ABAAD Women and Girls Safe Spaces Assessment Consultant

Background

ABAAD– Resource Center for Gender Equality is a UN ECOSOC accredited organization founded in June 2011 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. As a leading agency on gender equality in the MENA region, ABAAD seeks to support and build the capacities of local, regional, and international entities that are working to promote human rights, democracy and peacebuilding.

ABAAD has established seven pioneer Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) throughout the country (North/Akkar, Bekaa/ Baalbeck-Hermel, South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon) providing direct prevention and response services for women and girls survivors or at risk of GBV. These centers, located at the Social Development Centers (SDCs) of the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs, were strategically selected to ensure geographical diversity and facilitate the reach of women in different areas of Lebanon.

With the overall aim to protect vulnerable women and girls from violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect, including GBV, the eight Model Centers provide holistic care (case management, legal consultations, court representation, CMR services, psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation and follow up) as well as referral (GBV/family violence protection orders) to emergency safe housing (Al Dar) and soft skills/economic empowerment training. ABAAD also operates four Family Support Units in different areas of Lebanon that provide holistic care for vulnerable women and girls, as well as men and boys, and offer free, confidential psychological follow-up in men’s clinics. Up until 2021, ABAAD has expanded its operation through additional 13 WGSS, collocating in Community Development Centers (CDCs) with other partners.

Assessment Scope and objectives

ABAAD is calling for an independent evaluation of its women and girls’ safe spaces. The results will contribute to better informed decision-making and promote learning and accountability around the WGSS model and approach. The evaluation is expected to contribute towards the development of a more efficient and effective allocation strategy, in line with ABAAD’s mission and vision.

Main assessment questions:

• To which extent are the 20 WGSS contributing towards ABAAD’s mission and vision?
• To which extent the WGSS are fostering the advancement of women and addressing GBV?
• To which extent the WGSS is successfully engaging with local stakeholders and fostering community involvement?
• Is there any other specific or additional programmatic consideration that the WGSS services should further include?
• Is there a need to reconfigure the current geographical locations of the WGSS based on protection and GBV priorities and needs?
• Technical considerations to be further developed and expanded on with ABAAD’s team
  • Staffing numbers and organogram
  • WGSS services and activities
  • Location, naming, and layout
  • Cost efficiency of the WGSS
  • To what extent the WGSS are safe and accessible? Are the WGSS services reaching out to the most vulnerable?
  • What are the perceptions of the community and women regarding the function and role of the WGSS?
  • To what extent the WGSS is adopting a client/survivor approach?
  • To which extent the activities conducted so far have impacted the community and promoted sustainability?

Timeframe

The assessment is expected to be completed in 40 days across 3 months.

Deliverables              

• Inception report for approval by ABAAD which should include detailed description of methodology including data collection tools and strategies, approach to include core principles as described in the ToR.
• A work plan/ implementation plan for the assessment
• Final data collection tools.
• Provision of all raw data collected interview transcripts and summaries.
• Presentation of draft assessment report to ABAAD
• Validation workshops.
• Presentation of final report

Experience & Competencies

• Post graduate degree/s in fields such as Development studies, Social Sciences, gender related studies
• In depth knowledge and experience on research methods.
• Experience working within the local Lebanese context.
• Experience working on research studies and previous consultancies
• Previous evaluations relating to GBV, women and gender studies is a must.
• Fluent in oral and written English and Arabic
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
• Strong inter-personal skills demonstrated team leadership qualities.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• High level planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, and to remain calm under pressure.
• Excellent analytical, communication and report writing skills.