Baseline Evaluation

Terms of Reference

Baseline Study Consultant for the Bekaa Water Management Project (BWMP)

1. Introduction

Peace Labs seeks a consultant to conduct a Baseline Study for Phase 3 of the Bekaa Water Management Project (BWMP). This project is a critical component of SDC's response to the impact of cumulative crisis on Lebanon, aiming to provide safe, affordable, and equitable access to well-managed drinking water and sanitation services while reducing water-related conflicts.

The baseline study will provide data on the BWMP’s geographic and thematic intervention areas, as a contribution to the assessment of the project’s achievements during Phases 1 and 2, and as the basis for future monitoring and evaluation during Phase 3. The baseline study will be comprehensive of a range of data sources and will allow for monitoring and evaluation of both the technical objectives of the BWMP and its adherence to best practices in Conflict Sensitive Program Management (CSPM). The consultant will be responsible for elaborating the baseline’s methodology, collecting baseline data, and preparing analytical reports of the findings.

2. Project Overview

The BWMP is a project funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and partially implemented by Peace Labs. The project aims to address the severe water challenges in the Bekaa Valley and Baalbek Hermel, Lebanon, caused by structural weaknesses in integrated water system management, the ongoing socioeconomic crisis, and the refugee portfolio and the war over Lebanon. The crisis has severely impacted the water sector, leading to intermittent water supply, dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants, and reduced access to clean water for nearly 2.8 million people in the region.

The BWMP focuses on two key domains of intervention: 1) Improved Organizational Management; and 2) Improved Infrastructure and Resource Management. Under the first domain, the project aims to strengthen the strategic management processes, operational efficiency, and external stakeholder relations of the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE). It also seeks to enhance revenue generation through a transparent and accountable fee collection system.

The second domain focuses on enhancing the technical efficiency of water infrastructure and resource protection, including wastewater treatment and environmental awareness. The BWMP strives to increase BWE's capacity to reduce water losses and save energy, improve wastewater treatment operations, and promote environmental awareness in targeted communities. Additionally, the project aims to establish processes for coping with water-borne disease outbreaks.

To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the BWMP, the project adopts a CSPM approach. This strategy aims to enhance cooperation and reduce potential conflicts by strengthening relationships among different stakeholders in the water sector. The partnership with the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies and Peace Labs plays a crucial role in promoting conflict sensitivity in water management.

3. Objectives

The objectives of the baseline study are to:

1. Assess the current conditions of the water sector in specific areas in Beqaa governorate and Baalbek/Hermel Governorate

This assessment should include the functioning of the Bekaa Water Establishment (BWE) and other stakeholders essential for water resource management, existing infrastructure, water resources, and financing. Exploration of the functioning of BWE and others should look at policies, strategies, human resources, and conflict sensitivity procedures. This assessment will shed light on the sector's condition at the project's mid-point and will provide insights into existing challenges and strengths in the water sector.

2. Identify key social, economic, political, and organizational factors that may impact project outcomes

This analysis will help explain the contextual elements that play a role in the project's progress. This includes understanding the needs and priorities of target communities, the influence of local governance structures, economic constraints, and potential conflict drivers in the water sector.

3. Assess the BWMP’s impact to date and establish an M&E framework for Phase 3

The baseline study will bridge the gap in the data collection process and enhance the project's evaluative framework. The study's insights will not only contribute to assessing the BWMP's performance but will also inform the subsequent phase's monitoring and evaluation. The data collected during the baseline study will provide a solid foundation for evidence-based decision-making, project planning, and evaluation throughout the project's implementation and beyond. To this end, it will provide a detailed M&E Framework, including indicators, measures, and sources.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Inception report

Prepare an inception report outlining the methodology and work plan for the baseline study. The methodology is expected to cover:

• A comprehensive review of existing literature, project documents, and relevant reports to gather background information and context for the baseline study. This includes a review of the ongoing water crisis, the status of the water sector, and previous interventions in addition to the conflict analysis report for the Bekaa.
• A clear and robust methodology for data collection, including the selection of appropriate sampling methods and data collection tools. The BWMP expects that sampling methods will include surveys, interviews, and group discussions with targeted communities, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
• Both geographic target areas and thematic objectives. For the geographic areas, the data should be collected from both the intervention group (target population) and the comparison group (if applicable) to assess the project's impacts.
• The steps for data analysis and reporting, including a draft M&E framework and report outline.

