National Research Consultant

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The UNDP project aims to support the Lebanese government in the design and implementation of a productive export-oriented sectors’ strategy that should help put back Lebanon on the growth path and support job creations, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups, specifically women and youth. This project comes under a larger framework, the Productive Sectors Development Programme (PSDP), which will be implemented by UNDP, UNIDO, FAO, ILO, UNWOMEN and UNICEF and which represents a comprehensive approach to supporting the manufacturing (agro-food) and agriculture sectors in Lebanon, identified as having a high potential for job generation for women and youth. The project identified the following activities as priority for implementation to help Lebanese MSMEs access new markets: I. Provide Market Intelligence Support to the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MoET). MoET is currently working on the development of a LEBTRADE platform which will be a national platform that will centralize all the information needed for exporters in the agriculture and agro food sectors to export. This information will include legal requirements for export, a detailed export guide on all administrative/ legislative / logistical/ financial procedures needed to export, detailed reports on how to export specific agro products to specific promising countries. The export guide will also include the development of self-assessment readiness tool that will assess exporters readiness to export. II. Develop an Export Platform for the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon: which will include (1) an exporters directory, (2) export guides for the agro-food industry in specific markets or regions, (3) pitching for Lebanon high-promising products for exports and (4) a schedule of B2B events. III. Develop an Online Academy in partnership with the private sector and the government. The center will offer online and offline courses related to export to increase the capacity of firms to export. IV. Support the Ministry of Agriculture in streamlining all the local food safety requirements that exporters need to abide with prior to exporting: This will consist in compiling all agro food safety requirements into a page in the MoA portal and link it to the other export-dedicated platforms of IDAL and MoeET.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible to develop the following: Support on Food Safety Requirements: • Compile and summarize all food safety related regulations related to selected agro food products in coordination with the focal point of the Ministry • Work in coordination with a web developer, on the design of the landing page for the Ministry of Agriculture that will become a one-stop-shop on all local requirements in terms of food safety for agro-food products • Ensure linkages and synergies with other portals implemented as part of the PSDP export promotion efforts Support in Export Readiness: • Support the development of an export training center by conducting benchmark analysis on similar business models around the world and provide recommendations on suitable operating model for a training center and online academy for Lebanon • Support in the development of the content of the export training center and online academy website • Work on the development and implementation of a survey to identify needs of Lebanese companies in terms of trainings Support on External Market Requirements: • Draft one export guide that includes practical tips on how to enter the European market including information on consumer trends, distribution channels, and custom procedures specific for the sector and main agro-food categories among others. For additional information, please refer to ANNEX I – Terms of Reference

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge of the Lebanese economy,
• Knowledge of Lebanese productive sectors,
• Excellent English and Arabic reading and writing skills
• Very good communication skills
• Ability to analyze legislation related to export procedures / trade / quality requirements, etc.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Knowledge of the UN preferable.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• The Individual Consultant should possess the following minimum qualifications:

Education:

• University Degree in Economics or any related field (business, finance, etc)
• Master’s degree in economics or above related field is preferred

Years of experience:

• 2 years of relevant experience in economic research, specially in relation to productive sectors

Technical experience: The consultant will need to have the following experience:

• Experience and familiarity with work with government entities is a must
• Familiarity with issues facing productive sector growth specially post crisis and post COVID is a must
• Previous experience with UNDP is preferred.

How to apply: The consultancy is open for all national consultants who meet the selection criteria and propose a competitive fee. Interested consultants are requested to apply only through this UNDP jobs portal. Submissions through any other media will not be considered. The application must include all of the following documents: 1. P11 - can be accessed through this link : lb.undp.org/content/dam/lebanon/docs/Proc/P11 Personal History Form.doc 2. Annex 3 (Offerors Letter) and Financial proposal can be accessed through this link: http://lb.undp.org/content/dam/lebanon/docs/Proc/Annex%20III%20-%20Offeror's%20Letter%20to%20UNDP.pdf All files shall be submitted in one single document and uploaded as word or PDF file to the UNDP job site. It has been observed that bidders don’t submit all requested documents and thus reducing their chance to be selected for a contract with UNDP. before you submit your offer please revise that the application is complete and comprises all documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered.