LB-BT-00693 Proposal & Budget Development Consultants

1. BACKGROUND

PUI current programming

Since 2012, PUI Lebanon has developed an integrated response to the populations affected by the Syrian crisis. PUI mission is currently leading activities in Mount Lebanon, Saida, Tripoli and Akkar, the latter being one of the most under-developed districts in the country and one of the main host areas for Syrian families.

In the past 3 years, PUI has been implementing livelihoods programs to improve income generation of vulnerable households through better access to markets, enhancement of employability (Inc. vocational trainings, work-based learning and career counselling activities) and entrepreneurship components. PUI strategy also aims at promoting an integrated approach to support the resilience of most vulnerable and at-risk households, for example to reduce the prevalence of child labour, promote decent working conditions, etc.In 2020, PUI launched assessment and programs to support specific value chains, especially in the agricultural sector (including support to vulnerable small farmers and gardeners in Akkar governorates), as well as in livelihood (including improving economic opportunities through soft and hard skills training in Akkar, North, BML and South governorates).In the frame of all those programs, PUI works in close collaboration with local partners (NGOs and private stakeholder).In 2020, PUI was supported by CIAA and Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) for its livelihood and food-security programming.In the coming years, PUI aims to reinforce the ability of each vulnerable community to become self-reliant and resilient to crisis through 2 strategic pillars targeting the most vulnerable populations (including both host, displaced and refugees’ communities): Access to sustainable essential services and supporting support to vulnerable and at risks-individuals in a worsening environment. Accordingly, PUI is planning to increase its food-security and livelihood projects focusing on improving economic opportunities, social cohesion, and resilience of vulnerable populations in Lebanon. ACF Current Programming

Action Against Hunger (ACF) has been working in Lebanon since 2006, supporting the most vulnerable communities and individuals in South of Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley through integrated programs with humanitarian support and services. Since the explosion on the 4th of August, ACF has been present and in close coordination with all humanitarian partners in Beirut, where its main office is located.

As part of the Food Security and Livelihood program, ACF acquired extensive experience with cash programming during the past five years through the implementation of several projects which include cash assistance to support the most vulnerable families in the Bekaa and the south of Lebanon, and ACF is already conducting cash-assistance projects in different areas of Beirut to respond to the emergency needs following the Beirut explosion. The modalities used by ACF’s cash-programming differ from one project to another based on the existing needs in the community. As such, ACF in Lebanon has provided cash-assistance in various forms including: Multi-Purpose Case Assistance, Emergency Cash Assistance, Food for Training and Food for Assets, Cash-for-Work, Fresh Food Vouchers (using the ACF-developed cash transfer system known as the KACHE). As part of its Food Security & Livelihoods portfolio, ACF also implements Cash for Work Project in the Solid Waste Management Sector in Bekaa and South Governorates. In 2020 December, ACF started to implement a agricultural livelihoods project in Bekaa and South, whose aim is to improve the profitability of small-scale farmers and increase technical knowledge and management skills of agricultural cooperatives.

The project activities in Beirut consists several cash interventions and the emergency support to MSME that have been heavily affected by the Beirut Port Blast. These activities allow people to meet their basic needs in a flexible and dignified manner right after the shock while stimulating the local market and economy. However, in order to ensure a real sustained change and prevent further asset depletion leading part of the population to destitution, the support strategies need to transition to the recovery phase through a longer support intervention.

Due to COVID19 critical situation in Lebanon, the ACF interventions focus on awareness raising on Covid19, preventive measures and good hygiene practices in the facilities. ACF is one of the main NGO working in the field of WaSH and supporting the prevention and control of the COVID-19 spread I Lebanon. It has been doing this kind of activities in different parts of Lebanon since the beginning of the pandemic and currently expands the intervention.

As its core mandate, ACF has been implementing nutrition awareness one-on-one and group sessions in Bekaa and South, targeting vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees. ACF has led baby-friendly programs since 2014, focusing on infant and young child feeding practices through supporting caregivers of infants and young children to care for themselves and their families, especially in relation to nutrition, health, and mental health – both at the community level (informal settlements, collective shelters, community groups) but also supporting ministerial entities to improve nutrition services at the health care level. As such, ACF has already developed nutrition and psycho-social support –focused awareness modules, activities and approaches that engage caregivers, amended based on feedback from caregivers targeted in previous programs, all while allowing professional counselling and peer-to-peer support and making sure the community is well-engaged.

