Expert on Development of a Competency-Based Public Policy Training Package for the Civil Service Board of Lebanon

Result of Service

The objective of this assignment is to develop a comprehensive, Arabic-language, competency-based public policy training manual and accompanying materials that cover the entire public policy cycle, from problem identification and agenda setting through policy design, planning and decision-making, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The manual shall directly map learning objectives and training modules to the public-policy competencies and the four proficiency levels set out in the CSB’s RIME framework. The complete package shall be suitable for independent and sustainable delivery by ENA and shall be provided in editable formats to allow the institution to adapt, update and reuse its contents.

Work Location

Beirut / Remote

Expected duration

4 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), through its Governance and Conflict Prevention Cluster, supports member States in strengthening public administration, governance and institutional capacities. Its work aims to promote effective, accountable and inclusive public institutions and improved public service delivery, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 and other objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. ESCWA has supported regional efforts to strengthen the competencies of public officials, including the initiative “Towards a Common Arab Regional Framework for the Job Competencies of Senior Public Officials in the Context of the 2030 Agenda and Public Policies” and its accompanying implementation guide. These efforts recognize that effective policy formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation depend on the knowledge and skills of public servants, particularly those exercising management and leadership responsibilities. Within this context, Lebanon’s Civil Service Board (CSB) has developed a Reference Framework for Job Descriptions and Competencies in the Public Sector (RIME). The framework defines reference job profiles and the required competencies across four categories: core, leadership, common technical and specialized technical competencies. ESCWA will provide technical assistance to develop an integrated, competency-based training package in public policy, covering the full policy cycle. The package will be aligned with the public-policy-related competencies and proficiency levels identified in the CSB reference framework. The National School of Administration (ENA) is expected to deliver the training independently following completion of ESCWA’s support. The training package will serve public officials at different career stages and according to their training needs, including: newly recruited public officials entering the civil service; officials eligible for promotion to Category II; participants in specialized training programmes according to job category and the nature of their functions; and senior public administration leaders and managers. ESCWA therefore seeks to engage an expert with expertise in public policy, competency-based instructional design and the Lebanese public administration to develop the training manual, associated materials and implementation tools. 2. Tasks - duties and responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Head of ESCWA’s Governance and Conflict Prevention Cluster and the Regional Adviser, in coordination with the President of the Civil Service Board, the expert will undertake the following tasks: 1. Reference review and inception - Review leading and recent academic and institutional references on the policy cycle, including policy formulation, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. - Review relevant ESCWA publications in the fields of public administration and public policies, particularly the regional initiative on senior public officials’ job competencies and its participatory methodology and implementation guide. - Analyze the CSB’s reference job descriptions and competency framework, emphasizing public policy competencies, proficiency levels and applicable functions. 2. Detailed instructional design Based on the review findings, the expert shall develop a detailed design for the training manual, including: - An integrated overall structure for the training curriculum and chapters of the manual. - A map aligning competencies with training modules. - Identification of training pathways for each proficiency level and each target group. - The general methodology and proposed training methods. - A matrix linking each target group to its required proficiency level and appropriate training modules (group × level × module). - The proposed scope of the manual: the number of training modules and the anticipated duration of each module and each level (in hours). The expert shall discuss this design with ESCWA and the Civil Service Board and shall not begin preparing the chapters until it has been approved. 3. Development of the manual and training materials For each training module, the manual shall include: - Learning outcomes defined for each proficiency level. - Training session plans (objectives, duration, activities and sequence). - A trainer’s guide (delivery instructions, suggested questions and pedagogical notes). - Training materials for participants (presentations, reference texts, exercises and worksheets). - Case studies drawn from Lebanese, regional and international practice. - Identification of the most appropriate training methods for each module. - Cross-cutting topics integrated into modules, as appropriate, including evidence-based policies, data and indicators; policies based on risk and vulnerability analysis; policy coherence (horizontal and vertical); stakeholder engagement and consultation; gender and inclusion; alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals; policymaking in crisis situations and under resource constraints; and the use of technology and artificial intelligence, among others. The manual shall cover all stages of the public policy cycle: problem identification and agenda-setting; policy design and formulation; planning and decision-making; implementation; and policy monitoring and evaluation. 4. Learning assessment and certification - Design a pre-training assessment instrument to determine each participant’s existing competency level and place the participant in the appropriate training level. - Design a post-training assessment instrument to verify the effective acquisition of the required competency level, rather than relying solely on attendance or participation. - Develop a certification framework and level-specific certificate templates, with certificates awarded on the basis of post-training assessment results. 5. Pilot training and training of trainers - Design and implement an initial pilot training exercise for each training level (four pilot exercises), jointly with trainers from the National School of Administration, and refine the package on the basis of the results to develop its final version. The Civil Service Board and the National School of Administration shall identify and mobilize the participants, whose number will be agreed when the design is approved. Pilot exercises shall be conducted in parallel with approved chapters, without waiting for completion of the entire manual, so that the development of subsequent chapters can benefit from their results. - Prepare and implement a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme enabling the Civil Service Board to establish a pool of trainers capable of effectively delivering each training module at the different proficiency levels.

Qualifications/special skills

A Masters degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or a related field is required. A PhD in Public Policy, Public Administration or a related field is desirable. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of ten years of proven practical experience in designing training programmes and preparing training manuals is required. In-depth familiarity with the public policy cycle (from problem identification to monitoring and evaluation) and its practice in the Lebanese public administration is required. Experience in Training of Trainers; previous experience with government institutions, the United Nations or international organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, Excellent command of Arabic in writing and editing, and proficiency in English and French is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Recruitment for this position is on a local basis. The incumbent is required to have the legal right to live and work in the specified working location.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.