Call For Consultant – Gender Analysis Expert At ABAAD – Resource Center for Gender Equality

About ABAAD

ABAAD– Resource Centre for Gender Equality is a UN ECOSOC accredited organization that aims to achieve gender equality as an essential condition to sustainable social and economic development in the MENA region. ABAAD advocates for the development and implementation of policies and laws that enhance women’s effective participation, through a rights-based approach that would bring about tangible change to gender justice. With the purpose of ending gender-based violence, ABAAD adopts a holistic care approach to provide protection and support services to GBV survivors/right holders during times of peace, war and disasters since 2011.

About the project

The “Promotion of a gender equal and equitable society with and for women and youth in Lebanon” is a three-years project funded by the European Regional Development and Protection Program for Jordan and Lebanon (RDPP III) in the Middle East. The project’s strategic goal is to establish societies that ensure gender equality and are free of violence, centring efforts on women and girls in all their diversity. By advocating for gender equality, the aim is to effect systemic changes that tackle root causes of discrimination, sexism, and harmful norms that obstruct access to rights based on gender.

Women and girls in their diversity are not only the recipients of these efforts but also active participants in shaping this transformation. The understanding of diversity acknowledges that women and girls possess intersecting identities that affect their societal positions and access to rights and power.

This strategic objective will be achieved through lobbying, advocacy, and the strengthening of civil society, all guided by a gender-transformative approach (GTA). The GTA focuses on these key components: Amplifying the voices of women and youth, Enhancing the role of young men as allies in this transformation, promoting human rights and the agency of women and girls, Analysing and countering harmful norms and unequal power relations.

Overall Scope of the consultancy

In line with ABAAD’s accountability principle towards the beneficiaries and the donor – The European Regional Development and Protection Program for Jordan and Lebanon (RDPP III) – ABAAD is seeking an external evaluator to conduct a Gender analysis to better design the project objectives and activities. Hence, to optimize the project impact on the community level.

A comprehensive gender analyses will be conducted at the national and local levels to identify and understand the gender dynamics within the community. The insights gleaned from these analyses will help inform future gender equality initiatives. A gender conflict sensitivity analysis will be conducted during the inception phase and updated each year during the project lifetime to ensure relevance of the GTA to the project interventions. Gender analysis is an essential tool for understanding the social, economic, and cultural factors that influence gender roles, relations, and identities. By examining these factors, gender analysis is expected to identify the specific needs, priorities, constraints, and opportunities faced by women, men, girls, and boys in different contexts. More particularly, the gender analysis supports the identification of the root causes of systemic inequalities faced by women and other marginalized groups, such as discrimination, patriarchy, and gender-based violence.

Areas of implementation:

North: Tripoli;

South: Tyre;

Mount Lebanon: Furn Chebbak; Shouweifat

Bekaa: Baalbek; Arsal; Labweh; Zahleh

Geographic Scope and Methodology

The Gender Analysis should be conducted in each of the specified regions (North: Tripoli; South: Tyre; Mount Lebanon: Furn Chebbak, Shouweifat; Bekaa: Baalbek, Arsal, Labweh, Zahleh) to ensure a nuanced understanding of local gender dynamics and to tailor interventions effectively. The consultant(s) will need to:

Conduct Preliminary Research: Utilize existing data and reports to understand the broader gender context in Lebanon and the specific regions.

Field Visits and Data Collection: Plan and execute field visits to each region, employing qualitative and quantitative data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys) to gather insights from a diverse range of community members, including women, girls, men, boys, and local authorities.

Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with local NGOs, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders in each area to gather additional insights and foster local buy-in.

Deliverables

Year 1:

Inception report detailing methodology, analytical framework, and timeline for the gender analysis. This document will outline the approach for collecting and analyzing data across the project’s target regions.

First Round of Regional Gender Analysis Reports

Reports for each targeted region, capturing initial gender dynamics, needs, and opportunities. These reports will serve as a baseline for understanding the gender context within each region.

Each regional report will be followed by a presentation to ABAAD to discuss findings and integrate insights into ongoing project planning.

Each report will include actionable recommendations.

Year 2:

Mid-term Gender Analysis Review Report

A comprehensive report reviewing the progress against the initial gender analysis, noting changes, emerging trends, and the impact of the project’s interventions on gender dynamics.

This review will highlight successes, challenges, and adjustments needed to enhance the project’s gender responsiveness.

A presentation of the mid-term review findings will be conducted to discuss adjustments and further integration into the project.

Year 3:

Final Round of Regional Gender Analysis Reports

Final reports for each region, assessing the long-term impact of the project on gender dynamics and comparing findings to the baseline established in Year 1.

These reports will identify sustained changes, lessons learned, and provide recommendations for future gender-responsive programming.

Comprehensive Gender Analysis Final Report (Due at the end of the Project)

A synthesized report combining all regional analyses over the three years, offering a longitudinal view of how gender dynamics have evolved in response to the project’s interventions.

Recommendations for sustaining gender equality gains and informing future projects and policy.

A final presentation to ABAAD and stakeholders to share comprehensive insights and discuss long-term strategies for gender equality.

Approach for this assignment:

To facilitate the ongoing integration of gender analysis findings, regular workshops with project staff will be held to reflect on the findings, analysis, share experiences, and adapt project strategies accordingly.

The consultant will maintain an ongoing communication with ABAAD and project teams, providing advisory support to ensure gender considerations are embedded in project activities, monitoring and evaluation efforts.

Skills required

• Advanced degree in Gender Studies, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Extensive experience in gender analysis, with a portfolio of similar projects.
• Deep understanding of gender-transformative approaches and conflict sensitivity.
• Proficiency in both English and Arabic.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis and methodologies relevant to gender analysis.
• Experience in conducting fieldwork and engaging with communities in sensitive contexts.
• Ability to navigate cultural and linguistic nuances within Lebanon’s diverse regions, with sensitivity towards gender, socio-economic, and cultural dynamics.