National consultant

Deadline for Applications

November 17, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

B

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS Local

Target Start Date

Terms of Reference

Title of project: Study on Informal Afghan Businesses

Purpose of project: To explore informal businesses owned by Afghan refugees and youth entrepreneurs in Pakistan, focusing on their categorization, scale, revenue, and employment generation. Additionally, to examine the barriers and challenges—including regulatory, financial, social, and operational—that these businesses encounter, alongside the difficulties faced by relevant regulatory and operational actors. Finally, to offer policy recommendations and support mechanisms aimed at promoting sustainability and growth of these businesses

OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this study are:
1. To identify and categorize the types of informal businesses owned by Afghan refugees and youth entrepreneurs in Pakistan and also assess the scale of these businesses, including size, revenue, and employment generation.
2. To analyze the key challenges and barriers these businesses face, including regulatory, financial, social, and operational constraints, as well as challenges faced by the regulatory and operational actors concerned.
3. To provide recommendations for policy interventions and support mechanisms to enhance business sustainability and growth.

SCOPE OF WORK
Geographical focus: Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi (TBC).

Target groups

• Afghan refugee youth entrepreneurs (mainly supported by UNHCR in Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi), who are operating informal businesses.

• Afghan refugee businessmen (including POR Card holders as well as Business Visa Holders).

• Other stakeholders involved in entrepreneurship/ SME/ business sector (UNDP, NAVTTC, SRSP, etc as relevant)

• Regulatory and operational stakeholders as relevant/feasible (based on an agreed list)

Key focus areas
Types of businesses (e.g., retail, services, manufacturing, etc.); Business size, revenue levels, and employment status; Regulatory and legal constraints and requirements/process for business registration; Access to finance and credit; Market access and competition; and Social and cultural barriers.

Sample Size

• The tentative sample size for individual interviews is estimated to range between 250 and 500 respondents. This range may be revised in consultation with the selected consultant/firm, with a focus on ensuring a representative sample.

• The inclusion of Afghans (business visa holders) shall also be included in target group to identify the specific issues faced by this group.

Methodology
The study will employ a mixed-methods approach:

• Desk Review: Analysis of existing literature, reports and policy documents on informal businesses and refugee entrepreneurship. The legal framework on registering businesses for Pakistani nationals and foreigners in Pakistan will also be assessed in order to identify possibilities and recommendations on a potential decree, business registration permit process and overall legislation. Pakistan`s National Programmes such as the Prime Minister`s Youth Programme will also be factored in the study with the ultimate objective of inclusion.

• Review of Entrepreneurship Programmes: Review of UNHCR`s entrepreneurship ongoing and completed programmes in order to identify common challenges faced by potential entrepreneurs and the sectors of interest to the participants.

• Quantitative Data Collection: Structured surveys with a statistically representative sample of Afghan refugees and youth entrepreneurs (data of Afghan refugee businesses men and youth entrepreneurs supported by UNHCR).

• Qualitative Data Collection: Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with business owners, relevant government officials, NGOs, and industry experts.

• Data Analysis: Analyze the collected data to identify patterns, trends, key challenges and solutions.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Pakistan, a key platform supporting SMEs, has extensive knowledge of both formal and informal enterprises. Its involvement in this study could enhance credibility and impact by providing valuable information and guidance. Engaging and consulting with SMEDA at all stages of the study would be both productive and effective.

Role of UNHCR

• Facilitate in identification of refugee businesses men and youth entrepreneurs and arranging consultant/firm's meeting with them in the field.

• Facilitate coordination among key stakeholders and establish linkages.

• Monitoring and evaluation.

• Updating consultant/firm on security situation.

14. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Measures put in place to ensure the quality of work the individual contract holder delivers, e.g. report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines, performance indicators, milestone discussions, survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research documents produced specify etc.)
Expected Deliverables:

• Detailed Report incorporating feedback, including policy recommendations and Presentation of key findings.

• Conduct (jointly with SMEDA) a forum with key stakeholders and present the key findings and recommendations of the study with key advocacy messages.

Timeline:
The study is expected to be completed within 12 weeks (starting from the date of signing of agreement).

Budget Allocation and Payment Schedule:
The budget for this survey is allocated against specific phases, with payments strictly linked to the satisfactory completion of deliverables. If, for any reason, a particular phase is not undertaken, the corresponding budget allocation shall be deducted accordingly.
Phase 1 – Contract Signing (25%)

• Deliverables: Signing of the agreement and submission of a detailed workplan.

• Payment: 25% of the total contract value, payable as an advance upon contract signing.
Phase 2 – Desk Review (20%) (3 weeks)

• Deliverables: Inception report finalized methodology and tools, and a desk review of existing literature and data sources.

• Payment: 20% of the total contract value upon submission and approval of the inception report and desk review.
Phase 3 – Field Work (30%) (6 weeks)

• Deliverables: Completion of all agreed fieldwork activities, including focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), and/or business owner interviews, with submission of a summary (brief narrative report).

• Payment: 30% of the total contract value upon verification of completed fieldwork and submission of the raw dataset.
Phase 4 – Final Report (25%) (3 weeks)

• Deliverables: Cleaned dataset, analysis, draft and final report, and presentation of findings.

• Payment: 25% of the total contract value upon submission and acceptance of the final report and related deliverables.

General Conditions:

• Payments shall only be released upon submission and approval of deliverables for each respective phase.

• If the assignment is terminated prior to full completion, payment shall be limited to the approved deliverables of completed phase(s).

• Deliverables must be provided in line with the agreed timeline, quality standards, and requirements outlined in the Terms of Reference.

Desirable:

 Knowledge about latest development in the livelihoods sector, including broader UN processes on the SDGs and the Global Compact on Refugees.

 Technical competencies in sub-sectors relevant to livelihoods programming e.g. financial inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education, and training, etc.

Required/mandatory:

• Research and analytical skills with ability to design and conduct qualitative and quantitative research.

• Data collection skills (interviews, surveys, focus groups).

• Awareness of legal and policy frameworks governing refugees and informal businesses in Pakistan, as well as the situation of refugees in country.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for drafting clear, evidence-based reports and presenting findings.

• Business and Economic Literacy: Understanding of micro, small, and informal business operations, entrepreneurship, market systems, and livelihood strategies in displacement contexts.

Minimum years of work experience
(NOTE: candidates with less years of experience cannot be short-listed or recommended): 5 years
Language: Required: English, Urdu Desirable: Local languagesStandard Job Description Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor's (Required)

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No

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