Legal Expert

POSITION INFORMATION* VA No.: UNDP/LBN/VA26/054 * Position Title: Legal Expert - supporting the Ministry of Industry in drafting ministerial decisions related to the updated decrees on the Industrial Sector. * Duty Station: Beirut, Republic of Lebanon (the Ministry of Industry premises). * Duration: 3 months (without exceeding 10 working days per month) * Contract Type: Consultancy * Vacancy Date of Issue: 26 March 2026 * Vacancy Closure Date: 02 April 2026 * National or International consultancy: National (LEBANESE NATIONALS ONLY)To review the full Terms of Reference (TOR), please follow link:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xhoiMxXh1C_ZW4RqoHOu03tNEWwrYggH/view?usp=sharingBACKGROUND-Led Enterprises in Lebanon isa new project funded by the Government of Canada for a period of 3.5 years. The project aims atsupporting gender-responsive job creation and help generating economic opportunities for women-ledmicro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various productive sectors with high growthpotential. Through this objective the project will be fostering the economic security, stability andprosperity of women entrepreneurs and women-led MSMEs in Lebanon.The project includes 3 main components:Component 1:processes that are more conducive to doing business,Component 2: Ensuring that women-led MSMEs have access to the financial resources to grow andremain sustainable,Component 3: Ensuring that women-led MSMEs receive the needed technical support to increase theiraccess to local and international markets.The project was developed in response to the multiple crises that have hit Lebanon, in particular thefinancial crisis which have hindered the ability of MSMEs in general and women-led MSMEs to access theneeded financing to grow. With the collapse of the banking system and the resulting depletion of allsources of financing, access to finance is considered as one of the biggest impediments for MSMEs andparticularly women MSMEs to develop and take their business to the next level. This has compounded tothe already existing barriers women entrepreneurs have been facing namely stringent collateralrequirements, high interest rates, complex documentation processes, sub-optimal financial literacy,absence of market information, etc.Specific activities were designed to address the barriers hindering women's economic empowermentincluding access to information, finance, and markets. The project has prioritized women-led/ownedbusinesses operating in Agro-food, Cosmetics and Cleaning, and Creative Industries which have stronggrowth and export potential, as well as the opportunity for greater women economic empowerment. Bytargeting these industries, the project aims to create opportunities for women to enter, thrive, and excelin both domestic and international markets.A key challenge identified in accessing the international market and the export process for SMEs inLebanon is the legal and administrative burden associated with obtaining essential export-relateddocuments, particularly the Industrial Certificate and Industrial Permit, both issued by the Ministry ofIndustry. Based on an assessment survey and benchmarking of export processes, UNDP has found thatthese legal requirements present significant bottlenecks that hinder SMEs especially women-ledenterprises from engaging in international trade.To address this challenge, UNDP is supporting the Ministry of Industry in the automation of the IndustrialCertificate and Industrial Permit issuance processes. This initiative aims to reduce administrative burdenson SMEs, improve efficiency, and facilitate a more streamlined export process. By digitizing these keyprocedures, the project will contribute to a more business-friendly environment, ultimately supportingSMEs in accessing international markets and expanding their trade opportunities.The automation of these processes will start with a business process re-engineering exercise which willrequire a full review of the steps, bodies and legal framework involved to issue the needed certifications.The mapping will entail revisions to clauses and decrees that would support in streamlining the licensing process.This Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines the scope of work, requirements, and expected outcomes for thelegal expert who will be responsible for drafting a package of ministerial decisions based on the amendeddecrees, to update, harmonize and simplify the procedures and document requirements for the mainindustrial licensing services, in line with MoI digital transformation.SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORKUNDP is seeking the services of a Short-Term Individual Consultant (Legal Expert) to - support theMinistry of Industry in drafting ministerial decisions related to the updated decrees on the IndustrialSector. Review, draft, and finalize ministerial decisions related to industrial licensing procedures anddocumentation, in line with digital transformation and the amendments to Decrees No. 7945/2002,8018/2002, and 5243/2001Under this consultancy, the Consultant is requested to complete the following tasks:* Review existing ministerial decisions regulating the procedures and document requirements for industrial licenses and certificates * Identify decisions that are outdated, or inconsistent with the amended decrees and the Ministry's updated mechanisms * Propose a list of decisions to be repealed, including clear legal and administrative rationale for each Draft the required new ministerial decisions in Arabic (legal drafting) to put the updated mechanisms into effect * Department, and relevant committees) to validate the drafts, and ensure they reflect operational realities, legal coherence, and consistency across all levels. * Submit the final set of decisions, ensuring that introduced changes are formally approved, duly endorsed, and demonstrably applicable in practice.EXPECTED DELIVERABLESThe Consultant is expected to complete the above tasks and activities, noting that the total durationshould not exceed 3 months (without exceeding 10 working days per month).INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTs- The work is expected to start upon contract signature.- The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UNDP WEE Project Manager in closecoordination with the Ministry of Industry team.- The consultant will rely on his/her own means of communication and transportation. Transportation andcommunication fees for the consultant should be included in his financialoffer.- The title rights, copyrights and all other rights whatsoever nature in any material producedunder the provisions of this TOR will be vested exclusively in UNDP. UNDP has full ownershipof the activity and of its final product. Thus, any public mention (including through socialmedia) about the activity should state clearly that ownership. In addition, any publicappearance related to the activity should be coordinated and approved by UNDP.- In the event of any delay, s/he will inform UNDP promptly so that decisions and remedialaction may be taken accordingly. Delays that would affect the flow of the collaborative workand the delivery of outputs on schedule will lead to termination of contract.- Should UNDP deem it necessary, it reserves the right to commission additional inputs,reviews, or revisions, as needed to ensure the quality and relevance of the work.DURATION OF WORKThe assigned duration for this consultancy is 3 months without exceeding 10 days per month.The mission is expected to commence on 15 April 2026, and to be completed by 15 July 2026.The time needed to review/ comment/ approve deliverables and outputs is (5) five working day.DUTY STATIONThe duty station is Beirut, Republic of Lebanon (the Ministry of Industry premises).STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation* Bachelor’s degree in law. * At least 8 years of experience in legislation drafting specially in relation to Lebanese Legislation.Language: Fluent in English and Arabic (both oral and written).“The Personnel will be covered with Health insurance and Personal accident insurance; the fees shall be deducted from personnel's monthly payment”.HOW TO APPLYHow to ApplyTo apply for this position please choose one of the two options below:1. Link to Apply:https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20260326124919/U9FmdsbhQROMC64JjEPyIX3la2. You can send your CV with the cover letter to this email: [email protected] AND CONDITIONS TO APPLY1. CV or P11 Form including 3 references must be submitted online in PDF along with your Education Graduation Certificate. 2. Use English language only. 3. indicate clear years of experience with each job (Month/Year) 4. If the candidate is currently employed by a government institution, he/she must be able to provide an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of the consultancy. 5. Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted. 6. By submitting your application, you have read the Terms of Reference for this position and agree that any false, wrong, or incomplete information might lead to your disqualification in this recruitment process.