Consultant for Technical Support in Preparing Comprehensive Gender Responsive Advocacy and Programming

1. Background

RDFL, in partnership with ActionAid Arab Region and with the support of ActionAid International, is implementing a programme in Baalbeck and Jeb Jennine aimed at advancing gender equality, youth leadership, women’s participation, protection, and social justice through community-based and feminist approaches.

Lebanon continues to face a prolonged multidimensional crisis marked by economic collapse, political instability, weakened public services, and increasing social vulnerabilities. These challenges have been significantly exacerbated by the escalation of conflict in 2024 and the renewed deterioration of the security situation in 2026 with the Lebanon -Israeli war, resulting in repeated displacement, destruction of infrastructure, disruption of services, and heightened protection risks, particularly for women, girls, and youth.

The combined impact of economic hardship and ongoing insecurity has reinforced harmful gender and social norms, including restrictions on women’s mobility and participation, increased exposure to gender-based violence (GBV), unequal access to opportunities and services, and limited representation of women and youth in leadership and decision-making spaces. At the same time, stigma, fear, and weak support systems continue to prevent many survivors from seeking protection and assistance.

 

Over the past several years, RDFL and ActionAid have implemented initiatives focused on transformative change, gender justice, women’s leadership, and youth engagement within targeted communities. While these interventions contributed to strengthening awareness, participation, and community mobilization, the evolving context in Lebanon — particularly the economic crisis and repeated conflict escalation — has created new challenges and may have influenced existing gender dynamics and social norms.

In this context, RDFL seeks to conduct a participatory Gender and Social Norms Analysis in Baalbeck and Jeb Jennine to better understand how gender norms, power relations, and social expectations have evolved, and to assess the extent to which previous interventions have contributed to transformative change at individual, household, and community levels.

The analysis will explore barriers and opportunities related to protection, leadership, participation, decision-making, and social justice, using feminist and participatory approaches that ensure meaningful engagement of women, girls, and youth throughout the process.

Accordingly, RDFL is seeking a qualified consultant to lead and facilitate Gender and Social Norms Analysis, ensuring methodological rigor, conflict-sensitive and ethical approaches, and practical use of findings to strengthen future programming, advocacy, and community engagement efforts.

 

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a participatory Gender and Social Norms Analysis in Baalbek and Jeb Jennine to understand better how ongoing economic, social, and conflict-related crises in Lebanon are affecting gender relations, social norms, protection risks, and community dynamics.

The analysis aims to assess changes in attitudes, behaviors, and power relations within the targeted communities, including the contribution of previous interventions implemented by RDFL and ActionAid toward transformative social change. Findings will inform evidence-based programming, advocacy, and gender-transformative interventions that promote inclusion, protection, leadership, and community resilience.

3. Specific Objectives

The consultancy aims to:

• Analyze prevailing gender and social norms, power relations, and intersectional inequalities affecting women, girls, men, boys, and youth within the targeted communities.
• Examine how the economic crisis, conflict escalation, displacement, and insecurity are influencing protection risks, coping mechanisms, access to services, and participation in community life.
• Assess barriers and enabling factors related to women’s and youth participation in leadership, governance, advocacy, and decision-making processes.
• Explore perceptions of masculinities and identify opportunities for engaging men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality and positive social change.
• Strengthen the engagement and capacity of youth, particularly young women, in participatory and feminist research approaches throughout the analysis process.
• Assess perceived changes in gender attitudes, behaviors, and social norms resulting from previous community interventions and initiatives.
• Generate practical and evidence-based recommendations to inform future programming, advocacy priorities, and community-based gender-transformative approaches.         

4. Analytical Framework

The consultant is expected to apply a feminist, intersectional, and conflict-sensitive analytical framework to examine how gender and social norms are shaped, reinforced, and transformed within the targeted communities. The analysis should go beyond documenting inequalities to explore underlying power relations, agency, and opportunities for sustainable social change.

The approach should be participatory, inclusive, and grounded in feminist research principles, ensuring meaningful engagement of women, girls, youth, and marginalized groups throughout the process.

4.1. Feminist Power Analysis

The analysis should examine how power operates at household, community, and institutional levels, and how it influences gender relations, participation, protection risks, and access to resources and services.

