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=sharing

BACKGROUND

-Led Enterprises in Lebanon is
a new project funded by the Government of Canada for a period of 3.5 years. The project aims at
supporting gender-responsive job creation and help generating economic opportunities for women-led
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across various productive sectors with high growth
potential. Through this objective the project will be fostering the economic security, stability and
prosperity 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 and
remain sustainable,
Component 3: Ensuring that women-led MSMEs receive the needed technical support to increase their
access to local and international markets.

The project was developed in response to the multiple crises that have hit Lebanon, in particular the
financial crisis which have hindered the ability of MSMEs in general and women-led MSMEs to access the
needed financing to grow. With the collapse of the banking system and the resulting depletion of all
sources of financing, access to finance is considered as one of the biggest impediments for MSMEs and
particularly women MSMEs to develop and take their business to the next level. This has compounded to
the already existing barriers women entrepreneurs have been facing namely stringent collateral
requirements, 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 empowerment
including access to information, finance, and markets. The project has prioritized women-led/owned
businesses operating in Agro-food, Cosmetics and Cleaning, and Creative Industries which have strong
growth and export potential, as well as the opportunity for greater women economic empowerment. By
targeting these industries, the project aims to create opportunities for women to enter, thrive, and excel
in both domestic and international markets.

A key challenge identified in accessing the international market and the export process for SMEs in
Lebanon is the legal and administrative burden associated with obtaining essential export-related
documents, particularly the Industrial Certificate and Industrial Permit, both issued by the Ministry of

Industry. Based on an assessment survey and benchmarking of export processes, UNDP has found that
these legal requirements present significant bottlenecks that hinder SMEs especially women-led
enterprises from engaging in international trade.

To address this challenge, UNDP is supporting the Ministry of Industry in the automation of the Industrial
Certificate and Industrial Permit issuance processes. This initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens
on SMEs, improve efficiency, and facilitate a more streamlined export process. By digitizing these key
procedures, the project will contribute to a more business-friendly environment, ultimately supporting
SMEs in accessing international markets and expanding their trade opportunities.

The automation of these processes will start with a business process re-engineering exercise which will
require 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 the
legal expert who will be responsible for drafting a package of ministerial decisions based on the amended
decrees, to update, harmonize and simplify the procedures and document requirements for the main
industrial licensing services, in line with MoI digital transformation.

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

UNDP is seeking the services of a Short-Term Individual Consultant (Legal Expert) to - support the
Ministry of Industry in drafting ministerial decisions related to the updated decrees on the Industrial
Sector. Review, draft, and finalize ministerial decisions related to industrial licensing procedures and
documentation, in line with digital transformation and the amendments to Decrees No. 7945/2002,
8018/2002, and 5243/2001

Under 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 DELIVERABLES
The Consultant is expected to complete the above tasks and activities, noting that the total duration
should 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 close
coordination with the Ministry of Industry team.
- The consultant will rely on his/her own means of communication and transportation. Transportation and
communication fees for the consultant should be included in his financial
offer.
- The title rights, copyrights and all other rights whatsoever nature in any material produced
under the provisions of this TOR will be vested exclusively in UNDP. UNDP has full ownership
of the activity and of its final product. Thus, any public mention (including through social
media) about the activity should state clearly that ownership. In addition, any public
appearance 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 remedial
action may be taken accordingly. Delays that would affect the flow of the collaborative work
and 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 WORK
The 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 STATION
The duty station is Beirut, Republic of Lebanon (the Ministry of Industry premises).

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• 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”.