Business Development Consultants

Project Overview: Under the project "Improving Food Security, Livelihoods, and Inclusion of Women and Vulnerable Groups, and Promoting Gender Equality in North Lebanon," funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ) through RET Germany and implemented by GATE Lebanon, we are seeking Business Development Consultants to support SMEs and women-led enterprises in Akkar.

Project Locations: Akkar

Contract Type and Duration: Frame agreement open until the mission is completed (expected within 2 years).

Target Groups: Approximately 200 individuals, primarily women, in addition to around 10 SMEs/women cooperatives. The project serves vulnerable beneficiaries, including women, handicapped individuals, and refugees, aiming to enhance entrepreneurship skills and economic empowerment.

Scope of Work: The consultant(s) will provide targeted business coaching, training, and mentorship to SME owners and employees. Based on needs assessments, the following focus areas have been identified:

• Financial Management: Pricing strategies, profitability assessment, and financial tool enhancement (e.g., Excel, bookkeeping).
• Business Planning: Development of diversification strategies and growth plans.
• Social media & Marketing: Digital marketing strategies, PR, customer engagement, and online sales optimization.
• Product Development & Value Creation: Enhancing product quality and competitiveness.
• Soft Skills Training: CV writing, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• One-on-One Coaching: Tailored mentorship sessions to refine business strategies and address operational challenges.
• Additional Topics: Identified based on SME needs during coaching.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:

1. Assessment & Planning:

• Design and implement digital and hard-copy questionnaires to assess beneficiaries' needs.
• Develop pre- and post-assessment tests (minimum 10 questions) to evaluate participants' knowledge and progress.

2. Training & Coaching Implementation:

• Provide structured business training and practical coaching sessions.
• Conduct a total of 30 one-on-one coaching sessions (approximately 6 per SME).
• Align with GATE Lebanon on scheduling and session delivery models.

3. Reporting & Monitoring:

• Submit session minutes and progress reports.
• Deliver an initial business assessment report for each SME.
• Provide a final report summarizing impact, supported SMEs, and future recommendations.
• Analyze pre- and post-assessment test results and suggest program improvements.

Consultant Profile:

• Certified business consultant with at least 5 years of experience in business coaching, training, and SME development.
• Proven expertise in business model development, financial management, and marketing strategies.
• Experience in working with vulnerable populations, including women and refugees.
• Proficiency in using business tools such as SWOT Analysis and GROW Model.
• Strong reporting, analysis, and communication skills.
• Ability to provide customized, practical training (not full academic curricula).
• The consultant has to design the training curricula taking into consideration the education level of the beneficiaries

Logistics & Compensation:

• The consultant must be available to travel to selected training locations within Akkar.
• Training sessions should accommodate practical learning, with efforts to hold two sessions per day to optimize costs.
• The consultant should provide a cost breakdown per session/topic, with estimated session numbers required per topic.
• Payments will be made in Euro currency, based on progress, with no advance payments provided.