Business Consultants - 'Support to MSEs affected by the Beirut Blast' Project - UNDP

Context & Background

In Lebanon, over 90% of enterprises active in the economy can be categorized as MSMEs, employing more than 50% of the working population. They are crucial players for economic growth, local development, employment, and income generation. Assisting MSMEs through business support and access to finance is an essential mechanism for increasing employment opportunities.

For the past ten years, Lebanon has been severely affected by multiple crisis; starting with the refugees, political, financial and economic instability and more recently the health crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic. This has culminated with the massive blast that occurred on August 4, 2020, and the subsequent human and damage losses in Beirut.

In 2021, this situation has further deteriorated. The government is currently unable to continue subsidies on food, fuel and medicine. The financial crisis has severely hit all sectors, unemployment has reached 40% and businesses have reduced their operations. The banking crisis, the restriction on cash withdrawals, and the devaluation of the Lebanese pound have made it impossible to sustain activities

In Brief

‘Support to MSEs affected by the Beirut Blast’ is a UNDP initiative funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and implemented in partnership with Berytech, targeting micro and small enterprises affected by the Beirut Blast through the provision of business development support and conditional cash grants to help sustain or create jobs and support local livelihoods.

Objectives and Key Activities

This project will help 40 to 50 Micro and Small Enterprises affected by the Beirut explosion sustain their operations through the provision of business development support and conditional cash grants to help sustain/create jobs and support local livelihood. The project focuses on the hospitality, design and crafts, food production and retail sectors.

The main target areas are Karantina, Rmeil, Medawar and Jeaitoui. Multidimensional support through business development plans and tailored support (coaching, access to online markets, provision of equipment, etc.) will be provided to beneficiaries which will help improve their access to customers and markets and support business continuity, job retention and growth.

Berytech has launched the call for applications. 40 Micro and Small Enterprises are expected to be shortlisted.

These shortlisted entities will be interviewed to justify how they were affected by the Beirut Blast and to validate questions on application forms.

Berytech seeks external business consultants to support the 40 Micro and Small Enterprises that will be chosen to be part of the 7-month program.

The key activities performed by business consultants will include:   

• Conduct an assessment of the business using assigned methodologies
• Analyze and set priorities and develop an action plan jointly with beneficiaries
• Identify training and coaching needs of businesses / beneficiaries
• Assist the beneficiaries in determining how to best use the grant and in line with the business plan
• Ensure beneficiaries implement decisions taken  
• Provide linkages, contacts and networking opportunities when possible
• Develop a complete report/ short business plan

Qualifications and Eligibility

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be able to comply with national fiscal context and rules for receipt of international funds
• BSc/BA diploma in business or a relevant field
• 3 to 5 years of experience in the business consultancy field
• Proven experience in working on similar projects and supporting MSMEs
• Excellent coaching skills;
• Excellent English writing skills

Timeline And Application

The assignment will start in January 2022 and for a period of 6 weeks. Business Consultants will have to meet with 10 MSEs as needed to perform key activities with as final outcome the development of the short business plan.

Candidates should submit the following documents:

• A short profile
• A resume
• References of 3 supported MSMEs or (I)NGOs (on work performed over the five past years) and a brief description of the nature of the work performed
• Business Consultants will have to submit a financial offer for the compensation for supporting 10 MSEs and developing a complete business plan.