Rapid Gender Analysis – All over Lebanon (with specific focus on South and areas with highest numbers of internally displaced population)

Overview

CARE established its presence in Lebanon in 2006 and has been responding to the Syrian Crisis since late 2012. Among CARE’s key imperatives is putting people it serves first through implementing cutting edge programming in areas it operates. CARE currently carries out activities in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Akkar, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and the Beqaa Valley. CARE implements both emergency and development projects contributing to livelihood, food security, protection, gender, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. It targets the most vulnerable people and populations, both host communities and refugees. Over the course of 8 years, it has supported over than half a million beneficiaries. In Lebanon, CARE’s program strategy for the upcoming years will focus on strengthening and expanding its emergency response and capacity to provide basic assistance services while pursuing development projects in areas of food security and livelihood support, gender, and protection. CARE intends to maintain its presence in all areas of Lebanon.

Project Context

As of 7 October, the region has witnessed a significant escalation in hostilities. Palestinian armed groups initiated an infiltration into Israel, resulting in casualties and a series of retaliatory rocket attacks. Subsequently, on 8 October, Israel declared war, conducting extensive airstrikes in Gaza, leading to a substantial number of Palestinian casualties. 

Additionally, since 8 October, ongoing clashes have been reported at the Lebanese Israeli border involving Hezbollah, Palestinian factions, and Israeli forces. This escalation of clashes at has led the displacement of about 19,646 people from South Lebanon mostly from the two Governorates of Nabatiyeh and South. About 1,000 individuals have sought refuge in three schools in Tyre District, and 2,006 individuals are accommodated informal settlements in 20 different cadasters within the district. The rest of the IDPs are accommodated in more than 115 cadasters across the country, either hosted by family members or relocated to other houses. [i] Prior to that, Lebanon has been going through a succession of compounded and intersecting crises, with a socio-political and economic situation rapidly deteriorating and dire consequences across Lebanese and non-Lebanese communities. Even prior to the crises, systemic gender-based inequalities significantly impacted the lives and experiences of women, and particularly those from marginalized groups. As patriarchal social norms and practices are sustained and exacerbated during emergencies, women and girls’ lives have been disproportionately affected, and their needs are often deprioritized or overlooked in humanitarian responses. Finally, the ongoing and previous crises have aggravated existing protection risks faced by already marginalized communities; exploitation and GBV remain a critical protection concern for women and girls with disabilities, migrant workers, LGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups a risk which is further exacerbated in light of deteriorating economic conditions and access to services.

Purpose of consultancy

CARE International in Lebanon is looking to hire an individual consultant, team of consultants or firm, to conduct a Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) in different areas of Lebanon including South, with a particular focus on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and related social norms and practices. An intersectional lens will be applied to the analysis, and focus will be put on capturing the lived experiences, needs and priorities of the most marginalized groups, particularly women and girls with disabilities, migrant domestic workers, LGBTQI+ and women and girls from vulnerable Lebanese and refugee communities.

The main objective of this consultancy is to conduct a Rapid Gender Analysis for the current situation following the high number of the internally displaced population following CARE’s RGA methodology and approach and develop one RGA report. The RGA will provide a deeper understanding of gendered roles, social norms and practices, capacities and vulnerabilities, and power relations amongst targeted affected communities.

The scope of the analysis is expected to add a primary focus on GBV, by exploring and highlighting gendered social norms and practices that contribute to increasing GBV risks, as well as women’s priorities and recommendations for community-based prevention and risk mitigation. Key areas of analysis should include:

Power dynamics

Gendered social norms and practices including gendered roles and division of labor

Access and control over resources

Decision-making, leadership, and participation

Distinct protection concerns, including but not limited to GBV

The RGA will inform the design of gender and protection interventions as well as design and implementation of GBV prevention and response activities. It should therefore highlight women’s and girl’s aspirations and distinct priorities as well as recommendations for Gender and Protection interventions.

Methodology

Building on CARE’s existing RGA framework, tools, and expertise, the RGA will rely on a qualitative methodology using participatory approaches and tools, such as activity clocks and community and resource maps. The methodology should include a review of existing literature on gendered power dynamics and relationships, social norms and practices and GBV. The consultants are expected to propose a detailed methodology, with sample size and data collection plan. A minimum of 9 FGDs and/or participatory data collection exercises should be conducted per area, capturing women’s diverse lived experiences and needs. Additionally, a maximum of 3 data collection exercises per area, one for each targeted affected community, should be conducted in mixed groups, to capture men’s reflections and behaviors and to observe gendered dynamics and relationships, building on the recognition that the majority of mainstream data and assessments already capture the experiences and needs of men across communities and often fail to include those of women, particularly the most marginalized. Finally, a minimum of 4 Key Informant Interviews per area will be conducted with organizations delivering gender programming and/or conducting gender-focused research and assessments, including, but not limited to, GBV actors. 

An intersectional lens will be applied to the analysis, and focus will be put on capturing the lived experiences, needs and priorities of women from the most marginalized groups, particularly women and girls with disabilities, migrant domestic workers, LGBTQI+ and women and girls from vulnerable Lebanese and refugee communities. The RGA should also capture distinct experiences of women from different age groups, including young women (16-25) and older women (60+).

The methodology will be validated and revised during the inception of the assignment, in close collaboration with CARE’s Gender and Protection Coordinator and UN Women’s Gender and Humanitarian Specialist. CARE, UN Women and partners can support in identifying participants, though consultants are encouraged to submit their own outreach and sampling strategy.

Deliverables & Timeline

Deliverable

Responsible

Number of Days

Timeline

Application deadline

Consultant

N/A

November 3rd 2023

Inception meeting

Consultant

0.5

November 10th 2023

Desk Review

Consultant

5

November 13th   – 17th  2023

Adjust methodology and design tools

Consultant

2

November 20 – 21 ,  2022

Review and feedback on methodology and tools

CARE/ UN Women

3

November 24th 2023

Finalize methodology and tools

Consultant

1

November 27th 2023

Conduct data collection (around 12 groups and 4 KIIs per area)

Consultant supported by CARE

9

November 28th 2023

Data analysis

Consultant

3

December 11 2023

Presentation and discussion of preliminary findings for each area

Consultant

0.5

December 14th 2023

Reports writing

Consultant

5

    December 15th 2023

Review and feedback on reports

CARE/UN Women

5

    December 18th 2023

Final reports submission

Consultant

2

December 29th  2023

Consultant Profile

• At least 5 years of relevant experience, especially with NGOs and/or academic organizations, focused on gender in Lebanon.
• Master’s degree in Gender Studies, Political Science, Development Studies, or any related discipline.

Demonstrated solid understanding of gender issues in Lebanon and as they relate to the current context

Competencies

• Experience in designing, implementing, or evaluating gender programming in Lebanon.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in conducting gender analyses or research around gender, women’s rights, GBV or related subjects.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in conducting qualitative research around gender issues in Lebanon.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in designing and implementing participatory data collection exercises.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

PSEA and Child Safeguarding

CARE International in Lebanon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. CARE International in Lebanon and its employees and stakeholders abide by the CARE International Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding Policies.

[i] https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-lebanon-mobility-overview-round-6-23-oc…