Research Consultant - Study on Torture

1-BACKGROUND:

The Lebanese Center for Human Rights (CLDH) is a local non-profit, non-partisan Lebanese human rights organization based in Beirut. CLDH was created in 2006 by the Franco-Lebanese Movement SOLIDA (Support for Lebanese Detained Arbitrarily), which has been active since 1996 in the struggle against arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and the impunity of those perpetrating gross human rights violations.

CLDH monitors the human rights situation in Lebanon, fights enforced disappearance, impunity, arbitrary detention and racism and rehabilitates victims of torture. CLDH regularly organizes press conferences, workshops and advocacy meetings on human rights issues in Lebanon and collects, records, and documents human rights abuses in reports and press releases. CLDH team on the ground supports initiatives aimed at determining the fate of all missing persons in Lebanon.

2-RESEARCH BACKGROUND:

During the 2016-2017 period, two research reports were produced by CLDH in order to assess and analyze the impact of displacement on refugees and vulnerable host communities. The first one addressed the legal challenges encountered by refugees from Syria in Lebanon whereas the second one tackled the practice of torture. Both reports provided with widely covered inputs for long-term planning. In July 2019, CLDH conducted an inception report on Lebanon Torture Situation after Legislating law 65/2017 - “An inception study on the Law aiming at punishing torture”. With this project, CLDH seeks to further investigate the recommendations made from the above-mentioned reports and engage in interviews with key governmental stakeholders in Lebanon.

3-RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:

The new report will focus on identifying the progress, obstacles and updating the recommendations made in the previous reports. The reports will explore in more detail the work of the National Human Rights Institute (NHRI) including a National Prevention Mechanism (NPM) – which should be running and effective when the Lebanese government allocate its operational funds.

4-RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

We expect the consultant to follow a mixed method approach in their research. The research should also draw a comparative conclusion towards the above-mentioned baseline and inception reports. It will draw on the following sources:

-Desk study review: Review of online relevant sources of data to complete the assessment.

-Key informant interviews: Interviews will be conducted to gather in depth information from key stakeholders

-Focus group discussions: to gather in depth information

-Surveys: Surveys should be distributed to wider members of the community including Civil Society Organizations.

5-DELIVERABLES:

Within Ten days from signing the contract, the consultant should submit an Inception Report, which clearly defines the research methodology and questions. It should mention research target and the clear set of data collection tools that will be used, including the questions used in interviews/focus group discussions/surveys.

A draft Research report to be submitted within 10 days of completion of the data collection for review and comments from CLDH. The review and feedback of the report could be more than one round depending on the quality of the report and the extent to which the comments and suggestions from first round have been incorporated.

A Final Report to be submitted after incorporating the comments of CLDH. The report should be written in English, 20-25 pages excluding annexes, consisting of:

• Cover page
• Table of contents, list of acronyms, abbreviations and list of tables and charts.
• Executive summary of key findings and recommendations – 3-4 pages.
• Background information and context analysis
• Methodology with clear explanation of sampling and limitations, KIIs, participants’ selection and data analysis approach.
• Research findings, analysis, with associated data presented, where appropriate in clear graphs or charts. The findings can include subsections for each research criteria.
• Conclusion and Recommendations.
• Appendices which includes data collection tools

The report should be submitted electronically in a Word document and google doc. The consultant is responsible for English editing of the final report which should be well formatted. The report will be credited to the evaluator and potentially placed in the public domain at the decision of CLDH.

All printed and electronic transcripts of interviews and surveys taken during the assessment and any equipment received from CLDH for the purpose of the study should be submitted back to CLDH. Furthermore, all information generated during the study will be the sole property of CLDH and is subject to submission to CLDH along with the final report, prior to the end of the contract.

6-AUDIENCE:

The primary audience of the research are policy and decision makers, Human Rights NGOs, and the Lebanese and international community at large.

7-DURATION:

The duration of the assignment is from February to April 2020, extendable based on the availability of funds.

Location:

The selected consultant will work remotely and attend meetings at CLDH office in Dora, Lebanon.