Category: Employment / Labor

Humanity and Inclusion: Data Collection Services

Humanity and Inclusion (HI) wants to monitor the needs of the various marginalized groups and assess the effectiveness of the HI programs and the work being carried out by their partners. As its data collection arm, InfoPro has conducted several studies to monitor HI activities. A mixed methodological approach has been utilized. Methodology: 1,825 face-to-face and telephone surveys with beneficiaries.Read more

Mercy Corps: Final Program Evaluation

A study for Mercy Corps to conduct a final program evaluation for its 3amaly project. The project’s objective is that women and youth are empowered and valued for playing an active economic role within their households and communities employment. It is designed to improve livelihood opportunities for women and youth (aged 15-34) in Tripoli, Saida, Lower Chouf, and the city of Nabatiyeh. The OECD-DAC methodology was utilized. Methodology: 35 Key Informant Interviews with stakeholders and 12 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with beneficiaries and mentors.

World Bank: Economic Impact of Women (Lack Of) Mobility

Women’s and girls’ mobility and employment are severely affected by transportation infrastructure. As a result, the World Bank is conducting research to better understand the impact of public transportation system shortcomings on women’s mobility patterns and socioeconomic empowerment. The main objective of this study is to collect household data and information in Greater Beirut and Greater Amman areas in order to better understand women’s and men’s mobility needs, barriers, and employment status and aspirations, along with other demographic information. Methodology: CAPI surveys and FGDs in Beirut and Amman.Read more

Save the Children: Evaluation of Vocational and Entrepreneurship Programs

Save the Children Lebanon (SCL) implemented vocational and entrepreneurship trainings to support the generation of income in some of the most vulnerable localities. Caregivers and 1,074 youth were supported to access the job market. To evaluate the performance of the project, the OECD DAC methodology was utilized. Methodology: KIIs with employers, SCL staff members, and partner staff members and a CATI survey and focus groups discussions with program participants who underwent VT and ET trainings.Read more

ILO: Simplified Economic Assessment Study in Saida

A simplified Economic Assessments (SEA) for the ILO that aims at assessing the feasibility of the revival of the Abul Abed coffee shop strip in old Saida. Methodology: Desk Research, Primary Research – Key Informant Interviews, In-Depth Interviews, Focus Groups, and observations, and an Economic Impact Assessment of the Project at the at the micro, meso, and macro levels.

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TOTAL and DAR: Oil Drilling Social Impact Baseline

A study for Total and Dar Group. The Council of Ministers awarded the oil drilling exploration and production licenses to the consortium composed of Total, ENI and JSC Novatek. Total E&P Liban – which was planning to start its drilling activities – and as per its internal requirements and to meet regulations needed to launch a Social Baseline Study (SBS). The main objective was to gain a thorough understanding of the socio-economic context and human environment of the future site(s) before the drilling operations begin. Methodology: Desk research, focus groups with fishermen and farmers, and 60 Key Informant Interviews with various stakeholders.
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UNICEF and AVSI: Vocational Training Program for Youth

A study commissioned by AVSI / UNICEF to identify sub-sectors, across eight criteria, with the highest capacity for employment and entrepreneurship of Syrian refugees and host community youth, females, and disabled individuals, taking into account their skill set. Methodology: 450 in-depth interviews with formal and informal businesses – with micro to small operations.
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CHF: Workforce Gap Analysis

A survey to assess the labor market in general and across a select number of sub-sectors was commissioned by CHF Lebanon. Supply and demand of skills, job availability and labor supply were assessed, and mismatches identified. The study also assessed the challenges that youths are facing in gaining employment and how to prepare them for the labor market. SWOT analysis of all sub-sectors under study and proposal for a medium to long term course of action to be followed. Methodology: Desk research, focus groups with youths, a survey with a representative sample of private sector companies, in-depth interviews with recruitment agencies, technical and vocational institutes, and economic experts.
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OXFAM: Barriers to Women’s Participation in the National and Local Economy and their Utilization of Available Entrepreneurial Opportunities

