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Tenders are invited for Study / the Impact of Environmental Conditions, Specifically Water (Availability and Pollution) and Waste Management, On Refugee Women in Informal Settlements in Southern Lebanon Closing Date: Monday, 12. Oct 2026 Intervention Sector(s): Environment Remuneration range: 3000 to 4000 (USD) Duration of Contract: 3 months Background Water availability, water quality and waste management are essential environmental factors that directly affect public health, socio-economic conditions and quality of life. In informal and underserved communities, inadequate access to safe water, poor waste management and weak sanitation systems can increase exposure to disease, contamination and poor hygiene conditions. Women can be particularly affected by these conditions because of their roles in household water use, sanitation, family care and domestic waste management. The project therefore includes a dedicated study to generate evidence on environmental conditions in the targeted informal settlements and to understand their specific effects on refugee women. The study will be carried out in the 9 informal settlements in southern Lebanon near Tyre where PARD and NESI have worked through previous phases of the intervention. Purpose of the Consultancy The project seeks to hire a qualified consultant to design and conduct the study on the impact of water availability and pollution, waste management and public hygiene on refugee women. The consultant will be responsible for the study process from methodology design and desk review through field data collection, analysis, reporting and presentation of practical recommendations. Objectives of the Study The main objective is to explore how water scarcity, water quality and waste management practices affect the daily lives, health, economic opportunities and social roles of refugee women in the targeted informal settlements. Environmental Study Specific objectives are to: Assess water availability and the level of water cleanliness/contamination in the targeted locations. Assess existing waste management systems and public hygiene conditions in each targeted informal settlement. Examine the relationship between environmental conditions and womens physical and mental health and well-being. Understand how water and waste-related challenges affect womens daily responsibilities, time, economic opportunities and social roles. Document womens experiences, coping mechanisms and relevant community dynamics. Identify practical solutions and provide recommendations to improve water access, waste management and gender-responsive environmental interventions. Scope of Work Under the supervision and coordination of PARDs project team, the consultant will: Conduct a desk review and compile relevant secondary information. Develop and submit an inception/study proposal including the research questions, methodology, sampling approach, tools and work plan for validation by PARD. Propose a detailed timetable for field data collection. Develop quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, including surveys/questionnaires, interview guides and focus group discussion guides. Coordinate water testing/analysis in all specified locations to assess water contamination. Assess the waste management system and public hygiene conditions in each targeted informal settlement. Select an appropriate and representative sample of refugee women reflecting different socioeconomic backgrounds, age groups and family situations. Conduct or oversee door-to-door surveys/questionnaires with refugee women. Conduct or oversee interviews and focus group discussions to collect in-depth qualitative information. Systematise, clean and analyse the collected primary and secondary data. Conduct quantitative analysis of survey findings and qualitative coding/thematic analysis of interviews and focus group discussions. Triangulate environmental findings, including water and waste assessments, with womens reported health, social and socioeconomic experiences. Prepare a draft study report and executive summary for review by PARD and NESI. Integrate feedback and submit the final study and final executive summary. Methodology The study will use a mixed-method approach combining environmental assessment, quantitative research and qualitative research. The final methodology will be proposed by the consultant and validated by the project team before fieldwork begins. Water analysis: water samples/analyses in all specified locations to assess contamination and water quality. Waste management assessment: review of waste collection, disposal and management practices, together with public hygiene conditions in each settlement. Quantitative component: door-to-door surveys/questionnaires with a representative sample of refugee women. Qualitative component: interviews and focus group discussions with refugee women to explore personal experiences, coping mechanisms and community dynamics. Data analysis: descriptive and, where appropriate, comparative statistical analysis of quantitative data, together with coding/thematic analysis of qualitative data. Key Study Areas Availability, reliability and accessibility of water. Water quality and contamination. Household water use and related responsibilities. Waste collection, storage and disposal practices. Public hygiene and sanitation conditions. Reported physical health effects linked to water, sanitation and waste conditions. Mental health and well-being in relation to environmental stressors. Time burden, household responsibilities and coping strategies. Economic and livelihood implications. Gender roles, decision-making and social impacts. Community-level challenges, existing resources and practical solutions. Geographic Coverage and Target Population The study will cover the 9 informal settlements in southern Lebanon near the city of Tyre that are included in this activity. The primary population of interest is refugee women living in these settlements. The sample should reflect diversity in age, socioeconomic situation and family circumstances. Ethical and Protection Considerations Confidentiality and privacy of participants must be respected throughout data collection, analysis and reporting. Personal identifiers should not be included in the final report unless explicitly required and safely managed. Data collection must be culturally sensitive and appropriate to the realities of refugee women. The consultant must apply a do-no-harm approach and avoid creating additional risks or burdens for participants. Any sensitive protection concerns identified during fieldwork should be handled in coordination with PARD and according to relevant referral and safeguarding procedures. Coordination and Supervision The consultant will work in close coordination with PARDs project team and relevant NESI counterparts. PARD will facilitate coordination with community structures and support access to the targeted locations as appropriate. The consultant will provide regular updates on progress, challenges and any methodological adjustments requiring validation. Required Consultant Profile The consultant or consultancy team should demonstrate: Relevant academic background in environmental health, public health, water and sanitation, environmental sciences, social sciences, gender studies or another closely related field. Demonstrated experience in mixed-method research, assessments or studies in humanitarian or development settings. Experience with water quality/environmental assessment and/or the ability to include the required technical expertise within the consultancy team. Strong quantitative and qualitative research and data analysis skills. Experience working with refugee, marginalised or vulnerable communities; experience in Lebanon is an asset. Demonstrated understanding of gender-sensitive and participatory research approaches. Strong report-writing skills in English. Arabic capacity within the team is required for effective field data collection with communities. Timeframe According to the approved project activity schedule, the consultant will propose a detailed implementation timetable in the inception phase, covering preparation, fieldwork, analysis, draft reporting, review and final submission, not exceeding 3 months since beginning of consultancy. Ownership and Confidentiality All data, tools, analyses and reports produced under this consultancy will be treated as project materials and shared with PARD. The consultant must sign PARDs External Consultant Confidentiality Policy, maintain confidentiality of participant information and may not publish or share study data or findings externally without prior written authorisation from PARD and the project partners. How to apply Application Requirements Interested consultants/consultancy teams should submit to this email hr@pard-lb.org: Technical proposal demonstrating understanding of the assignment and proposed methodology. Detailed work plan and timeline. Financial proposal. Updated CV(s) of the consultant/key team members Examples of relevant previous research, assessments or studies, where available. Tender Link : https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/popular-aid-relief-and-development-pard/calls/call-study-impact-environmental-conditions-specifically-water-availability-and-pollution-and-waste
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