Livelihood Consultant For Market Assessment

1- BACKGROUND 1.1 CONTEXT Since March 2011, Akkar has been a primary refuge area for Syrian families fleeing instability and violence. Akkar has a proportionally high level of vulnerable households in an already poor governorate. This includes: • 99,093 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR (and a significant, yet unknown number unregistered).• 23,273 Lebanese living below the poverty line as defined by the Lebanese Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA). The significant presence of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese households places pressure on already weak services and perpetuates strong competition in access to labour market, including employment and entrepreneurship. Lack of skills and capacities hinder access to the restrained job market, while Syrian refugees are only permitted to access certain livelihood opportunities. Moreover the growing pressure on local resources causes some tensions between local communities. The 2014 report titled Livelihoods Assessment of Syrian Refugees in Akkar Governorate conducted by REACH in 2014 found that employment in Akkar was largely irregular and within the informal sector, providing little to no support or benefits to workers. This was especially so with women, stating that only 6% of households had at least one female member in employment, with the main reasons being dependents in the home (23%), a low level of education (25%) or being unskilled (16%). 1.2 - PU-AMI PROGRAMMING Since 2012, Première Urgence - Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI) has developed an integrated response to populations affected by the Syrian crisis. The PU-AMI mission is currently leading activities in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Saida and Akkar, the latter being one of the most under-developed districts in the country and one of the main host areas for Syrian families. In 2018, in line with the LCRP 2017/2020, PU-AMI will focus on increasing self-sufficiency among vulnerable populations (both host and refugee), through safe, stable and sustainable livelihood opportunities. PU-AMI project designs and interventions will include: • Identifying employment and self-employment opportunities for vulnerable target groups • Provision of short-term employment opportunities through labour intensive construction and rehabilitation of public infrastructure and community assets • Support in launching and developing income generating activities based on market assessment findings, along with the provision of technical support and material assistance • Provision of employment support services through facilitating access to vocational training and soft skills development • Partnerships with national and local stakeholders for the provision of quality trainings that align with market needs • Engagement with the municipalities and private sector within the communities of intervention. 1.3 - PU-AMI PROGRAMMING IN AKKAR In Akkar, PU-AMI is implementing an integrated community based approach. In 2015 and 2016 PU-AMI has consolidated its working area to the North-West region of the Governorate (Sahel Area), bringing its Shelter, WASH, Education, Protection, Health and Infrastructure activities centralized within one area. As a result, a comprehensive package of services is offered to the host and refugee communities. PU-AMI is also implementing projects in Akkar focused on the promotion of livelihood opportunities for Syrian refugee and vulnerable Lebanese communities. This includes Cash for Work (CFW) activities beginning in 2014 and a Food for Assets (FFA) intervention supported by WFP in 2017. PU-AMI is currently planning to implement Food for Training (FFT) activities with women, aiming to support short term food needs and improve income generating skills. 60 Syrian and Lebanese women will participate in a 6 month sewing training, which will enable them to gain skills in techniques and increase their opportunities to access to livelihood opportunities in the textile labour market in Akkar. 2- CONSULTANCY 2.1 – BACKGROUND TO THE ASSIGNMENT Recent studies and several discussions between PU-AMI and livelihoods stakeholders in Akkar, identified that the textile sector is a strong avenue for women to create livelihood opportunities in Akkar. In recent discussions with stakeholders who have experience in sewing trainings in Akkar, all agreed that a market assessment focused on textiles could be highly useful for developing trainings and accessing livelihood opportunities. Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted by PU-AMI in the targeted areas (Borj el Arab, Tell Mayaan and Knaiseh) in June and July 2017. 15 female Lebanese and Syrian refugees attended, with the majority stating that they are currently not engaged in any form of employment, with the main reasons being a lack of skills, limited access to the job market and domestic responsibilities (children). When discussing training and livelihoods in these FGDs, the majority of participants declared that sewing was their main interest and opportunity for income. 2.2 – PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT After thorough analysis, this assessment should provide an evidenced-based understanding of the current and potential market (needs, gaps, trends and stakeholders) within the textile sector in Akkar governorate, along with related livelihood opportunities for vulnerable Syrian and Lebanese individuals. The assessment should formulate recommendations for PU-AMI to increase opportunities for vulnerable individuals to access the textile labour market (employment/self-employment) and lead to meaningful impact within the next 24 months. 2.3 – FOCUS OF ASSIGNMENT Based on the experience and recommendations from stakeholders, the assessment should have a focus on the textile sector in Akkar governorate, though other sectors and geographies should be analysed as appropriate. The textile sector in Akkar governorate may include large or small scale operations, from raw materials to final sale, importing from and exporting to a variety of locations, including a variety of products (clothes, materials, handcraft, etc.), and involving multiple stakeholders. The assessment should focus on opportunities for vulnerable people in Akkar governorate, especially (but not limited to) current PU-AMI target areas (such as Halba, Kneisseh, Tell Mayan and Borj el Arab) and beneficiary groups (female Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese women). 