SSE Senior Researcher Consultancy

Terms of Reference

- Research Consultancy (Senior Expert), Social & Solidarity Economy, EDPU - Oxfam in Lebanon

ABOUT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY UNIT (EDPU):

Oxfam in Lebanon is hosting the “Economic Development Policy Unit (EDPU)” as part of an EU-funded project titled “Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem (SEE) Change”. The EDPU was established in 2021 to coordinate and optimize the policy impact of different livelihood and social stability interventions implemented in Lebanon and previously supported by the “Support to Economic Development and Social Stability in Lebanon” European Union (EU) Trust Fund (EUTF). Through evidence-based research anchored in EU-funded programmes and other livelihood initiatives in Lebanon, the EDPU aims at influencing policymaking and donor funding processes by producing strategic and investment recommendations. All EDPU’s working papers are accessible here.

BACKGROUND TO AND OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY:

In 2022, the EDPU disseminated two research papers on the Social & Solidarity Economy (SSE) in Lebanon titled ‘A Path Forward? Social and Solidarity Economy Enterprises in the Wake of the Lebanese Crises’ and ‘SSEs In Action: Compendium of Stories’.

Globally, the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) has gained more attention with the European Commission adopting an Action Plan on the Social Economy in December 2021; the ILO adopting a comprehensive SSE definition in June 2022 in the context of the International Labour Conference resolution on decent work and the SSE; and the UN General Assembly adopting the resolution to promote the SSE for sustainable development in April 2023.

While Lebanon has been historically marked by insecurity and volatility, in turn threatening social solidarity and fair economic growth, SSE entities in the country, particularly social enterprises (SEs), are raising up to the challenge by offering a radically different socioeconomic paradigm and fostering greater inclusion on the job market. Culturally and historically, communities in Lebanon have often relied on themselves to solve issues and meet their own needs in the face of political vacuum – thus indirectly practicing social entrepreneurship. Nowadays, in a context of protracted refugee crisis, the SSE model has flourished to cater to more vulnerable populations.

Aid schemes introduced since the beginning of the Syrian crisis constituted a turning point in the understanding and expansion of the SSE model and landscape, which progressively grew through actions covering various sectors, modalities and stakeholders. Importantly, SE owners acknowledge the theoretical and practical role of their enterprises in nurturing social cohesion, enhancing environmental sustainability, and fostering economic inclusion within their communities. In fact, many SEs see themselves as part of the answer to deeply-rooted Lebanese problems through nurturing systemic change and prioritizing the labour market integration of marginalized, left-behind groups.

To date, SEs’ experience in Lebanon remains rich and diverse yet generates a mixed picture. Some SEs successfully pursued self-financing and sustainability options – including fostering diversity in revenue streams, increasing local product and service ranges and sales, and boosting overseas presence. However, Lebanon has no legal framework, statutory body, or policy regulating the SSE as a whole and particularly, SEs – posing a challenge for entrepreneurs who want to operationalize and sustain this business model. Among structural issues raised by the absence of a legal (S)SE framework, the vagueness of the SE status drives many entrepreneurs to avoid registration, leaving them unprotected and putting SEs at a disadvantage in terms of networking options, financing (loan taking), overseas trade, and expansion.

Since 2019, the complete collapse of public energy/utilities and the deteriorating value of the Lebanese pound has eaten up profit margins of SEs. Banking restrictions have made access to cash a daily struggle, preventing businesses from procuring materials needed for production and operations. SEs are also facing difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel as a result of the brain-drain. Finally, donor funding and other investments for SSE entities are still limited and, as far as SEs are concerned, mostly directed at the start-up stage at the detriment of consolidation and scale-up.

Against this backdrop, Oxfam is seeking a Senior Researcher/Research Lead to work with the EDPU and selected Livelihood Sector partners on SSE-related research that will address remaining evidence and policy gaps highlighted in recent EDPU consultations. Tentative questions include:

1. Which ones are the social business entities making up, or identifying as part of, the Social & Solidarity Economy in the country (i.e., SEs and others, such as cooperatives and self-help groups, mixed forms…)?
2. How do different government and political actors in Lebanon perceive the SSE, and their contributions to the SSE and above-mentioned SSE entities in Lebanon? (e.g., MoF, MoET, MoSA, MoA; Trade Unions; Chambers of Commerce…)
3. What are possible options for the Livelihood Sector to infuse Lebanon’s economic recovery policy process with SSE concepts, approaches and strategies, particularly -but not limited to- social entrepreneurship, and to increase institutional coordination and policy coherency in that space?
   1. Which regulatory, policy and institutional entry points and instruments could be used for that purpose?
   2. Which national regulatory, policy and aid frameworks (existing or under development) could be leveraged to facilitate access to employment and livelihood opportunities in the SSE for vulnerable groups – such as youth, women, Persons with Disabilities, and non-Lebanese?

