Rapid Context Analysis and Conflict Sensitivity

Terms of Reference – Context review and conflict sensitivity update – November 2023

1. Background

The conflict in Gaza and Israel has had regional implications and increased regional tensions. Shelling across the Israe/Lebanon border has so far caused nearly 20,000 people to evacuate to other parts of Lebanon. The country stands poised for escalations in the conflict.

Given the rapidly developing context changes in Lebanon, International Alert seeks a consultant to conduct a rapid desk-based conflict analysis, drawing on publicly available analyses being published by other organisations and any new information (such as media reports, outcomes of academic events discussing developments etc.). This analysis will set out current emerging conflict dynamics (looking at key factors, actors and drivers) that are relevant to the work of Alert and other international and national organisations working the social stability, humanitarian and development sectors in the country. Following this analysis, the consultant will work with the Lebanon team to draw together relevant existing guidance on conflict sensitivity and develop a conflict sensitivity package that covers gaps in the sector and can be offered to partners and donors in the coming months.

The assignment will take place in November and December 2023 and be based in Lebanon.

2. Objective of the assignment

The objectives of this assignment are:

• Provide analysis to support and inform the Alert Lebanon’s programming and the programming of other international and national organisations working the social stability, humanitarian and development sectors.
• Support the team to consolidate and strengthen their conflict sensitivity offering (such as through interactive validation session on the findings and workshop on implications).

3. Timing and duration

The assignment will take place in November and December 2023.

It is anticipated that the assignment will take approximately 10 days, assigned as follows:

• Rapid desk review context analysis: 4 days
• Review of existing conflict sensitivity material and analyses: 2 days
• Workshop with International Alert team: 1.5 days
• Finalising conflict sensitivity package: 2.5 day

4. Methodology 

It is anticipated that the Consultant will analyse available academic and grey literature (including reports published by local, national and international agencies – NGO, government, UN etc.), review key media outlets to assess discourse related to social stability and draw from their own analysis and experience. Following a similar format to previous context analyses conducted by Alert, examining the key conflict issues, conflict dynamics, actors, informing analysis on key conflict sensitivity risks and entry points for programming.

5. Deliverables

• Rapid conflict analysis: 24 November
• Updated conflict sensitivity package: 8 December

All deliverables are to be presented in draft format and at a meeting with Alert and staff, before being finalised. All deliverables and data of the evaluation will be owned by Alert and may be used for both internal and external reporting and communications.

6. Support and resources to be provided by Alert  

Alert will provide existing conflict sensitivity guidance documentation for review.

7. Required skills and experience

We are seeking an external consultant to conduct the assignment. The consultant will be accompanied by an Alert staff member from the Lebanon programme, who is highly experienced in conflict sensitivity approaches and in peacebuilding programming.

The Consultant will be:

• Experienced in context analysis and CS approaches and the peacebuilding work, ideally with an emphasis on gender and education and empowering CSOs;
• Well versed in the context analysis method (and ideally with practical experience thereof);
• Fluent in English;
• An excellent communicator;
• Experienced in the implementation of conflict and gender sensitive approaches to programming and projects.

Ideally s/he will also be:

• Experienced and knowledgeable in the Lebanon context an in the peacebuilding sector;
• Fluent in Arabic and English.