Financial Literacy and Business Development Support Mentors for Micro Enterprises

Terms of Reference:

 

Financial Literacy and Business Development Support Mentors for Micro Enterprises

 

AMAL (Hope in Arabic) Project Phase II – Lebanon

March 2025- August 2025

 

Introduction and Objectives of the Program

2025: AMAL (Hope in Arabic) Project Phase II will expand the scope of the Phase I pilot on a national scale in terms of advancing financial and economic inclusion while supporting businesses to sustain and survive amidst the war aftermath.

This objective will be achieved through the mobilization of affordable and subsidized access to finance fund stimulus for early recovery and sustainability of businesses through digital financial services, financial literacy and basic business development services support.

Through partnering and leveraging existing relations with AM and the private sector “Mobile Wallet”, 320 entrepreneurs will benefit and get access to affordable subsidized financing through e-wallet amidst the war that Lebanon has been going through.

The Phase II of the project will continue to target and address the marginalized entrepreneurs especially women, displaced and host communities that are an essential pillar to the future economic recovery and social stability in Lebanon.

The project will also be lessening the current economic inclusion gaps through gender lens.

Additionally, the project will focus on educating the participants on financial literacy and responsible finance through the provision of digital non-financial services materials.

The AMAL Phase II project will focus on three outcomes:

 

Problem

Proposed Solution

Cause 1:

Access to Finance

Outcome 1:

Improved access to affordable and inclusive microcredit

Cause 2:

Cash Economy

Outcome 2:

Transition from a cash economy to E-Wallet and Cashless Transactions

Cause 3:

Financial Literacy & Business Development Support

Outcome 3:

Enhanced Financial Literacy & Business Development Services

Objective and Scope of Work

Financial Literacy and Business Development Support is part of the LWR AMAL (Hope in Arabic) Project Phase II.

The AMAL-ELCA phase II project is based on the following theory of change:

IF – Lebanese MSEs receive access to affordable and inclusive microcredit.

IF – Lebanese MSEs receive awareness sessions on E-Wallets and Cashless Transactions.

IF – Lebanese MSEs receive financial literacy training and business development support

THEN – The project will achieve financial and economic inclusion and pave a solid pathway for cashless society, while promoting economic growth and prosperity for entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid. 

The Financial Literacy and Business Development Support Service provider will link 320 micro and small entrepreneurs with experienced mentors for an online/virtual training of 4 hours session per entrepreneur/project participant on financial literacy, awareness on how to register your business, provide business advice, basics of business management and business development support.

The financial literacy and business development support will start and conclude with a pre- and post-final assessment to ensure participants have understood the concepts covered and are equipped with the necessary knowledge to effectively manage the financial aspects of their micro and small businesses.

Financial Literacy Training

The service providers must be specialized in financial literacy materials tailored for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and will be responsible for assessing the mentees' progress before and after receiving their training and prior to receive access to finance from the Microfinance Institution (MFI).

To equip micro and small business owners with essential financial management skills and knowledge, the program curriculum must achieve the objectives below and will cover the following:

• Developing standardized and cohesive Non-Financial Services Materials targeting project participants/entrepreneurs and as described in this ToR
• Assessing ToR as project participants
• Delivering online 4-hour session of Non-Financial Services to 320 micro and small enterprises cover 3 topics as follows:
  • Topic 1 - Debt/Loan (Financial Management) to allow entrepreneurs to define financial goals and identify the business investment needs, understand the concept of and risk of indebtedness to successfully manage debts. This topic might also cover basic financial concepts and terminology, the importance of financial management and how to develop a small financial management plan
  • Topic II - Costing and Pricing for the micro and small entrepreneurs products and services, explaining for entrepreneurs the concept of pricing strategy, process, competitors among other characteristics to help them balance between sustainability and competitive advantage in the market
  • Topic III - Budgeting and Cash Flow Management for micro and small entrepreneurs to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and productivity of their businesses including how to develop a budget, understand and manage the concept of cash flow and types of business incomes and expenses.
• Assessing the financial literacy levels before and at the end of the training
• Data Collection, Analysis, Monitoring and Reporting

Business Development Services – Business Advisory

The service provider must have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Lebanese micro and small enterprises, particularly in terms of limited resources, market access, and financial management. The service provider should be equipped to offer tailored guidance, strategies, and solutions that can help these enterprises improve operations, scale sustainably, and enhance overall profitability.

To provide micro and small enterprises with the proper business advisory coaching service, the service provider will be covering the following:

• Providing a small awareness session on “how to register your business”
• Delivering customized advice based on the challenges each micro and small entrepreneur is facing
• Ensuring that businesses adopt best practices in areas such as marketing, financial management, and business planning
• Assessing the business profiles for 320 micro and small enterprises referred to in this scope of work as project participants
• Assessing the mentee’s progress before and at the end of the business advisory sessions
• Ensuring mentees fill in evaluation forms to assess their satisfaction with the coaches
• Data Collection, Analysis, Monitoring and Reporting

Deliverables:

• Provide virtual support and guidance to project participants running micro and small businesses across various sectors and geographical areas in Lebanon.
• Share knowledge and experiences to help participants excel in their businesses.
• Motivate project participants to achieve the objectives of the project and reach their full potential.
• Ensure completion of Financial Literacy pre and post tests (non-self-reporting) to evaluate participants' financial skills and knowledge improvements per topic.
• Ensure participants fill out an evaluation form to assess their satisfaction with the non-financial services provided.
• Follow up on and comply with LWR’s Performance Management Plan (PMP) by monitoring relevant indicators.
• Submit narrative reports due on 15 June 2025 and 15 September 2025.
• Adhere to LWR’s requirements for reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Maintain the confidentiality of information shared by project participants, mentees, MFI, LWR, and the AMAL II project.

 

Qualifications and Experiences

• At least five years of previously demonstrated experience in business coaching/mentorship and delivering financial literacy for micro and small businesses with achievements and performance measurable metrics and examples
• A graduate degree in Business related discipline or any other relevant field associated with business coaching needs/sessions for business coaches/mentors
• Understanding and experience in the MSEs/entrepreneurs in different business sectors
• Clear understanding of the local Lebanese business market context
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Self-motivated and results oriented, drive for measurable results in a timely manner and demonstrate passion to motivate entrepreneurs
• Strong commitment, responsibilities and proactive solutions oriented
• Have strong training, coaching and mentoring skills
• Self-motivated and with the ability to work under minimal supervision
• Have basic knowledge of how to use digital communication platforms
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ability to work under pressure and to deliver under stressful timeline

Time Commitment:

Anticipated Duration of the Project

 

Overall length for the business advisory and financial literacy training

 

6 Months

Start and end date (day, month, and year)

Starting date: March 1st, 2025

Ending date: 30 August, 2025

 

The business coaches must be willing and able to meet virtually with each MSE per the requirement of this assignment. Also, she/he must be flexible in conducting meeting(s) with LWR, partners and stakeholder(s) when needed. The estimated duration of this assignment is no longer than six months.

 

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