sector (PS) entities to provide SWM services (collection, treatment, disposal of different types of waste).

In addition to the Phase 1 municipalities, DAWERR started supporting three clusters of municipalities. These Phase 2 Clusters each brings together 3-4 municipalities under one SWM solution; they are:

Anfeh, Bechmezzine, Kfarhazir and Fih, in the Koura District

Ras el-Matn, Qortada and Deir el-Harf, in the Baadba District

Ansariyyeh, Sarafand Loubieh, and Saksakiyyeh, in the Saida District

DAWERR started developing engineering designs and tender documents for the construction of the Phase 2 Clusters composting stations and assisted the host municipalities to submit their applications to the MOI. DAWERR also will assist the municipalities in submitting their applications to obtain the other needed permits (MOE, OEA, etc.). In addition, DAWERR started developing SWM Strategies and Action Plans for each Cluster including collaboration models between the municipalities identifying each municipality’s roles and responsibilities in the SWM plans.

In upcoming years, DAWERR also will expand the Phase 1 individual solutions and Phase 2 Cluster solutions into Phase 3 Cluster solutions, to serve additional municipalities.  In addition, DAWERR will select up to four agrifood industries and assist them in the treatment and valorization of their organic waste.

Starting in October 2023, DAWERR will launch the construction works of the proposed composting stations, beginning with the Phase 1 individual SWM solutions. Whenever construction is complete, DAWERR will provide the needed equipment for the operation of the composting stations and assist the municipalities or private sector entities – selected to provide SWM services - in operating the composting stations (through technical and business training).

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

ECODIT is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Communications and Social Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist for the USAID Lebanon Diverting Waste by Encouraging Reuse and Recycling (DAWERR) Activity (the Activity). The Communications and SBC Specialist will lead desk and field research on the drivers of SBC, and will manage DAWERR’s external communications to further promote DAWERR as a reference in solid waste management.

Under the overall management of the Chief of Party (COP), the Communications and SBC Specialist will:

Manage all external communications, including DAWERR’s social media platforms, based on DAWERR’s recently updated communications and outreach plan.

Develop a content creation plan to regularly and systematically populate DAWERR’s social media pages, with the aim of strengthening DAWERR’s brand as a reference in SWM in Lebanon, and work with the DAWERR team to gather content from the field.

Lead on strategic communications and crisis management communications efforts as needed.

Work with and oversee up to six (6) communications and advertising agencies implementing multi-media communications and SBC campaigns (those will not run simultaneously).

Lead on research efforts related to SBC, including desk research, facilitating focus group discussions, holding key informant interviews, developing short online surveys, etc.

Support in the drafting and editing of internal documents. 

The Communications and SBC Specialist will be based in DAWERR’s office in Zalka, and is expected to travel throughout Lebanon to execute the above duties and responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Master’s degree in Communication or similar field – Undergraduate or minor degree in political studies, sociology or related field is a plus

At least seven years of progressively senior relevant experience – Experience in International Development is a plus.

Proven track record in designing and implementing outreach and communication plans – Experience overseeing communications and advertising agencies is a plus.

Demonstrated experience in managing social media platforms, including the development of content creation plans.

Experience in leading campaigns towards behavioral change is a plus.