Launched at the United Nations in September 2015, the Strong Cities Network (SCN) is the first ever global network of mayors, municipal-level policy makers and practitioners united in building social cohesion and community resilience to counter violent extremism in all its forms.
Composed of more than 135 cities, the SCN builds collaboration between mayors, political actors and frontline teams to tackle polarisation, hate and violence in local communities in every major global region. The network catalyses, inspires and multiplies community-centric approaches and action to prevent and counter violent extremism (P/CVE) through peer learning and expert training. It operates with a set of fundamental principles, agreed by all members, that protect and promote human rights and civil liberties in all aspects of its work to prevent violent extremism.
Since 2016, SCN has supported three ‘Local Prevention Networks’ of key community actors in Lebanon in the areas of Saida, Tripoli and Majdal Anjar to design and implement strategies and action plans that contribute to preventing violent extremism in their communities. Municipal-led Prevention Networks help secure community cooperation with municipalities and buy-in through the inclusion of key community stakeholders. Each municipality-led Prevention Network consists of a dozen local stakeholders, amounting to over 45 local practitioners. These include teachers, youth workers, religious leaders, youth representatives, community police, NGO representatives and psycho-social intervention providers.
The SCN seeks a consultant to conduct an assessment of the economic and political landscape in Lebanon during the current climate of uncertainty and unrest. The assessment will feed into shaping the SCN’s strategy, programming and risk management approach with Local Prevention Networks in Saida, Majdal Anjar and Tripoli.
Furthermore, the consultant is required to assess the perceptions of selected local municipalities towards working on preventing violent extremism in their communities. The assessment will evaluate the impact of the current economic and political crisis on the service delivery of municipalities, their perceptions towards the national government, initiatives conducted, citizens’ reactions and responsiveness towards their municipalities and their perceptions in relation to the validity of working on the prevention of violent extremism in the current context.
The consultant is expected to map the current landscape, assess the political, economic and security landscapes, and interview related stakeholders to advise on the opportunities and risks of the implementation of the SCN programme. Furthermore, to assess community perceptions, the consultant will work with a representative sample of municipalities, selected by the SCN, and conduct structured interviews with mayors and municipal members in addition to focus group discussions with local civil society organizations and activists. It is estimated that the number of sample municipalities will be around 12-15, distributed over the Lebanese governorates with an average of six structured interviews/focus group discussions in each municipality.
The consultant will support the design and delivery of the research methodology and assessment criteria in addition to the structured interviews, and will work closely alongside the SCN Programme Manager to perform the tasks required and produce the report.
It is anticipated that the consultant will be able to produce all of the deliverables outlined below within no more than 30 days’ work over the period April to end of May 2020.
30th March
10th April
30th April
1st May
15th May
We seek an experienced, proactive and dedicated consultant to work with the SCN team to ensure timely and quality provision of outcomes. The successful candidate will be collaborative with the ability to work to tight deadlines and produce outputs to a high quality. We welcome applications from consultants who meet the following criteria:
To apply, please submit: