RFQ 6154 - Implementation of an in-depth evaluation

SCOPE OF WORK:

Lebanon SME data compilation and analysis

 

About Mercy Corps:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions
into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.

Purpose / Program Description:

With funding from the UK Government, Mercy Corps (MC) is implementing Improved Networks, Training and Jobs (INTAJ) in Lebanon to support vulnerable Lebanese communities and Syrian refugees in the Beqaa and the North governorates in addressing their economic needs.  Among its activities, INTAJ is supporting 120 Lebanese small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to address constraints to growth through the provision of technical assistance and financial grants.

INTAJ has generated a significant volume of data on over 200 Lebanese SMEs across a variety of sectors and geographies (mainly in the Bekaa and North governorates).  Data sources include applications from SMEs to participate in INTAJ; the results of baseline and endline surveys; reports by external business consultants; internal monitoring and evaluation tools such as feedback interviews; as well as employment surveys to measure the effectiveness of INTAJ in boosting employment. 

Mercy Corps is looking to commission a team of consultants to review and consolidate the available SME datasets in an effective manner that would facilitate qualitative and quantitative analysis. The service provider will review and analyze the data to identify trends and patterns, and help Mercy Corps gain a better understanding of the SME environment in the Bekaa and North.

Scope of Work:

While proposed alternative approaches are welcome, the core expected tasks and deliverables are:

• Engage with INTAJ staff and other MC Lebanon stakeholders to understand program history, existing approach and methodologies, as well as data landscape.
• Assess data for exploratory analysis, including consolidation and cleaning of existing data sets
• Develop a data management framework for both qualitative and quantitative data (to be validated by Mercy Corps)
• Consolidate data from available sources based on the validated framework
• Submit inception report to MC Lebanon proposing detailed approach to data analysis
• Conduct exploratory data analysis
• Submit powerpoint presentation of preliminary findings
• Submit final report with identified trends and recommendations for program revision(s)

Relevant Information Sources:

• Application forms from 260 SMEs (up to 12 questions)
• Interview questionnaires from 150 SMEs (up to 35 questions)
• Business coaching reports (Phase I, Phase II, Phase III) for 100 SMEs
• Monitoring and Evaluation data gathered from 100 SMEs

Evaluation Questions:

While proposed alternatives are welcome, the core expected questions are:

• What are main characteristics of SMEs in target regions?
  • sector
  • size by revenue
  • size by number of staff
    • staff by gender
    • staff by nationality
    • staff by type (eg unskilled, skilled, management and part time/full time)
  • challenges
  • capacity
  • capacity utilization
  • profitability
  • loan status
  • Geographical penetration (local, national, export)
  • marketing activities (none, social media, advertising, promotions, etc.)
• What are primary skills and training needs for SMEs?
• Identify SME hiring trends (are businesses hiring, what positions, how many?)
• What are main strengths and competitive advantages of SMEs?

Description of Deliverables:

• Status updates at weekly check-in meetings
• Document defining the methodology chosen for the data consolidation and analysis, validated by Mercy Corps
• Inception report proposing detailed data analysis approach
• Powerpoint presentation of preliminary findings following analysis activities
• Final report outlining findings and recommendations
• Cleaned and compiled dataset and any other data outputs used for analysis

Evaluation Criteria:

• Team qualifications and experience
• Knowledge of private sector development and the SME market in Lebanon
• Demonstrated experience in data management and exploratory analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Proposed methodology and tools for data consolidation and analysis

Team Composition, Qualifications, Roles and Responsibilities:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in private sector development, preferably in the Middle East.
• Familiarity with the design and implementation of economic development programming.
• Some knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its current economic context.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative analysis, including data cleaning and exploratory analysis.
• Excellent Excel skills required; familiarity with a statistical programming language, like R or Python, preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Excellent English skills. Arabic language ability is desirable, but is not required.
• A graduate degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as social science, management, business, economics, finance or other relevant field

                                     

Supervision:

The Consultant(s) will report to INTAJ Program Manager

The Consultant(s) will work closely with: INTAJ Team, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor, Performance and Quality Manager, Director of Programs