Peace and Conflict Assessment (PCA)

CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e. V. in cooperation with The Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD)

1) About CBM Christian Blind Mission e.V. (CBM)

CBM is a Christian international development organisation, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the poorest communities of the world irrespective of race, gender or religious belief. Based on its core values and over 100 years of professional expertise, CBM addresses poverty both as a cause and as a consequence of disability and works in partnership with local and national civil society organisations to create an inclusive society for all.

Our approach: Disability-inclusive development is the framework of all our initiatives and the key theme which drives our activities and the impact of our work. We believe that this is the most effective way to bring positive change to the lives of people with disabilities living in poverty and their communities. Through our disability-inclusive development approach, we address the barriers that hinder access and participation and actively seek to ensure the full participation of people with disabilities as empowered self-advocates in all development and emergency response processes.

CBM is in process of developing a project proposal for Transitional Development Assistance (TDA), expecting funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). TDA bridges the gap between humanitarian aid and sustainable development cooperation while also contributing to peace building. It is designed to support affected people and local structures in overcoming crises and strengthening their resilience. In countries with a higher or acute potential for conflict escalation, a Peace and Conflict Assessment (PCA) is conducted as standard procedure during project development.

2) About the Planned Project

The project will be implemented in cooperation with the local partner organization The Lebanese Union for People with Physical Disabilities (LUPD). The project aims at improving the food security and socio-economic resilience of vulnerable people with and without disabilities and strengthening the social cohesion in communities in the Beqaa valley, Mt. Lebanon & South Lebanon.

Specific outcomes of the project are:

• Vulnerable people with and without disabilities in the target communities have sustainable sources of income to sustain their livelihoods,
• The food security of people with and without disabilities in the target communities is enhanced also during economic crises through access to affordable, locally produced food,
• Inclusion and crisis prevention in the target communities are strengthened, promoting social cohesion.

The project seeks to promote a disability-inclusive approach through its activities with a special focus on women.

3) Peace and Conflict Assessment

The assignment will use the methodological framework of a PCA, a diagnostic tool for a context assessment and for understanding the contextual challenges.Further, the PCA is a methodological approach for ensuring conflict-sensitivity of the planned project. Lastly, the PCA is used as a mechanism for bringing project stakeholders together to discuss and agree upon a shared understanding of the conflict dynamics to improve the project design in the context of peaceful and inclusive coexistence.

The four specific objectives of the PCA are:

• Description of the main factors leading to conflict, fragility, and violence (context analysis) as well as the needs for peace
• Assessment of the relevance of the planned project to peace and security
• Identification, definition, and assessment of the risks and the risk management in the context of conflict, fragility, and violence
• Guidance on monitoring impacts and avoiding negative consequences (Do No Harm)

In addition, an in-depth

• Analysis of the gender dynamics relevant for the target groups (Gender Analysis)

shall be conducted.

The results of the PCA and Gender Analysis will inform the project proposal and will be shared with CBM, the local partner organization and the donor (BMZ).

4) Design, methodology and deliverables

The assignment can be conducted remotely or partially remotely, due to the COVID-19 situation.

The PCA consultant/team is expected to use a diverse set of methodologies:

• Desk review*:* The PCA should make use of existing peace and conflict analyses and literature and reference frameworks for Lebanon wherever possible.
• (Remote) Interviews*:* Interviews involving representatives of CBM and the local partner organization and relevant actors, such as representatives from clusters and other (inter-) national organizations working in Lebanon.
• (Remote) Focus group discussions: Focus group discussions may involve potential beneficiaries.
• (Remote) Analysis workshops: Analysis workshops (context analysis; assessment of relevance; risks and monitoring) allow key project stakeholders to engage in a participatory conflict analysis process.
• Assessment report writing: Assessment report (around 20 pages)

The PCA is expected to be conducted in a disability-inclusive and participatory manner, using a gender-sensitive as well as conflict-sensitive approach.

5) Timeframe

The anticipated time period for the assignment is 20 days and should be completed by 15 July 2022.

6) Qualifications

The PCA consultant/team should possess the following qualifications:

1. Academic degree related to Social Sciences, International Development, Gender or related studies, or similar
2. Technical expertise in the field of disability and inclusive development and preferably in food security, TVET, economic empowerment, disaster preparedness, and social cohesion between refugees and host communities in fragile settings
3. Proven experience with carrying out similar studies and familiarity with the academic and policy literature surrounding the causes and consequences of violent conflict, conflict-sensitivity and do no harm assessments
4. Strong analytical and writing skills; ability to write in a structured, lucid, and concise manner, without losing the depth of the substance
5. Experience in participatory approach and facilitation skills are a must
6. Proven work experience with NGOs or INGOs and governmental stakeholders
7. Experience in transitional development assistance and/ or humanitarian aid projects
8. Proficiency in written and spoken English and Arabic is essential
9. Work experience in Lebanon is preferable

Verification of these qualifications will be based on the company/consultancy profile and curriculum vitae of each team member. Candidates are also encouraged to submit other references such as research papers or articles that demonstrate their familiarity with the subject as well as their report writing skills.

The PCA consultant/team is expected to be covered by a medical insurance during the time of service under this consultancy. The contracting agencies will not assume responsibility for any damage, injury, or loss of life by the PCA consultant/team in the framework of this assignment.

Child Safeguarding Policy: As a condition of entering into a consultancy agreement the PCA consultant/team must sign the CBM Child Safeguarding Policy and abide by the terms and conditions thereof.