Protection Analysis and Service Mapping Consultant

This consultancy aims to generate timely, evidence-based protection analysis and strengthen access to services for at-risk populations in Bekaa and Baalbek el Hermel, in the context of Lebanon's ongoing conflict escalation and resulting displacement dynamics. Building on Oxfam's national protection analysis, the consultant will lead a Protection Analytical Framework (PAF)-aligned gender-aware protection analysis for these two governorates, applying conflict-sensitive, mixed-methods data collection adapted to prevailing security conditions — including remote or hybrid modalities where field access is restricted. The consultant will assess the quality and completeness of existing service mapping data, analyse services by population group, identify active and inactive actors, document service gaps, and compare trends across Q1, Q2 and Q3 2025 and Q1, Q2 and Q3 2026) with particular attention to shifts caused by the March 2026 escalation. All reported activities will be verified against field implementation. The assignment additionally includes refining the Protection Monitoring Tool to more accurately capture access barriers and service functionality across all target population groups. Findings will directly inform Oxfam's programmatic decision-making, coordination, and advocacy efforts.

Interested facilitators should submit their:

• Detailed CV
• At least one sample product from previous consultancy assignments of a similar nature

• A brief technical proposal which includes a suggested methodology
• Email subject strictly being : Protection Analysis and Service Mapping Consultant (Any other subject will be avoided)
• A budget, including the rate per day, as well as all the estimated costs including, communication and transportation.
• At least three references, ideally from INGOs or local NGOs..
• Registration and official government documents, if applicable. Noting that 8.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.
• Banking details.

Oxfam is a global movement working to fight inequality and end poverty and injustice. Operating in around 70 countries with thousands of partners and allies, Oxfam supports communities to build resilient livelihoods, strengthen their capacities, and protect lives during times of crisis. Recognizing that lasting change requires systemic solutions, Oxfam addresses the root causes of poverty and injustice—challenging the structures and power imbalances that sustain them—while campaigning for durable, transformative change. The organization is committed to upholding its values with integrity by continuously strengthening its governance, management, operational systems, and culture of learning and accountability.

 In Lebanon, overlapping crises—including economic collapse, governance fragility, protracted displacement, and recurrent conflict-related shocks—have significantly heightened protection risks for Lebanese host communities, Syrian refugees (including post–December 2024 arrivals), migrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The security situation remains volatile, particularly following the escalation of the Israelli war on Lebanon in March 2026, prompting renewed displacement and movements of IDPs and other vulnerable groups toward safer areas. A shrinking protection space and increasing exposure to coercion, exploitation, and service gaps underscore the need for a structured, evidence-based protection analysis.

Through this Terms of Reference, Oxfam seeks to recruit a consultant to lead a PAF-aligned Protection Analysis in Bekaa and Baalbek El Hermel, managing the full data pipeline from desk review and refinement of data collection tools to primary data collection (six FGDs and six KIIs – the number can be adjusted as relevant and following consultation with Oxfam’s team -  disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and nationality), in full compliance with ethical, safeguarding, and data protection standards. The assignment will culminate in a comprehensive Protection Analysis Report with clear, actionable recommendations, validated through a workshop and accompanied by a cleaned dataset and finalized deliverables. The consultant will link protection analysis to service mapping by first identifying key protection risks, vulnerable groups, and underlying drivers through structured analysis, and then systematically cross-referencing these findings with an up-to-date mapping of available services and actors. They will assess not only the presence of services but also their accessibility, quality, and capacity, in order to highlight critical gaps, overlaps, and barriers faced by affected populations. Based on this, the consultant will align identified protection needs with existing response mechanisms, strengthen referral pathways, and provide practical recommendations to improve coverage and coordination. This approach ensures that analytical insights are translated into operationally relevant actions, enabling stakeholders to prioritize interventions, allocate resources more effectively, and enhance the overall responsiveness and accountability of service provision. In parallel, the consultant will assess the quality and completeness of existing service mapping systems across population groups—including internally displaced persons (IDPs)—analyze trends between Q1, Q2 and Q3 2025 and Q1, Q2 and Q3 2026, verify reported activities against field implementation, and review and refine the Protection Monitoring tool to improve the accuracy of capturing access barriers and service functionality. In addition, the consultancy will directly contribute to Oxfam’s strategic outcomes by generating evidence to inform coordination and policy influence and by strengthening the link between protection analysis and service provision to increase access to protection services. The consultant will present the methodology for updating the service mapping as a structured deliverable, including clear procedures for verifying, analyzing, and documenting services across population groups, with mechanisms to ensure sustainability and periodic future updates. This approach will ensure that service mapping is not only responsive to the gaps identified in the Protection Analysis but also remains a living tool that can guide programmatic decision-making, advocacy, and coordination efforts over time. Crucially, the linkage between the Protection Analysis and the Service Mapping will be clearly articulated and operationalized, ensuring that the service mapping directly responds to and addresses the protection gaps identified through the analysis rather than functioning as a standalone exercise, thereby strengthening program coherence, identifying critical service gaps, and supporting more effective evidence-based advocacy for at-risk populations.

