Consultancy: Action Learning Research and Case Study

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONS

Oxfam in partnership with BRD, UTOPIA and Association Najdeh is implementing an EU Funded project entitled “Building Alternative Development Assets and Entrepreneurial Learning” (BADAEL)[1].  As of December 2017, and over the course of 2 years, the project will be implemented in 7 different areas in Tripoli, Beddawi camp, Nahr el Bared camp, el Minieh, Koura, Saadnayel and Jebjenine.

The project aims at supporting entrepreneurial initiatives with a social impact to improve the socio-economic situation among vulnerable communities hosting refugees in Lebanon. Operationally, the project will be implemented over four stages:

Stage 1 (completed): Community members and local stakeholders enhance their understanding of the socio-economic opportunities and local social resilience assets in the target areas

• Resilience assets research was carried out to identify the local assets in all 7 communities;
• Participatory needs assessments were undertaken to identify socio-economic priorities;
• Community events and town hall meetings were organised.

Stage 2 (in progress): Community members and local stakeholders are equipped with skills, access, and knowledge of social entrepreneurship to identify and develop solutions to local socio-economic problems  

• Youth and community members were trained on Social Entrepreneurship (SE);
• Bootcamps were organised to increase the capacity of community members on social entrepreneurship;
• A national SE competition for local social enterprises was launched;
• A total of 46 winners were selected. The initiatives range from promoting local products through traditional and online platforms, to establishing hubs and spaces for women, youth and elderly in addition to addressing day to day and long-term obstacles to achieving a safe, energy-efficient and clean environment. Several ventures also work on ensuring accessibility to people with specific needs and revolutionize healthcare service;
• An incubation period of eight months with financial and technical support will be provided to the winning SEs.

Stage 3 (in progress): Community members and local stakeholders engaged in initiatives to promote SE

• Community events will be organised to increase the awareness of community members on SE through the winning ideas;
• Promotional material and media campaigns are organised to promote and increase the awareness on SE.

Stage 4 (in progress): Actions to advocate for a regulatory framework for SE are implemented  

• Convene different members of the SE ecosystem to advocate for common objectives;
• Organise advocacy actions to advocate for a regulatory framework;
• Organise regional and national level conferences to champion SE as a vehicle for social change and institutionalize it on the national level.

2. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH/ RATIONALE

Oxfam is looking for a research consultant to carry out an action-research to reflect on the implementation of the activities under each stage.  Therefore, the research will be guided by the following research questions:

• How is SE understood, defined, and perceived by community members and local authorities in the areas of operation? What is the perceived added value of SE for the community members? What are the recommendations to increase the knowledge and awareness of SE as an approach to promote social stability and improve local economic situation in communities? – Disaggregate by location, educational status, gender, and age group
• How is the overall approach adopted by BADAEL project to create local-level opportunities that improve social stability and better the socio-economic situation? Probe to address targeting, relevance, etc..
• Which of the implemented activities were useful, and those that were not, to introduce, train, and support community members and other stakeholders to engage in entrepreneurial activities?  - Probe for all the activities separately
• What other approaches, activities were needed to for better targeting and support community members and other stakeholders to engage in SE activities?
• What are practical recommendations that would adapt and contextualize the approach to match the level of understanding of the community members, the status of the SE ecosystem in Lebanon, and the overall framework?

3. SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY

The research consultant is expected to develop the methodology for the research, manage the research through the use of qualitative and quantitative tools, and produce 7 case studies and a lessons-learned paper which documents the different stages. Therefore, the research consultant is expected to:

• Conduct a quick literature review
• Develop the methodology for the research[2]
• Carry out the research (key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field visits, etc…)
• Write up the case studies and the lessons learned

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant is expected to submit the below deliverables:

Type of deliverable

Description

Tentative submission dates

A. Final research methodology with workplan

A methodology that highlights the different approaches and tools to be used by the consultant and a timeline detailing the data collection and studies’ delivery dates

End-August 2019

B. Progress research report

A progress research report which presents the specific methodology and highlights the preliminary thematic findings

End of October 2019

C. Case studies (Part 1)

• Case study 1: Local terminologies and definitions: How is SE understood and explained at the local level

• Case study 2: Local authorities and SE: Incentives for involvement and expected role (Cases with Minneh, Bohayra, and Koura)

By end of November 2019

D. Case studies (Part 2)

• Case study 3: BADAEL’s approach: from outreach, to training boot camps, to open competitions, to incubation: Reflection on the process in targeting/reaching the most vulnerable

• Case study 4: Journey of SEs from previous programs and continues: Reflection on challenges that were overcame, lessons learned, and successes.

•  Case study 5: SE, regulatory framework: Reflections and recommendations

•  Case study 6: SE and networking: Reflections and recommendations

•  Case study 7: SE and the social stability: reflections and recommendations 

•  Case study 8: Case on the women-led SE

By end of January 2019

C. A lessons learned paper[3] research report (with recommendations)

A complete research report and

By the end of January 2019

5.  EXPECTED DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINE

Type of deliverable

Final research methodology with workplan: August 2019

Progress research report: September & October 2019

Case studies (Part 1): November 2019

 Case studies (Part 2): December 2019 + January 2019

A lessons learned paper[4] research report (with recommendations): January 2019

6. PROCESS

Interested consultants should present their CVs/company profiles and a brief proposal which includes a methodology. The proposal should also include all the estimated costs including transportation, logistics, and communication cost.

The CV and the proposal have to be sent to lebanonjobs@oxfam.org.uk by the 29th of August 2019.

[1] Building Alternative Development Assets and Entrepreneurial Learning (BADAEL) project is funded by the EU Regional Trust Fund- MADAD, and implemented by Oxfam, Beyond Reform and Development, UTOPIA, and Association Najdeh. BADAEL aims at supporting entrepreneurial initiatives with a social impact to promote social stability, and counter the socio-economic drivers of instability among vulnerable communities in Lebanon. 

[2] Since the objective of the research is to assess the assumptions at each stage, the consultant is expected to develop a rigorous methodology which ought to guide the administration of the study at each specific stage.

[3] The whole process will be documented/written in the form of two deliverables: 1- and 2- the complete research report which documents all the process. The format & structure of the learning paper will be discussed with the consultant in due time.

[4] The whole process will be documented/written in the form of two deliverables: 1- and 2- the complete research report which documents all the process. The format & structure of the learning paper will be discussed with the consultant in due time.