Policy Mapping Consultant

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. We are working across regions in about 70 countries, with thousands of partners, and allies, supporting communities to build better lives for themselves, grow resilience and protect lives and livelihoods also in times of crisis.

Because we want lasting solutions, we fight the inequalities that keep people locked in poverty and injustice, we tackle not the symptoms but the systems, and we campaign for genuine, durable change.

We commit to living our values so that we can be known for our integrity. This means transforming our governance, management, and operational structures, and nurturing a culture of continuous learning and reflection.

Lebanon’s overlapping crises, economic collapse, governance fragility, protracted displacement, and war-related shocks, have heightened protection risks across population groups (Lebanese host communities, refugees, migrants, and IDPs). Shrinking protection space and rising coercion, deprivation, and exploitation necessitate a structured, evidence-based analysis to inform advocacy and programming. This Terms of Reference commissions a consultant to help Oxfam better understand the policy and legal environment that shapes Syrian Refugees safety, rights, and access to protection. The consultant will look closely at the laws, regulations, and policies that affect communities, making sense of what is working, what is missing, and where change is needed. Their insights will help Oxfam design stronger programs, sharpen its protection analysis, and advocate more effectively on behalf of those most at risk.  

1. SPECIFICATION OF SERVICES REQUIRED

The Policy Mapping Consultant will:

• Conduct field visits, to conduct FGDs with Syrian Refugee communities, and listen to their experiences to gather meaningful qualitative and quantitative data related to the impact of policies and legislations on their daily lives and protection environment.
• Review and analyze key laws, decrees, circulars, and administrative decisions issued by the Council of Ministers, the General Security Office, and ministries such as Ministry of Social Affairs, Interior, Public Health, and Justice.
• Collect insights from relevant stakeholders (like municipalities, governors, and other local authorities) to complement community insights and understand how policies shape local administrative practice.
• Identify and document gaps, inconsistencies, and protection concern within existing legal and policy frameworks, particularly those affecting refugees.
• Map decisions and practices within the Lebanese judicial system, including civil and religious courts and detention centers, to capture the full picture of legal, procedural, and protection dynamics for Syrian refugees.
• Produce three quarterly products consisting of a clear summary report that outlines key findings, major risks, and policy implications, along with actionable recommendations to strengthen protection monitoring tools and enhance risk analysis within the current legislative and operational context.

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 the three policy-mapping products; and facilitate validation workshops while integrating feedback.

Oxfam will provide existing documentation, 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 methodology combines qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of policy implementation and its impact. It includes Key Informant Interviews with community members, local authorities, ministry staff, General Security officers, service providers, legal experts, Oxfam’s legal partners and judicial actors to gather detailed insights from those directly involved in or affected by national policies. Focus Group Discussions with refugees, women, youth, and other at-risk groups complement this by capturing collective experiences and perceptions. Direct observation in civil courts, religious courts, and detention centers is conducted to document real-time procedures, case management, and protection concerns. Throughout the process, qualitative narratives and quantitative indicators are systematically collected to map how policies are interpreted, applied, and experienced in practice, enabling a robust analysis of gaps, inconsistencies, and protection risks.

In Phase 1 – Retrospective Analysis and Evidence Collection (June 2025–November 2025), the consultant will conduct a desk review, carry out observational fieldwork where appropriate, and analyse achievements, challenges, lessons learned, progress, gaps, and contextual trends that shaped outcomes during this period. These retrospective insights, supported by preliminary analysis and triangulated findings, will inform the drafting of Policy Mapping Product 1. In Phase 2 – Forward-Looking Priorities, Analysis, and Reporting (December 2025–May 2026), the consultant will identify priority policy issues, risks, and thematic areas requiring monitoring, and  carry out in Baalback el Hermel 10 KIIs,10 FGDs disaggregated by age, gender and disability; and conduct deeper analysis and triangulation of information, and develop recommendations for programming, policy engagement, and advocacy. This phase will result in the drafting of Policy Mapping Products 2 and 3, the facilitation of validation workshops, and the completion of all final reporting.

The consultancy will be carried out over a period of 35 days commencing on 30 January 2026 and concluding on 30 April 2026. Deliverables include Desk Review, Inception Report, Data Collection Tools, conducting data collection including Draft Policy Mapping Report, and Final Policy mapping Report with data package.

1. EXPERIENCE OR PROFILE REQUIREMENTS

These project tasks should be led by an individual with:

• Strong understanding of the protection landscape in Lebanon.
• Strong understanding of the legal landscape in Lebanon.
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian structure in Lebanon.
• Proficiency in data analysis and qualitative coding; strong triangulation skills.
• Experience planning and conducting Protection FGDs/KIIs and safe field visits in 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 policy 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 Policy Mapping analysis will be conducted

2. APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission instructions

Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than 16 of January 2026 at midnight, Beirut time.

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

The subject of the mail should be (all other email subjects will not be considered) : Policy Mapping Consultant

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.