Key areas include:

• Visible, hidden, and invisible power dynamics.
• Gender roles, responsibilities, and decision-making patterns.
• Barriers affecting women’s and youth leadership and participation.
• The impact of conflict, displacement, and economic crisis on gender relations and agency.

4.2. Social Norms Analysis

The consultant should assess the social beliefs and expectations influencing behaviors and reinforcing inequality or exclusion, including:

• Descriptive norms (what people do).
• Injunctive norms (what people believe should be done).
• Social sanctions, stigma, and rewards linked to gender roles.
• Factors enabling or limiting behavior and norm change.

4.3. Intersectional and Conflict-Sensitive Lens

The analysis should recognize overlapping vulnerabilities and unequal experiences shaped by factors such as:

• Age and youth status.
• War and conflict
• Displacement/refugee status.
• Socioeconomic marginalization.
• Disability.
• Education access.
• Rural and geographic inequalities.

The approach should also ensure conflict sensitivity, ethical data collection, and attention to protection and psychosocial considerations.

4.4. Gender-Transformative Approach

The analysis should identify opportunities and pathways for sustainable gender-transformative change, including:

• Positive shifts in attitudes and practices.
• Community allies and champions.
• Opportunities for engaging men and boys as allies.
• Institutional and community leverage points for advocacy and social norm transformation.
• Practical recommendations for future programming and community engagement.

 

5. Scope of work and Key responsibilities 

 

5.1 Inception Phase

The consultant will:

• Review programme documents, previous assessments, and relevant literature related to gender, social norms, protection, and the Lebanon context.
• Conduct introductory and consultation meetings with RDFL, ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR), and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop an inception report outlining the methodology, analytical framework, sampling approach, workplan, ethical considerations, and data collection tools.

5.2 Capacity Building and Youth Engagement

The consultant will:

• Design and facilitate training for youth researchers on participatory feminist research approaches, ethical and conflict-sensitive data collection, power analysis, and facilitation skills.
• Ensure meaningful engagement of youth, particularly young women, throughout the research and analysis process.

5.3 Research Design and Data Collection

The consultant will:

• Develop a participatory, feminist, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive research methodology.
• Integrate tools for gender and social norms analysis, power mapping, and intersectional analysis.
• Supervise qualitative data collection activities, including:

• 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with approximately 10 participants each.
• 6 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with municipal actors, academics, civil society representatives, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure balanced representation across gender, age groups, and vulnerability profiles, including the meaningful inclusion of men and boys.

• RDFL staff and youth groups will support the consultant in the logistical organization of FGDs and KIIs, including participant mobilization, venue arrangements, and coordination with local stakeholders.

5.4 Thematic Areas of Analysis

The analysis should cover the following thematic areas:

• Protection and Wellbeing
• Barriers to accessing GBV, legal, and psychosocial support services.
• Stigma, safety perceptions, and help-seeking behaviors.
• The impact of conflict and crisis on wellbeing and social relations.
• Leadership, Participation, and Governance
• Gender norms affecting women’s and youth participation in public life and decision-making.
• Barriers to leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement.
• Opportunities for inclusive participation and institutional engagement.
• Social Norms, Advocacy, and Communication
• Community attitudes and narratives related to gender roles and equality.
• Power dynamics influencing advocacy and policy engagement.
• Opportunities and messaging approaches for positive social and behavior change
• Youth perceptions and experiences related to gender equality and social change.
• Perceptions of masculinities and opportunities for engaging men and boys as allies.

5.5 Data Analysis and Validation

The consultant will:

• Lead participatory and feminist-informed data analysis with the involvement of youth researchers.
• Facilitate a multi-stakeholder validation workshop to review findings, validate recommendations, and identify priorities for action.

5.6 Utilization of Findings

The consultant will:

• Produce practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Support RDFL and AAAR in utilizing findings to strengthen programme design, advocacy strategies, and gender-transformative interventions.

5.1 Inception Phase

The consultant will:

• Review programme documents, previous assessments, and relevant literature related to gender, social norms, protection, and the Lebanon context.
• Conduct introductory and consultation meetings with RDFL, ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR), and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop an inception report outlining the methodology, analytical framework, sampling approach, workplan, ethical considerations, and data collection tools.

