Consultant for Market / Livelihoods Capacity Assessment (1 vacancy)

1. Introduction and Background

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is promoting increased economic empowerment of vulnerable individuals in Lebanon, including refugees and poor and marginalized women and youth, through capacity building and support of market-linked skills development, the development of new income-generating activities (IGAs) (refugees) and MSMEs (Lebanese), and access to services to support growth of existing, high-potential IGAs and MSMEs. These efforts are intended to support self-sufficiency and protection among target beneficiaries by expanding their access to economic and social resources, while being sensitive to competition and protection risks, reducing the potential for tension/misunderstanding, and fostering social stability between displaced and host populations.

Many factors are important to the success of these economic activities, including access to markets, quality of products (quality inputs, standard production and processing skills), market demand, competitiveness and compatibility, easy availability of raw material/inputs and market trends/polarity, etc. In addition, activities and considerations related to vulnerable groups – e.g., obstacles, risks, and opportunities that are unique to men or women, youth or adults, people with disabilities, and/or other marginalizing characteristics. Thus, a robust market assessment and mapping must be conducted.

The proposed study will focus on analysis of the current markets and the livelihood capacities and competencies of potential beneficiaries in the project areas (Akkar Governorate: Berqayel, Ouadi El-Jamous, Bebnine; Bekaa Governorate: Qabb Elias, Saadnayel, Taanayel; North Governorate: Minie, Zouq Bhannine. The assessment methodology should include desk analysis and collection of primary data, such as focus group discussions, business surveys, key informant interviews, and market observations, as detailed in the complete Terms of Reference (TOR). It will also involve review and analysis of relevant policies and dynamics that affect access to economic opportunities, including government policies, access to financial services, access to markets, transport etc.

2. Audience and Use

The key audiences of the study are the Near East Foundation and local communities in the project area. The study will support targeting of project activities and strengthening participants’ understanding of local market dynamics, opportunities, and risks. Information from the assessment report (or results) will also be shared with potential funding sources and may be shared with other stakeholders such as local decision makers and public policy makers within and outside of Lebanon.

3. Research Objectives

The key objectives of the Assessment are to:

• Analyze local markets​, including current goods, services and employment in demand in the local market;
• Identify livelihood opportunities​, including potential employment and self-employment opportunities for refugees and vulnerable community members, noting how these opportunities differ for each demographic;
• Evaluate livelihood capacities and competencies among target groups, including skills, resources and specific constraints around income earning for women and youth;
• Assess skills, capacities and constraints of small farmers related to procurement of inputs and production; recommend preliminary high-level improvements in the value chain system to ensure direct linkages with markets.

Across each of these objectives, NEF is seeking an evaluation of market demand and opportunities for work and self-employment outside those traditionally offered by livelihoods programming (e.g., bookkeeping, cosmetic services, food preparation).

4. Research Methodology

The methodology and research tools to be employed during the assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:

Desk Analysis: The consultant will review recent (last 5 years) documents related to the following: (1) existing market assessments in the target areas; (2) market regulatory and price control policies, laws and mechanisms (including those that restrict refugee livelihoods), and (3) relevant documents on market trends, where available.

Market Mapping and Value Chain: The consultant will provide a general map of potential local markets in terms of type, size and volume of market, supply chain, women- and youth-led businesses/trades, main access barriers, key trade organizations, and security arrangements, especially for women and youth.

Interviews with Key Informants and Focus Groups: The consultant will interview key informants in each project village; these will include mainly women and youth, beneficiaries of NEF’s current programs, suppliers, producers, farmers, vendors and consumers. The consultant also will conduct at least one focus group discussion in each project village involving individuals who are members of the targeted demographic for project beneficiaries: Lebanese and refugee women and youth.

5. Final Report

The consultant shall document the assignment in a final report; which will be completed in English by the final day of the assignment. The report must adhere to the attached template and include:

1. Executive Summary (no more than 1,500 words)
2. Details of the assignment methodology and analysis
3. Findings
4. Conclusions and recommendations
5. Lessons learnt from similar programs or initiatives
6. Annexes

6. Time Schedule

The consultant shall prepare a brief workplan. The workplan should set out the consultant’s approach for conducting research activities for conducting the assessment. The period of consultancy should not exceed 20 working days, starting the with the day the agreement is signed.

7. Budget and Resources Required

The payment will be made as 35% in advance upon submission of the workplan (Day 1), 50% on submission of the draft report (Day 15) and 15% on submission of the final report (Day 20). NEF will not be responsible for any further expenses incurred by the consultant during the consultancy visits and for any loss and/or damage to him/her.

8. Selection Criteria

Research proposals will be selected based on:

1. Evidence of the researcher’s in-depth knowledge of the sector / issue
2. Previous studies and written publications in this or relevant fields: 1-3 samples must be provided
3. Clarity of analysis and written expression
4. Fluency in English and Arabic
5. Skills in research methodology
6. Access to data and information sources, including contacts within relevant private sector and government entities