Social Protection Consultant

1. Introduction

Alfanar, established in 2004 as the first venture philanthropy organization in the Arab World, focuses on supporting social enterprises by providing finance, management support, impact measurement, and networking. We are seeking a Social Protection Consultant for a short-term project aimed at developing and implementing social protection strategies for social entrepreneurs in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. These entrepreneurs often face significant risks without the safety net available in more formal sectors. The selected consultant will play a crucial role in researching and devising innovative social protection models that are sustainable and can be scaled across the region. The project will run from 10 May + 7 months. This consultancy offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the resilience of social enterprises and their ability to contribute to community development in the Arab World. Qualified consultants are invited to submit proposals, demonstrating their experience in social protection, particularly within the informal sectors of the MENA region. This initiative is not just about research; it’s about creating actionable, impactful solutions that address the needs and challenges of social entrepreneurs and their teams.

2. Alfanar Overview

Alfanar’s mission is to drive social change in the Arab region by investing in social enterprises and entrepreneurs that aim to tackle the challenges faced by disadvantaged communities. Through our innovative approach to venture philanthropy, we provide not just financial support but also strategic assistance in management, impact measurement, and networking. Our goal is to foster sustainable and scalable social ventures that can significantly contribute to community development.

Our partnership with the Ford Foundation enables us to delve into social innovation research, identifying and adapting best practices in social protection globally to suit the unique context of the Arab world. This effort is geared towards developing a pilot project that can eventually be expanded across the MENA region, enhancing Alfanar’s capacity to support social enterprises effectively in the long run. By focusing on innovative solutions for social protection, we aim to mitigate the risks faced by social entrepreneurs and their employees, many of whom operate within the informal sector where social safety nets are scarce or non-existent. In the countries where Alfanar operates, the challenge is further compounded for these pioneering individuals and organizations due to their informal operation mode, which often precludes access to the limited social protection available in formal sectors. Our ultimate goal is to build a more robust and resilient ecosystem for social enterprises across the region, enabling them to thrive and catalyze lasting social change, despite the inherent risks of their operational contexts.

3. Scope of Work

The selected consultant will undertake activities structured into phases, each aimed at developing sustainable social protection frameworks for social entrepreneurs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. This project is divided into initial and conditional phases, with specific outcomes expected at each stage: Phase One: Research and Model Development

1. Comprehensive Research Desk Research: Perform an extensive literature review on social protection mechanisms, focusing on the MENA region and successful global examples. This will involve identifying innovative social protection models that could be adapted for social entrepreneurs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Field Research: Develop and execute both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to collect data on the specific needs, challenges, and opportunities for social protection among social enterprises in the target countries.

2. Model Development Analysis and Synthesis: Analyse the data collected through desk and field research to identify potential social protection solutions. This analysis will inform the development of a scalable and adaptable social protection model for social enterprises in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon. Model Creation: Based on the analysis, create a detailed social protection model tailored to the unique contexts and needs identified in the target countries. Conditional Phase Two: Pilot Implementation Support and Evaluation (Subject to Additional Funding and Results from Phase One)

3. Pilot Implementation Support Methodology Review and Refinement: Refine the pilot project’s methodology in collaboration with Alfanar’s team to ensure alignment with the social protection model and the target countries’ contexts. Adjustments will be based on feedback and initial observations. On-Site and Remote Support: Provide strategic guidance and hands-on support, which may include on-site visits to Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon for direct engagement, as well as remote support for addressing arising challenges. The mode of support will be flexible, determined by project needs and logistical factors.

4. Evaluation and Reporting Pilot Evaluation: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the pilot project, focusing on its implementation, outcomes, and any challenges encountered. Recommendations for Scaling: Based on the evaluation, develop a set of recommendations for scaling the social protection model across the MENA region, with an emphasis on sustainability and adaptability to different contexts. The consultant will collaborate closely with Alfanar’s team and local stakeholders in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon throughout the project, with the initial phase focusing on research and model development. This collaboration will include regular updates and strategy adjustments to ensure the project’s goals are met effectively. The possibility of moving to the conditional phase will depend on the outcomes of Phase One and the availability of additional funding, determining whether to proceed with pilot implementation and further evaluation.

4. Deliverables

1. Comprehensive report including the data and analysis of the desk and field research

2. Model of social protection for SEs in the MENA region 3. Guidelines and ToRs for piloting the social protection model

1. Literature Review Report: A comprehensive report summarizing the findings from the desk research on social protection mechanisms, with a focus on Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, as well as successful global examples. Due Date: 25 June
2. Field Research Findings Report: A detailed report presenting the data collected through field research in the target countries, including analysis of the needs, challenges, and opportunities for social protection among social enterprises. Due Date: 10 September

3. Social Protection Model Proposal: A proposal detailing the developed social protection model tailored to the contexts of Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, including an implementation strategy and guidelines. Due Date: 25 October

1. Pilot Project Plan and Support Documentation: Documentation supporting the pilot project’s implementation, including the methodology, adjustments made during the pilot, and technical support provided. Due Date: 30 November
2. Final Evaluation Report with Recommendations for Scaling: A comprehensive report evaluating the pilot project, detailing the implementation process, outcomes, challenges encountered, and providing a set of recommendations for scaling the social protection model across the MENA region. Due Date: 10 January 5.

Required qualifications

• Academic Background: Master’s degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or closely related field. A PhD in these areas is advantageous but not mandatory.

• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience working on social protection initiatives, particularly within informal sectors and preferably in the MENA region. Experience should include designing, implementing, or evaluating social protection programs.

• Research Skills: Demonstrated expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies relevant to social policy and program evaluation. Experience in survey design, data analysis, and statistical software is highly desirable

. • Language and Cultural Proficiency: Fluency in Arabic is highly preferred, with an emphasis on the ability to conduct research and engage effectively in a multicultural context. Strong understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics of the MENA region is essential. Candidates must possess proficient English skills, particularly in writing and communicating complex reports and analyses, to ensure clear, effective dissemination of research findings and recommendations to an international audience.

• Additional Skills: Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement abilities, with a proven track record of working collaboratively in diverse teams and settings.

6. Timeline

The project is scheduled to begin on 10 May 24 + 7 months. 7.