Deadline: 08-Sep-2025
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is seeking Community Engagement Partners (CEPs) in Lebanon to support the implementation of the Dirasa programme in the governorates of North and Akkar.
The initiative is designed to strengthen the links between schools, caregivers, and communities, ensuring that children, especially those out of school and those with disabilities, have equitable access to education and supportive services.
Selected partners will play a vital role in community engagement and outreach, working closely with caregivers and community leaders to raise awareness and ensure families of all nationalities understand the opportunities available through Dirasa. Efforts will include household visits, caregiver engagement, extracurricular activities, and psychosocial support. The programme aims to reach a total of 5,350 children in North Governorate, including 1,750 out-of-school children, and 7,875 children in Akkar, including 2,625 out-of-school children.
In addition to enrollment, CEPs will support child retention by following up with families and schools throughout the academic year. They will provide day-to-day school-level assistance, including assigning trained focal points to coordinate complementary services, distribute in-kind items, and organize extracurricular and life skills activities. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting the enrollment of children with disabilities, ensuring they receive appropriate assessments, rehabilitation, therapy, and assistive devices when required.
Capacity building will also be central to this initiative. Partners will deliver training for school staff on key issues such as child safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and data reporting using UNICEF’s systems. Furthermore, they will collaborate with school leadership to strengthen parent-teacher associations and support the hiring of qualified teachers for the Dirasa programme.
The initiative also establishes referral pathways to cross-sectoral services, ensuring children’s diverse needs are addressed. This includes referrals to health centers, specialized case management, therapy for children with disabilities, and gender-based violence support services. Children will also be linked to Makani centers and youth programs for additional development opportunities.
Finally, partners will help ensure that children completing the Dirasa programme can transition into appropriate pathways, such as public schools, vocational training, or community-based initiatives. By providing this holistic support, UNICEF and its partners aim to create sustainable access to education and services for thousands of vulnerable children in Lebanon, empowering them with the tools and opportunities to build brighter futures.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