2.4 – SCOPE OF WORK Specifically, the assessment should: • Conduct a secondary information review of studies and reports focused on Akkar (including markets and value chains) • Provide a snapshot of the current labour market in the target area considering both supply and demand, and the likely evolution. • Analyse the short and midterm labour market needs and identify needed skills. • Identify key employment drivers (both employment and self-employment), especially looking at new opportunities that can be created for PUI beneficiary target groups. • Identifying challenges and barriers to work (such as legal, regulatory, credit gaps, social networks, hiring practices, etc.) with a focus on identifying skills gaps that act as barriers to labour for target groups. • Map the market to clearly show the context and opportunities for target groups. • Map existing training institutions providing courses (or could potential provide courses) matching opportunities identified. • Undertake value chain study: Research and document the value chains (secondary and primary), and identify and document stakeholders. Map supporting functions, linkages, rules and enabling environments (including relevant markets in neighbouring areas). Assess each supporting function for relevance, opportunity, feasibility and resilience. Rank according to importance in increasing livelihood opportunities along the value chain, as well as opportunities, constraints and key players. Conduct sustainability analysis of the value chains, along with the supporting functions and rules (who does and who pays now and in the future). Identify and assess key players along the value chain. Identify and assess the economic opportunities in the value chain for target groups. • Present an evidence-based set of practical recommendations for PU-AMI intervention, which can lead to meaningful impact for target beneficiaries within the next 24 months (especially those involved in the upcoming WFP sewing project). Depending on other opportunities identified during the initial stage of the consultancy, additional sectors and geographies may be investigated as appropriate. 2.5 - KEY TASKS Tasks Estimated total working days • Undertake desk review of relevant documents in similar studies led in the same area (estimated 4 days) • Develop and submit an Inception Report (estimated 4 days) detailing; A summary of the findings of relevant secondary documents (max. 2 page) Draft recommendations of focus areas Proposed methodology and timeframe Draft tools for primary data collection (key informant interviews, phone surveys, individual interviews, focus group discussions…) Proposed stakeholders to be met  Draft but detailed table of contents of the final report. • Data collection of quality data (estimated 12 days) • Data analysis and draft report writing (estimated 6 days) • Submission of draft report (estimated 0 days) • Prepare and present a power point presentation of the preliminary assessment findings to the PUI team and a number of key stakeholders for comments and discussion (estimated 2 days) • Revision of report based on PU-AMI comments on draft report and PowerPoint presentation (estimated 6 days) • Submission of final report and submit final report and present final PowerPoint presentation (estimated 0 days) • Final presentation of report and PowerPoint presentation in appropriate forum (estimated 1 day) The above working days are an estimation, as the primary measure will be based on accepted output rather than time. It will be up to the Consultant to manage the time and output over the duration of the assignment period (1st November to 31st of December) 2.6 - EXPECTED DELIVERABLES • Inception report: detailing the research method and tools and table of contents of the final report (as detailed above in tasks) • The proposed research tools will be discussed and approved by the PU-AMI Base Program Coordinator before data collection commences; • Draft report and PowerPoint presentation, for PU-AMI feedback • Final Report (including executive summary) and PowerPoint presentation, incorporating feedback on the draft report from PU-AMI. (One electronic copy in PDF Format and one in DOC format.) • A stakeholder register, including a list of organizations/institutions consulted names of persons met with, details of discussion and contact information. • An electronic copy of all data collection tools and the data set. • The consultant will present the preliminary findings to the stakeholders as part of the validation process and upon completion of the report. Presentations will be delivered in both English and Arabic to a diverse audience. 3- MODALITIES OF ASSIGNMENT 3.1- DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT The duration of the assignment 2 months (1st November 2017 – 31st December 2017), including an estimated35 working days (including travel days). 3.2- START DATE OF THE ASSIGNMENT 1st November 2017 3.3- BASE LOCATION Halba, Akkar (Lebanon) with frequent travel within Akkar governorate 3.4- ASSIGNMENT COSTS PU-AMI will provide an overall financial offer to the selected consultant. All costs incurred during the assessment (transport, insurance, accommodation, equipment, data collection, procurement, translation, etc.) should then be covered by the consultant. 3.5- ASSIGNMENT HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) PU-AMI will allocate one full-time Field Officer to assist in the assessment, with their salary costs covered by PU-AMI. The Consultant is expected to manage the Field Officer to ensure their effective and efficient assistance. The Consultant may involve and manage additional human resources as desired in order to achieve the required deliverables. Costs for these additional human resources should be covered by the Consultant under the overall financial offer. 3.6- REPORTING • The consultant will report to the PU-AMI Base Program Coordinator. • The consultant will work closely with other PU-AMI representatives (especially PU-AMI Deputy Head of Mission, Akkar Field Coordinator, Base MEAL Team, and Base Livelihood Field Officer). 4- REQUIREMENTS 4.1 – SELECTION CRITERIA • Post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Business, Economics, Statistics or related field.• Demonstrated experience conducting labour market analyses and chain value assessments in similar environments.• Advanced knowledge in sustainable livelihoods and employment promotion for refugees and host communities• Knowledge of and experience in working in Akkar• Experience conducting similar surveys in Lebanon - especially in Akkar, an asset. • Experience in consultancies with NGOs in similar fields• Communication and facilitation skills (leading groups discussions, workshops)• In-depth knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods• Good analytical, research and presentation skills• Knowledgeable in the use of digital data collection technologies • Excellent report writing skills.• Well organized and attention to details• Reliable and rigorous• Fluent English and Arabic are mandatory (spoken and written)• Technical and financial proposal 4.2- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE STUDY All documents related to the assignment/consultancy shall remain the sole and exclusive property of PU-AMI and may be used for any purpose whatsoever without the need to consult with the author. The key beneficiaries of the study are the local communities of Akkar Governorate, local authorities, donors and other NGOs working on Food Security and Livelihoods.