Consultancy: Financial Mechanism Consultant

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONS

Lebanon continues to witness multifaceted and intertwined crises, which puts the country and its people in a vulnerable position. The severe economic crisis was compounded with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases being reported starting from September 2020. Furthermore, the explosion that destroyed large neighbourhoods in Beirut, on August 4, 2020, led to the resignation of the government and further social, economic and administrative demise.

Protests in Beirut broke out on Saturday August 8th and Sunday August 9th, demanding accountability and justice following the blast.

Social entrepreneurship is increasingly regarded as a tool capable of easing communal tensions and contributing to communities’ socio-economic development.

SEs can “contribute to the economic security of all segments of the population and contribute to economic diver­sity as it invests in territorial development and proximity, promoting community participation, prioritizing local impacts and modelling participatory values”^[1].

In Lebanon, a 2019 mapping showed that SE has recently gained more national visibility among urban communities in big cities^[2]. This can be explained by the fact that SE responds to the national priorities and is aligned with Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) goal, and the strategy of both the Livelihood and Social Stability Sector. During the past few years, several projects started promoting SE as a tool to strengthen social stability and support local economic development for Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian refugees. Some of the projects invested in building the knowledge and awareness of community members on SE, others supported the identification of social ventures and their evolvement into SE through the provision of ad hoc technical and financial support, and others focused on developing a legal framework for SE^[3].

Brief presentation of projects

SEE Change: Oxfam in partnership with BRD and COSV is implementing an EU Funded project entitled “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Change” (SEE Change).  As of September 2020, and over the course of 3 years, the project will be implemented in 5 different areas in Beqaa, North and Mount Lebanon.

The project aims at increasing   the   impact   of   social entrepreneurial activities in Lebanon, creating employment and social stability opportunities, and supporting the local economy.

2. PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH/ RATIONALE

Oxfam is looking for a research consultant to conduct a feasibility study on the possible financial mechanisms that are available in the current context and relevant to the SEs under the current financial climate in Lebanon, and to propose the best and easiest ways to distribute grants. The study will be based on the assessment carried out of the possible options by the Project team.

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

- What suitable financing mechanisms are available for SEs in Lebanon?

- Which mechanisms ensure sustainability and efficiency of support to the SEs?

- What are the mechanisms adaptable to suit the current Lebanese financial system limitations?

The findings will be used to support the selection of the financial mechanisms, and the specific technical support that ought to be provided to the SEs per type of financial mechanism).

3. SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY

The financial research consultant is expected to develop the methodology for grant disbursement, provide different solutions in order to safely deliver the grant to social businesses, and produce a research paper detailing the mechanisms available for financial support for SEs in Lebanon.

Therefore, the methodology should include:

1. an updated literature review
2. interviews with financial institutions and relevant experts
3. KIIs with support organizations and SEs
4. A detailed report regarding the financial mechanisms.

4. EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant is expected to submit the deliverables listed below:

Deliverable A: Final methodology and workplan

Deadline: One week into the assignment.

Deliverable B: Present a draft report

Deadline:  5 weeks after the assignment

Deliverable C: submit the final report

Deadline:  7 weeks after the assignment

Consultant qualifications:

This project should be led by a consultancy group or an individual with:

• Relevant work experience in offering financial support for businesses, social businesses, associations and NGOs;
• Prior experience working on granting issues for SE/SMEs in Lebanon;
• Strong experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research;
• Excellent communications skills in English, including advanced writing skills;
• Strong communication skills in Arabic are preferred;
• Availability to start immediately.