Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Current Inmates in Lebanese Prisons

Project information

Search is implementing a project with an aim at reducing the risk of recidivism among current and former inmates in Lebanon. The project implements training sessions on soft skills and vocational training with the aim to support the rehabilitation process of current inmates.

Purpose of Assignment

Incarcerated individuals who receive general education and vocational training are significantly less likely to return to prison after their release, and are more likely to find employment than peers who do not receive such opportunities. Thus, the purpose of this assignment is to support the rehabilitation process of current inmates through the delivery of conflict transformation training and vocational training programs to contribute to their life skills, potential employment and learning pathways which can support their successful reintegration into the community.

Search is therefore seeking a local non-government organization (NGO) with a proven track record of working on rehabilitation in prisons through the provision of soft training and vocational training.

Location of the Assignment

The training program is expected to take place in the following prisons: Roumieh Central Prison (40 targeted inmates), Zahle Male Prison (40 targeted inmates), Zahle Female Prison (10 targeted inmates) and Baabda Women’s Prison (10 targeted inmates). Total number of inmates is expected to be 100 inmates.

Duration of the Assignment

The conflict transformation training and series of vocational training are expected to be completed from February  2021 until July 2021. All activities must be implemented during this timeframe as it accounts for possible delays due to COVID-19 related lockdowns or days where prisons are inaccessible because of cell searches or other internal actions.

Scope of Work - Training Program

To achieve the project objectives, the following training program should strengthen the capacity of detainees and ex-detainees to identify and use alternatives  to violence to solve possible conflicts. The beneficiaries should receive life skills’ and vocational  training to facilitate their reintegration process. In addition, this program should address the shifting attitudes of community members to support the reintegration of former detainees. The program is expected to have activities developing community-led solutions for  reintegration.

The selected provider (‘NGO’) will be responsible to manage, coordinate and deliver the training required for the selected beneficiaries. In preparation for the training program, the NGO is expected to draft and submit all the necessary paperwork required for the implementation of this activity to the relevant authorities. Search’s project team will support where required and will also expect to be included in the prison access request to ensure that they are able to monitor the implementation as deemed necessary.

Please see below training requirements: 

  • The NGO is expected to provide conflict transformation training  that is fit and suitable for prison context and for individuals that acquire basic to moderate skill/education levels. The training on conflict transformation should include sub-topics that include modules on identity building, non-violent communication and stress management. The goal is to develop the skills of participating inmates to deal with issues in a non-violent manner and respond to conflicts in non-adversarial ways. Each group of participants should attend 8 full sessions that are a mix of lectures and interactive activities;
  • The training programme should also include vocational classes that are related to IT literacy skills, basic literacy skills, language learning (French and English), embroidery, jewelry making and music. The NGO is expected to provide trainees with all raw materials that will be, tools, safety equipment and necessary uniforms required for the training. Please note the NGO is required to provide a list of materials needed and Search will be procuring all the items. Lasty,  it is preferable if these classes are accredited by the Ministry of Labour; 
  • By the end of the training, the NGO in collaboration with Search is expected to coordinate a graduation ceremony inside prisons by inviting relevant ministries for their attendance; 
  • The NGO should provide all training sessions and materials in Arabic and should ensure that all activities are adapted to either low-educational levels or illiteracy. 
  • The NGO should implement all government approved COVID-19 protection measures where needed. Therefore, each group of participants should not exceed 10 to 12 people in prisons where there is space to ensure social distancing and 5 people in prisons where there is not. 

