Livelihood Assessment Consultancy

Presentation of Solidarités International

GENERAL
Solidarités International (SI) is an International NGO working with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for nearly 40 years in the coverage of vital needs, SI takes charge of emergency and reconstruction programs. Solidarités International's teams, made up of around 270 expatriates and nearly 2200 local employees, are today present in 18 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Caribbean where they are particularly committed to fighting diseases related to unsafe water but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods.
 

WITHIN THE COUNTRY
In Lebanon since 2013, Solidarites Internationale has been intervening as a WASH, Shelter, DRR and Emergency actor in T5, Akkar and Bekaa since 2016. Over the last years, the mission was responding in the frame of the Syrian crisis – whereby the response was predominately ‘status-based’, focusing on the needs of Syrian refugees residing within Lebanon.
In 2021, the SI Lebanon mission has conducted an extensive strategic exercise to inform the missions transition from a status-based to a needs-based approach in order to adapt to the ongoing contextual evolutions – namely, the ongoing economic crisis, deterioration of public services and infrastructure, and the increasing humanitarian crisis impacting the Lebanese population – whereby the multi-dimensional poverty rate has reached 82% in 20211. Given the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation, SI plans to expand its current technical expertise to include a Livelihoods component within its integrated area-based programmatic strategy in order to support vulnerable households from further depleting their already stressed coping capacities.

Objectives of the assessment
The expected outputs of this consultancy are as follows:
• A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis based on evidence coming from primary and secondary data analysis.
• Analysis of the livelihoods situation given the current context in Lebanon, along with livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations in Bekaa Governorate (rural and semi-urban areas) with reference to pre-identified locations in Central and/or West Bekaa district; identify potential sectors and markets for engagement for income and employment; map and analyses key livelihood stakeholders
• A clear vision and end results for livelihood work for vulnerable communities that is compatible with SI’s capacity to implement and coherent with the SI area-based strategy in Lebanon.
• Define short- term and medium term expected results and strategies with key indicators to measure them; propose human resources required to implement the strategy.
• Documentation of findings and recommendations in form of a report and presentation to field and country team and technical advisors; incorporate inputs to the draft.
Potential Focus for Exploration During Assessment:
• Existing opportunities to strengthen access to employment by the support of livelihoods skills development, livelihoods restoration, or new livelihoods opportunities based on current market dynamics;
• Existing opportunities to support households/communities in the development of agricultural activities according to their existing knowledge and socio-economic habits and ongoing movements of populations from urban to rural areas;
• Potential value chains currently disrupted / modified given the ongoing economic crisis;
• Opportunities for integrated area-based approach – inter/intra communities – with WASH, Public Infrastructure, Shelter – additional sectors would have to be address through local partners
The above-mentioned products should meet the principles and requirements of the following international standards: Gender in Humanitarian Action, Inclusion and Accessibility of People with Disability and Special Needs and Accountability to Affected People.

Methodology
The consultant will propose a detailed methodology and tools during the quotation phase which will be discussed and finalized with Bekaa Field Coordinator, Head of Programmes, Regional FSL Advisor, the CD and other members of the teams.
The proposition should include:
Preparatory Phase:
• Secondary Data Review & Information Gathering
• Briefing with key SI staff (Regional FSL Advisor, Head of Programmes, Field Co Bekaa) on proposed methodology, workplan, anticipated results
• Meeting with Key Livelihoods stakeholders in Beirut and/or Bekaa
• Launch presentation to identified SI staff
Field Phase:
• Meeting key stakeholders
• Data Collection (FGDs, KIIs, HH-level if required)
Analysis & Debriefing Phase:
• Data Analysis
• Report Drafting
• Results and preliminary conclusions presented to SI teams at both Bekaa and Beirut level
• Finalization of Assessment Report
The consultancy will be conducted in Bekaa governorate (Beirut for stakeholder meetings if/when required).
 

Deliverables
Planning: Inception Report with tools and detailed methodology
Assessment: Livelihood Assessment Report for Bekaa livelihoods program (main report 10-12 pages with an executive summary 2-3 pages; recommendations supported by annexes with detailed analysis such as stakeholder analysis, social dynamics – connectors and dividers, gender analysis, policy analysis, risks etc.; a power point to share the findings);
Strategy: Lebanon livelihood strategy for short and medium term-objectives, (SWOT, priorities, strategies, activities, risks and mitigation; resource and capacity plan);
Presentation: Workshop/Presentation of key findings to SI Lebanon teams in Bekaa and/or at Coordination Office

Duration and dates
The estimated time of the consultancy is 30 days. Indicatively, the consultancy is planned to start ASAP.
A detailed planning of the methodology and workplan must be included within the submission of the offers.
 

Budget
The Budget will be provided by the consultant as part of the financial proposal
SI will provide accommodation within the missions Guesthouse in Zahle, Transportation from Beirut to Zahle if required.
Transportation from Zahle to prioritised locations will also be provided by SI.
SI will not provide transportation outside of the scope of this consultancy.
Any additional costs required by the consultant should be included within the financial offer.

Profile
• A mix of emergency food security, agricultural practices knowledge, and vulnerable livelihoods and long-term/resilient livelihood program planning and implementation experience in the Middle East.
• Livelihood assessment and strategy development skills. Experience in developing strategies for program that are in transition from humanitarian to long-term development is essential
• Good understanding of livelihoods programming in Lebanon with a focus on Bekaa governorate
• Excellent coordination (internal and external), facilitation and communication skills.
• Previous knowledge/experience with Solidarites International is desirable.
• Eligible to work throughout Lebanon – specifically Bekaa Governorate
• Fluency in Arabic and English is required