STL Action Research Consultant

About the project

International Alert is a leading peacebuilding NGO, with 30 years of experience in preventing violence. We have been working in Lebanon since 2008. Our thematic focus areas include peace education and non-violence education, youth participation, gender equality and addressing the underlying causes of conflict related to human rights abuses, gender inequality, social and economic exclusion, and insecurity. Alert is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and consultants to share this commitment.

The Ending Violence Against Children project aims to increase the capacity of schools and learning centers to reduce violence against children and generate evidence of the effectiveness of various approaches. It is implemented primarily in the Bekaa and Tripoli where partner organizations operate centers that offer non-formal education and psycho-social support activities. Prevention and response to violence against children is further strengthened through supporting partner organizations and their learning centers to improve their existing capacities, update, and fully adhere to child safeguarding policies. The project will generate evidence through action research on effectiveness of approaches to addressing violence against children, including learning center-based and community-based approaches.

As part of the project, the Safe to Learn Action Research Consultant and their team will work closely with the Safe to Learn project staff at International Alert and in partnership with Basmeh & Zeitooneh, the Centre for Lebanese Studies, Damma Organization and Sawa for Development and Aid that are implementing a 15-month project in Lebanon to prevent and address violence against children (VAC) in and around learning environments.

Objectives of the consultancy

The overall objective of the consultancy is to lead the Safe to Learn Action Research process. The lead consultant will act as a Lead Researcher in coordination with the Sate to Learn project Manager, the M&E manager, and the Senior Advisor at International Alert.

The overall goal of this action research is to generate evidence of effective approaches to the prevention of VAC.

The purpose is to demonstrate which of the approaches to VAC applied by project partners in and around the learning centres in the Bekaa produce favourable, statistically significant impacts on violence against children in education, with a specific focus on bullying.

The main research question is:

How effective are centre-based and community-based approaches to preventing? This research question will be approached through comparison of four research areas (in three towns) where prevention of VAC is addressed through different strategies, namely: a) integrated approach to discussing VAC in NFE activities combined with parental engagement, b) integrated approach to NFE, combined with parental engagement and community initiatives to address social norms, c) community initiatives to address social norms implemented outside learning centres, and d) a comparison group in a centre where the Safe to Learn project is not implemented.

The study will apply the difference-in-differences method, and compare data collected before and after the intervention. The methodology is longitudinal, participatory and based on mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative data collection methods). It is expected that the study will include the following data collection methods repeated before and after the intervention:

• A survey with approx.. 120 students in 3 centres (40 students per centre), the exact sample to be proposed by the research team
• At least 3 FGDs with students and at least 4 FGDs with parents and caregivers (1 of each per centre and 1 FGD with parents and caregivers participating in community initiatives in the location where no centre is present)
• 17-20 KIIs with centre staff and community representatives

The research will be conducted in Bar Elias, Ghazze and Majdal Anjar in the Bekaa region.

Deliverables and level of effort

Deliverable 1 – Action Research methodology and plan– By 31 May 2021

In coordination with the Safe to Learn project manager at International Alert and all STL project partners, and based on the draft methodology that has been developed by Alert and its partners, the Consultant and their team will develop a detailed action research methodology and plan, and design research tools.

Deliverable 2 – Baseline findings presentation – By 31 July 2021

The research team will collect all data at baseline – quantitative and qualitative, clean, process and analyse it and present main findings to the STL team, including comparison between intervention and comparison group.

Deliverable 3 – Reviewed data collection tools and plan – by 15 October 2021

Deliverable 4 – A presentation of Action research preliminary findings and a Final report outlining results and findings of the Safe to Learn action research and evidence-based recommendations related to the different approaches implemented within the Safe to Learn project. The draft report is expected to be completed within 10 days after the presentation of preliminary findings and the final report not later than 5 days after receipt of feedback from International Alert and the research coordination team, and not later than 30 November 2021.

Relationships

The Consultants team will work closely with the research coordination group composed of representatives of Alert and all partner organizations involved in the research. The primary point of contact will be the Project Manager.

Safe to Learn Action Research Team profile

• Previous experience in developing research studies related to education, child protection and other social studies

The Lead Researcher should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree - A minimum of master’s degree in education/Sociology or related field
• In-depth knowledge of the Lebanese context with regards to children and young people, parenting, non-formal education, psycho-social support, and work with refugee children
• Excellent English writing skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism, including following data protection guidelines
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Commitment to safeguarding and child protection.

The Research Team should have the following capacity:

• Ability to conduct surveys with children, preferably using tablets
• Ability to conduct focus group discussions and key informant interviews on sensitive topics
• Ability to conduct statistical analysis

Education degree: Master’s degree

Experience required:

• 5-10 years

Languages - English: Excellent. Arabic: Excellent.

Period: All deliverables must be completed by November 2021.