2-     CONSULTANCY

2.1 – Background to the assignmentIn 2019 and 2020, the financial crisis that stroke Lebanon was amplified by the COVID19 outbreak and its disastrous impact on the world economy. Those successive shocks have deeply impacted the Lebanese economy and its labour market, threatening to throw hundreds of thousands of Lebanese and refugee households in poverty.In 2020, the agriculture sector’s situation, deeply impacted by the Lebanese Pound devaluation and price inflation (food inflation rate for the past 12 months above 360%; 56% fall in volume sales for high end food products between 2019 and 2020; 240% increase in consumer price index…), worsen, putting the agricultural production system at risk, as small and medium size farmers may not be able to sustain production for the 2021 seasons.2.2 – Purpose of the assignment In the frame of the MINKA initiative for Middle East, The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is launching a call for proposals (CfP) for projects supporting the agricultural sector in Lebanon, both on the production aspects (contribution to the national food security) and on socio-economic ones (maintaining or increasing employment in the agricultural sector, especially in the objective of preventing intercommunity conflicts). The initiative will cover project responding to four main objectives:

1. Develop emergency interventions to support farmers and value chain actors cope with the impact of the socio-economic and financial crisis
2. Support and facilitate investment and job creation in agriculture
3. Maintain and improve agriculture exploitation profitability
4. Implement pilot actions to improve agriculture national socio-economic impact and support structural and governments reforms.
5. The specific objectives of the projects are as follow:

1. Develop emergency and priority interventions to support farmers and / or value chain actors in coping with the impact of the socio-economic and financial crisis.
   1. Contribute to answering humanitarian needs, with any activities thematically related to the project objectives
   2. Input provision / procurement, cash transfer / vouchers, support to cooperatives / input procurement schemes

 

2. Maintain and improve agriculture productivity and exploitation profitability and facilitate job creation in agriculture.       

1. Develop and spread local agricultural knowledge or techniques, improve agricultural practices, reduce dependency to imported inputs
2. Improve farmers financial and business management skills
3. Develop extension services
4. Improve agricultural workers skills

3. Support and facilitate investments

1. Develop financial tools for small farmers to cover their operational costs.
2. Support farmers cooperatives, associations…etc.
3. Facilitate investment in medium size value chain infrastructure

4. Implement pilot actions to improve farming practices, market access, transparency, efficiency

1. Support the setting up of pilot production plots, schemes, experiments
2. Support the implementation of a pilot market information system
3. Support the implementation of pilot alternative wholesales market(s)
4. Organize long-term value chain linkages between farmer clusters and large buyers.

The CfP will target projects to be implemented from 3 to 4 years for a budget up to twenty million (20,000,000.00) Euros.In this scope, PUI, ACF, Arcenciel (AEC) and Amel Association International (AMEL) have formed a Consortium to design a project responding to the needs of this sector for all populations, regardless of their status in all regions of Lebanon.This proposal will dwell on the experience of all partners of the Consortium in this field of expertise and on all other relevant programming.2.3 – scope of work2.3.1 Proposal Development ConsultancyGiven the above background, the consultancy will present an evidenced-based analysis of the current context (needs, gaps, trends and stakeholders) taking into consideration the recent events in the country (economic turndown, covid-19 outbreak, Beirut port Blast). He/she should identify potential threats and opportunities that will affect the Consortium programs and target groups.He/she will be expected to coordinate with the partners to produce:

• A context analysis:

The Consultant will produce a thorough analysis of the agricultural and socio-economic context in the targeted zones of intervention through secondary data review, market analysis, local political economy mapping, data collection and mapping, value-chain identification… to ease the selection of key agriculture opportunities. The context analysis will be gender and age sensitive.

• A consolidation of the different assessments produced by the partners in the preparation of the CfP:

In coordination with PUI, ACF and their local partners, the Consultant will be responsible for collecting and consolidating existing assessments and data, analyse gaps, and elaborate an action plan accordingly.

• Conduct technical needs assessments in the planned areas of intervention

Following the above-mentioned consolidation, the Consultant will prepare and conduct additional rapid need assessments in North, Akkar, Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, South and Nabatiyeh governorates, focusing on the 4 main Minka objectives:

1. Improving living conditions
2. Inclusion of Youth and Women
3. Facilitate social cohesion between hosts and refugees’ communities
4. Building local capacities and improve resilience.

In line with the results of rapid need assessments and the specific objectives of the project as outlined above, the Consultant will develop an agricultural livelihoods programming that details all the activities, outputs and outcomes that will yield to achieve 4 main objectives of the Call.

• Identifying relevant stakeholders and conducting key informant interviews

The Consultant will identify, map, and conduct key informant interviews with relevant local, regional and national, private and public political and socio-economic stakeholders, including local cooperatives, agriculture centres, agri-businesses, agro-food processors, municipalities and unions of municipalities, local associations, chambers, Lebanese Water Establishment, ministries, etc…

• A Theory of change

Based on the analysis, the Consultant will elaborate a Theory of change on which the proposal will be built upon.

