Official Job Title:

Assessing social workers affiliated to MOSA’s Social Development Centers

Duty Station

Lebanon, UNFPA Office

Hiring Office

UNFPA Lebanon

Grade (Classified)

NOC

Vacancy Ref #

UNFPA/LBN/2023/012

Duration

30 days

Start-up Date

October 2nd

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Purpose of consultancy:

The partnership between UNFPA Lebanon and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) was established since 1993. Under this partnership, UNFPA has supported several key results aiming at advocating for policy change as well as enhancing national capacities in data collection and analysis, and generation of evidence that would contribute to promoting and advancing SDG 2030 Agenda, Global and national Nairobi commitments, national priorities at various levels such as “ageing” and “persons with disabilities” at the national level making sure to contribute to national priorities and the related SDG goals by leaving no one behind.

One of the key MOSA entities that UNFPA has been supporting are the Social Development Centers (SDCs) whose role is very vital.    

In 2023, UNFPA Lebanon CO in collaboration with MoSA is seeking to undertake an assessment of the Social Workers (SW) working in MoSA Social development centers (SDC) to have better understanding of the SWs’ knowledge, perceptions and capacities as well as gaps on various social issues/categories namely Gender Based Violence (GBV) case management, gender issues, Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH), protection, disability, older persons, community support, adolescents and youth, etc.

Specifically, the objective of this consultancy is to carry out an assessment of MoSA’s 3 categories of SWs (i.e. SWs in regional units (دوائر اقليمية  ) , SWs in SDCs and SW based in the ministry ) on the following : a) their management skills in programme/project design, implementation, monitoring, reporting, budgeting, automation, technology, referral, b) the tools they use for monitoring various interventions and for measuring impact, c) their approach in addressing community needs with engagement of community members/beneficiaries, community leaders and structures (i.e. municipalities, religious leaders), (d) their coordination skills with various entities, (e)  their ability to shift to emerging priorities in view of sudden conflicts/crisis, and (f) their approach for scaling up and sustaining interventions at community level.  The estimated number of MOSA’s SWs in the 3 categories is around 66 and it is suggested that the assessment captures all of them through qualitative and quantitative means.

This SWs’ assessment will ultimately ensure enhanced access to timely, quality, and efficient social and health services in the SDCs. The assessment will also propose generic as well as specialized profiles/job description for the 3 categories of the SW.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

To carry out this consultancy and in close collaboration with the UNFPA /MOSA focal points, an individual consultant will be contracted to carry out the following tasks:

1. Conduct an inception meeting with UNFPA and MoSA  
2. Prepare an action plan based on the deliverables and milestones of the activities to be undertaken under this assignment.
3. Develop the assessment tools. 
4. Carry out related literature review and relevant documentation.

5. Conduct a thorough online assessment of the SDCs SWs capacities as described under the purpose of consultancy.
6. Carry out a series of consultations  (7-8 KIIs and 3-4 FGDs) namely with a) selected SDCs’ management/director taking into account the number of social workers/ Social staff to be targeted in this consultancy (MoSA to decide), b) (c) MoSA focal points at the central level and (d) UNFPA team e) UN agencies who have a strong support to SDCs (UNICEF, UNHCR etc..) f) Donors (EU, WB, Italy, etc) g) Social workers Syndicate.
7. Analyze the collected data and come up with a set of needs, gaps, challenges, opportunities, facilitating factors and recommendations.
8. Facilitate a meeting to discuss/validate findings and recommendations with the selected SDCs, MoSA and UNFPA
9. Submit a final report with UNFPA based on the comments/ feedback + ppt summarizing key findings and recommendations.

Duration working schedule:

30 Working days

Place where services are to be delivered:

Lebanon - onsite

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Delivery Date: 10 November

All deliverables will be submitted electronically

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will work under the guidance of the Head of Office and in close collaboration with the SRH programme coordinator  

Expected travel:

N/A

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The Consultant should fulfill the following requirements:

A. Education: Master’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, and/ or Public Health background

B. Experience:

• At least 7 years’ experience in social sciences, development, or related subject areas.
• A strong understanding of SRHR, gender issues, and GBV programming is essential.
• A good understanding and expertise in social, protection and health issues including in Lebanon
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in conducting assessments and data analysis, and in providing overall leadership and advocacy on developmental issues
• Good ability to understand and interpret the Lebanese public institutions.
• Experience with UN agencies is desirable
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective and working relations with different stakeholders.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to work efficiently and adhere to deadlines.

C. Language and other skills: Proficiency in oral and written English and Arabic is essential.

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Arabic and English.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA/ MoSA will support the consultant through:

• Sharing details regarding the list of selected SDCs
• Sharing contact details regarding the list of social workers to be assessed and the MoSA staff to be interviewed.
• Sharing relevant documents/reports
• Facilitating contact with the SDCs and Social workers
• Reviewing the consultancy tools and draft report

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

N/A

Signature of Requesting Officer in Hiring Office:

Date:

Application process and deadline:

Interested candidates may apply online by providing: 

• Most updated CV
• Updated P11 (click here)
• Cover letter mentioning the relevance of past/current experience with the requirements of the consultancy
• Mention in the email subject the post title and Ref number

The above documents must be sent to bids_lbn@unfpa.org  by no later than 21 September. Candidates who fail to submit the required documents above will not be considered for review. UNFPA Lebanon will only be responsible to respond to those applicants submitting the required documents above and in which there is further interest. ONLY individual consultants, not companies, are eligible to apply.

Candidates assessed by the panel and considered to be eligible for the appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same/lower grade if they meet the minimum qualifications required.