Financial Inclusion and livelihood local expert

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Through PMSPL II, Social Impact supplements the monitoring and program management efforts of USAID/Lebanon staff and verifies, monitors, and supports USAID program performance in Lebanon. The period of performance of this project is September 2015 – September 2020.

LIFE Project Description:

USAID’s LIFE project is a five-year (2016 -2021) $20.3 million project to improve economic opportunities for low-income individuals and microenterprises by advancing the business skills of small entrepreneurs and expanding their access to financial services.  LIFE is expanding finance to unbanked and previously excluded microbusinesses, leading to wider access to credit, checking and savings accounts, debit/ATM cards, credit information, and financial literacy training through our partners, including commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and stakeholder NGOs. LIFE is a follow-on t o a previous USAID project that focused mostly on building the capacity of the microfinance sector to reach sustainability.

Furthermore, almost one year after the beginning of the LIFE project, there was a lot of talk from the Central Bank of Lebanon on the need for financial inclusion, especially at the level of low- income people. USAID noticed a tremendous opportunity to expand inclusive finance and build both the supply and demand for financial services that can propel economic growth, investment, and job creation in the communities in Lebanon that need it most. As such, USAID asked for a strategic amendment of the scope of the LIFE project, which shifted one the project’s goal from access to credit to microenterprises, to financial inclusion at the level of banks, which meant that the project had to seek partnership with banks.

The purpose of this evaluation is not only to assess the performance of Palladium under LIFE, but also to closely examine and analyze the underlying methodology of the project’s strategic approach. 

The evaluation should also recommend whether USAID should further pursue its activities in this field and whether it should continue with the same strategic approach.

The evaluation will be conducted within the context of SI’s Evaluation Quality Use and Impact (EQUI™) approach, processes and protocols.  EQUI processes are designed to achieve a quality evaluation that incorporates learning and utilization. 

Evaluation team member : Position description

SI is seeking a local expert with at least 10 years of work experience in the fields of financial inclusion, microfinance, microenterprise development, livelihoods, support to associations, etc. Experience in more than one of the previously mentioned fields is an advantage. Advanced knowledge of the Microfinance sector structure, and challenges facing microenterprises is key. Advanced degree in the related field is a requirement.  The Local expert will join an evaluation team including a Team Leader, a performance evaluation specialist and PMSPL II Staff members. The period of performance is from November to February 2019. The expected Level of Effort is 35 days approximately.  

**Please note: Only candidates with (Lebanese) citizenship will be considered**

Responsibilities:

During the pre-field work period, the expert will work with the evaluation team to develop a data collection strategy, design an interview and key interview guides, and prepare an outline for data analysis.

During the Kick-off period, the expert will work with the evaluation team to finalize the interview guides and finalize the logistics for the field work

During field work, the expert will work with the evaluation team to interview key stakeholders and project beneficiaries, to carry out focus group discussions (FGDs) as agreed upon in the evaluation methodology, to review summaries of FGDs and to prepare summary of interviews for the evaluation report.

At the post-field work level, the expert is expected to work with the evaluation team to analyze the data, write up sections of the report and assist in presenting main findings for USAID.

The expert is expected to support the evaluation team in responding to USAID comments on the draft report and support the team in submitting a final report to USAID mission.

Qualifications:

The local expert should have at least 10 years of work experience in the fields of financial inclusion, microfinance, microenterprise development, livelihoods, support to associations, etc. Experience in more than one of the previously mentioned fields is an advantage.

He /She should have good understanding of the structure, strengths and challenges facing the access to financial services and products, the microenterprise development, and microfinance sector in Lebanon.

He/ She must hold an advanced degree in any of the above-mentioned fields; Ph.D. is an advantage, but not a requirement.

He/ She should have demonstrated ability to undertake needed analysis.

He/ She should preferably have knowledge of USAID and other international donors that provide support to the governance sector.

He/ She should be fluent in Arabic and English

He/ She is expected to work closely with the Team Leader on the evaluation.

Come join our energetic and innovative team!  We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.