Waste or Resources Research

Terms of Reference

 

Researcher: - “WASTE or RESOURCE?”

Description:

 

The project “WASTE or RESOURCE? – Enterprises and municipalities’ environmental and social responsibility” is financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in partnership with CELIM, Cesvi, Oxfam Italia, Oxfam GB, Ingegneria senza Frontiere Milano e Politecnico di Milano, and the Municipalities of Hasbaya and Chebaa.

 

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to reducing the negative impact  of air, soil and water pollution and contamination in Lebanon on health and the environment. This impact will be reached over the course of 3 years by developing models of environmental and social responsibility with reference to the management of municipal solid waste in municipalities and MSMEs in the Governorates of Nabatiye and the South. The overall objective will be achieved through the attainment of 3 key results: the improvement of the solid waste collection, treatment and disposal systems in the municipalities in the Hasbaya district (R1; R2); the promotion of the productivity, innovation, sustainable production and consumption and creation of decent jobs for 20 MSMEs in the waste value chains in the districts of Hasbaya, Saida and Tyre (R3).

 

Context:

 

In early September, 2024, Oxfam conducted a research on the working conditions in the waste management sector in Lebanon, with a specific focus on the regions of Hasbaya, Chebaa and Rachaya al-Fokhar.

 

The research aimed to investigate the factors and underlying reasons that impede access to Dignified working conditions. These factors encompass issues related to contracts, minimum wage, working hours, annual leaves, discrimination, harassment, NSSF and inadequate welfare. The research also covered the extent of informality within the sector and assessed compliance with minimum standards of workplace safety and health.

 

The research culminated in a series of programmatic and policy recommendations to enhance working conditions in the sector and guide policymakers, employers and relevant stakeholders toward sustainable and equitable pathways.

 

However, the escalation of Israeli strikes across Lebanon, including in the research’s focus areas (Hasbaya, Chebaa, and Rachaya al-Fokhar), has significantly impacted both the findings and their intended use. The security situation disrupted planned dissemination, advocacy, and influencing efforts, as priorities shifted in response to the growing crisis. More critically, the destruction and economic fallout from the attacks have drastically altered the conditions originally examined in the research. Given these developments, there is an urgent need to update the findings to reflect the current realities of the waste management sector, particularly in the affected regions.

 

Job Description:

 

Within this framework, Oxfam is seeking a Researcher to update and expand its research on working conditions in Lebanon’s waste management sector, with a geographical focus on Hasbaya, Chebaa, and Rachaya al-Fokhar. The updated research will assess how Israeli attacks have impacted (or continue to impact) the sector, comparing conditions before and after the escalation and examining both immediate and long-term consequences.

 

The researcher will be responsible for:

• Conducting additional data collection, ideally engaging with groups and individuals who participated in the initial research.
• Performing a brief literature review on the impact of conflict on the waste management sector to supplement the original research.
• Developing updated recommendations based on the evolving situation, including the impact of the conflict and the formation of the new government.

 

This research will provide critical insights into the sector’s current challenges and help inform future policy and programmatic responses.

 

Expected Deliverables:

 

The researcher is expected to deliver the following:

 

• Carry out at least 15 interviews with pre-identified stakeholders in Hasbaya, Chebaa and Rachaya al-Fokhar (Oxfam will provide the contacts)
• Develop a brief questionnaire that builds on and aligns with the original research questionnaire.
• Submit clean, transcribed data sets from the interviews.
• Produce an updated research report that integrates findings from the additional data collection and reflects the impact of the escalation in conflict, as well as recent sociopolitical developments in Lebanon—particularly in Hasbaya, Chebaa, and Rachaya al-Fokhar. The report will be subject to Oxfam’s review, with revisions based on feedback (the number of rounds will depend on the quality of the initial submission).
• Submit a final draft of the research report incorporating all necessary revisions.
• Support the dissemination of findings by participating in planned activities, which may include one roundtable discussion and one webinar.

 

The consultant is expected to work closely with the Oxfam Policy team and the Program Manager.

 

Qualifications and Expertise:

 

• Bachelor’s degree (a postgraduate degree is preferred) in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience in research and analysis related to the assignment.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (both written and spoken).
• Proven experience in research, situational analysis, and qualitative data collection and analysis, with a track record of producing high-quality publications.
• Strong report writing, analytical, and facilitation skills, with the ability to develop clear, evidence-based, and actionable recommendations.
• Extensive knowledge of Lebanon and the broader MENA region, particularly regarding Lebanese labor laws, work conditions, and sector-specific challenges.

 

 

Timeline:

 

 

March 2025

April 2025

 May 2025

June 2025

Type of deliverable

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

 

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

1. Introduction, sharing of original research and data sets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Small literature review and questionnaire

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Data collection and analysis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  First full research draft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Final draft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Participation in roundtable and webinar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expression of Interest

This consultancy is open only to individual consultants and not to firms. Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Consultant’s CV detailing relevant experience and qualifications.
• A brief proposal outlining the proposed methodology and a detailed work plan for conducting the research.
• At least two samples of previous research reports authored and delivered by the consultant.
• A financial proposal including consultancy fees and an estimate of all associated costs, such as logistics and communication expenses.

Oxfam in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any or all applications or to cancel the recruitment process at any stage without incurring any liability to the applicants.

Please submit the full application documents (as mentioned above) to lebanonprocurement@oxfam.org.uk

by March 9, 2025, mentioning “Waste or Resources Research” in the Subject line.