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:

1. Build the capacity and commitment of municipalities to provide improved solid waste management (SWM) services either directly or indirectly;
2. Empower communities to sort at the source and participate actively in various stages of the recycling value chains (RVCs);
3. Develop successful business models that create green economic opportunities and generate net incomes along the value chains; and
4. 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:

1. Anfeh, Bechmezzine, Kfarhazir and Fih, in the Koura District
2. Ras el-Matn, Qortada and Deir el-Harf, in the Baadba District
3. 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

Under the overall management of the Local Development Lead (LDL), the Legal Coordinator will:

• Assist the municipalities or group of municipalities in the development, review, and refinement of (1) tender documents to engage PS entities in the provision of SWM services, (2) agreements between the municipalities and PS entities, and (3) other legal documents, as needed.
• Facilitate negotiations between selected PS entities and municipalities to complete all needed documents and finalize the contract/agreement.
• Assist in drafting and finalizing collaboration models between several municipalities.
• Stay up-to date on national relevant laws, regulations, and policies applicable to SWM in Lebanon.
• Support in identifying strategic and legal opportunities to speed up the permitting process for the establishment and operation of the composting stations, based on his/her knowledge of the legal system.

The Legal Coordinator will be based in DAWERR’s office in Zalka but is expected to travel regularly and frequently throughout Lebanon to execute the above duties and responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in law.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in governance and development related projects including in the SWM sector.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in working with municipalities and /or union of municipalities.
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in drafting contracts and agreements.
• Experience on USAID-funded projects is a plus.
• Excellent time management skills to ensure project deadlines are met.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and ability to deal with different stakeholders including municipalities and private sector entities.
• Ability to travel frequently throughout Lebanon.
• Fluent in English and Arabic.