Livelihoods Consultant

IOCC is looking for a livelihoods consultant who will conduct a market analysis and food-supply/service mapping exercise in order to better position existing Community Kitchens (preparing hot meals for vulnerable families) in a niche where they can market their own products to ensure their sustainability.

Once the product range is set by the kitchen, the consultant shall closely work with the Community Kitchens (CK) administration as well as with IOCC staff to come up with a proper sustainability and marketing strategy for the Community Kitchen / Partner Organization.

The Consultant shall offer a comprehensive business plan to include:

• Service Mapping Methodology and Market Approach
• Marketing Ideas and Suggestions
• Financial Forecast for kitchen sustainability
• SWOT analysis for CK and ways to improve their income.

The above will also enable the CK administration to better connect with local farmers and producers throughout procurement of ingredients needed for their production which will not only benefit individuals but enhances as well as value chain development.

Deliverables:

• Submission of tools: two weeks from assignment start date.
• Midterm report: Progress to date, outline of final report, list of actors interviewed and list of actors to be interviewed by the end, all templates to be used.
• Final report that includes the following: A Map of all food NGOs food producers, a narrative on acceptance of home-made products at community level and at restaurant levels.

Gaps in current programing based on overall coverage of programs versus the number of right holders in the area.

SWOT analysis for the program with areas of improvement in terms of sustainable approaches.

Mapping of possible livelihood donors encouraging food production.

Activities:

• Develop a detailed work plan
• Identify UN, INGO, CBO and NGO actors in the livelihoods area
• Desk review on existing mapping implemented by other INGOs 
• Design appropriate service mapping template
• Travel to IOCC field sites and other NGO sites to gather information about specialized services through in person interviews and telephone interviews.  
• In coordination with the IOCC Senior Food Security Coordinator, communicate with the Livelihood working group, private sector, Leads and Government Departments in order to gather information of available services.  
• Collate the data gathered through the interview process into a comprehensive service mapping.
• Produce a presentation on the work implemented.
• Produce a comprehensive report on the findings and recommendations

Other 

• Conduct duties in accordance with IOCC program Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); 
• Conduct duties in strict accordance with IOCC Code of Conduct and the principle of confidentiality. 
• Ensure transparency and IOCC positive regard and reputation within communities. 

This position requires extensive travel between Beirut and Tripoli, and will also require participation in community outreach. 

 Timeline

This consultancy extends over a period of 4 month as of date of signature.

Essential Qualifications and Experience: 

• At least two years of professional experience.
• Exceptional written and spoken English and Arabic is a must in order to communicate with local community.
• Self-motivated individual, able to travel throughout Lebanon
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with demonstrated skills in coordination and conducting interviews.
• Demonstrated computer skills, with the ability to develop user-friendly databases on excel and/or Access.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context and effectively represent IOCC with a broad range of actors.  
• Field experience in relation to market assessments, socio-economic or household economy assessments.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience: 

• Prior experience in Lebanese livelihood context, main players and humanitarian livelihood arena. 
• Experience in Lebanese areas  
• Experience in the UN or NGO or voluntary sector.  

Competency profile: 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of local NGOs, CSOs and Governmental actors.  
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; 
• Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and procedures; 
• Ethical and transparent decision-making; 
• Computer/IT literacy (OS Windows/Vista/Linux, MS Office, Internet etc.); 
• Independent work, i.e. with minimal supervision and under pressure; 
• Self-motivation, goal/result-orientation and team work; 
• Flexibility, creativeness, tolerance and maturity. 
• Expertise or knowledge of livelihood programming

 Languages:

Spoken and written English is essential, Arabic is mandatory to communicate with local community.