Analysis of Socio-Economic Patterns in Lebanon

CARE in Lebanon and Background:

Amongst CARE International’s key imperatives in our mission is putting people it serves first through implementing cutting edge programming in areas it operates. CARE Lebanon has scaled up rapidly over the past few years and today it has solid annual budget with roughly 140 team members. Currently, CARE International presence is consolidated throughout the country working with multiple stakeholders. The main program sectors that CARE Lebanon is working in are; Protection, Gender, Economic Empowerment and Shelter. The interventions are implemented via local organizations. The CARE mission in Lebanon responds to multiple crisis: socio-economic crisis, effects of Beirut Explosion, Syria Response and COVID 19.

Lebanon is having the worst outlook since the end of Civil War. The country relies heavily on import subsidies, but they were cut by the Government in efforts to reform and implement parts of austerity measures. The country reserves are reaching the rock bottom, and there is increased poverty throughout the country. The job losses are reported to reach over 500,000, with over 50 % of Lebanese reported to face food shortages. In addition, many people report in various survey challenges around access to accommodation or ability to afford one. In another instance many persons are reporting challenging in accessing general public health. If we add here Syrian refugee, Palestinian residents and domestic migrant workers presence this make the whole context very dramatic.

While in humanitarian parameters, we may have reached what could be humanitarian situation requiring immediate intervention, there is social and political stalemate. Certainly, there are reports over scarcity in goods, supplies. Some of it could be speculative and some could be the broader issues but would be of immense importance to have a thorough analysis of current macro-economic situation in country and how does that trickle down to the household level. Understanding the key bottlenecks and challenges, which lay ahead for the country ahead would be of utmost importance, hence the need to undertake a thorough analytical understanding of the economic analysis, household level impact and supply chain systems that are or could be affected in the country during 2021-2023.

Mission’s Overall Objective:

To provide a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic situation in Lebanon from macro-economic perspective to household level.

Specific objectives:

a. Identifying the current state of the economic patterns in Lebanon

b. Analyze flow of macro-level economic impact to the household level

c. Provide possible contingency plans for future state of the Lebanon supply chain

d. Insights and methodology on how humanitarian programming could provide better/adjusted programming for the future.

Methodology:

1. Consultation CD, SMT, PMs, Advocacy Manager, etc.

2. Explore the trends and patterns throughout private sectors

3. Meeting key country stakeholders: UN agencies, World Bank, partner organization or other organizations that CO cooperates.

4. Analyze the current forms, practices and ways of working in country in the area of supply chain.

5. Perform a mapping of key supply chain ways of working when it comes to services, supplies or works

6. Develop comprehensive supply chain analysis and scenarios

7. De-briefing with CARE Lebanon SMT

No document from consultancy should be shared with anyone prior to approval of Country Director.

Contacts:

The focal point for this consultancy will be CARE Lebanon Country Director. CARE Lebanon staff will facilitate logistical support; arrange/attend meetings; provide interpretation if necessary; and provide background information concerning CARE Lebanon’s capabilities and the context of both country and country office.

Tentative Time Frame:

2^nd of April 2021-16^th of April 2021

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· Minimum of 10 years of economic analytical work

· Very good understanding of international development affairs, preferably practice in INGO sector

· Experience of solving complex planning issues for various scenarios that could unfold

· Experience in understanding macro-economics and its impact at the households level

· Very good in conducting interviews/focus group discussions with key stakeholders.

· Good understanding on reading and in depth understand of poverty indicators

· Excellent communication skills in English (verbal and writing skills)

· Flexible, innovative and adaptable to dynamic changes and fast-paced work environment

DESIRABLE

· Background in international relations, economic affairs, supply chain or relevant field

· Expert in linking economic patterns to supply chain analysis

· Fluent in Arabic