Consultancy (Provision Of Expert Support)

Part I – Contract Data Period of Performance:            October 1, 2016 – December 1, 2016 Location of Assignment:          Lebanon Part II - Introduction and Objectives The 1-year project will reduce household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies by increasing access to livelihoods and protection information and skills; home-based income-generating activities; and training and career guidance linked to savings and protection for adolescents. The project has three key objectives:  1.           Build the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) in three locations to establish livelihoods support hubs and provide support to 3,050 Syrian refugees and Lebanese. The project will work with partner community based organizations (CBOs) to establish livelihoods support hubs in (1) Minie (serving Minie and Zouq Bhannine in North Governorate); (2) Mhammaret (Akkar Governorate); and (3) Taanayel (serving Qabb Elias, Saadnayel, and Taanayel in Bekaa Governorate). Information and training services at livelihoods hubs will increase financial, employability, and business skills among refugee and Lebanese beneficiaries, leading in the long-term to increased income, self reliance, and decreased vulnerability. Hub services will be available to both recruited and walk-in beneficiaries. The hubs will support asset building and income generation by providing safe and sustainable access to training and information on markets; demand-driven employment; home-based and small-business opportunities; business and work permits and refugee rights; financial literacy; business skills training; advisory services; and coordinated service referrals. To build capacity of CBO partners in these locations to provide information and business support at the hubs, the project will employ a training-of-trainers (TOT) approach to prepare CBO staff and volunteers to deliver information and business development services. Training will cover topics such as vulnerability assessments, financial literacy/life skills, group savings, refugee rights, referral systems, and GBV prevention. Project activities will occur at hubs and NEF will help CBOs develop a safe environment for women and adolescents. NEF will coordinate with UNHCR, private sector, NGOs, and existing livelihoods, legal assistance, and community development centers to update information on resources, opportunities, and polices, in order to ensure accurate information and consistency and to facilitate referrals. NEF field agents based at each hub will co-implement activities and provide on-site coaching.   2.          Build skills of 630 Syrian refugees and 420 Lebanese (80% women) and support development of 1,008 home-based productive activities or small businesses. Home-based productive activities allow refugees and vulnerable Lebanese to earn income, reduce debt, protect against shocks, stabilize food and household purchases, and reduce dependence on aid, high-risk and/or illegal employment, and negative coping strategies.  The project will support beneficiaries through training (technical skills, financial literacy and business development, financial assistance, and ongoing coaching and facilitation of peer support networks.    3.          Increase 300 Syrian refugee and 200 Lebanese adolescents’ (60% girls) safe access to social resources, financial literacy, and savings. The project support adolescents to access learning opportunities at safe spaces to help build life skills, awareness of protection risks, and foster social and peer support. Activities will include financial / life skills training, career guidance, protection and sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) awareness building, savings accounts, and, for older adolescents, technical skills training. NEF adheres to the Minimum Standards for Child Protection and Economic Recovery.    Part III – Roles and Responsibilities The consultant is expected to spend 30 working days in country. The configuration of the consultancy will be determined in coordination with the project director and the consultant (e.g., organizing work over 30 consecutive working days or dividing it into two periods).  Working with the NEF-Lebanon and NEF-HQ team, the consultant is expected to:  A.        In partnership with project staff and local partner CBOs, advise and assist in the establishment and operations of livelihoods hubs at three CBO locations, including start-up, management, logistics, operations (including technical considerations); including development of written start-up plans and standard operating procedures and providing staff / volunteer training. B.         Working with the project M&E Officer and headquarters M&E Manager, support the establishment of monitoring and evaluation systems for project hubs, including tools and processes compliant with the grant agreement and inclusive of regular coordination, robust participant and community engagement and feedback mechanisms, assessment, response and monitoring of risks inherent in the operating environment. C.         Contribute to the development of a viable work plan and Project Management Plan through a participatory process that engages the project team, project partners and NEF HQ stakeholders. Assure broad ownership and work plan compliance with the grant agreement, the legal environment and best practices in Lebanon. The work plan shall include: 1) all activities, timelines and targets expressed in the grant agreement, 2) key tasks for stakeholder coordination and engagement, 3) monitoring, evaluation and risk management including dedicated time for reflection on project progress, opportunities, constraints, response measures and stakeholder engagement and feedback, 4) reporting and compliance requirements. D.        Help inform ongoing processes for gathering, coordinating, and communicating current information on livelihoods opportunities, services for referrals, and regulatory information to be utilized at CBO livelihood hubs. Assist in establishing/broadening communications channels to facilitate coordination with humanitarian actors (UNHCR, peer NGOs), government (MOSA, etc.), and partners (CBOs, AUB, ABAAD). Part IV – Milestones and Deliverables The assignment ends on 1 December 2016. and the final report and recommendations for sustainability is to be submitted no later than 31 December 2016. The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables: Activities Number of days Date Plans and Written Procedures: 18   1. Clear written guidelines for implementation of activities / SOPs for hubs developed and project teams trained in them. [Deliverable: Guidelines, SOPs]   Sept. 30, 2016 2. Plans for establishing the hubs in each location, including structure, management and operational framework, type of services/ information, sources of information, logistics, and materials required and hub monitoring and evaluations, including tools and operational procedures for collecting, analysis and documentation of information. [Deliverable: Written Hub Plan]   Sept. 30, 2016 4. Project master work plan and management/implementation plans, including risk management analyses, are developed in partnership with project team. [Deliverable: Written and verbal input to work plan, management/ implementation plan]   Sept. 2016 Training   5   5. Training for project team and partners conducted on project plans and operational framework for the hubs including management and implementation. [Deliverable: Training report]   Oct. 2016 Coordination & Networks 7   7. A network of support and coordinating organizations is developed and linked with project team and livelihoods hubs. [Deliverable: Report detailing support organizations, contact information, outreach and engagement, and potential for further linkages.]   Oct. 2016 8. Communications checklist to support processes for updating information for beneficiaries (e.g., referrals to other services/agencies, regulatory information, market opportunities, etc.) at livelihoods hubs and coordinating with other actors. [Deliverable: Communications checklist]   Oct. 2016 Part V – Technical Direction, Management and Communication The consultant(s) will report to Anis Tarabey (Jordan & Lebanon Country Director) and Paul Worden (Program Officer, NEF-New York). The consultant(s) will work closely with senior program area leads, Rabih Yazbeck and Shannon Mouillesseaux, and the Beirut-based program manager (TBD). NEF will provide a desk, internet connection, and meeting space at NEF’s office in Lebanon. Part VI – Requirements The assignment will be carried out by an experienced development professional with at least 10 years of experience working with refugees and livelihoods and at least 3 years of recent experience in Lebanon. Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis and narrative reporting. Excellent networking and communication knowledge and skills. Current familiarity with the Lebanese operating environment, including legal frameworks, administrative agencies and policies, and limits and best practices, is essential. Fluency in English is required, fluency is Arabic is preferred. Familiarity in the project’s geographical targets is strongly preferred. Part VII – Application Process and Requirements Bids must include the following: Cover Letter stating the candidate skill and experience suitable for the consultancy (max 1 page). Outline of evaluation framework and methods, proposed timeframe, work plan, activities and full budget. CV of proposed consultant(s), sample of similar assessment or report, and references. NEF reserves the right to request additional text or information if submission is insufficient to assess the consultant(s).