Gender Assessment Of The Cash Program In Lebanon

· Background To this date, 1,078,338 Syrian refugees are registered with UNHCR in Lebanon. Recent studies show refugees' living conditions are worsening, and needs are increasing. The Basic Assistance chapter of the 2015 Lebanon Country Response Plan (LCRP) estimated that 29% of the Syrian registered population could not cover their survival needs and should therefore be reached with multi-purpose grant; nevertheless this number increases to 52% of the refugee population, based on the number of HH living under the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket per capita in the Vulnerability Assessment of Syrian refugees in Lebanon (VASyR) 2014 and 2015 respectively. The LCRP 2015 has not yet reached its target neither in term of beneficiaries nor in terms of funding; only approximately 10% of the refugee population receive today multi-purpose cash assistance. Humanitarian actors and donors have thus to cover the already existing gaps as well as the worsening of the refugee situation overtime. In the absence of livelihood opportunities and durable solutions, multi-purpose cash grants are vital for households to response to their basic needs in a flexible and dignified manner. The Lebanon Cash Consortium (LCC) brings together six leading international NGOs to deliver multi-purpose cash assistance to approximately 17,946 socio-economically vulnerable refugee households using a harmonized technical and delivery model. This Action will directly benefit approximately 125,622 Syrian refugees living in Lebanon by enabling them to meet their basic needs in a dignified and flexible way. The consortium uses inter-agency agreed upon targeting methodologies to identify socio-economically vulnerable households for assistance. Targeted households will receive multi-purpose cash assistance on a monthly basis to meet essential food and non-food needs in line with the inter-agency agreed Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (SMEB) of approximately $175 per month. The consortium will continue using the one-card system to deliver cash assistance to beneficiaries, in line with the optimal operational set up recommended by the inter-agency led analysis conducted by Avenir Analytics.   As assistance is delivered to households not individuals the Lebanon Cash consortium is interested to explore the impact of the multipurpose cash assistance on gender dynamics in the households and in the community and what parameters could be taken into consideration in future proposals to contribute to gender equity. Scope of the Research The scope of the research is to measure direct and indirect impact of multi-purpose cash assistance on gender dynamics in the households and community, as well as inclusivity of the cash modalities as per the following research questions: 1.  To which extent is gender consideration present in cash transfers targeting mechanism and delivery: a) Accessibility  of multipurpose cash transfers for women headed households, widows / divorcees/ polygamous families, elderly and individuals with specific needs b)Adequacy of the multipurpose cash transfer modalities and tools for different social groups ( single women, disabled, older people,  illiterate people) 2.Does multipurpose cash transfer have an impact on gender relations and gender roles at household and community level: a) Is there a change in power relation within household as a result of emergency cash transfer? Does multipurpose cash transfer affect/challenge/alter gender roles and responsibilities? Does/how multipurpose cash transfers affect men and women (their sense of empowerment, burden, dignity and dependency, as well as decision making pattern, spending pattern, control over money and traditional coping mechanisms)? b)   Are there negative externalities of multipurpose cash transfers (any reported conflict in the households / family)? c)   Is targeting women accepted in the community; does/how it affects the social cohesion? 3. Is multipurpose cash transfer effective as a protection mechanism as well as an empowerment tool for women’s empowerment? a) Understand if and to what extend the multipurpose cash transfer is/ might be a protection mechanism, especially in the case of GBV risk B) Is the cash transfers (gender) transformative, i.e. is there any change that can last after the multipurpose cash transfers; any transformative effect to gender relation? · Methodology The aim of the study is to collect women’s and men’s experience of receiving cash transfer and to achieve a representative sample in order to systematically measure gender impact of unconditional cash transfer. The consultant is expected to use a mixed methods approach including qualitative and quantitative data collection. A detailed methodology and work plan should be included in the consultant offer and agreed on with Care international in Lebanon. The methodology should include: Reviews of project documents, reports, assessments and national strategy document with specific focus to National Cash Selection Criteria                                                                                                                                          Review of existing data provided by LCC /cash working group and basic assistance working groups FGDs, semi/structured interviews, case study and  life story with men and women cash beneficiaries  and non-beneficiaries Key informants interviews ( I/NGOs Cash staff) Data analysis Produce report including data analysis, findings and recommendations for further programing and areas of research. ·    Expected Outputs The Report should comprise of:  Executive summary IntroductionProblem StatementDescription and  Analysis of the ProgramMethodology DescriptionFindingsConclusionRecommendationsAnnexes to  include:-ToR-Inception Report-Guides for Data Collection-Preliminary Findings-Bibliography-List of informantsWorkshop with stakeholders to share findings and recommendations · Qualification of Researchers The research can be led by one consultant or a team of consultants that must however meet the criteria set below: Advanced degree in sociology/anthropology, gender and/or development studies Strong background in gender issues and humanitarian programming Previous experience in assessment studies Proven experience in qualitative and quantitative date collection methods Strong analytical and writing skills Good coordination and organization skills Knowledge of the Middle East region and/or Lebanon and gender dynamics there Fluency in English, fluency in Arabic and French is an asset Demonstrable understanding of gender and equity analyses. Proven capacity to supervise, train and coach staff and work as a team. Knowledge and/or experience of working on accountability initiatives, such as child participation, information sharing and complaints response mechanisms. Good organizational skills, the ability to pay close attention to detail and capable of reporting in a timely manner. Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner, and to use innovative forms of communication. Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy; capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.