GBV Safety Audit Consultant

Overview
CARE established its presence in Lebanon in 2006 and has been actively responding to the Syrian crisis since late 2012. Over the years, CARE has played a crucial role in addressing a series of emergencies in the country, including the ongoing economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Beirut Blast, and the current war in Lebanon. Central to CARE’s mission is its commitment to placing the needs of the people it serves at the forefront by delivering innovative and impactful programs.
CARE has provided critical services across Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Akkar, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and the Beqaa Valley, with a focus on both emergency relief and long-term development. Its projects span multiple sectors including livelihoods, food security, protection, gender equality, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). These efforts target the most vulnerable populations, including both host communities and refugees.
Looking ahead, CARE’s program strategy in Lebanon aims to strengthen and expand its emergency response and development efforts. Key areas of focus will include the provision of gender and protection services, basic assistance, food security, and livelihood support, all while adhering to a localization approach. CARE plans to maintain its presence in all regions of Lebanon by working closely with locally accepted partners to ensure sustainable and effective program delivery.

Project Context
As of 7 October 2023, the region has witnessed a significant escalation in hostilities. 
Additionally, since 8 October 2023, ongoing clashes have been reported at the Lebanese border. Further escalation started in September 2024 which led to the displacement of more than 1,200,000 people from South Lebanon, Beqaa, and Beirut southern suburbs in couple of weeks. About 180,000 individuals have sought refuge in collective shelters (Schools), all over the country mainly in Mount Lebanon, Beirut and North. other individuals are either renting a place, hosted by family or community members or sleeping on the streets. Prior to that, Lebanon has been going through a succession of compounded and intersecting crises, with a socio-political and economic situation rapidly deteriorating and dire consequences across Lebanese and non-Lebanese communities, which have left women and other marginalized groups more vulnerable to continued instability and less resourced to withstand shocks (such as mass displacement). Even prior to the crises, systemic gender-based inequalities significantly impacted the lives and experiences of women, and particularly those from marginalized groups. As patriarchal social norms and practices are often exacerbated during emergencies, women and girls’ lives have been disproportionately affected, and their needs are risk being deprioritized or overlooked in humanitarian responses. Finally, the crises have aggravated existing protection risks faced by already marginalized communities; exploitation and GBV remain a critical protection concern for women and girls with disabilities, migrant workers, LGBTQI+ community and other marginalized groups a risk that is further exacerbated in light of deteriorating economic conditions and more limited access to services.

Role of the consultant 
The main aim of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive and thorough safety audit that identifies and addresses safety and security concerns, especially those affecting women, girls, people with diverse SOGIESC and marginalized groups, particularly after the escalation of the conflict (September 2024). This audit will be used to assess, evaluate and enhance the integration of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) considerations within the different service with a particular focus on the health sector (sexual and reproductive health, mental health), to evaluate safe access to services and to evaluate the risks of violence faced by women and girls and other populations including marginalized groups in Lebanon. The consultancy will aim to assess the general safety and security concerns of the key population regarding accessing services, especially in areas they have recently relocated to. The audit will also aim to understand the perception of gender-based violence within communities, neighborhoods, workplace, etc, and identify risks and vulnerabilities that women, girls and marginalized communities are facing. Finally, the consultancy aims to ensure that the existing systems adequately protect and support women and girls, especially concerning their sexual and reproductive health and mental health, their access to services and their presence in communities, neighborhoods, employment, etc. The consultancy will first assess the general safety and security concerns within the health sector. This includes identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities that women and girls might face in healthcare settings. The audit will look into how these risks impact their overall well-being and access to healthcare services. The consultancy will pay special attention to sexual and reproductive health services to ensure they are sensitive to and capable of addressing GBV-related issues. This includes evaluating how these services are designed to meet the needs of survivors and whether they offer safe spaces and supportive care. Mental health services will also be examined to determine their ability to address trauma and psychological issues related to GBV. The audit will look at the accessibility, quality, and sensitivity of mental health care provided to people of concern. In parallel, 

Objectives
• Identify gaps and weaknesses and pinpoint areas where safety measures and GBV integration need improvement.
• Identify gaps and weaknesses in service provision and integration of women, girls, people with diverse SOGIESC and minority groups
• Identify safety concerns of targeted population and set mitigation measures and recommendations
• Develop recommendations to improve responses to GBV and enhance protection measures within the health sector, through access to services and inside communities.
• Advocate for practices and policies that are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of survivors, ensuring their safety and dignity are upheld.
•  Present key findings, priorities, and recommendations in relevant working groups to facilitate understanding and support for improved GBV protection measures.
•  Engage stakeholders: Set a clear dissemination plan to ensure that audit findings are shared effectively with all stakeholders, enhancing advocacy efforts and policy alignment.

Deliverables & Timeline

Deliverable

Responsibility

Number of Days

Inception Meeting

Consultant

0.25

Establish objectives, parameters, and scope of safety assessment, including the target population and community.

Consultant supported by CARE staff

2

Set detailed workplan, including the dissemination of findings plan

Consultant in collaboration with PM and gender and protection specialist

0.5

Desk Review + Analysis and identification of gaps

Consultant

3

Adjust methodology and design tools:

*Review and adapt questionnaire for safety walk/observation

* Create, review and adapt FGD questionnaire

* Create, review and adapt KII questionnaire

Consultant

4

Train facilitators on tools

Consultant + CARE team

1

Prepare schedule for data collection

Consultant supported by CARE staff

1

Conduct data collection

Consultant supported by CARE staff

15

Analyze collected information (and include the analysis of secondary data)

Consultant

3

Presentation and discussion of preliminary findings for each area -

Consultant

0.5

Develop findings report, including but not limited to:

*Identification of barriers, safety perceptions, and other relevant information to define the GBV risks

*Setting key priorities and action points

* Setting recommendations and way forward

Submission of First Draft

Consultant

5

Review Report + Submission of 2^nd Draft

Consultant

3

Review Report + Submission of Final draft

Consultant

2

Prepare presentation for information Dissemination

Consultant

1

Present findings in working groups

Consultant

0.75

Total Working Days

42

Consultant Profile
- At least 5 years of relevant experience, especially with NGOs, academic organizations, Gender equality and Women empowerment, Protection, training provision on Gender mainstreaming with an understanding of the Lebanese socio-economic context. 
- Master’s degree in one or several of the following areas: Gender studies, political science, Human rights, public health, social science, humanitarian affairs or similar 
- Experience in designing, implementing, or evaluating gender and protection programming in Lebanon. 
- Demonstrated skills and experience in conducting gender analyses or research around gender, women’s rights, GBV or related subjects.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in conducting qualitative research around gender and protection issues in Lebanon.
- Demonstrated skills and experience in designing and implementing participatory data collection exercises.
- Experience working in GBV and health integrated programs is a plus. 
- Excellent communication and writing skills.
- Fluency in English and Arabic.

PSEA and Child Safeguarding
CARE International in Lebanon is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
CARE International in Lebanon and its employees and stakeholders abide by the CARE International Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding Policies.