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:

The responsibilities and deliverables of the Senior Researcher/Research Lead will cover the following:

• Develop relevant, refined research questions; propose a methodology to address them; and design (quantitative and/or qualitative) appropriate data collection instruments (inception report);
• Lead on data analysis and on the write-up of the final research product (30 p maximum, with annexes), including intermediary steps such as the formulation of successive outlines, the drafting of various chapters/parts, and the development of a policy roadmap;
• Produce a communication-oriented high-level summary of the final report for social media/online use;
• Present the final report at a dissemination event to be organized by SEE Change/EDPU.

The Researcher will be reporting at regular intervals to a technical review group composed of the EDPU and selected Livelihood Sector partners.

TIMELINE AND NUMBER OF DAYS:

The Senior Researcher/Research Lead is expected to provide the above services/deliverables over a period of 30 days spread over October 2023-December 2023, as per the below timeframe:

Activity sets

Number of working days

Deadline

Inception Report

Research questions, methodology, limitations…

3

October 13, 2023

Rapid mapping of SSE entities in Lebanon

(Part 1 of Final Report)

7

October 20, 2023

Perspective paper on the views of political actors and their contributions to the SSE

(Part 2 of Final Report – subject to feasibility)

8

October 27, 2023

Roadmap on policy entry points for the SSE/Social Entrepreneurship  

(Part 3 of Final Report)

7

November 3, 2023

Final Report

Combining the revised inception report; mapping; perspective paper; and policy roadmap

2

November 10, 2023

High Level Summary of the Final Report for Digital Use

2

November 17, 2023

Dissemination of Final Report (Event)

1

November 24, 2023

CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications

• Masters’ Degree (or equivalent degree/experience) in Economics, Development Economics, Political Economy, International Affairs or Law, Social Policy, or a related field is mandatory (PhD preferred);
• Minimum 10 years of working experience in the economic development/inclusion space, at programme and/or and policy level; previous experience working for multilateral organizations (UN, international financial institutions…), donors and/or INGOs is also required;
• Prior experience in researching the SSE, including in the MENA/other countries, is a strong plus;   
• Expert knowledge of Lebanon, its socioeconomic context, and aid development frameworks in the country is a must;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, writing and editing skills;
• Fluency in English and Arabic (oral and written);
• Knowledge and experience of EU policies towards sustainable development is a plus.

PAYMENT AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INTERESTED CONSULTANTS:

Payment will be done in ONE instalment upon the satisfactory delivery of corresponding services/deliverables and based on Oxfam’s approval.

Note that payment will be made based on the budget in the consultant’s financial offer (not based on actual expenses incurred by the consultant). No receipts will be requested from the consultant towards the end of the contract. 

A quotation including consultancy fees and all associated estimated costs such as logistics and communication costs is requested. 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.

Pricing in the consultant’s offer should be specified in USD.

CODES OF BEHAVIOUR:

The process will be directed by Oxfam’s guidelines for the ethical conduct of evaluations and research, guiding the team of consultants through careful consideration of the key ethical implications at every stage of the harvest. These guidelines are available at this link: http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/undertaking-research-with-ethics-253032 

SHARING AND USING FINDINGS:

The final product will be shared internally with Oxfam staff and affiliates. It will also be shared externally with relevant actors and organizations. Generated data will be used to inform EDPU’s policy work and Oxfam’s programmes in Lebanon.

DISCLOSURE:

Although free to discuss with the authorities on anything relevant to the assignment, under the terms of reference, the consultant is not authorized to make any commitments on behalf of Oxfam. All data collected as part of this consultancy belongs to Oxfam and public dissemination of the data and findings and recommendations can only be done with the written consent of Oxfam.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST / TECHNICAL OFFERS:

Oxfam invites Technical Offers from individuals with the experience and skills described above. The offer must include:

1. A CV for the consultant highlighting previous similar experience, alongside samples of or links to previously published reports on SSE/economic inclusion topics (with an explanation of the purpose of the consultancy and who the contracting authority was);

2. A financial offer including the consultant’s proposed budget & proposed daily rate fee.

Only complete application packages will be considered. Please submit the full technical offer with supportive documents Wednesday 4^th of Oct midnight at the latest, to [email protected] with “SSE Senior Researcher, EDPU” in the subject line.