Program review consultant - review of DRC’s Market System approach in Lebanon

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Operating since 2004 in Lebanon, DRC has addressed the needs and rights of vulnerable populations, working initially with Palestinian refugees (since 2004), Iraqi refugees (2007-2010), Lebanese IDPs (during the 2006 conflict), migrant domestic workers (since 2009) and, since 2011, responding to the Syrian refugee crisis.

DRC Lebanon is currently delivering programming in protection, basic assistance, livelihoods, and community development interventions. This myriad programming seeks to address the immediate needs of displaced populations and concurrently support vulnerable host populations. DRC has three offices spread throughout Lebanon in, Beirut, the Bekaa and North (Halba). For further information about DRC, please refer to our website: https://drc.ngo/

Objectives:

In the framework of the Danish Refugee Council’s Livelihoods Learning Journey, DRC is seeking a Consultant to conduct a mid-term review of DRC’s Market System program in Lebanon.

The consultant will be responsible to conduct a mid-term program review of the market system support activities implemented by DRC in the North, Bekaa and Beirut governorates. The objective of the consultancy is to gather programmatic lessons learnt of the market system activities, develop recommendations for future projects and develop a comprehensive mid-term report of the selection and implementation so far of the support to Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the North, Bekaa and Beirut governorates.

Responsibilities:

• To provide lessons learnt from the MSMEs support and Local Business Clusters (LBC) activities (specifically on the processes used within DRC, the selection of MSMEs, the cash support versus in-kind, etc.)
• To analyse the data of MSMEs collected so far, identify the types of profiles and successes/challenges of the selection of the MSMEs; Draw trends and recommendations according these profiles of MSMEs (eligible and not eligible).
• To provide operational recommendations on how the MSME support can be improve if needed to have greater impact

All of the above outputs would be feasible by gathering evidence from the field already collected by DRC (data collected from MSMEs beneficiaries, from interviews with the staffs, from internal documents such as SOPs etc.).

The expected outcome of this research will be:

• A well designed report detailing the lessons learnt and recommendations for the market system support activities, with profiles of MSMEs assisted. This report will be used to organize a learning review within DRC to adjust the activities for 2022 upon the lessons learnt and develop new activities as recommended, and will be used as a support to develop new projects.

Deliverables:

The consultancy will start on the 22nd of November 2021 and will take a total of 10 days of work. Specific deliverables include:

• One report related to the DRC processes used to support MSMEs and LBC, the lessons learnt and recommendations for the future implementation; one part related to the impact of activities conducted so far and the profiles of MSMEs eligible and non eligible.

Sample workplan design and stages (per project):

Stage #

Role

Phase

1

Consultant

Revision of existing data and documents, and interviews with DRC field teams

2

Consultant

Submission first draft of the report and revision by DRC

4

DRC + Consultant

Feedbacks on the first draft of the report by DRC and modifications to be included by the Consultant

5

Consultant

Submission of the final report

Documents to be submitted

• A technical proposal, reflecting the timeframes required as per the above phases outlined in the consultants own words on the above phases and objectives, tasks and methodology. The proposal should mention consultant’s previous relevant expereince on similar assignments and/ or experience with NGO’s for research on livelihoods and businesses and include commitment to availability for the duration of the assignment and during the identified timeframe (November and December 2021). There is no minimum or maximum length for the technical proposal, but sufficient detail and clarify are required. Bidders may be asked to provide additional information at the proposal assessment stage.
• A financial proposal ”Annex F” showing financial information to the above table, daily rates, design per project stages, supplier can provide additonal information or clarification of prices (breakdown) in the financial form.
• Annex A: Supplier code of conduct signed and stamped
• Annex B: Tender and Contract Award Acknowledge Certificate
• Annex C: ToR signed and stamped
• Annex D: Supplier registration form signed and stamped
• Annex E: General Conditions of Contract, signed and stamped

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a University degree in Economics, Entrepreneurship, or other relevant discipline;. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• At least four-year of relevant experience in MEAL, livelihoods, market support;
• Excellent level of written and spoken proficiency in English and Arabic languages;
• University degree in Economics, Entrepreneurship, or other relevant discipline;
• Knowledge of formal and informal economic and market of the Bekaa, North and Beirut governorates;
• Demonstrable experience in developing similar products for programs related to the humanitarian sector;
• Experience and understanding of the Lebanese market and issues faced by businesses in Lebanon;
• Demonstrable extensive experience in MEAL and program review.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Consultancy Duration: 10 working days

Start date: 22nd November 2021

Location:

The consultant can be based anywhere within Lebanon, and have the ability to travel a least once to the Bekaa, North and Beirut (one day each).

Application process

All applicants must upload a Resume, Technical Proposal and Financial Proposal. A****pplications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 19th of November 2021

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.