Local Development Plan Consultant – Akkar, Lebanon

SUMMARY

Mada Association is seeking a Consultant under the project “SAFE: Sustainable Agri-Food Economy for refugee and local communities in vulnerable governorates of Lebanon”, funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Danish MoFA) and implemented in partnership with Fondazione We World – GVC Onlus (WW-GVC) and the Lebanese Observatory for Workers & Employees Rights Organization (LWRO).

The Consultant will lead on the development of a Local Development Plan (LDP) for the municipality of Fneideq, Akkar, covering 4 main pillars: Economy, Society, Environment, and Governance. The LDP embodies a participatory and bottom-up process aimed at enhancing the capacity of public institutions in addressing developmental priorities identified through community engagement. This approach represents a roadmap for development for the municipality and serves as an instrument of accountability for the community, fostering a sense of ownership and agency.

The mission requires 15 working days over three months, from August 1 to October 31, 2024. The Consultant will be responsible for developing the methodology for the LDP development, collection of secondary data, development of tools for primary data and guiding Mada’s team on the data collection, analysis of the data, and writing of the LDP.

OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE

The objective is to conduct a participatory study in Fneideq, Akkar, to formulate a LDP for its economy, society, environment and governance. The LDP includes a roadmap of suggested interventions for sustainable and inclusive development, providing stakeholders with a general framework to increase their sustainability and long-term impact.

Economy: identification and selection of priority economic sectors with the municipality; assessment of the selected economic sectors and identification of priorities and opportunities for development, with focus on creating jobs, income generation, and developing the local economy.

Society: historical background, demographic assessment, identification of current and potential drivers of conflict and tensions; cultural and educational activities.

Environment: identification of key environmental threats in the area and their current and potential impacts, noting a full environmental assessment is beyond the scope of the project and data will mostly be gathered through key informants and desk review; identification of opportunities for environmental protection, including potential economic benefits (eco-tourism, etc.); general overview of natural resources and their usage/exploitation/potential.

Governance: assessment of the institutional framework (governmental administrations and entities, with special focus on municipal capacities and resources, CBOs and CSOs, etc.), service provision and public infrastructure.

Cross Cutting: A proper LDP will allocate local resources (natural and environmental, institutional, human, capital resources, etc.) in a rational and optimal manner allowing for the improvement of local community living conditions. The Consultant would bear into consideration promoting gender equality and empowering all women and girls, social vulnerability issues (such as, sexual, emotional or physical abuse – child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, sexual harassment, discrimination, hate crimes – and social exclusion), inclusion of people with disabilities, and the social cohesion (between Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities, within different social segments of the community and amongst residents of the target area).

KEY TASKS AND OUTPUTS

The mission will entail:

1. Review of Secondary Data (2 days): examine existing studies, analyses, and literature related to the selected municipality across the 4 pillars to build on current information and avoid duplicating past efforts in analyzing and developing a LDP. The review will include Mada’s ongoing Value Chain Analysis for Akkar and North Lebanon, which will be finalized in July 2024.
2. Stakeholder Mapping (1 day): finding out the key stakeholders relating to all sectors that contribute to the development of the area across the 4 pillars.
3. Guide the Collection of Primary Data (4 days): review existing data collection tools and adapt them and/or develop new tools; guide Mada’s team and hired Enumerators to collect the data; conduct 1-2 Focus Group Discussions and/or Key Informant Interviews directly, depending on need and agreement with Mada of split of responsibilities.
4. In-depth Analysis of Collected Data (4 days):  triangulate the collected primary data with available secondary data. The analysis will:

• Provide a clear mapping and analysis of the situation across the 4 pillars, and recommendations for sustainable and inclusive development.
• Examine underlying factors (bottlenecks/challenges) inhibiting the village from developing across the 4 pillars.

1. Development of the LDP (4 days): develop the LDP document illustrating the priorities identified in coordination with the Project Manager and Mada’s Senior Management.

Mada will provide support in data collection and will facilitate the process by moderating interactions between the consultant and local stakeholders, ensuring a participatory approach through organized consultation meetings, and overseeing smooth implementation throughout the LDP process.

Following the development of the LDP, Mada will proceed with the endorsement process required.

Deadlines: (please refer to annex a)

ADMINISTRATION, REPORTING AND COORDINATION

The consultant will be contracted by Mada Association and his/her primary point of contact will be the Project Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The consultant must have the following experience and skills to be able to perform the tasks of the ToR:

• A graduate/master’s degree in development studies, economics, social sciences, environment, urban planning, public administration, or related fields.
• Knowledge and experience in developing local development plans in similar facilities.
• Proven experience of 10 years + in conducting socioeconomic research, local development planning, and community-based projects.
• Experience in developing and implementing participatory methodologies for data collection and analysis.
• Highly refined analytical, problem solving and organizational skills and a detail-oriented, logical thinker.
• In-depth knowledge of socio-economic issues, local governance, and sustainable development of the governorates’ context
• Experience in working with local entities (Local governments, municipalities, community-based organizations) particularly in the context of Lebanon.
• Strong coordination/organization/networking skills and experience in coordinating teams.
• Demonstrated experience in reporting, development of trainings and advocacy material, social media material, facilitating learning events.
• Highly proficient in use of English and Arabic with the ability to write in a clear and practical manner.
• Practical application of cross cutting themes like gender mainstreaming and gender competence, M&E and advocacy.
• Past experiences working on local development plans at municipality level will be of an added value.