Livelihoods Learning Study for RDPP III (2023 - 2026), Jordan and Lebanon

Description

Brief background: The RDPP aims at supporting civil society, host governments, donors and other stakeholders in understanding and mitigating the impact of protracted forced displacement from Syria and the compounded crises in neighbouring refugee hosting countries. The RDPP is currently in its third phase (2023-2026) and focuses on Lebanon and Jordan. Through partnership with national and international partners, the RDPP seeks to enhance protection and support socio-economic development for Syrian refugees and local communities with a view to support opportunities for increased self-reliance and resilience of various groups of populations with a specific emphasis on women and youth.

Denmark manages and leads the programme as a delegated cooperation on behalf of the contributing donors Austria, Czech Republic, European Union, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland, with a dedicated Programme Management Unit (PMU) based at the Danish Embassy in Beirut and team members in both Amman and Beirut.

Livelihoods is one of the four specific objectives of the programme. Under this objective, the programme aims that supported vulnerable refugees and host communities become more self-reliant and resilient. To achieve this objective, RDPP III provides three tracks of support: i) private sector entities are supported to create additional decent job opportunities; ii) the employability of refugees and local community members is enhanced; and iii) income generation pathways are supported, especially among the most vulnerable households.

Objective: The overall objective of the study is to assess the extent to which RDPP III’s livelihood interventions in Jordan and Lebanon are addressing vulnerability and contribute to scalable, sustainable livelihood models, in alignment with the programme’s strategic goals and principles. The study will evaluate results achieved so far, analyse the factors and conditions influencing those results, and draw lessons that can strengthen RDPP’s and the wider humanitarian and development sector’s approach to livelihoods programming.

Scope of work: The scope of work will cover two levels: 

1) Project level: examining the learnings and results of individual projects, including through a selection of more in-depth study cases, to guide adjustments to the remainder of the programme.

2) Programmatic level: for a cross-cutting and more strategic perspective, to inform recommendations on contextually effective and scalable interventions for the wider humanitarian and development sector.

The study will document, but not necessarily be limited to: 1) The effectiveness and relevance of livelihood approaches and strategies of the programme; 2) The scalability, sustainability, and innovation of interventions; and 3) The enabling environment and policy influence.

Methodology and outputs: The study is expected to include a kick-off meeting, a desk review, an inception report, interviews/focus groups discussions in Lebanon and Jordan, workshops to present and discuss preliminary findings, and a draft and final reports. Case studies could be selected for more in-depth assessments and quantitative data collection could also be applied, if relevant. The consultancy team is expected to provide the following main deliverables/outputs: 1) An inception report outlining the methodology and approach, draft interview guides, survey tools or similar and a work plan based on an initial desk review and discussion with the PMU; 2) A debriefing note presenting the main findings and recommendations after field work has been conducted in the two countries, to be presented and discussed with RDPP partners and other stakeholders; 3) A draft study report summarising the main findings and recommendations, including case studies; 4) A final study report which should include an elaboration of the key findings as well as recommendations taking into account feedback received. The final methodology/approach will be agreed upon between the consultants and the PMU based on a discussion of the inception report. 

Timing: The contract is expected to commence in early September 2025 and conclude by early December 2025.  Field work in Lebanon and Jordan is expected to take place in October 2025.

Requested qualifications for the consultancy: The assignment will be performed by a consultancy team consisting of a total of three consultants, one team leader with international expertise and two experts with in-depth country experience in respectively  Lebanon and Jordan. Consultants should have experience in conducting research evaluations and and analysis that provide evidence based strategic advice, experience working on aid modalities and programming with international actors, national civil society organizations and government entities in the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, experience with livelihoods programming and experience from fragile / conflict and displacement affected context including the Syrian displacement crisis.

Budget: The total budget for the assignment incl. fees and reimbursable expenses net of VAT is a maximum of DKK 700,000 net. The assignment is expected to reach a approximately 90 working days in total for the whole duration of the contract.

Deadline for application

15-08-2025 at 14:00 Danish time

Interested Consultants can request to get the instructions prepared for applicants by e-mail to the Contact person stated below.

Contact point Development Cooperation Section/Embassy of Denmark to Lebanon

Contact person Mireille Chiha 

Contact e-mail mirchi@um.dk 

Criteria for selection
A minimum of three and a maximum of five applicants with references best suited for the assignment will be invited to submit a tender.