A study for Oxfam to identify the obstacles that females face in becoming active members in the economy and the steps to be undertaken to open the doors to their becoming social entrepreneurs. The study focused on North Lebanon and Bekaa with a specific focus on the seven BADAEL areas under study. Methodology: 30 focus groups and 1,800 household interviews with Syrian refugees, Palestinian refugees, and vulnerable Lebanese, in addition to 33 key informant interviews with key stakeholders.
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EU and GOPA: Promotion of social dialogue

A study for GOPA Consultants under the ‘Promotion of Social Dialogue in Lebanon’ project, part of the EU funded ‘Promotion of Social Justice’ program. The program is implemented by the Ministry of Labor (MOL), its Labor Inspection Department, the National Employment Office (NEO), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The main purpose of the project is building the capacity of MOL, and Lebanese Social Partners and Civil Society to be promoters of social dialogue. Two sectors with high potential for growth and unmet demand with regards to a qualified workforce were therefore selected. In-depth interviews were conducted with 290 firms belonging to those two sectors.
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World Bank: Constraints of Women in Accessing Jobs

A diagnostic for the World Bank identifying main employment constraints faced by women in accessing jobs or becoming professionally active. The objective is to support the government by designing a National Jobs Creation Program. Perspectives of women and men were taken, including employers. Methodology: 32 focus groups and ten in-depth interviews.
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ILO: Labor Market Demand Survey

The aim of the study conducted for the ILO was to assess demand in the Lebanese Labor market, to gain perspective of the private sector regarding labor demand and requirements which at a later stage became a part of their labor policy. The study provided in-depth information on recruitment methods and difficulties, payment policies, allowances and benefits provided, in addition to employee experience and education. Methodology: In-depth interviews with upper management at companies across the country and a number of their employees.Read more

World Bank: Women Entrepreneurship in Formal Private Sector: A Gender Focused Investment Climate Assessment (ICA)

The aim of the study for the World Bank was to assess women’s entrepreneurship in Lebanon and the obstacles faced by women working in the private sector. The study assessed gender differences regarding firm level productivity and simultaneously provided information on company structure, finances, and labor. Methodology: In-depth interviews with the general managers of female owned businesses.Read more

The Effect of Foreign Labor and Minimum Wage on the Labor Market

A study initiated by InfoPro. Salary comparisons, benefits and social allowances. Real variations identified in salaries of foreign vs. local labor across skill sets. Reaction of company owners to an increase in the minimum wage and its quantitative impact on business. Methodology: 350 in-depth interviews with companies, economy, and labor experts.
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Relief International: ICT Business Sector in Rural Areas

Study for Relief International to assess the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) business sector in rural areas. Explore demand and supply for ICT techniques and services and the role of microcredit in supporting and boosting the sector. The study offered guidelines to develop microloan products targeting ICT businesses, small businesses and ICT graduates in rural areas. Methodology: Desk research identified vocational training centers which have ICT specialization and identified small businesses and small ICT businesses in the areas under study. Field survey with 352 graduates and senior students selected from 114 IT academies, vocational training centers, Cisco networking academies, and Microsoft certification centers to identify the types of certifications that they have and whether they intend to open businesses, financing sources and budgets that they would require, and the types of collateral that they have and that would help them finance their ICT needs. In-depth interviews with the owners of small businesses to identify recruitment needs for ICT personnel and lacking skills.
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World Bank: PSD Flagship Report

The objective of the study was to identify the reasons behind the low level of private investment to GDP, firm-level productivity, economic diversification, and exports of non-traditional products in Lebanon by focusing on the environment faced by firms in the region, the role of public policy in improving it, and the way in which the political economy of State-business relations may be hindering progress on reforms. InfoPro assisted the World Bank in creating a road map on how to maximize the contribution of the private sector to future growth and job creation. Methodology: Desk review and face-to-face interviews with experts on a variety of topics.Read more