REQUEST FOR QUOTATION MSME Research Consultant Ref: 201802/CILB0004

TERMS OF REFERENCE

OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTANCY

Under the scope of the project (NAWAT), CARE is responsible for providing support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) within specific industries in Tripoli. The project will also be providing vocational training to youth and women based on the labour demand of the selected industries. Through this approach, CARE aims to support existing MSMEs to increase revenues and create jobs, while also placing participants in the vocational training programmes into respective jobs and apprenticeships. The consultant will be responsible for conducting a needs identification for a number of private companies that are potential participants in the project. The study aims to:

• Identify growth opportunities for the MSMEs
• Identify constraints that are preventing the business from taking advantage of the opportunities
• Support with the development of long-term interventions to minimize those constraints

1. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review previous studies (CARE will provide available studies)

• Contribute to the identification of MSMEs in the area in industries with high growth potential and where migrants can be legally employed. These may include the food and beverage, construction, waste services, and tourism industries. Other industries should be recommended based on selection criteria that include overall impact on target communities, including on gender, and a clear growth opportunity.

• Develop an interview to assess the situation of the businesses. The questionnaire must be approved in advance by CARE.

• Conduct interviews with the MSMEs and provide a typed transcript of each interview/assessment.

• Draft a written report that includes:

• a brief review of previous studies.
• growth opportunities, market trends, market forces, competition, and constraints.
• product and service quality, including (but not limited to) packaging, marketing, quality control, and financial systems.
• a detailed SWOT analysis (or other similar tool that the consultant may prefer)
• a constraints analysis presented at various levels (micro to macro) with suggestions for interventions specific to these constraints. The consultant will deliver recommendations for activities that the project should undertake to facilitate the minimization or removal of the constraints. Recommendations should be feasible and try to maximize the impact. They should take into account both direct assistance (i.e. direct grants to one MSME) as well an indirect effect on other MSMEs.
• a summary of the study.

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS:

The study focuses on enterprises in Tebbane, Qobbe, and Jabal Mohsen within pre-identified sectors. The consultant must be able to travel frequently to these areas.

METHODOLOGY:

The research design will be mixed (quali/quanti) and the tool will be a semi-structured interview with some qualitative questions. The tool will be designed by the consultant with support from project staff. All tools will be approved by CARE before utilization.

80 MSMEs will be interviewed across four industries.

DELIVERABLES:

The consultant will begin on March 7, 2018.

REQUIRED EXPERTISE AND SKILLS:

• A solid understanding of marketing (consumer markets, market trends, branding, packaging, etc.)
• Understanding of the cultural norms and context of Tripoli, specifically Qobbe, Tebbane, and Jabal Mohsen
• Extensive knowledge about the labour market in Tripoli.
• Understanding of the economic context in Tripoli and its suburbs.
• Experience in research within the social sciences field, preferably economic development and livelihoods for non-profits.
• Knowledge of the business development service providers and institutions in Tripoli and North Lebanon.
• Master’s degree in the social sciences field (preferably business administration, economics, or related field).
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic skills.