5.2 Capacity Building and Youth Engagement

The consultant will:

• Design and facilitate training for youth researchers on participatory feminist research approaches, ethical and conflict-sensitive data collection, power analysis, and facilitation skills.
• Ensure meaningful engagement of youth, particularly young women, throughout the research and analysis process.

5.3 Research Design and Data Collection

The consultant will:

• Develop a participatory, feminist, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive research methodology.
• Integrate tools for gender and social norms analysis, power mapping, and intersectional analysis.
• Supervise qualitative data collection activities, including:

• 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with approximately 10 participants each.
• 6 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with municipal actors, academics, civil society representatives, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure balanced representation across gender, age groups, and vulnerability profiles, including the meaningful inclusion of men and boys.

• RDFL staff and youth groups will support the consultant in the logistical organization of FGDs and KIIs, including participant mobilization, venue arrangements, and coordination with local stakeholders.

5.4 Thematic Areas of Analysis

The analysis should cover the following thematic areas:

• Protection and Wellbeing
• Barriers to accessing GBV, legal, and psychosocial support services.
• Stigma, safety perceptions, and help-seeking behaviors.
• The impact of conflict and crisis on wellbeing and social relations.
• Leadership, Participation, and Governance
• Gender norms affecting women’s and youth participation in public life and decision-making.
• Barriers to leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement.
• Opportunities for inclusive participation and institutional engagement.
• Social Norms, Advocacy, and Communication
• Community attitudes and narratives related to gender roles and equality.
• Power dynamics influencing advocacy and policy engagement.
• Opportunities and messaging approaches for positive social and behavior change
• Youth perceptions and experiences related to gender equality and social change.
• Perceptions of masculinities and opportunities for engaging men and boys as allies.

5.5 Data Analysis and Validation

The consultant will:

• Lead participatory and feminist-informed data analysis with the involvement of youth researchers.
• Facilitate a multi-stakeholder validation workshop to review findings, validate recommendations, and identify priorities for action.

5.6 Utilization of Findings

The consultant will:

• Produce practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Support RDFL and AAAR in utilizing findings to strengthen programme design, advocacy strategies, and gender-transformative interventions.

5.1 Inception Phase

The consultant will:

• Review programme documents, previous assessments, and relevant literature related to gender, social norms, protection, and the Lebanon context.
• Conduct introductory and consultation meetings with RDFL, ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR), and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop an inception report outlining the methodology, analytical framework, sampling approach, workplan, ethical considerations, and data collection tools.

5.2 Capacity Building and Youth Engagement

The consultant will:

• Design and facilitate training for youth researchers on participatory feminist research approaches, ethical and conflict-sensitive data collection, power analysis, and facilitation skills.
• Ensure meaningful engagement of youth, particularly young women, throughout the research and analysis process.

5.3 Research Design and Data Collection

The consultant will:

• Develop a participatory, feminist, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive research methodology.
• Integrate tools for gender and social norms analysis, power mapping, and intersectional analysis.
• Supervise qualitative data collection activities, including:

• 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with approximately 10 participants each.
• 6 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with municipal actors, academics, civil society representatives, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure balanced representation across gender, age groups, and vulnerability profiles, including the meaningful inclusion of men and boys.

• RDFL staff and youth groups will support the consultant in the logistical organization of FGDs and KIIs, including participant mobilization, venue arrangements, and coordination with local stakeholders.

5.4 Thematic Areas of Analysis

The analysis should cover the following thematic areas:

• Protection and Wellbeing
• Barriers to accessing GBV, legal, and psychosocial support services.
• Stigma, safety perceptions, and help-seeking behaviors.
• The impact of conflict and crisis on wellbeing and social relations.
• Leadership, Participation, and Governance
• Gender norms affecting women’s and youth participation in public life and decision-making.
• Barriers to leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement.
• Opportunities for inclusive participation and institutional engagement.
• Social Norms, Advocacy, and Communication
• Community attitudes and narratives related to gender roles and equality.
• Power dynamics influencing advocacy and policy engagement.
• Opportunities and messaging approaches for positive social and behavior change
• Youth perceptions and experiences related to gender equality and social change.
• Perceptions of masculinities and opportunities for engaging men and boys as allies.