2. Data collection

Conduct the literature review and collect primary data. This comprehensive data collection endeavor aims to establish the present condition of essential indicators pertaining to water access, sanitation, conflict sensitivity, and other relevant program results. These insights will be influential in measuring the progress and influence of the project over the course of its implementation.

3. Compile the collected data into qualitative and quantitative baselines

Analyze and review the collected data to ensure its accuracy and relevance for the baseline study. The consultant should apply appropriate statistical methods and data analysis techniques.

4. Analysis of data

The consultant should use the data provided to provide:

• An assessment of technical achievements in Phases 1 and 2
• An assessment of the effectiveness of the conflict sensitivity strategy employed in the BWMP and its impact on reducing water-related conflicts.
• A detailed monitoring and evaluation framework for Phase 3, based on collated data.

5. Report writing

The consultant will prepare three comprehensive reports in line with the above analyses, including findings and recommendations. The report should present a clear picture of the water sector's baseline conditions and potential areas for improvement.

6. Presentation and finalization

Present the draft document for feedback and incorporate the comments into the final baseline report. The consultant should hold a learning workshop to present the study's results to Peace Labs office in Zahle and to the BWE.

5. Methodology

The consultant shall employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The methodology should align with the project's objectives and focus areas. It should also consider the context of Lebanon and the specific challenges faced in the Bekaa Valley related to water management.

The qualitative component may involve in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the Bekaa Water Establishment, local authorities, community members, and beneficiaries. The quantitative component may include household surveys and data analysis of existing administrative data and secondary sources related to the water sector.

The consultant should also consider a comparative analysis of data between the intervention group (beneficiaries of the BWMP) and the comparison group (if applicable) to assess the project's impacts.

It would also be beneficial to calculate the SROI (Social Return on Investment). SROI analysis is a process of understanding, measuring, and reporting on the social, environmental, and economic value that is being created by an organization.

6. Deliverables

The consultant shall deliver the following outputs:

Deliverable

Date

1. Draft Inception Report, detailing the study's methodology, data collection tools, and work plan.

April 1 2025

2. Final Incept Report, on review by BWMP, including finalized data collection tools

April 15,2025

3. Initial data sets, qualitative and quantitative

April 25, 2025

4. Draft analysis reports

May 10, 2025

5. Presentation of findings, in a half-day learning workshop

May 20, 2025

6. Final reports, incorporating feedback

May 30, 2025

7. Support and Resources

All key project documents and information will be made available to the consultant by Peace Labs.

The consultant is responsible for their transportation and should have access to their computer and data analysis tools.

8. Required Skills and Experience

The consultant/firm should possess the following skills and experience:

• University degree in social sciences or relevant fields.
• Minimum of five years of experience conducting baseline studies, external evaluations, and research in Lebanon, with a focus on water management or related sectors.
• Familiarity with standards of ethical conduct in research/evaluation settings.
• Expertise in research/studies related to the water sector, conflict sensitivity, protection, livelihoods, and/or social stability.
• Proven experience in conducting baseline studies, evaluations, and impact assessments.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques, including data analysis software.
• Ability to conduct learning sessions and/or trainings.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent research and data collection skills, including the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with the flexibility to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Prior experience working on public consultation projects is a plus.

9. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

• Detailed CV highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
• A cover letter 
• Proposal for the baseline study methodology, including a draft work plan outlining the steps for conducting the baseline study.
• Two examples of previous relevant work or writing samples demonstrating the candidate's research and conducting baselines/end-lines experience.
• 2 or 3 recommendation letters from INGOs 
• Proposed daily rate and team composition (if applicable).

The consultant will be selected based on the submitted documents and may be invited for an interview if necessary.

Interested consultants are kindly requested to share the requested documents to the following email: projects.manager@peace-labs.org indicating in the subject line [Baseline Evaluation].