Livelihood And Economic Opportunities Consultant

Background: Mercy Corps has worked in Lebanon since 1993, running community development programmes focused primarily on promoting agricultural and economic development, environmental sustainability, and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities.  At present, Mercy Corps is implementing programmes funded by US State Department, the United Nations, and private donors.  Mercy Corps in Lebanon leverages the thriving Lebanese network of development organizations, and works very closely with local entities to implement programmes that focus on: (1) Addressing humanitarian needs resulting from the Syrian crisis in Lebanon; (2) Increasing stability and resiliency among communities; (3) Catalyzing economic opportunities for youth, women and disadvantaged groups in the local economy.   Consultant Objectives: The objective of the consultancy is to provide Mercy Corps with technical support to advance its livelihood and economic opportunities program planning and implementation.  This includes working with the current team to implement existing European Union-funded program Fostering Self-Reliance for Syrians and Lebanese (FORDS) in South Lebanon.   Consultant Activities: The Consultant will: Provide overall technical support to FORDS to complete the required program objectives and deliverables; Develop selection criteria for small businesses and cooperatives that can benefit from seed funding; Identify seven businesses and three cooperatives in South Lebanon with the potential of receiving seed funding to expand employment; Provide mentoring to identified businesses and cooperatives to utilize seed funding to expand business; Assist to develop reports on vocational training courses and lessons learned; Travel to South Lebanon to review programming, troubleshoot, and develop plans to obtain program objectives. Support to advance FORDS deliverables; Contribute to planning livelihood programming to inform strategic direction; and; Other tasks as needed.   Consultant Deliverables: The Consultant will complete: Business and cooperative criteria and identification Business and cooperative mentoring Vocational training courses development Technical support to Project Manager Other deliverables, as directed