5.5 Data Analysis and Validation

The consultant will:

• Lead participatory and feminist-informed data analysis with the involvement of youth researchers.
• Facilitate a multi-stakeholder validation workshop to review findings, validate recommendations, and identify priorities for action.

5.6 Utilization of Findings

The consultant will:

• Produce practical and evidence-based recommendations.
• Support RDFL and AAAR in utilizing findings to strengthen programme design, advocacy strategies, and gender-transformative interventions.

6. Deliverables, Responsibilities, and Timeframe

No.      Deliverable           Key Activities               Responsibility        Timeframe   Level of effort

1          Inception Report   Review documents   Consultant(LEAD),     Month 1          3 days

                                             refine methedology,   RDFL/AAAR

                                             develop sampling       review

                                             ethical framework, and

                                            detailed workplan

2           Training Material    Develop a training         Consultant              Month 1        2 days

                                               package for youth

                                                researchers

                                                (Presentation, agenda,

                                                feminist research tools,

                                                ethics guidance)

3      Data Collection         Develop FGD and KII          Consultant          Month 1      1 day

        tools                            guides, consent forms, 

                                            and particiaptory research

                                           tools

4    Training of youth       Develop training on                Consultant(lead),     Month 1     1 day

      researchers                feminist particiaptory              RDFL supports

                                           reseacrch, ethics, power         Logistics

                                          analysis, and facilitation 

5   Field Data                   Conduct 6 FGDs and 6           Consultant(lead),         Month 2    4 days

     Collection                   KIIs, supervise researcher,     RDFL Support

                                          ensure ethical and quality     Logistics and 

                                          standards                                 participant 

                                                                                             mobilization 

6     Draft Analysis      Feminist intersectional              Consultant         End on month  3 days   

        Report                  thematic analysis and

                                      preliminary findings
7    Validation              Facilitate validation                  Consultant         Month 3             2 days

      workshop &          workshop and preapre             (facilitation)

      Report                   validation report integrating     RDFL/AAAR

                                 stakeholder feedback               support logistics

8     Final Report        Comprehensive gender            Consultant (lead)       Month 3      1 day

                                and social norms analysis

                                report with findings, analysis,

                                and recommendations

9   presentation of    Final presenation to                       Consultant            Month 3       1 day

     findings               RDFL/AAAR and 

                                 stakeholders 

 

7. Duration

The assignment will be implemented over a period of three (3) months, starting in June until August , with an estimated level of effort of 18 working days for the consultant, covering inception, capacity building, data collection, analysis, validation, and reporting phases. The work will be conducted in close coordination with RDFL and AAAR, ensuring timely delivery of all outputs within the agreed timeline

8. Location

Baalbeck and Jeb Jenin Safe Spaces, Lebanon

9. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report directly to RDFL’s Programme and/or M&E Manager, in close coordination with ActionAid Arab Region’s Program Manager where relevant. The consultant is expected to maintain regular communication with RDFL throughout the assignment and provide updates as per the agreed workplan.

10. Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Sociology, Public Health, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated experience in gender research, social norms analysis, or related fields.
• Proven experience in participatory, feminist, and youth-engaged research methodologies.
• Strong understanding of the Lebanese context, preferably with experience in the Bekaa region.
• Experience working on conflict-affected and humanitarian settings is an asset.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken).

11. Ethical Standards and Safeguarding

The consultant must adhere to the highest ethical, safeguarding, and professional standards throughout the assignment, including:

• Obtaining informed consent from all participants prior to data collection.
• Ensuring confidentiality, anonymity, and secure data management at all stages.
• Applying a Do No Harm and conflict-sensitive approach in all research activities.
• Using trauma-informed and survivor-centered approaches, particularly when engaging with vulnerable groups and discussing sensitive topics.
• Ensuring culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive facilitation methods.
• Guaranteeing that participation is voluntary, safe, and free from any form of coercion.
• Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) standards and RDFL safeguarding policies.
• Establishing appropriate referral pathways for GBV disclosures, in coordination with RDFL.

12. Payment Terms

Payments will be made based on the completion and approval of deliverables, in accordance with RDFL financial procedures and donor requirements, including those of ActionAid.