Key Deliverables - Training Program

Under the direct supervision of, and in collaboration with the project manager, the following represents a general outline for the work to be conducted;

Design and deliver the following training  programmes:

  • Liaise with the Ministry of Justice and Internal Security Forces: In consultation with Search, the NGO is expected to provide an advisory role and draft a legal document to present to the Internal Security Forces the intended goal and objective of our training inside prisons. In addition, the NGO is also expected to work closely with Search, Ministry of Justice and Prison Directors in Zahle, Roumieh and Baabda in order to select potential beneficiaries to the programme; 
  • Selection of beneficiaries: Once a list of potential beneficiaries are selected, the NGO is expected to access prisons and provide an introduction of the training in order to select beneficiaries willing to commit to the program. 
  • Training Curriculum Modules: The NGO, in collaboration with the project team, will develop a training curriculum/guide and deliver a report on the methodology and a schedule of the sessions. The report should include annexes, a training guide and agenda, pre and post-tests forms/tools, explanations of session methodologies, PowerPoint presentations to be used,  handouts to be given to participants, links of videos, and other learning aids to be used in the training. The training must be participatory and experiential and the curriculum drafted must clearly demonstrate this; 
  • Training Sessions Delivery: The training program for 100 inmates (eight-groups) on identity building, non-violent communication, stress management, and conflict transformation; as well as vocational training sessions. During the training sessions, the trainer should form a trust-worthy and respectful relationship with these ex-inmates by abiding by the DO NO HARM principle which will encourage them to reach out for 1-1 coaching sessions if needed; 
  • Pre-test: A pre-test needs to be conducted to assess knowledge of  beneficiaries and in order to divide groups according to their level and needs in order to avoid any hindrance to their full and active participation. This test will also be used to conducted any adaptations needed to the curriculum;
  • Post-test: A post-test needs to be conducted once the training sessions are completed in order to ascertain whether the beneficiaries were able to absorb the training’s key messages and tools. The post-test is also indicative of the success of this assignment. 

Reporting - Training Program

Search will be visiting the prisons along with the NGO to monitor the activity. In addition, the selected NGO shall provide Search with monthly progress reports including:  

  • Attendance register reflecting the numbers and names of trainees trained for the period for each category;  
  • Progress and evaluation report for the trainees; and   
  • List of activities undertaken and training accomplished.

Finally, when this assignment is concluded, the NGO is expected to submit a final documentation report comprising the salient features of the training activity under this program, suggestions and recommendations emerging from the participants, compilation and an analytical note of the evaluation sheet (pre evaluation and post evaluation).All reports must be submitted in English.

Key Requirements

The NGO must be a local, registered NGO that has a proven track record of working in the prison sector. Other requirements include:

  • Previous experience in training related to soft skills and vocational training;
  • Previous experience in implementing projects from foreign NGOs (including submitting all legal paperwork to the relevant authorities);
  • Good working relationship with the Lebanese Government, and in particular the Internal Security Forces and the Ministry of Interior; 
  • Staff members/trainers have demonstrated work experience in prisons;
  • Received training on conflict transformation.

Competencies:  

  • Excellent interpersonal skills; 
  • Political, cultural sensitivity and commitment to diversity; and
  • Communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from different perspectives. 

The NGO will have to share with Search the CVs of selected trainers including details of their academic and professional backgrounds.

How to apply

Search is an equal opportunity employer. Employment and internship, consultancies, and solicitation applications will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status. 

To apply, interested NGOs are requested to submit the following documents on:

https://jobs.lever.co/sfcg/9b99e353-86da-43e8-a683-475d964decb1

  • A technical proposal demonstrating training methodology to be used. It should also demonstrate understanding of our requirement for this consultancy work, proposed methodologies and tools, proposed team, demonstration of previous experience doing similar work and ability to do this work.. The technical proposal  should not be more than 10 pages of main content. But must have annexes that include a sample training programme/agenda and curriculum

*All the above documents to be consolidated and uploaded in one pdf document. 

  • A financial proposal demonstrating the NGO’s rate, as well as any additional expenses that might be incurred from additional training materials. 

Note: 

  • The technical and financial proposals must be presented in two separate documents along with a short cover letter in PDF format.
  • Applications with combined proposals will not be selected. To assure an equal bidding process, only agencies who submit a complete application will be considered. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.
Expired
Deadline
Thursday, 24. Dec 2020
Type of Call
Call for Proposals
Intervention Sector(s):
Conflict Resolution
randomness