Call for proposals; Baseline and Need Assessment Study

Search Lebanon:

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international conflict transformation NGO that aims to transform the way individuals, groups, governments, and companies deal with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative solutions. Headquartered in Washington DC, USA, and Brussels, Belgium, with field offices in 35 countries, SFCG designs and implements multifaceted, culturally appropriate and conflict-sensitive programs using a diverse range of tools, including media and training, to promote dialogue, increase knowledge and determine a positive shift in behaviors.  

Objectives of the baseline:

Search is seeking a consultant to conduct the Baseline and a Needs Assessment of a project working within Lebanon’s prison system, with an aim to bring together all the relevant stakeholders inside and outside the prison to work together to reduce the risk of violent extremism in prison and aid in the reintegration of prisoners to society. 

The baseline study will focus on the collection of quantitative and qualitative data  to grasp trends in attitudes, knowledge, perception and relationship in prison environment and at community level.

In order to reinforce the project strategy and accountability towards targeted populations and groups, the baseline measurement study will be combined with a need assessment to investigate im current needs and gaps to alleviate negative coping mechanisms and perceptions towards former detainees, as well as will look at opportunities to strengthen coordination and relationships between relevant institutions in charge of assisting former detainees. 

The consultant will work closely with Search Lebanon team and Design, Monitoring & Evaluation Regional Specialist, MENA to ensure that all milestones are met. The consultant will also act as focal point on all issues including logistics and recruitment of local researchers, and will sign off on the final papers in consultation with the Design, Monitoring & Evaluation Regional Specialist, MENA and with the final approval of the Lebanon Country Director.

Overall, the baseline and Needs Assessment aims to:

• Collect baseline indicators for the project and data on the needs and situations of prison staff, current detainees, former detainees;
• Provide recommendations for how to engage women and girls in the community outreach activities; and
• Investigate the primary sources of radicalization, push and pull factors within the prison, and the interaction between prisoners and their families and communities. 
• Capture lessons learned and good practices feeding into recommendations and planning process.

Expected results: 

• Detainees and prison staff are able to identify and use alternatives to violence to solve conflict  
• Community  members shift their attitudes to support  the reintegration of former detainees. 
• Key  prison stakeholders enhance collaboration to reduce the risk of recidivism among detainees

Target groups 

The project will target a broad range of stakeholders including detainees (convicted and/or at risk of VE) who would be released within the implementation period, prison staff, prison authorities including the Ministries of Justice and Interior, civil society actors, families, communities, and former violent extremists. In total, the project will reach 6,611 direct and 230,000 indirect beneficiaries.