Reposting: Request For Consultancy Proposal (Tvet Market Assessment)

  A. Introduction Lebanon faces significant challenges deriving from the war in Syria, including hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees, proportionate to the country’s population. The Syrian crisis has led to an influx of more than 1.2 million refugees into Lebanon over the last four years, creating severe economic, political and social strains. Huge challenges accompanied the Syrian Crises in Lebanon which impacted Lebanon demographically, economically, and socio-economically, status.   There is a growing concern for the well-being and dignity of the refugees living in Lebanon given their rapidly deteriorating socio-economic situation. Some 70 per cent of Syrian refugees live below the Lebanese poverty line and more than half are unable to meet the minimum survival expenditure level. Moderate food insecurity doubled to affect a quarter of Syrian households while the percentage of food secure households fell from 25% to 11%. Most of the population (65%) was classified as mildly food insecure. For Palestinians from Syria, the UNRWA-AUB socio-economic survey conducted in June 2015 targeting PRS revealed that 94.5 percent of the total population are food insecure.   The only solution for resolving all the above mentioned problems will be through creating strong economic activities which will allow the underprivileged communities to have access to markets through acquiring them with the capacities and competitive skills and matching between the demands of the market with the supply in the labour force. Thus, a robust market assessment and mapping must be conducted.   The proposed study will focus on analysis of the current markets and the livelihood capacities and competencies of potential beneficiaries in the project areas. The assessment methodology should include desk analysis and collection of primary data, such as focus group discussions, business surveys, key informant interviews, and market observations, as detailed in the complete Terms of Reference (TOR). It will also involve review and analysis of relevant policies and dynamics that affect access to economic opportunities   B. About NPA Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a humanitarian organization rooted in the Norwegian Labor Movement. We work with International Development Partnerships, Humanitarian Disarmament, Rescue Service and First Aid, and Asylum and Integration. NPA works in 39 countries around the world and has more than 12000 members in Norway and 2400 staff worldwide. NPA Lebanon is currently implementing Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and Humanitarian Disarmament Projects throughout Lebanon, including the Palestinian camps and gatherings. C. Project and Services to be Provided Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) Lebanon is commissioning a study within the framework of its project on “Humanitarian Assistance to Vulnerable Communities in Lebanon”. The project is managed by NPA and funded by the Norwegian Ministry for Foreign Affairs (NMFA). To this end, NPA will continue to partner with local actors that have access to areas in need and the ability to provide quality services in the field of livelihoods. In many cases, beneficiaries are enrolling in vocational training courses and majors just because of the availability rather depending on their own preference.  It is important to include the beneficiaries in the decision making process for what affects their livelihoods and to adjust courses offered according to individual abilities and preferences. Moreover, it is essential to ensure that the vocational trainings will provide the beneficiaries with skills that are in demand in the job market or skills that will be useful to create businesses and products in demand. The market assessment has several objectives which can be summarised as: Including the beneficiaries in the decision-making process for what affects their livelihoods understanding the gaps and surpluses in the Lebanese market identifying high potential growth sectors and employment trends in the project districts and locations analyzing current employment practices and demanded skills in the local labor market determining constraints faced by vulnerable youth in the labor market identifying potential employment and self-employment opportunities for vulnerable community members using the results from this assessment as a basis for the choice of vocational trainings given supporting beneficiaries in choosing new businesses to start via the micro-grants donated   NPA will provide a more in-depth description of the Project and the research questions to be addressed to the consultants awarded with the market study.   D. Tasks To provide a current overview of the laws and regulations which impact the Lebanese Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) system, including recent changes and reforms in the provision of vocational and technical training. To collect data and provide an up-to-date mapping of the Lebanese TVET system in terms of a breakdown of courses offered, their respective curricula, equipment used, training methodology etc. To identify what type of jobs are available in the market that can be filled by TVET graduates, with a special focus on highly demanded skills. To find out the relevance of skills training courses offered An assessment of immediate priority skills needs in the priority economic sectors categorized into skill types and levels. To assess the capacity of TVET service providers in relation to the provision of identified market demanded courses. Identification of other economically significant sectors where skills deficiencies might constrain future employment and economic growth. Assessment of key sectors and skill requirements by occupations with a regional overlay, incorporating consistent and comparable skills data across Lebanon Identification of small businesses in which are demanded in the market where refugees and vulnerable people are able to engage in successfully.   E. Scope of Work The objective of this assessment is to identify market-based economic opportunities accessible by vulnerable target groups in Lebanon (by province). This means the identification of the sectors that the most vulnerable people are working or offered work opportunities in. These sectors should be economically viable. The optimal case will be to identify the economic sectors should be the ones absorbing the largest number of labour force compared to other sectors in the targeted area and that the labor force included is of a certain vulnerability profile that matches the most vulnerable population living in the area. After identification of the prioritized sectors the assessment is expected to detail the profile of recruited employees and services providers in these sectors in terms of nationality, education, skills, gender, ages, and income. In order to reach the goal of the assessment it must explore the barriers prohibiting expansion of local businesses operations and limiting the increase in employment of host community and refugees, as well as to explore the risks observed by local business owners and the potential options to mitigate and/or overcome these barriers. Focus should be made on the most vulnerable groups mainly refugees, Palestinian and Syrian.   