Senior Non-Key Expert (SNKE) to prepare and implement a series of workshops in the framework of an awareness campaign to highlight the role of the Ministry of Labor in promoting Social Dialogue

1.Background

The Project “Promotion of Social Dialogue in Lebanon” aims to enhance the capacity of the Government of Lebanon and the Lebanese Social Partners and Civil Society to be promoters of Social Dialogue in order to strengthen social protection and improve and enforce labour legislation.

This project is funded by the European Union under the “Social Justice Programme” (SJP), which is comprised of eight projects. The SJP programme’s objective is to advocate for democracy, human rights and social justice in Lebanon, promoting good governance and gender equality at its core. Overall, the SJP programme supports the strengthening of the institutional framework for the protection of human rights and the development of democratic governance in Lebanon.

The specific purpose of the Technical Assistance Contract between the EU and GOPA Consultants is to increase the capacities of the Ministry of Labour and Tripartite Social Partners to be promoters of social dialogue.

Three results have to be achieved in order to reach the purpose:

1. Operational and legal framework for social dialogue developed
2. Institutional and technical capacity of the Ministry of Labour and its tripartite social partners is reinforced to promote social dialogue
3. Tripartite social dialogue and collective bargaining are promoted at the national level

The main beneficiary of the project is the Ministry of Labour (MoL), especially the “Professions and Trade Unions Department” and the “Labour Inspection, Prevention and Safety Department” of the MoL.

Other beneficiaries and partners of the project are the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the National Employment Office (NEO), Employer Organizations, Trade Unions, Civil Society Organisations and other relevant stakeholders involved in Social Dialogue.

The purpose of this TOR is to define the work of a Senior Non Key Expert for Task 2.2.1: “Prepare and implement a series of workshops in the framework of an awareness campaign to highlight the role of the Ministry of Labor in promoting Social Dialogue.”

The technical services will be delivered by the SNKE for a total of up to 35 working days, stretched over a period of 7 months - see No. 5 below, time-line.

2.Objectives and frame of the assignment

Under Result 2 “Institutional and technical capacity of the MoL, its agencies and its social partners are reinforced to promote tripartite social dialogue”, it is foreseen in the TOR for the Technical Assistance to implement Activity 2.2.1: “Prepare and implement an awareness campaign to promote NEO's visibility”.

In light of the current situation of NEO, taking into consideration the current needs of the project partners and the specific request of the MoL, the focus of this activity will be to “Increase the visibility of the National Employment Office, highlight the role of the Ministry of Labour as key promoter of Social Dialogue and raise the awareness about the services provided by the Ministry of Labour, ECOSOC, the National Employment Office (NEO) and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF)”.

During several meetings, the following communication objectives were agreed on:

• Raise awareness about Tripartite Social Dialogue at the regional and national level
• Highlight the role of the Ministry of Labour as a key promoter of Social Dialogue
• Highlight the services of NEO and the role and services of the NSSF and ECOSOC
• Introduce and discuss the issues of Employment Promotion, Vocational Training, Labour Safety and Social Security
• Foster the involvement of the social partners – mainly the private sector organizations and the employee’s representatives - in Social Dialogue.

The awareness campaign will target stakeholders of Social Dialogue and the general public at both the national and the regional level.

The awareness campaign is based on 4 communication tools (video,media relations, press conferences, Roadshow) (activities / actions) main task of the SNKE 2.2.1 described  below:

Workshops / Roadshow

Organize and conduct up to 10 regional workshops:

• 2 in the South (Nabatieh and Saida), 2 in Bekaa (Zahle and Baalbek), 2 in Mount Lebanon (Aley and Jounieh), 3 in the North (Tripoli, Akkar, and Kousba) and 1 in Beirut
• The first / initial workshop will be organized in Tripoli, the last / closing workshop will be organized in Beirut
• The preferred venues are the regional chambers of commerce, technical / vocational schools and / or regional offices of the other social partners

• During these workshops, representatives of NEO, NSSF and the MOL will present existing services related to Employment Promotion, Vocational Training, Labour Safety and Social Security
• Representatives of the tripartite social partners will discuss these services in light of social and economic reform priorities at the regional level
• Each workshop is to be filmed, with a montage to be posted on a YouTube channel to reach a wider target group and raise public awareness.

