UN Women: Strategy, Budget Oversight and Executive Learning Consultant, Beirut, Lebanon - National Consultant - Home-Based

About the Role

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security. UN Women’s mandate includes supporting inclusive governance for Member States.

The National Governance Program for Public Boards and Leadership (NGP) is a flagship initiative established by the Government of Lebanon through the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform (OMSAR). The programme aims to strengthen the leadership, oversight, and governance capacities of board members and senior public officials, promoting sound governance practices, ethical leadership, and evidence-informed decision-making across Lebanon's public sector.

This consultancy focuses on Module 3: Strategy and Budget Oversight, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of public board members and senior public leaders to provide strategic direction, oversee institutional planning, monitor organizational performance, and exercise effective oversight of institutional budgets and financial resources.

Responsibilities

• Draft an Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology, workplan, and suggested outcomes for the Learning Module. The report must demonstrate a clear understanding of:
  • OMSAR’s Module architecture, learning objectives, and expected competencies for Module 3 of the NGP;
  • Relevant Lebanese constitutional, legal, and institutional frameworks governing public administration and board governance;
  • Applicable governance legislation, administrative regulations, and institutional policies;
  • Internationally recognized public governance standards, including OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises, OECD Public Governance Principles, IFC Corporate Governance Methodology, and UN governance frameworks (including SDGs).
• Develop the Learning Module Package, including:
  • A Learning Guide outlining module rationale, competency framework, learning outcomes, methodology, facilitation approach, and assessment strategy;
  • A Participant Handbook/Workbook containing technical content, practical guidance, governance tools, reflection questions, templates, and recommended readings;
  • A Facilitator Guide with detailed session plans, facilitation notes, discussion questions, learning activities, and debriefing guidance;
  • Executive-level presentation materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides) with speaker notes and visual aids;
  • Lebanese governance case studies, practical scenarios, and simulations relevant to board roles and responsibilities;
  • Interactive learning activities, including governance diagnostics, role plays, decision-making simulations, and peer learning exercises;
  • A Governance Toolkit with decision-making frameworks, templates, checklists, and self-assessment instruments;
  • Additional learning resources, such as recommended readings and digital materials.
  Ensure quality assurance and consistency across all materials, including:
  • Consistent terminology and visual identity;
  • Alignment with Lebanese legislation and international governance standards;
  • Coherence with the overall NGP architecture;
  • Appropriate complexity for junior and senior executive-level participants.
• Deliver the Module in accordance with the approved package and methodology, ensuring:
  • High-quality, interactive, and participant-centered discussions;
  • Tailored delivery to the profile and experience of participants;
  • Consistency with the programme’s learning objectives;
  • Practical application of governance principles within the Lebanese public sector.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in Public Administration, Governance, Public Policy, Law, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field;
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in governance, public administration, public sector reform, or institutional capacity-building, with a focus on board governance, strategic oversight, or public financial management;
• Proven experience in designing and delivering executive-level learning programmes, including training for senior public officials, board members, or governance practitioners;
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic oversight, institutional planning, performance monitoring, and budget oversight within public institutions;
• Strong knowledge of Lebanese public administration frameworks, governance legislation, and institutional policies;
• Familiarity with international governance standards, including OECD Guidelines, UN frameworks, and best practices in public sector governance;
• Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, or development partners on governance reform initiatives;
• Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior-level participants;
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).

Guiding Principles

The Learning Module must integrate the following principles:

• Inclusive Governance: Promote participation, transparency, and accountability in public institutions;
• Gender Equality and Disability Inclusion: Ensure gender-responsive and disability-inclusive approaches in governance practices;
• Ethical Leadership: Emphasize integrity, transparency, and citizen-centered decision-making;
• Practical Application: Focus on experiential learning, case studies, and simulations tailored to the Lebanese context;
• Alignment with International Standards: Incorporate OECD, UN, and other globally recognized governance frameworks.

Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the Governance and Participation in Public Life (GPPL) Programme Manager at UN Women and OMSAR’s focal point. The GPPL Programme Associate will provide support on contract and payment issues.

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UN Women Representative and in close coordination with OMSAR and relevant national stakeholders.