Consultancy : Community Research Consultancy

Terms of References

SEE Change Community Research Consultancy

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Lebanon continues to witness multifaceted and intertwined crises that further aggravate a vulnerable socio-economic situation pushing a substantial percentage of Lebanon’s residents under the poverty line. The severe economic crisis was compounded with COVID-19 pandemic and a devastating blast in Beirut port that destroyed large neighbourhoods in the capital, and led, in August 2020, to the resignation of the government. In the absence of a functioning government, the socio-economic and Covid-19 situations have continued to deteriorate. 

Social Entrepreneurship (SE) is increasingly regarded as a tool capable of easing communal tensions and contributing to communities’ socio-economic development. SEs can “contribute to the economic security of all segments of the population and contribute to economic diver­sity as it invests in territorial development and proximity, promoting community participation, prioritizing local impacts and modelling participatory values”[1].

In Lebanon, a 2019 mapping showed that SE has recently gained more national visibility among urban communities in big cities[2]. This can be explained by the fact that SE responds to the national priorities and is aligned with Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) goal, and the strategy of both the Livelihood and Social Stability Sector. During the past few years, several projects started promoting SE as a tool to strengthen social stability and support local economic development for Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian refugees. Some of the projects invested in building the knowledge and awareness of community members on social entrepreneurship, others supported the identification of social ventures and their evolvement into SE through the provision of ad hoc technical and financial support, while others focused on developing a legal framework for social entrepreneurship[3].

Brief presentation of projects

SEE Change: Oxfam in partnership with Beyond group and COSV is implementing an EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis (EUTF) Funded project entitled “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Change” (SEE Change).  As of September 2020, and over the course of three years, the project will be implemented in five different areas in Beqaa, North, South and Mount Lebanon.

The project aims at increasing   the   impact   of   social entrepreneurial activities in Lebanon, creating employment and social stability opportunities, and supporting the local economy.

The action aims to have an impact on 4 levels:

• Technical level: Developing the capacity of around 7000 community members through the provision of trainings on SE, social economy, social impact measurement, and community outreach.
• Social level: Engaging at least 200 community members in: 1) identifying local assets that hold the potential of being transformed into social justice incubation programs, 2) monitoring and measuring the social impact of SEs that will be supported by the program.
• Economic level: Providing technical and financial resources to support the scale-up, social and economic impact of around 60 existing SEs. Additional support will be provided for the Social Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (SESOs) to ensure that they provide improved and tailored support to the SEs.   
• Policy level: Sustaining the advocacy work initiated through previous projects, namely BADAEL[4], FURSA[5], and MedUp![6], aimed at creating a conducive ecosystem for SEs, civic engagement, and inclusive economic development.

2. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH/ RATIONALE

Oxfam is looking for a community research consultant to conduct a research study that aims to achieve the following objectives:

1. Prepare a research methodology that looks into social capital assessment, gender mobility mapping, and social assets and community resource mapping in the 5 areas of the project (Bekaa, Nabatieh, Jezzine, North, and Mount Lebanon)
2. Identify quantitative and qualitative tools to conduct the research (Assessment, one-to-one interviews, focus group discussions…)
3. Train field researchers on the chosen tools and supervise their work
4. Consolidate the data and generate a final report

3. SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY

The research consultant is expected to develop the methodology for the research, identify qualitative and quantitative tools that should be used to reach the needed outcomes, supervise and follow-up on the field researches, and produce research pieces that document the process, the learnings, and the research findings.

To meet this expectation, the community research consultant is expected to draft a methodology that guides the research, decide on which tool to be used to get the needed outcome, work closely with the field researchers, and generate 15 reports (3 reports in each area x 5 areas) on social capital assessment, gender mobility mapping, and social assets and community resource mapping in the 5 areas of the project.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant is expected to work for a total of 55 working days and submit the deliverables listed below:

Type of deliverable

Deadline

A. Final methodology and workplan

5 working days into the assignment

B. Development of the tools used to collect data (e.g. semi-structured interviews, Key Informant Interviews (KII), online surveys, etc…)

5 working days after the approval of the methodology by the project team

C. Training and supervision of field researchers

25 working days

E. Consolidation of the data and submission of 15 reports

10 working days

F. Drafting of accountability framework and social impact measurement tool

10 working days

Consultant qualifications:

This project should be led by a consultancy group or an individual with:

• Relevant work experience in conducting similar research studies for businesses, social businesses, associations and NGOs;
• Prior experience working with SEs/SMEs in Lebanon;
• Strong experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research;
• Experience on leading, coaching and mentoring field researchers;
• Experience facilitating discussions on online platforms;
• Tech-savvy and agile, able to deploy tech devices and programs for the benefit of conducting meetings and interviews using digital applications such as Zoom and Microsoft teams.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills;
• Excellent communications skills in English, including advanced writing skills;
• Strong communication skills in Arabic are preferred;
• Availability to start immediately and to follow the implementation of the project over 3 years

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested consultants should submit their:

•             CV

•             A brief proposal which includes a detailed methodology for the study

•             Quotation including consultancy fees and all associated estimated costs such as logistics and communication costs. Specify pricing for based on whether 1) Normal transfer inside Lebanon, or 2) Fresh money.

•             Minimum of three references of similar activities implemented, preferably INGO or local NGO experiences.

•             Legal documentation to be attached to the proposals:

•             Registration and official government documents, if applicable. Noting that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.

Oxfam International in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders.

Please submit the EOI and other documents (as mentioned above) by midnight June 11 2021 Lebanon time to Lebanonprocurment@oxfam.org.uk mentioning “community research consultant” in the Subject line.

[1] Developing Social Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation in the Mediterranean and Middle East. 2019. Tallie Hausser, Constantin Tsakas, Karine Moukaddem. Med Brief No 23.

[2] BRD, 2019. Mapping of SE in Lebanon. Unpublished report.

[3] EU MADAD-funded BADAEL and EU MADAD-funded FURSA

[4] A project implemented by Oxfam, BRD, Utopia, and Najdeh between 2017 and 2020. It aimed to raise awareness around social entrepreneurship in tens of local communities in Bekaa and North Lebanon, supported 45 SEs financially and technically, contributed to national advocacy initiatives

[5] A project implemented by SFCG, COSV, UPP, NOVAC between 2015 – 2018. It aimed to strengthen the prospects of youth in refugee and host communities for social and economic inclusion in Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey. COSV supported 10 SEs among 25 SMES.

[6] A regional project that is currently being implemented by Oxfam in different countries in the MENA region, including Lebanon. The project aims to support over 10 SESOs and 10 SEs, contribute to national advocacy initiatives, and create platforms for regional and international exchanges