In light of the above, the overall objective of the assignment of a SNKE is to provide expert support in the preparation and implementation of the 10 regional workshops to:

• Increase the visibility of the National Employment Office,
• Highlight the role of the Ministry of Labour as a key promoter of Social Dialogue, and
• Raise awareness about the services provided by the Ministry of Labour, the National Employment Office (NEO), the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

3.Scope of work / methodology

Under the supervision of the Team Leader and in close cooperation with other relevant Non-Key experts

1. Finalize the draft concept for the series of 10 regional workshops (including formulation of expected results, methodology, programme contents, budget) and present it to the for approval in consultation with MoL
2. Make all necessary conceptual and technical arrangements for the conduct of the 10 regional workshops and facilitate their implementation, in close collaboration with the MOL
3. Mobilize relevant tripartite Social Partners (Employers’ Associations, Trade Unions, State Organizations and Civil Society Organizations) to participate in the workshops and to achieve concrete outputs and recommendations on how to improve the services of MoL, ECOSOC, NEO and NSSF and how to foster the involvement of the Social partners in the Social Dialogue in Lebanon.
4. After each of the 10 workshops, prepare a short report about the proceedings and outputs of the workshop
5. Document all works providing evidence (as a short mission report) in soft and hard copies.

This list may not be exhaustive, and additional or other works (similar to the nature of this assignment) may be requested by the TL.

4.Deliverables and place of work

The usual place of work is the project office in Beirut within the premises of the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) in Downtown Beirut or the venue of the various workshops.

The deliverables of the SNKE are as follows:

1. Implementation concept / work plan for approval by the TL and MoL that clearly lays out in details all the works to be undertaken under this assignment in relation to the preparation and implementation of up to 10 regional workshops
2. Final concept for the series of 10 regional workshops (including formulation of expected results, methodology, programme contents, budget) for approval by the TL and MoL
3. Conceptual and technical arrangements for the conduct of the 10 regional workshops
4. Tripartite Social Partners (Employers’ Associations, Trade Unions, State Organizations and Civil Society Organizations) mobilized to participate in the workshops
5. A short summary report about the proceedings and outcomes for each of the 10 workshops
6. A short final report, covering all works (outputs) of the assignment, including key data and facts about the workshops and key results of discussions for submission to the Team Leader.

5.Time line and working days (up to 35 wd)

Works under this assignment shall be implemented in the period from April until October 2018.

In order to deliver all the services requested, in total up to 35 working days are foreseen.

6.Language

All reports have to be provided in English.

A selection of documents or outputs (if needed) will be translated from English to Arabic (or vice versa) by the Project.

7.Qualification and Experience of the Expert

Qualification and key competences:

• University Degree in Political Science,  Social Science, Communication, Public Administration, Law or other area relevant for Social Dialogue: Either a Master degree or a Bachelor degree with five (5) years of additional professional experience relevant for the assignment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Arabic. French will be an asset
• Demonstrated excellent writing and editing skills in English and Arabic;
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Application of the consulting approaches, including preparation and moderation of workshops in the frame of capacity development and socio-economic development.

Professional experience:

• Minimum of eight (8) years of professional experience (after 1st graduation) related to capacity building and social development in private and public sector settings
• Work experience in organizing, managing and conducting of at least ten (10) workshops / trainings / dialogue sessions or similar activities
• In-depth knowledge of the Lebanese socio-economic context and familiar with the national scene and underlying currents in Social Dialogue, verified by track record of previous assignments, including publications in an asset
• Work experience as consultant in ENPI countries in similar assignments is an asset