Consultant – Business Sustainability Plan Development

usaned is a humanitarian, community-based and volunteer organisation. We believe that the power to create change comes from working collaboratively. Nusaned does not engage in any political activity, and remains at equal distance from all religions. We support communities based on a non-biased, egalitarian and value-based needs assessment process. Our mission is to support under-served Lebanese communities to become self-sustaining by offering access to food security, building shelter and providing ongoing opportunities for productive economies. We do this through innovative and effective partnerships with communities as well as locally engaged, international organizations and donors. Nusaned adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual exploitation and abuse. Nusaned holds a responsibility to protect people we work with, and who work for us, and will continuously strive to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse from occurring. Our actions are informed by a survivor-centred approach which means that the needs and wishes of survivors guide our response, that survivors are treated with dignity and respect, and the rights of survivors to privacy and support are prioritized Summary

1.
Background
Nusaned is implementing a multi-component project under the UN Women fund aimed at enhancing women’s economic empowerment in response to Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis. Building on a previous UN Women-funded intervention launched in 2022, which focused on supporting women-led micro-enterprises and promoting dignified livelihoods, the current project includes a menstrual hygiene pad production initiative operating in Beirut, Baalbek, and Saida. The initiative engages 30 crisis-affected women in structured cash-for-work and production cycles over a period of three months, with the dual objective of increasing access to affordable, locally produced hygiene products and strengthening income-generating opportunities for vulnerable women.
To assess the long-term viability of this intervention, Nusaned is recruiting a consultant to develop a comprehensive Business Sustainability Plan for the menstrual hygiene pad production component, with a focus on market positioning, cost-efficiency, and potential scale-up strategies.
2.
Objective
To develop a practical and context-specific Business Sustainability Plan that ensures the continuity and potential scaling of the menstrual hygiene pad production facilities after the end of the current project cycle. The plan will integrate a socio-economic assessment of feasibility and sustainability in the Lebanese context, with particular attention to economic
Dora Highway, Dora Trade Center Building, 4th Floor (above Silver Arrow & Powertech), Beirut, Lebanon
+961 76 72 72 73 | Reg. #587/2020 | nusaned.org
changes, market challenges, raw material quality and availability, and the persistence of period poverty in Lebanon.
3.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be expected to:
1. Conduct a situational and market analysis of menstrual hygiene products in Lebanon, including barriers to production, mapping of competitors, pricing, procurement dynamics, and socio-economic factors affecting market demand and accessibility
2. Conduct desk reviews of business plans already developed in 2023 for the menstrual hygiene product facilities.
3. Develop a mapping of menstrual hygiene raw materials suppliers used by other producers in Lebanon.
4. Identify and describe key shifts in the menstrual hygiene market (e.g. market demand, prices, imports, locally made products, etc.) since the establishment of the production facilities.
5. Conduct field visits to production facilities in Beirut, Saida, and Baalbek to:
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Meet and interview beneficiaries to understand their experience, challenges working on menstrual hygiene pad production.
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Assess the production sites from a social and economic perspective, including current capacities, workflows, costs, and potential for self-sustainability.
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Assess the quality of the pad compared to similar products on the market or used in humanitarian distributions
6. Conduct KIIs with relevant stakeholders (e.g., organizations, international NGOs, UN agencies, the WASH sector in Lebanon, etc.) to collect insights and experiences, identify common challenges, and practical solutions.
7. Identify target market and appropriate product marketing, pricing and distribution strategies for revenue generation, cost recovery, and partnership development (e.g., pharmacies, NGOs, schools, retailers).
8. Propose a sustainability model for the production units requiring minimal investment. .
Dora Highway, Dora Trade Center Building, 4th Floor (above Silver Arrow & Powertech), Beirut, Lebanon
+961 76 72 72 73 | Reg. #587/2020 | nusaned.org
9. Define a transition strategy from donor-supported model to an independent, community-driven or cooperative model.
10. Draft a Business Sustainability Plan, including:
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Market positioning and value proposition
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Operational model (staffing, production capacity, raw material sourcing)
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Financial forecast (costs, potential income, break-even analysis)
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Governance and ownership structure options (e.g., cooperative, social enterprise, NGO-run)
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Risk analysis and mitigation measures
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Monitoring & evaluation metrics for sustainability
11. Field Visits and Stakeholder Engagement
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Assess potential for collaboration with strategic partners such as the LAU Industrial Hub for access to advanced manufacturing equipment, prototyping facilities, and technical mentorship.
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Explore opportunities for establishing long-term partnerships with humanitarian distributors (e.g., UN agencies, NGOs) through procurement agreements or MoUs to secure predictable sales channels.
12. Quality and Operational Standards
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Review and propose the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for menstrual hygiene production, incorporating regular quality checks, hygiene standards, and clear accountability structures.
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Support the development of a shared production and quality control manual that can be used by all women-led hygiene enterprises in Lebanon.
13. Sustainability and Business Modelling
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Identify target markets and appropriate product marketing, pricing, and distribution strategies for revenue generation, cost recovery, and partnership development (e.g., pharmacies, NGOs, schools, retailers).
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Propose a sustainability model for the production units requiring minimal investment.
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Define a transition strategy from donor-supported model to an independent, community-driven or cooperative model.
Dora Highway, Dora Trade Center Building, 4th Floor (above Silver Arrow & Powertech), Beirut, Lebanon
+961 76 72 72 73 | Reg. #587/2020 | nusaned.org
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Develop financial forecasts and break-even analyses that integrate cost-reduction mechanisms such as bulk purchasing, shared logistics, and framework agreements with suppliers.
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Recommend revenue diversification strategies, including potential contracts with schools, municipalities, NGOs, and humanitarian aid distributors.
4.
Deliverables
Deliverable
Timeline Inception report including workplan & methodology Week 1
Summary of field visits, beneficiary consultations, and stakeholder interviews
Week 2 Market and operations assessment report (with socio-economic analysis) Week 3
Draft Business Sustainability Plan
Week 4 Final Business Sustainability Plan incorporating feedback Week 5
5.
Duration and Level of Effort
Estimated 25 working days between January 2025 and February 2025.
6.
Qualifications
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Master’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Social Enterprise, Public Health, or a related field. A relevant bachelor’s degree combined with substantial professional experience may also be considered
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Demonstrated expertise in socio-economic assessments and market analysis
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Proven experience developing business or sustainability plans for social enterprises, women’s livelihoods programs, or similar initiatives
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Strong understanding of the Lebanese economic and humanitarian context
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Experience in the hygiene or manufacturing sector is a strong asset
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Excellent analytical, writing, and facilitation skills
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Fluency in English and Arabic
7.
Reporting and Supervision
Dora Highway, Dora Trade Center Building, 4th Floor (above Silver Arrow & Powertech), Beirut, Lebanon
+961 76 72 72 73 | Reg. #587/2020 | nusaned.org
The consultant will report to the Project Manager at Nusaned and coordinate, if needed, with the UN Women focal point. Site visits, beneficiary meetings, and validation workshops will be coordinated with field teams.
8.
Application Requirements
Interested consultants should submit:
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CV and cover letter
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Brief proposal outlining their approach (max 2 pages)
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Financial offer