Private Sector Development Consultant

About Us
Triangle bridges the divide between policymaking, research, and the media. Our work aims to transform complex and detailed information into compelling messages that generate lasting, positive impacts in the communities we work in and the partners we work with. We work in a multilingual, collaborative environment, with colleagues based across different countries. We seek consultants who can take responsibility for their work and bring sound judgement to complex research questions, while working closely with our project teams. Position Summary Triangle is seeking a Private Sector Development Consultant to contribute to research and advisory assignments in Lebanon and the wider region. The consultant will assess the constraints affecting MSME competitiveness and growth, and develop practical recommendations to strengthen business support and improve the enabling environment for enterprises. The role combines market research and value-chain analysis with a practical understanding of how businesses operate. Its core focus is MSME development, business development services, entrepreneurship ecosystems and access to finance. Assignments may examine skills needs where these affect enterprise productivity and growth, or opportunities for green and social entrepreneurship within wider private sector development programmes.

Location:
Lebanon and regional assignments, with working arrangements and travel agreed according to project needs. Reports to: The designated Triangle project lead, with technical oversight from Triangle Directors. Contract basis: Consultancy. Duration, level of effort and deliverables will be agreed for the assignment or portfolio of work. Duties and Responsibilities
• Design and deliver private sector research, using market studies and value-chain assessments to identify constraints to enterprise competitiveness and growth.
• Examine the policy and institutional environment for businesses, including barriers to market entry and formalisation.
• Develop research methodologies and data collection tools. Combine desk research with interviews, focus groups and surveys as appropriate, and oversee fieldwork quality and the analysis of findings.
• Assess the needs and performance of MSMEs and start-ups, including business models, market positioning and financial viability. Evaluate whether business development services respond to those needs and recommend improvements to their quality and accessibility.
• Analyse employers’ skills needs where these constrain business productivity or expansion. Recommend ways for enterprise support programmes and training providers to address identified gaps and support employment creation.
• Assess access to finance and investment readiness, including the barriers facing underserved businesses. Draw on enterprise financial analysis to identify appropriate financing and business development support.
• Assess opportunities for green and social entrepreneurship within private sector development programmes, including circular economy activities and sustainable value chains. Examine commercial viability and identify the business support needed to develop these opportunities.
• Integrate gender and inclusion into private sector research and recommendations. Examine barriers affecting access to enterprise finance, markets and business support, including those facing women-owned businesses.
• Map and assess entrepreneurship ecosystems, including incubators, accelerators and business associations. Consult enterprises and relevant institutions to identify gaps in support, test findings and assess the feasibility of proposed interventions.
• Prepare analytical reports, policy briefs and presentations that explain the evidence clearly. Develop recommendations with realistic implementation arrangements and acknowledge limitations in the available data.
• Where required, conduct organisational or business assessments and provide targeted advisory support to enterprises or support organisations, including business planning and financial management.
• Coordinate assigned researchers and technical contributors, review their work and manage agreed deadlines. Maintain clear communication with Triangle’s project lead and contribute to client discussions.
• Contribute technical inputs to relevant proposals and concept notes, including research approaches and proposed interventions, drawing on lessons from completed assignments. Qualifications
• Postgraduate qualification in economics, development studies, public policy, business or a related discipline; equivalent relevant professional experience will also be considered. (Required)
• Substantial relevant experience in private sector development research or consulting, with evidence of responsibility for delivering assignments and producing analytical outputs. (Required)
• Demonstrated expertise in MSME competitiveness and growth, with experience in business development services, entrepreneurship ecosystems, access to finance or the enabling environment for businesses. (Required)
• Strong research design and analytical skills, including experience in market opportunity analysis and applying market systems development (MSD) approaches to inform private sector development interventions. Experience in value-chain analysis and the ability to combine qualitative and quantitative evidence into practical recommendations. (Required)
• Excellent analytical writing in English and the ability to explain findings to non-specialist audiences. Professional Arabic proficiency is highly desirable; French is an asset.
• Practical understanding of enterprise operations and financial analysis, gained through business advisory work, investment, entrepreneurship or comparable experience. (Highly Desirable)
• Experience designing and delivering training for entrepreneurs, MSMEs or business support organisations. (Highly Desirable)
• Experience working in Lebanon or comparable crisis-affected economies, with an understanding of informality and the constraints facing smaller businesses. (Highly Desirable)
• Experience integrating gender and inclusion into private sector research or enterprise support programmes. Experience linking skills development or green and social entrepreneurship to enterprise growth is an asset. (Highly Desirable)
• Experience leading research teams and engaging with clients and institutional stakeholders. Ability to work independently while responding constructively to technical review. (Required)
• Experience delivering research or advisory work for development organisations, public institutions or civil society. Familiarity with the requirements of donor-funded assignments is an asset.
• Sound judgement in handling confidential business information and research data, with a commitment to ethical research practice. (Required) Package Consultancy fees will be agreed according to the scope of work and the consultant’s experience. The contract will specify deliverables and payment arrangements, together with any agreed travel or reimbursable expenses. Triangle is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.