Expression of Interest – Invitation for Potential Partners in Research, Policy and Advocacy in Lebanon

The IRC and its partners must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Background/IRC Summary:  

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 25 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. 

In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, in 2012 the IRC has launched a multi-sectoral relief program in Lebanon. The program will provide assistance to refugees and host communities in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the North, and Bekaa Valley in the fields of child protection, health, education, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, and economic recovery and development. IRC’s work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.  

Partnership Approach: 

The Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) comprises IRC’s strategy, principles, policy, guidance, process, and tools for delivering on this strategic ambition. PEERS enables the IRC to define our role in each context in collaboration with local actors based on how we can best support, reinforce, and complement local actors and systems. It promotes long-term, principled, feminist partnerships that share power, resources, and learning and elevate the knowledge and expertise of each partner, to expand the impact and scale of each response. PEERS applies our core partnership principles of equality, complementarity, mutuality, solidarity, results-orientation, and humility in all aspects of our partnerships.   

Background of IRC’s work on research, policy and advocacy: 

The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Operating in Lebanon since 2012, the IRC is an established leader in the provision of assistance and programs to support the recovery and development of vulnerable communities.   

The IRC has a proven track record leading evidence-based policy analysis and advocacy initiatives in the areas of protection, rule of law/access to justice, and early childhood development 

The proposed partnership will build on the IRC’s past efforts and support the organization’s strategic engagement with diverse stakeholders across Lebanon.  

Areas of Expertise: 

In line with our current and future strategic objectives, IRC Lebanon is mapping potential partners with experience in the field of research, policy and advocacy to potentially collaborate to reach IRC’s strategic objectives. 

 Research institutes and policy, advocacy, and/or communications experts or organizations with expertise in the following are encouraged to respond: 

Thematic areas include, but are not limited to, IRC’s current sectors of Education, Health, Economic Recovery and Development, Child Protection, Women’s Protection and Empowerement, and Protection and Rule of Law 

Conducting research with diverse stakeholders including governmental and non-governmental actors. 

Developing policy briefs and analysis with concrete policy recommendations. 

Conducting advocacy projects and campaigns with local and national stakeholders to achieve policy change. 

This list is not exhaustive and we encourage organizations with relevant experience to apply.