COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT CONSULTANCY

About the Strong Cities Network (SCN)

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.

Project context

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. 

Scope of work

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.

Timing

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.

Deliverables

1. An updated technical proposal including the methodology, assessment criteria, sampling techniques and tools to be used to conduct the study

30^th March

1. List of questions for the structured interviews and focus group discussions

10^th April

1. Landscape report

30^th April

1. Completion of field assessments

1^st May

1. Submission of report

15^th May

Consultant specification

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:

Essential

• Extensive experience in social studies and in conducting community needs assessments.
• Experience in P/CVE, peacebuilding, stabilisation and security programmes (or related fields) is a plus.
• Highly organised with the ability to be flexible, multi-task and respond proactively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• Substantive knowledge in the Lebanese political and developmental scene
• Previous experience working with national government, civil society and/ or international organisations in the Middle East.
• Excellent technical skills in measurement and evaluations, including grasp of methodological and operational dimensions and the ability to link country level issues with program frameworks.
• Relevant academic and professional experience
• An understanding of and commitment to the core mission of ISD and the SCN.
• Intercultural and interpersonal awareness.

Desirable

• Data visualisation expertise.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and SPSS.
• Familiarity with P/CVE programmes in Lebanon and Jordan.