Accordingly the consultant will: Find out the most employable skills training courses that can be offered in the project. Find out skill gaps in the market, this should be classified into: a) Specific type of jobs available and locations. b) Level of skill required, including attention to aspects of nationality, age, gender and location. Assess the capacity of TVET providers to deliver quality market-driven skills training with a particular focus on: a). Center infrastructure: training classrooms, machines, facilities, suitability of center location, etc. b). Instructors: Experience, level of education, trained or untrained, etc. c). Center Management: center structure, capacity of board of directors, center manager and other subordinate staff. Identify challenges faced by TVET graduates in getting employment, especially females, and provide relevant recommendations and ways of creating decent work for females Assess how private microfinance institutions and grants provide small business loans and identify best approaches for linking TVET graduates to have access to such services.   F. Methodology To accurately address the questions raised above, the consultant is expected to use a mixed methods approach including qualitative and quantitative data collection. The market assessment research shall employ a market-driven approach. It shall be based on the rationale that the research’s first step is to identify potential economic growth sectors and local opportunities for temporary employment. The next step consists is the analysis of the existing gaps between the skills of current labour force and the ones sought by employers. By engaging in such a study and gap analysis, the research ensures that the project is well informed about the market dynamics that impact vulnerable communities in their pursuit of sustainable livelihoods. In all subsequent activities, the project works to ensure that its interventions are rooted in the economic reality of these regions.  The consultant shall work with key stakeholders to organize key informant interviews, assemble focus groups, and identify local businesses to survey. These actions shall ensure that future interventions would be relevant to both the needs of target beneficiaries and the realities of the local market. Moreover, the consultant shall validate the interests of employers and employees in vocational training courses and job placements.  From here NPA is suggesting the below methodology and research tools to be employed during the assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:   Desk Analysis Reviews of secondary information, researches, reports assessments. The consultant will review recent (last 5 years) documents related to the following: - Existing market assessments in the targeted areas - Laws rules and regulations - All the available market trends and studies   Market Mapping and Value Chain The consultant will provide a general map of potential local markets in terms of type, size and volume of market, supply chain, women and youth led businesses/trades, main access barriers, key trade organizations, and security arrangements, especially for women and youth.   Interviews with Key Informants and Focus Groups The consultant will interview key informants in each location; it is worth noting that this must include mainly women and youth, beneficiaries of NPA’s current programs, suppliers, producers, farmers, etc. The consultant also will conduct focus group discussion once deemed especially in the targeted geographical area and targeting the beneficiaries of the project.   The methodology may use quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytical tools.   The consultant will also develop a work plan with clear milestone deliverables and timelines in consistency with the set timeframe of this assignment.   The proposed methodology and work plan should be included in the consultant proposal to be approved by NPA.   G. Deliverables: The consultant is expected to submit a final report of the research study. The report should be written in English language in addition to Arabic version. It should be submitted electronically in a MS-Word document. It must include: Executive Summary of key findings and recommendations Methodologies used Evaluation findings, analysis and conclusions with associated evidence and data clearly illustrated. Use of tables, graphs, and quotes to illustrate findings and conclusions is encouraged; Appendices, including methodology and study tools, list of interviewees, and questionnaires.   The main part of the study should be public, while the recommendations that are specific to the Project will only be accessible to NPA, NPA decides whether share it with its partners or not.   H. Desired qualifications and competencies: Proven experience in research in the mentioned topics. As part of the bid, we require a brief summary of the team that will conduct this research project. This summary will highlight any relevant experience or expertise in these fields including publication list, CV, division of tasks among the team members and the percentage of work contribution for each member. PHD or master degree in a relevant field of study (economic studies, social sciences, business administration, statistic, etc.) with proven track of reports/consultancies and/or publishing. Proven experience in consulting or market research, preferably within refugee/IDP education/youth projects in complex emergencies and experience in Lebanon; Practical experience in conducting research or assessments in Humanitarian or Development contexts; Experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and narrative reporting; Strong Communication skills, Good coordination and organizational skills, the ability to pay close attention to detail and capable of reporting in a timely manner Knowledge on non-governmental organization’s procedures Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically.   Ability to present complex information in a concise and convincing manner, and to use innovative forms of communication.  Knowledge on economic, socio-economic and politics of Lebanon; familiarity with Lebanon’s local markets, local and national businesses as well as business’ associations Knowledge on sustainable resource management of livelihood sector. Experience of management of projects to deadlines Knowledge on good governance and social protection. Strong analytical and writing skills Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic language skills Excellent Computer skills.   I. Contract Period     Dates Action 15 November 2017 Deadline of submission of proposals 16-17 November 2017 Scanning of proposals 22 November 2017 Agreement signature 23 November 2017-11 February 2018 Implementation of the research 18 February 2018 Submission of the first draft 28 February 2018 Submission of the final version   Periodical meetings will take place between NPA focal point and the consultant during the period of the project.   J. Budget Max USD 20,000. Please note that this amount must cover any taxes that may apply. Please also note that price is in the selection criteria.  A proposal, a corresponding budget, and the data requested should be sent to rfplebanon@npaid.org and NawarS@npaid.org no later than 15 November 2017. The tender will be evaluated and selected based on the following criteria:   The Qualifications of the Research Team/Researcher 30 % The Quality of the Proposal -          Understanding of the Research Question (10 %) -          Analytical Approach (10 %) -          Research Methodology (10 %) -          Implementation Plan (10 %) 40 % The Price 30 % Total 100 %