Title: Local Economic Development Expert (m/f/d) – Lebanon Country Office
Starting date: November 2021
Duration: 4 months – end of February 2021
Location: Akkar and home-based
Position: DRI is conducting a series of Local Governance Assessments in specific service sectors and in several areas of intervention. The expert will conduct desk reviews and fieldwork research and assist DRI in developing a policy analysis of the challenges of local governance in Local Economic Development (LED) at the municipal level, substantiating concrete recommendations and strategic prospects for policy uptake in a context of crisis. The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise in all LED-related aspects of the project activities in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders involved in local governance and development issues. Specifically, we are seeking expertise in LED-related aspects of good governance strategy and action plan.
How to apply: Please share your CV – Cover Letter – publication record or relevant writing samples to e.haddad@democracy-reporting.org and info.lebanon@democracy-reporting.org by 12th November 2021.
Background
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies, and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.
In the framework of the MASAR programme for Local Governments, which is funded by the EU MADAD trust fund and co-implemented by VNG International (VNGI), the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM), and the Catalan Agency for Development Cooperation (ACCD), DRI is conducting a series of Local Governance Assessments specific to MASAR’s service sectors in several areas of intervention (AoI). Following fieldwork research, DRI will develop a policy analysis of the challenges of local governance in LED, substantiating concrete recommendations and strategic prospects for policy uptake in a context of crisis.
To this end, DRI is recruiting an expert, or more, to work on one of the project’s thematic areas: Local Economic Development (LED). The assignment will be conducted in the Dreib Union of Municipalities (3 Unions) in Akkar. The total level of effort for the assignment is up to 10 expert days.
Your responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Country Representative and in close coordination with the DRI Programme Manager and the Research and Field Coordinator, the expert will, in his/her respective field and area:
• Conduct a comprehensive documentation review of data collected by DRI and the MASAR consortium, incl. pilot project documents and reports and compare these with similar Lebanese practices and gather primary data when needed;
• Identify, map, and analyse the main stakeholders and key policy actors (donor agencies, central and local governments, businesses, civil society) and their role in fulfilling the recommendations in the LED sector;
• Draft a brief fieldwork plan outlining the steps to be undertaken, incl. key informant interviews, field/pilot project visits etc.;
• Draft the outline of a stock-taking policy brief, incl. a methodology section;
• Draft a high-readable 4,000-word policy brief assessing the capabilities and requirements of targeted local authorities to plan, deliver, operate, and maintain basic services, considering: (1) contextual factors; (2) structural factors (organisational and institutional setup of local governments); (3) sectoral implications (impact on municipal planning and service delivery); and (4) leverage points of intervention and policy recommendations for adaptive governance in times of crisis;
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder consultations and validation workshops (up to 5 based on data availability and validity in the AoI) organised by DRI and partners at the regional level.
Your Qualifications
• Advanced university degree in economics, management, public administration, business administration, public policy or related field;
• At least 8 years of cumulative experience in delivery of consultations/technical expertise in the areas of Local Economic Development and/or Public Private Partnerships and/or municipal planning and development and/or strategy planning process;
• At least 2 years of experience in providing advice on human and institutional capacity development to national and/or sub-national governments;
• Experience in designing municipal planning documents, LED strategies and action plans is an asset;
• Experience in working on local and regional governance/development and/or public administration reform;
• Demonstrated ability to interact regularly and professionally with government, local self-government, CSOs and private sector counterparts on LED and other strategic issues;
• Excellent writing skills, with an outstanding sense of methodology, thoroughness, and accuracy;
• Experience in community engagement and participatory processes;
• Experience working on local governance assessments;
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic.
How to apply:
If you are interested in this consultancy, please submit your application by sending in the subject line (“LB Consultancy – LED”). The application should consist of:
• A cover letter;
• Your CV;
• Your publication record or relevant writing samples.
Closing date for applications is 12th November 2021. The position may be filled before the deadline, so early applications are encouraged. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
DRI is committed to diversity and treats everybody equally, independent of gender identity, sex, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, ability, socio-economic status, political opinion (as long as respectful of democratic principles), or any other status protected by the laws in the locations where we operate.
Organisation responsible for this vacancy:
Democracy Reporting International gGmbH
Elbestr. 28/29
12045 Berlin, Germany
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