Economic consultancy

In the framework of NAHNOO’s work on promoting access to public space, and to the public seashore, it is seeking to commission an economic research study on the benefits of a vibrant and inclusive public shore in Lebanon.

The use of urban space, particularly the seashore, has been the subject of several reclamation campaigns by the Lebanese civil society (e.g. The civil campaign to protect Dalieh of Raouche, Ramlet al Bayda for all campaign, Save Kfaraabida campaign, The campaign against the construction of Adloun port, etc.). Today, public support for enhancing access to public spaces, removing encroachments, and developing the cost in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner have become a very popular discourse. This led to the adoption of the discourse by many municipalities and by several parliamentarians in their media campaigns.

However, the prevailing economic model based on encouraging real-estate and touristic resorts development along the coast is well-rooted in most of our cities. Indeed, together with the banking sector, the real-estate sector is one of the main pillars of the Lebanese economy. Despite the cost of this model on the public access to the shore and to its role in the extinction of many cultural and social practices that have shaped the Lebanese identity for generations, no other model is being proposed by the government, municipalities, or the civil society. This model of the economy is based on the main argument by real-estate developers and decision-makers that resorts attract tourism and create jobs and are the drivers of economic growth.

The aim of this study is to start articulating the economic value of public beach in a city. As part of this study, you will be asked to propose the theoretical framework of analysis as well as the methodology for comparing 2 Lebanese cities (to be chosen in collaboration between NAHNOO and the selected consultant), regarding the “value” that the shore contributes to the cities. During the process, it is expected to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Propose theoretical framework of analysis
• Propose study methodology and analysis grid
• Design questionnaire and the data collection methodology
• Collect qualitative data
• Collect quantitative data (the hiring of a third party is possible)
• Analyze the data
• Submit a research report

Duration and Deliverables:

It is expected that the assignment will take place starting May until August 2019 with a maximum expected number of working expert days of 25 (without counting the days for quantitative data collection).

• Research methodology and questionnaire: End of May
• Data collection: End of June
• Research report: End of August

Qualifications of Applicants:

• Must have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree (or a Bachelor's degree with over 7 years of experience) in a relevant area. 
• Strong knowledge of the Lebanese context, especially the political and economic context and issues related to the privatization of the beach.
• Must demonstrate a track record of working on analysis of economic policies
• Strong statistical and analytical skills
• Must be fluent in written and spoken Arabic and English

How to apply:

• Please send an expression of interest letter and your CV to [email protected] by April 30 2019. In the expression of interest, kindly include a description of how your background and qualifications are relevant to the call, which theoretical angle you propose to apply to the research study, as well as a table specifying the expected number of days for each of the aforementioned project deliverables with an indication of your daily rate.