Consultancy: Research Consultant

Terms of References

 Social, Economic and Cultural Obstacles Faced by Women Social Entrepreneurs and the Factors that Limit their participation in Entrepreneurial Activities in Lebanon 

- Case Study -

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONS

MedUP! is a regional project funded by EU and implemented by Oxfam Italia in six countries. In Lebanon, the project is carried out by Oxfam Lebanon. MedUP! aims to promote an enabling environment in the Southern Mediterranean partner countries for the development of the social entrepreneurship sector as a driver for inclusive growth and job creation. Its specific objective is to increase economic inclusiveness and employment in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine where adequate policies on social entrepreneurship are in place, public-private dialogue and exchanges of practices are promoted and high-quality services for social enterprises are provided.

In Lebanon, MedUP! aims at (i) promoting country and cross-country policy, advocacy initiatives and public-private dialogue to create an enabling regulatory and policy environment (macro level); (ii) reinforcing social entrepreneurship support organizations through capacity-building and networking activities (meso level); (iii) providing financial and technical support to 10 social enterprises (micro level).

Under the framework of MedUP!, a series of case studies will be developed on different themes including but not limited to the journey of women social entrepreneurs with a focus on the social, economic and cultural obstacles that they face wanting to become social entrepreneurs.  Ultimately the case studies will be used to for influencing actions related to supporting a gender sensitive social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Lebanon.

2. PURPOSE OF THE CASE STUDY

Oxfam is looking for a research consultant to write-up a case study that examines the Social, Economic and Cultural Obstacles Faced by Women Social Entrepreneurs and the Factors that Limit their participation in Entrepreneurial Activities in Lebanon. Therefore, the case will be guided by the following research questions:

• What are the social, economic and cultural obstacles hindering women to become social entrepreneurs in Lebanon? How are these challenges impacting women and men differently?
• How do gender norms, roles and structures influence women’s decisions in becoming social entrepreneurs?
• How do organizations take the barriers faced by women into account when planning social entrepreneurship support programs? What efforts should they make to create an enabling environment for women to become social entrepreneurs?

3. SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY

The research consultant is expected to develop the methodology for the case study, collect qualitative data, and produce the case study. Therefore, the research consultant is expected to:

• Conduct a desk review on women social entrepreneurs in Lebanon
• Develop the methodology and the data collection tools;
• Conduct key informant interviews with targeted social entrepreneurship support organizations (SESOs) on how their approaches/strategies/measures take into consideration the barriers that WSEs face in becoming WSEs and the approaches/strategies/measures that still need to be adopted to reduce those barriers? (2-3 interviews max); – consultant is expected to provide the transcripts of the interviews
• KIIs with WSE to explore the challenges they face in becoming SEs
• KIIs with women who applied to competitions but were not selected to understand the support they need, the challenges they faced when applying
• Recommendations on how to tailor outreach, recruitment and coaching strategies according to the barriers faced by women to become WSEs
• Write up the case study in English – Acceptance of the last version is linked to addressing all the comments and will not be related to specific number of rounds of revisions.
• Validation meeting with different actors when first draft is ready

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant is expected to submit the below deliverables:

• Deliverable A: Final methodology with workplan

Description: A methodology that highlights the research questions, data collection tools, description of the sample, and timeline to be used by the consultant.

Expected number of days: 3

Tentative submission dates: End- December 2020

• Deliverable B:  Case study (draft 1)

Description: A first draft of a 5-7 pages case study that includes results of the desk review, and the interviews.

Expected number of days: 9

Tentative submission dates: Mid - January 2020

• Deliverable C: Participation at Validation Meeting

Description: A validation meeting will be organised by Oxfam in order to discuss the case study findings with several actors from the SE ecosystem in Lebanon

Expected number of days: 1

Tentative submission dates: Mid – February 2020

• Deliverable D: Case study (Final)

Description: A revised final version of the case study following two rounds of revision by Oxfam.

Expected number of days: 3

Tentative submission dates: End – February 2020

5. PROCESS

Interested consultants should submit their:

• CV.
• A brief proposal which includes a detailed methodology for the facilitation.
• Quotation including consultancy fees and all associated estimated costs such as logistics and communication costs. Note that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.
• Specify whether the pricing is based on 1) Normal transfer inside Lebanon, or 2) Fresh money.
• Minimum of three references and two samples of similar research (submissions with no samples will not be considered).

6. SUBMISSION

-Interested Candidates to submit their financial proposals along with their CVs to jbabassian@oxfam.org.uk & Lebanonprocuremnet@oxfam.org.uk , also stating the “modality of payment” (fresh or regular check/transfer)