1. SPECIFICATION OF SERVICES REQUIRED

The Protection Analysis and Service Mapping Consultant will:

• Lead the full data pipeline for a Protection Analytical Framework  (PAF) -aligned protection analysis in Bekaa and Baalback el Hermel, starting with an inception and desk review to map existing data, confirm scope and methodology, and deliver an inception report.
• Update and refine data collection tools (FGDs and KIIs) with Oxfam’s Project Manager, Protection Advisor and Senior Protection Officer, then conduct primary data collection (6 FGDs and 6 KIIs disaggregated by gender, age, disability, and nationality)

• Triangulate and analyse all data, document assumptions and limitations, and produce a validated Protection Analysis Report with actionable recommendations, a cleaned dataset, and complete final deliverables package
• The thematic coverage of the consultancy includes:
  • Assessing the level, completeness, and quality of information within existing service mapping systems for each population group, including: IDPs, Persons with disabilities (PwD), LGBTQIA+ individuals, Migrant workers, Syrian Refugees, including post December 2024 arrivals, Lebanese communities Including IDPs.
  • Analyzing the types of services and activities provided to each population group, including coverage, scope, and target beneficiaries.
  • Identifying service providers and determining which actors are currently active, reduced, or inactive in-service delivery and include a detailed breakdown of the eligibility criteria, timeline and other relevant factors.
  • Comparing service trends and changes across Q1, Q2 and Q3 2025 with Q1, Q2 and Q3 2026  to highlight shifts in availability, coverage, and functionality.
• Conduct verification by cross-checking services reported in ActivityInfo against actual implementation on the ground.All field verification activities must be preceded by security clearance in coordination with Oxfam’s security focal point.
•  
• Collaborate closely with Oxfam’s Protection Team and Information Management Officer to ensure accuracy and alignment with field observations.
• Review and refine the Protection Monitoring (PM) Tool, with particular focus on the Access to Services section.
• Propose improvements to better capture real access barriers, service functionality, and gaps in provision, ensuring findings are actionable for programming, focusing on livelihoods opportunities and advocacy. Propose a conflict-contingent data collection protocol that allows for remote (phone/online) KIIs and FGDs in the event of security-related access restrictions.
• .

The consultant will lead the design and execution of the methodology; conduct the desk review, field data collection, analysis, and validation; ensure adherence to ethical standards, safeguarding, and data protection; produce all required deliverables including updated service mapping product and protection analysis report for Bekaa and Baalback el Hermel; and facilitate validation workshops while integrating feedback.

Oxfam will provide existing documentation including the national protection analysis report,  service mapping one pager, background information, and access to internal stakeholders; facilitate introductions to partners and selected external actors where feasible; review and validate deliverables and provide consolidated feedback; and ensure compliance with safeguarding, risk management, and ethical standards

2. METHODOLOGY

The assignment will adopt a mixed-methods, conflict-sensitive approach, combining desk review, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and rigorous data verification. Prior to commencement of field activities, the consultant will conduct a security risk assessment in consultation with Oxfam's safety and security team, identifying risk mitigation measures and any no-go zones. The desk review will examine previous protection analysis reports, Q1, Q2 and Q3 2025 datasets, ActivityInfo records, Oxfam internal monitoring data, and relevant national updates in Lebanon. Quantitative analysis will include sectoral comparisons, service coverage mapping, community outreach analysis, and extraction of relevant indicators from the Protection Monitoring (PM) Tool and ActivityInfo Service Mapping section. Qualitative data collection will involve key informant interviews with service providers, community leaders, and Oxfam staff, supplemented by focus group discussions and validation sessions with the Protection Team and IM Officer. Where security conditions prevent safe in-person data collection, phone-based KIIs and online FGDs may be conducted as an alternative modality, subject to prior written agreement with Oxfam. Any such adaptation must be documented in the Inception Report, including the rationale, adjusted sampling approach, and measures taken to maintain data quality and ethical standards. Data verification will triangulate ActivityInfo records, field observations, and direct provider confirmation, documenting any inconsistencies. Key deliverables include an inception note outlining the agreed methodology, tools, work plan, and any conflict-contingent adaptations; a multi-sector context and protection analysis report with sectoral findings, service mapping, discrepancy analysis, and advocacy messages; a PM Tool revision note proposing improved indicators for the Access to Services section; and an advocacy brief highlighting 3–5 evidence-based recommendations for donors and stakeholders. The assignment will be implemented in close coordination with Oxfam's Protection and Information Management teams, with technical validation sessions and periodic progress updates to ensure quality and relevance.

These project tasks should be led by an individual with:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or related field.
• 5+ years in Protection data/analysis with demonstrated protection analysis deliveries (PAF-aligned).
• Strong understanding of the protection landscape in Lebanon.

• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in service mapping, protection analysis, or humanitarian coordination.
• Demonstrated experience working with Syrian refugees, vulnerable Lebanese, migrants, Palestinian refugees, and LGBTQI+ communities.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian structure in Lebanon.
• Proficiency in data analysis and qualitative coding; strong triangulation skills.
• Experience planning and conducting data collection and safe field visits in Baalback el Hermel, Lebanon or similar contexts.
• Strong facilitation: ability to run validation workshops and produce visual briefs.
• Commitment to safeguarding, do-no-harm, informed consent, and data protection
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively with Oxfam staff, partners, and community members.
• Organizational skills, time management, and ability to manage multiple responsibilities.
• The service mapping consultant must ensure that both women and men can engage safely and openly, while respecting cultural norms and sensitivities in the communities where the Service Mapping analysis will be conducted

Submission instructions

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 12 May 2026, Beirut time.

Responses must be submitted in English, electronically to: lebanonprocurement@oxfam.org.uk

• The subject of the mail should be: Protection Analysis and Service Mapping Consultant (Any other subject will be avoided)

Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent up to 10 days before the submission deadline in writing. The (anonymised) questions will be answered to all applicants.