Consultancy for Development of Artisanal Sector Criteria

Brief project profile

The Alliance2015 Partnership, represented by lead agency ACTED, Cesvi, Concern and Hivos, is running a program that aims to address root causes of conflict and instability in Lebanon, through the creation of sustainable income-generating and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations. Over three years, Alliance2015 partners will work directly with 1,800 individuals, 18 Social Development Centers (SDCs) and at least 27 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Lebanon.

The integrated program targets vulnerable communities with economic inclusion activities through three main pathways:

(A) Building the capacity of SDCs leads to an improved delivery of livelihood-related services;

(B) Improving the technical and soft skills of vulnerable individuals to ensure increased participation in the private sector job market; and

(C) Improving the capacity of the private sector leads to growth and job creation.

Activities include providing livelihood-related resources, assets and renovations to each targeted SDC; offering TVET and soft skills training, paid apprenticeship programs and job-matching services to vulnerable individuals; and providing businesses development services and value chain support to MSMEs.

This assignment is solely focused on Outcome Pathway C with specific focus on activity 3.1: Provide counselling and coaching to MSMEs, including establishing linkages to existing business development services.

Overview of the assignment:​

In order to strengthen the Artisanal sector, Cesvi, together with its consortium partners, has strategically identified the Syndicate of Lebanese Craftsmen and Authentic Producers as an institutional partner to define what constitutes a “handicraft” or an “artisanal product” in Lebanon by specifying the criteria that determine which products are considered crafts or original works.  In order to avoid ambiguity in terminology, these criteria will define clearly the subsectors and products that can be marked as handicrafts and differentiate them from other industries.

The service provider/consultant is a research and assessment expert familiar with building evidence-based criteria, and should have a deep knowledge of the artisanal sector. Assisted by Cesvi’s Livelihood Field Coordinator and the Syndicate of Lebanese Craftsmen and Authentic Producers, the incumbent will conduct literature review, surveys and interviews with Key Informants (KII), among them craftsmen, suppliers and other stakeholders involved in the artisanal sector, and facilitate a 2-day workshop with relevant stakeholders to validate criteria and definitions.

Criteria should include, but should not be limited to, the identification of methods and key crafts in Lebanon in fields such as ceramics, pottery, soap, carpets, blown glass, mirrors and chandeliers, copper etching, wood engraving, glass painting, chadors, knitting, mosaic, miniature paintings, fezzes, and ancient musical instruments. The ultimate outcome of this consultancy is the standardization of the criteria identified, through a robust evidence-based validation process. In particular, criteria must be validated by actors in the artisanal sector in Lebanon, and in line with global good practices.

Scope of work

Taking into consideration the following deliverables, the consultant will provide:

1. An inception plan, which details the methodology/approaches and timeliness associated with the     consultancy. To be submitted within 1 working week (5 days) after the signature of the contract.
2. Surveys and guiding questions that will be used during the assessment. To be submitted within 3 working days after the validation of the inception plan by Cesvi.
3. A survey report, which includes a detailed analysis of all the topics covered during the mapping and information on respondents/key informants and provides a strong justification for the proposed criteria. To be submitted within 3 weeks (15 business days) after the signature of the contract
4. Guidelines for the 2 day-workshop, containing topics and guiding questions to be discussed during the workshop, objectives, stakeholders memo and agenda. To be submitted within 3 working days after approval of the survey report
5. Draft criteria, to be submitted within two weeks (10 business days) after the workshop
6. Review of the final document by Cesvi and the Syndicate of Lebanese Craftsmen and Authentic Producers, including revisions by the consultant if necessary, 5 days after criteria submission

Requirements:

Professional  Qualification

• Consultant must hold a university degree in business management, project management, art history, anthropology, or any other relevant degree

Knowledge/Experience

• He/she should have at least 5 years of experience working in statistical research methods or monitoring and evaluation
• Demonstrated experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis
• Should possess a proven knowledge and expertise gained through similar assignments related to typology or classification
• Desirable that he/she also has experience working with the handicrafts or artisanal sectors

Skills

• Excellent writing and organizational skills, with high attention to detail
• Excellent verbal, presentation, and listening communications skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and an outgoing personality
• Ability to stay up to date with current news, trends and studies related to artisanal sector in Lebanon
• Analytical and problem solving skills, willingness to collaborate in problem-solving

Personal Attributes

• Be honest, trustworthy, and respectful
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity to needs of vulnerable populations
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under tight deadlines
• Take initiative and is open to continuous learning and constructive criticism