Consultant: Research & Learning Study

Project Title: ATTEINDRE (ATTAIN)

Background

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), a not-for-profit organization which brings hope, opportunity and economic well-being to low-income people around the world, through a business-centered approach to development. In Haiti, MEDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are working to provide targeted support for 30,000 micro, small and medium business enterprises (MSMEs) to become bankable enterprises. Through the ATTAIN/ATTEINDRE project, these enterprises will be better able to grow, become more competitive, and generate jobs within trade areas across Haiti.

MEDA’s business value creation approach includes use of business advisory services and financial incentives for workforce development to achieve decent work creation/support. The combination of incentives and technical support successfully addresses gaps in market systems around the world. ATTEINDRE in Haiti is a great opportunity to document best practices on business advisory services and use of financial incentives to target specific market barriers that can be addressed by working with ‘early adopters’ that can demonstrate success and return on investment of new practices, services, or products. By using a financial incentive to share the risk with these early adopters, the pilot is expected to generate sufficient evidence of the benefits of a specific change, leading the early adopter to permanently embed the change in their business, and leading other actors who were previously hesitant to adopt the change to do so without a financial incentive. In our experience the use of market incentives contributes to innovative solutions equipping farmers, agri-businesses, cooperatives and financial institutions with the knowledge and skills to implement these practices, building resilience and preparing them to better respond to the impacts of shocks and crisis including climate change. This support elevates their operational efficiency while contributing to environmental sustainability. A key component of our approach is strategic engagement with the private sector.

Study Purpose, Objectives and Research Questions

As part of the ATTAIN project’s strategic priority axes for Year 4, one of the activities seeks to formulate a best-case practice document for effective and additional business support, value creation, and innovative finance to streamline and enhance Business Advisory and Workforce Development activities using incentives based on the case for Haiti. We aim to bring significant value to the Haitian MSME ecosystem by ensuring clarity, purpose, and actionable steps.

The study will establish a comprehensive guiding framework that amalgamates insights from Business Advisory and incentives for Workforce Development to optimize service provider operations across Haiti. This study will make it possible to identify the dynamics of the Haitian market better and ensure better integration of MSMEs by eliminating and bypassing barriers to entry into the business world. While the study will specifically focus on Haitian context, the findings will include suggestions on how to design and implement Business Advisory and Incentives for Workforce Development interventions in fragile context for optimal impact.

The study should serve as a pivotal reference, ensuring consistency, effectiveness, and adaptability in the approaches employed, including the effectiveness of pay-for-performance incentives utilized by MEDA to generate results. This activity must answer the following broad questions:

1. What barriers do entrepreneurs face to enter the business world and be sustainable in the market?
2. What can be made of an essential service package according to the context to strengthen MSMEs and make their structure efficient?

Specifically, the study will focus on demand and supply sides of workforce development.

Workforce Development Domain (Demand Side)

• What kind of skills are difficult to find (from entrepreneurs’ perspective)?
• What barriers do entrepreneurs face to find a needed workforce?
• What are the existing practices of entrepreneurs to meet their workforce needs?
• What are the practices of entrepreneurs to develop skills of their existing workforce?

Workforce Development Domain (Supply Side)

• What are the existing workforce development initiatives in the market?
• What are the existing platforms and practices for people to find work?
• What are the challenges that people, especially youth and women, face in finding work?
• To what extent and how does business advisory services and incentives improve ability of businesses to create decent work (especially for women) in fragile systems?
• To what extent and how do business advisory services and incentives improve the ability of businesses to equitably access to finance?
• What tools designed and implemented to support businesses growth are most successful in creating decent work, particularly for those that are systemically excluded?

Scope of the Work

• Research & Data Collection:

  • Engage with industry professionals to collate insights, best practices, and real-world challenges.
  • Collect and analyze data on the efficacy of existing Business Advisory and Incentives for Workforce Development strategies within Haiti.

• Stakeholder Consultation:

  • Collaborate with internal teams, key stakeholders, and partner organizations to gather feedback on the preliminary framework.

• Document Drafting:

  • Draft the initial version of the best-case practice document, incorporating all the insights, feedback, and best practices collected.
  • Ensure the document is well-structured, easy to comprehend, and actionable.

• Review & Iteration:

  • Conduct iterative reviews of the document with internal teams and select stakeholders.
  • Integrate feedback and ensure alignment with ATTEINDRE's objectives and the broader strategic vision of the ATTEINDRE project.

The results of this study are intended for use by MEDA and external stakeholders, including the donor. Results and findings may also be shared with other key stakeholders like project clients and industry stakeholders. However, the key utility of this study is that the findings will build evidence on the best practices related to workforce development component of the project.

Study Approach and Methodology

The study will use principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach that maximizes learning and action. An Advisory Committee (AC) is formed comprising key project stakeholders to guide the process of this research. The study will use multiple lines of evidence, both qualitative and quantitative, to triangulate findings.

Consultant’s Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Advisory Committee, the Consultant will prepare a detailed work plan that provides information on the study to be carried with timelines of each activity. At minimum, the work plan should include the following:

• Overview of the project,
• An understanding of the work required.
• Research methodology, including sampling strategy.
• Data gathering tools.
• Data analysis and reporting
• Study schedule/timeline

Study Deliverables

The following products will be produced as part of the research.

• Study work plan and schedule of activities
• Draft research report, including raw data.
• Final research report that includes:
  • A comprehensive Best Case Practice Document for Business Advisory and Incentives for Workforce Development)
  • A summarized report of consultations, insights and feedback from industry professionals and stakeholders
  • Training modules/material for disseminating the best practices.

Duration

The study is expected to commence by December 1st, 2023, with the final report due by April 30th, 2024.

How to apply?

Individuals or consulting companies are encouraged to apply by uploading their curriculum vitae in English (maximum 4 pages) providing information about relevant experience by November 15, 2023 by 4:00 pm Eastern Time.