Consultancy: Digital Facilitator

Background

With the support of the European Regional Development and Protection Programme for Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq (RDPP II), Oxfam and partners Legal Agenda (LA) and Lebanese Observatory for Workers and Employees’ Rights (LOWER) are implementing a project titled “Promotion of decent work and sustainable business development in Bekaa, Lebanon.” In addition, the project will work very closely with My Work, My Rights! Network, an informal group of local Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) that work on advancing decent working conditions in Lebanon.

The project aims to contribute to a decent and economically sustainable business environment for displacement-affected populations in the Bekaa by strengthening the linkage between the local civil society, the business development service (BDS) providers, and the MSMEs in Bekaa.

To achieve this overall objective, the project will implement activities under three main clusters:

• Cluster 1: Empower a local network of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to influence practices and policies related to decent work;

• Cluster 2: Convene an informal network of private business development organizations and professionals with strong decent work capacities in Bekaa;

• Cluster 3: Improve working conditions and accessible decent job opportunities in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Bekaa.

Under activity cluster 2, convened organizations and individuals/professionals will receive from the My Work, My Rights! Network a tailored capacity building package to develop their knowledge on decent work and improve their curricula and tools. These steps will constitute the first landmarks for the establishment of a “Business Development Support (BDS) Community” working in the Bekaa and mainstreaming decent work as an integral part of their work.

The second step to convene the “Business Development Support Community in Bekaa” constituting of organizations and professionals with strong decent work background, will be a series of networking meetings to strengthen the relationships, build rapport, and ultimately enable an environment that would allow both organizations and professionals to connect, exchange experiences and expand their business opportunities.

Objective

Oxfam is looking for a qualified digital facilitator to facilitate the online/virtual convening meetings of the BDS organizations and professionals.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to submit the below deliverables:

1. Preparatory meeting

Description:  To attend a meeting with Oxfam where the facilitator is expected to present and discuss methodology for session’s moderation.

Tentative Date (s): 11 January 2021

1. Materials/Tools   

Description:  Prepare agenda, PPT, materials, exercises, guides, etc.

Tentative Date (s): 18 January 2021

1. Facilitating 5 online networking meetings:

Description:  To facilitate five convening  meetings  for around 25 BDS providers to build rapport and identify areas of collaboration between BDS providers (organizations and professionals).

Meetings to produce

Tentative Date (s):

• 27        January 2021
• 17        February 2021
• 10        March 2021
• 31        March 2021
• 14        April 2021

1. Reporting

Description: A report  to  be  submitted  after  each networking  meeting  (to  include  relevant data, lessons learned and success stories) and minutes of meeting.

Tentative Date (s): 3rd working day after end of meeting

Consultancy duties and responsibilities

Digital Facilitator’s main responsibility will be to:

• Design and plan the group process and select the tools that best help the group progress towards that outcome (tools can include LinkedIn Groups etc.)

• Submit prepared materials to Project Manager 7 working days in advance of each meeting.

• Facilitate 5 high-engagement meetings (online and, if permitted, in person) that would allow the consultant to identify potential matching opportunities between organizations and professionals.

• Submit a report after each meeting (to include relevant data, lessons learned and success stories) and minutes of meeting.

• Have the required software license for Zoom and other needed applications;

• Ensure reliable Internet access.

Qualifications and required expertise

Qualification & Skills Requirements:

• At least 3 years’ experience facilitating dialogue and leading conversations;

• Strong business background and knowledge within the MSME sector in Bekaa;

• Experience facilitating discussions on online platforms;

• Tech-savvy and agile, able to deploy tech devices and programs for the benefit of facilitating engaging meetings using digital applications such as Zoom.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time-management skills;

• Proven written and oral communications and facilitation skills in Arabic and English;

• Ability to take initiative, be creative, and flexible;

• Analytical and able to match and identify areas of collaboration.

• Professional in using word processing, spread sheet, presentation and other productivity software.

Timeframe

Meetings are envisioned to take place between January and April 2021.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested consultants should submit their:

• CV
• A brief proposal which includes a detailed methodology for the facilitation.
• Quotation including consultancy fees and all associated estimated costs such as logistics and communication costs, specifying pricing for fresh USD transfer.
• Minimum of 3 references of similar activities implemented, preferably INGO or local NGO experiences (submissions without references will be excluded).

• List of previous clients.

• Legal documentation to be attached to the proposals:

• Registration and official government documents, if applicable. Noting that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.

Oxfam International in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders.