Tripoli Market Assessment

1.   Background More than 1.5 million refugees from Syria have settled in Lebanon since 2011, representing 25% of the country’s population. Their living conditions are deteriorating quickly due to the lack of access to basic services (shelter, food, health, etc.). In addition, the crisis is also having a dramatic impact on the economic situation of Lebanon and on the capacity of both Lebanese and refugees to find sustainable livelihoods. Tripoli city is the second largest city in Lebanon after the capital Beirut, but at the same time, includes the most deprived neighborhoods. Per the north governorate profile issued by UNHCR, more than 80,000 vulnerable Lebanese, 9,000 Palestinian refugees, and 61,000 Syrian refugees live below the poverty line out of a total of more than 300,000 inhabitants of Tripoli city. The most vulnerable groups are concentrated in neighborhoods where CARE focuses interventions. The World Bank projects an increase of the overall unemployment rate in Lebanon by 10 percentage points, and according to UNHCR, half of the refugees do not have livelihood activities and rely on humanitarian assistance or negative coping mechanisms. CARE International is implementing a pilot project to enhance livelihoods in vulnerable neighborhoods in Tripoli area. The project aims to contribute to the economic self-reliance and resilience of affected populations in Lebanon with a specific objective to Improve access to skills and livelihoods opportunities in vulnerable neighborhood of Tripoli. The project targets young males and females with vocational training to enable them seek job opportunities in the local market for income generating activities. In order for CARE to build on this pilot project for future livelihood intervention, it needs to better understand local private sector, its dynamics, and demand for labor and explore any scalable opportunities. CARE will seek to hire a consultant to conduct the assessment on consultancy basis according to the following 1.   Scope of Work The scope of the Assessment is to have a holistic understanding of the local private sector in Tripoli, its dynamics and the demand for skilled labor. In more specific the objective of this assessment is to identify market-based economic opportunities accessible by vulnerable target groups in Tripoli. This means the identification of up to three sectors that the most vulnerable people living in Tripoli are working or offered work opportunities in. These sectors should be economically viable As mentioned above this assessment is expected to identify the major economic sectors in share of labor force in the area of Tripoli, this means that the identified economic sectors should be the ones absorbing the largest number of labor force compared to other sectors in the targeted area and that the labor force included is of a certain vulnerability profile that matches the most vulnerable population living in Tripoli. After identification of the prioritized sectors the assessment is expected to detail the profile of recruited employees and services providers in these sectors in terms of education, skills, gender, ages, income...   In addition to that the assessment should explore the barriers prohibiting expansion of local businesses operations and limiting the increase in employment of host community and refugees, as well as to explore the risks observed by local business owners and the potential options to mitigate and/or overcome these barriers. This assessment is expected to provide evidence for future selection of sectors for livelihood intervention as well as market-based solutions to be used by CARE international Lebanon for future programming. 2.   Methodology To accurately address the questions raised above, the consultant is expected to use a mixed methods approach including qualitative and quantitative data collection. A detailed final methodology and work plan consist the first phase of the consultancy and should be accepted by CARE international in Lebanon. The methodology should include: Reviews of secondary information, researches, reports assessments … Focus Group Discussions with vulnerable men and women Key informants interviews with major employers and practitioners of the major business sectors. Data analysis Development and implementation of supplementary tools Produce report including data analysis, findings and recommendations for further programing and areas of research.  3.   Expected Deliverables Matrix of secondary data sources Methodology and work plan including data collection tools Production of draft report to be reviewed by Care international in Lebanon Final Report with Recommendation for market based livelihood interventions with the following structure: Title page, table of contents, executive summary in English and Arabic, list of acronyms, description of the program and any changes, description of the research methodologies, findings, recommendations for program improvement; bibliography. Data set for quantitative and qualitative data collected. Workshop with stakeholders to share findings and recommendations   4.   Qualification of Researchers The research can be led by one consultant or a team of consultants that must however meet the criteria set below: Advanced degree in sociology, economics and/or development studies Strong background in market assessment and analysis for humanitarian programming Previous experience in assessment studies Proven experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection methods Strong analytical and writing skills Good coordination and organization skills Fluency in English, fluency in Arabic and French is an asset Good organizational skills, the ability to pay close attention to detail and capable of reporting in a timely manner. Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically. Ability to present complex information in a concise and convincing manner, and to use innovative forms of communication. Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy; capacity and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances. Interested candidates should send the following documents to the following email address: Full CV including 3 business references who received similar reports from applicant. 1 or 2 examples of market assessment reports from previous experience. A preliminary proposed methodology and work plan explaining the total work-days and duration period to accomplish the assessment and indicating daily rate in USD. A covering letter explaining how you meet the qualifications and skills required;