Advocacy Consultant

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. Objective

LADE is seeking an Advocacy Expert to support its electoral reform efforts by developing and executing advocacy initiatives that promote democratic elections in Lebanon. Given the significant role of media in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions, the consultant will also lead media-related advocacy efforts to maximize outreach and impact, in collaboration with LADE’s media and communications department.

4. Scope of Work

The Advocacy Expert will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Developing and implementing an advocacy strategy for the electoral reform project.
• Engaging with LADE and different stakeholders to push for electoral reforms.
• Leading LADE’s media and public relations efforts to raise awareness and mobilize support for electoral reform.
• Building relationships with journalists and media outlets to enhance coverage of electoral reforms.
• Monitoring media narratives and public discourse related to elections and democracy, identifying key trends and opportunities for advocacy.
• Collaborating with LADE’s team to translate research and policy recommendations into accessible and compelling advocacy materials.
• Providing regular progress reports and impact assessments on advocacy efforts.

5. Duration and Payment

The Advocacy Expert will be recruited on a consultancy basis for the whole period of the project (30 months), working a set number of days per month.

Payment will be based on the number of days worked, in accordance with LADE’s consultancy rates.

6. Qualifications and Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in advocacy or communications, preferably in the fields of democracy and governance.
• Strong media and public relations experience, including established connections with journalists and media outlets.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement advocacy campaigns with measurable impact.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Lebanon’s political and electoral landscape.
• Fluency in Arabic and English.