• Redaction of a Proposal and all related annexes, including a logical framework and a MEAL plan

In cooperation with PUI and ACF technical teams, the Consultant will draft a project proposal addressing the gaps and changing needs identified in the targeted areas. The approach developed will adopt a gender, age and nationality and ecology sensitive lens. Among the annexes, the proposal will include a logical framework detailing Minka’s general objectives, results expected, and indicators. This logical framework must be accompanied by a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning plan enabling PUI and ACF to ensure the quality of their intervention, and to be accountable to local population, relevant stakeholders, as well as to the donor. The project must address both emergency and development needs of the agriculture sector in Lebanon, and plan for a 3 to 4-year implementation. Given on-going national lockdown measure, the Consultant will provide part of the work through remote technical counselling and desk review. Online meetings and workshops should also be expected.The assignment is expected to last for an equivalent of 20 full days, spread over 2 months, until February the 17th .2.3.1.1- key tasks of the proposal development consultant

Context analysis

2 days

Consolidation of the different assessments produced by the partners in the preparation of the CfP

2 days

Conduct technical need assessment in the planned areas of intervention

5 days

Identifying relevant stakeholders and conducting key informant interviews

2 days

Presentation of the findings to the two organizations

1 day

A Theory of change

1 day

Redaction of a Proposal and all related annexes, including a logical framework and a MEAL plan

7 days

2.3.1.2 - Expected deliverables

• 1 presentation organized
• 1 full proposal delivered, including relevant annexes (Logical framework, Theory of Change KIIs, MEAL plan, Context analysis and assessments…).

2.3.1.3 - Duration of the Assignment

The duration of the assignment is from January 3rd 2021 to February 17th, 2021.

2.3.2 BUDGET Development ConsultancyIn coordination with both Partner’s relevant departments and the consultant for proposal development, The Budget Development Consultant will be responsible for drafting and consolidating the proposal’s detailed budget. This document will be based on the template provided to the consultant and accompanied by a budget narrative justifying each and every expense. The budget should not exceed twenty million (20,000,000.00) euros.Given on-going national lockdown measure, the Consultant will provide part of the work through remote technical counselling and desk review. Online meetings and workshops should also be expected.The assignment is expected to last for an equivalent of 6 full days, spread over 2 weeks, until February the 17th, 2021 . 2.3.2.1 Key Tasks of the Budget Development Consultant

Train the partners about the specific needs and guidelines requested by the donor before the preparation for the budget

1 day

Coordinate, support and advise the development of partners` budgets to all partners

4 days

Detailed Budget of the Proposal in compliance with the donor rules.

1 day

2.3.2.2 - Expected deliverables

• 1 presentation organized
• 1 full proposal budget delivered, including relevant annexes (Budget Narrative, Total Cost per each Budget Chapter)

2.3.2.3 - Duration of the Assignment

The duration of the assignment is from February 8th 2021 to February 14th, 2021.

The Consultant will submit a budget based on the number days worked and assigned to each task. It will be up to the Consultant to manage the time and output over the duration of the assignment period.

 

3. MODALITIES OF ASSIGNMENTS

3.3- Location

Beirut (Lebanon)

3.4- Assessment costs

PUI and ACF will provide an overall financial offer to the selected Consultant. All costs incurred during the assessment (transport, insurance, accommodation, data collection, procurement, translation, etc.) should then be covered by the Consultant.

 

3.5- Reporting

• The Consultant will report to PUI’s Deputy Head of Mission and ACF’s Food Security & Livelihoods Coordinator.
• The Consultant will work closely with other PUI representatives (Akkar & Saida Field Coordinators, Livelihood Technical Advisor, Technical Coordinators), ACF representatives (Deputy FSL Coordinator, FSL Programme Managers and Head of Projects in Bekaa and South and other technical Coordinators in Beirut) and the partners of the Consortium.

 

3.6 Evaluation Criteria

Educational and Professional Background of the Applicant: 30 %

Experience in Similar Consultancies & Projects: 40 %

Quality of Financial Proposal and Offer: 20 %

Feasibility of workplan & timeline: 10 %

 

3.7 Payment Modalities

The total amount for the consultancy will be paid within 15 days after submission of project proposal and budget.

4. REQUIREMENTS  

4.1 – Selection criteria

• Post-graduate degree in Agriculture, Social Sciences, Business, Economics, Statistics or related field.
• Demonstrated experience conducting labour market analyses and chain value assessments in similar environments.
• Advanced knowledge in sustainable livelihoods and employment promotion for refugees and host communities
• Technical and financial proposal development experience
• Experience in consultancies with NGOs in similar fields
• Communication and facilitation skills (leading groups discussions, workshops)
• In-depth knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Good analytical, research and presentation skills
• Knowledgeable in the use of digital data collection technologies preferred
• Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese context
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Well organized and attention to details
• Reliable and rigorous
• Fluent English and Arabic are mandatory (spoken and written)
• French is a plus

4.2- Intellectual property rights and beneficiaries of the study

All documents related to the assignment/consultancy shall remain the sole and exclusive property of PUI and ACF and may be used for any purpose whatsoever without the need to consult with the author.