Beschreibung der Beschaffung
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are considered the promoters of economic growth in Lebanon. They represent more than 90% of registered firms and employ 50% of the working population yet contribute to approximately 27% of total revenues. However, MSMEs in Lebanon face external challenges such as the collapse of the banking sector, the deterioration of the Lebanese currency and severe fluctuation of LBP/USD exchange rate, the Beirut port explosion, and high energy costs. In addition, Lebanese businesses are challenged to retain existing staff and develop effective and efficient ways to replace the staff that has left due to emigration, and successfully onboard newly hired staff.
Among the internal challenges faced by the MSMEs are limited technical and management skills, limited capacity to identify and effectively reach both local and export markets. Moreover, Lebanese MSMEs have limited access to new innovative production processes which can help improve product quality and productivity.
The majority of Lebanese MSMEs require support to grow into sustainable business entities. However, access to comprehensive integrated business development support is insufficient, either due to limited awareness of support programs provided by international development agencies or to the lack of financial resources to contract Business Development Services (BDS) providers.
In preparation for this assignment, EPL contracted a local consulting firm to assess 50 MSMEs that have hired individuals trained or matched by grantees working out O2. This local consulting firm is expected to deliver the BDS need assessment results by 30 October 2023. The Contractor will have access to the list of companies and assessment results, not later than one week after the start of the assignment related to these ToR.
The current assignment aims to sustainably support MSMEs with tailored BDS to improve their competitiveness, retain existing jobs and promote improvement of employment conditions. More specifically, the contractor should implement activities to strengthen the financial performance, market performance, productivity, innovation, human resources, management performances, working conditions and environmental footprint of MSMEs.
The assignment is structured in 4 work packages (WP). The WPs are described in further detail below:
WP 1: Design, implementation, and monitoring of MSME Support Measures - target: 50 MSMEs with proven needs
Based on the results of the comprehensive Baseline Study and BDS needs assessment which is to be done prior and results are to be handed over to the Contractor, the Contractor will design and implement BDS measures for strengthening the 50 MSMEs identified in the BDS needs analysis. The range of support measures can include training, coaching, and advisory services. 20 working days of consultancy should be offered to each MSME under this work package.
WP 2: Conduct HR assessment and baseline definition and implement HR specific support measures. Target 10 MSMEs
EPL partners delivering training and job-placement services have listed 30 MSMEs that were not part of the BDS assessment described above, and that were interested to receive HR services exclusively. The Contractor will select 10 out of the listed 30 MSMEs and conduct for each one: a comprehensive HR assessment, provide specific recommendations and implement support measures in agreement with the MSME management. 20 working days of consultancy should be offered to each MSME under this work package.
WP 3: Conduct Level1 and/or Level2 energy audit. Target: 50 MSMEs
EPL supports 50 MSMEs to identify evident areas of energy inefficiency, and to implement no- or low-cost changes that can be made to the MSMEs buildings. Level1 and/or level2 energy audits depending on the size and needs will allow MSMEs to determine ways to reduce energy consumption and to lower operating costs, thus, to become more energy efficient. Auditors provided by the Contractor should work to predefined codes and standards, such as the ASHRAE Standard 211-2018 for Commercial Building Energy Audits. An average of 5 working days of consultancy should be offered to each MSME under this work package.
Work Package 4: Monitoring and reporting on results
The contractor will provide regular updates on beneficiaries (monthly) as well as on the achievement of the indicators and progress of the assignment (on a quarterly basis) in English language. In addition, develop a monitoring system on BDS to capture all the BDS related indicators. Moreover, the contractor will provide bi-annual status-update reports to GIZ (format to be jointly specified, in English) as well as annual reports that contribute to the Project Progress Reports to BMZ (in German). The exact dates for the reporting cycles will be jointly specified at the beginning of the commission.
The distribution of working time to the WPs is 55% for WP1, 15% for WP2, 15% for WP3 and 15% for WP4.
The assignment shall be carried out between 1 November 2023 and 30 September 2024 and involves the provision of one international (full-time) expert, two national (full-time) experts, and a pool (ranging from 9 to 15) of both national and international short-term experts in the subjects of the delivery of the business development services.