Consultancy: Inequalities Research

  1. Background / Purpose of Research As risk tends to be distributed downwards onto those who can least afford it, crises disproportionately affect the poor and often serves to deepen pre-existing inequalities. These effects have been observed in the impacts of the Syria crisis on Lebanon. As noted in the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) and other analyses of the impacts of the Syria crisis on lebanon, the majority of refugees from Syria are hosted by the poorest Lebanese communities in geographic areas that already suffered from pre-crisis gaps in public services (67% of deprived Lebanese and 87% of all displaced persons from Syria live in 251 cadasters). The estimated impacts of the crisis on the Lebanese economy are also oft-quoted (e.g. WB estimate that Lebanon has incurred losses of US$ 13.1 billion since 2012) and there have been efforts to highlight the response funding that has been channeled to Lebanon and thus inputted into the Lebanese economy (e.g. WFP food e-vouchers). However, there has been much less investigation or discussion of what segments or groups within the economy/population are doing better (or even better) as a result of the crisis.   Oxfam is commissioning research to generate knowledge on how the crisis is impacting national inequality dynamics. This research will analyze long-standing economic inequalities in Lebanon through the lens of how the impacts of the Syria crisis have manifested economically for different segments of the population. The research will also endeavor to explore political and gender inequalities with respect to their linkages to and intersections with economic inequality.   Questions to be explored include (but are not limited to): Has the crisis exacerbated pre-existing economic inequalities, stalled them or made them better? What segments of the economy and the population are making money (increasing income and overall wealth), and which are losing money as a result of the Syria crisis? Are the poor (both refugees and poor Lebanese) getting poorer faster as the crisis continues? Are certain groups among the poor more affected than others? What is the relationship between gender and economic inequality among crisis-affected households? Are the rich (both Lebanese and Syrians) getting richer faster as a result of the crisis? Has the crisis served to concentrate wealth and power among the elite? Is international funding to the crisis serving to promote or put off the responsibility of the government to improve Lebanese infrastructure, services and quality job growth? Can/how can the crisis serve as an opportunity improve government responsibility vis-à-vis reducing economic inequalities? Are certain sectors more affected by inequalities, or more able to benefit from the opportunities the crisis may present? This research is being conducted under the EU MADAD Trust Fund and DANIDA/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark “LEADERS” program. The LEADERS Consortium members include DRC, CARE, ACTED, Oxfam and Makhzoumi Foundation. The program’s objective is to contribute to the economic self-reliance, resilience and social stability of displacement-affected populations in Jordan and Lebanon as prioritized by the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP). Specific objectives include: Improved access to sustainable livelihoods opportunities benefitting vulnerable households and individuals, particularly youth and women; and Improved economic enabling environment and service delivery in communities hosting refugees.   2. Methodology[1] The research consultant is expected to develop the methodology for the research (in consultation with Oxfam), manage the research through the use of qualitative and quantitative tools, and write up the research report. It is expected that the research consultant utilizing existing available data to the greatest extent possible, review/adapt any existing tools, and develop new tools if needed. As such, the research consultant is expected to:   Conduct a literature review Develop the methodology for the research (based on guidance from the Oxfam global inequalities campaign) Carry out the research (manage the data collection and analysis) Write the report, working with the Oxfam Lebanon and global team to include revisions and comments   It is anticipated that the methodology will include key informant interviews at both the policy level (GOL and international stakeholders) and the community level, focus group discussions with community members in the geographic areas of work of the LEADERS program, quantitative data collection, and case studies.   Oxfam will share relevant documents and information, and facilitate any necessary contacts with communities, local authorities, civil society, think tanks/academics, and the international community.    3. Expected Deliverables and Timeframe The consultant will be expected to undertake the research between 1st August and 15th September 2017. The methodology and draft tools should be submitted to Oxfam for review and approval within the first week of the consultancy. A zero draft of the report to be shared with Oxfam by 25th September. A full first draft of the report will be due 2nd October. The second draft, with Oxfam comments incorporated and all annexes attached, will be due by 15th October. The final draft (incorporating any final revisions from Oxfam), annexes, and full package of raw data (inclusive of transcripts or recordings of all interviews and focus group discussions, copies of questionnaires, and database) is to be submitted by 1st November.   Interested consultants must submit their bids, in two sections (i) Technical Proposal and (ii) Financial proposal. Bids should be received by the deadline, 21st July 2017 5:00pm (Lebanon Time) to the email address mentioned below.   Technical proposals should include a preliminary work plan, timeline and methodology. Financial proposals should include a preliminary general budget including consultancy fees.   A CV and experience letter of the individuals must be attached with a minimum of 2 references and at least one example of previous research work.   Oxfam Lebanon Program reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders. [1] The methodology must adopt a gender-lens.