Technical expert to identify market trends and skills in demand in the agri-food sector in Lebanon

The general objective of SOLIFEM project is to support the transition from the informal to the formal economy through tripartite social dialogue in Lebanon and other countries in the region, including Algeria, Egypt, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). It will pursue this objective through strengthening the capacity of the ILO tripartite constituents to act through social dialogue on two fronts –first, the development of integrated strategies on formalization and second, the development of skills training and recognition systems, with a particular focus on women and youth. Developing the capacity of youth women and men in the formal and informal labour markets, will help them overcome challenges in accessing formal jobs in that sector and support the national initiative of the ministry of industry in responding to food security crises that may arise due to the economic and political situation.

Project main outcomes:

Outcome 1: Enabling national policy frameworks to facilitate the transition of informal economy workers and economic units to the formal economy in place, developed through dialogue between the tripartite constituents

Outcome 2: Skills development systems that enable young people and women in the informal economy to access formal employment

This consultancy will focus on outcome 2 with particular focus on the agri-food industry, identified as one of the 5 economic activities which the SOLIFEM reference group would like the project to focus on. As many of Lebanon’s families depend on local food industry production, especially with the rise of import costs since 2019 reaching its peek with the Russian Ukrainian crisis. In addition, this sector as part of the greater agriculture value chain also employs many active workers. Agri-food is selected as one of 3 sectors of focus for the SOLIFEM project in Lebanon, and therefore there is a need to understand the skills needed to develop the capacity of workers and employers in this field.

1. Provide a mapping for training institutions of skills, recognition systems in place, training delivery mechanisms and employability skills gaps among workers in the informal economy for the agri-food sector.
2. Identify gaps in programmes that improve the access of women and youth in the informal economy under agri-food to training and lifelong learning opportunities

The main themes to be covered are:

1. General profile and trends of the agri-food sector in Lebanon and identification of 2 sub-sectors.
2. General analysis of the skills system of the agri-food sector in Lebanon with focus on skills delivery of the identified 2 sub-sectors.
3. Analysis of the business environment for the selected 2 agri-food sub-sector in Lebanon, including analysis of regional and world market trends, their position in regional and world markets and drivers of change.

1.  A Methodological note including the work plan describing the methods and actions that will be used to complete the study for each of the deliverables. No longer than 10 pages.
2. Justification for the choice of the two sub sectors of focus in the agri-food industry.
3. Two sub-sector studies are drafted discussing current status and trends in the sector, including informal employment in the labour force
4. Skills needs in the selected sub-sectors and shortcomings in current skills provision and matching identified.

Deliverable 1: Methodological note including work plan

• Will be submitted within 12 days of the start of the contract after concluding internal discussions with the National Project Coordinator, the CTA, the skills team in ROAS and at HQ.
• This note should include the work plan, a description of the different phases of the study and information collected to cover the various sections of the report; and for each section and issue, the main method used, a preliminary list of contacts for KPIs and the modalities for Focus group discussions, and draft of interview guides for primary data collection tools, etc.
• This note should be concise and practical and should not exceed 10 pages (excluding interview guides or issues covered by focus group discussions).

Deliverable 2: Two sub sectors of focus in the agro-food industry are identified

This will form the first section of the report for this consultancy – between 25 and 30 pages excluding annexes

Steps:

1. Develop a set of criteria for the selection of the sub sectors. List of criteria is tailored based on a revised existing list. The consultant will use ILO templates based on the STED methodology.
2. Share the suggested list of criteria for clearance by ILO.
3. Share the suggested outline and list of contacts to conduct KPIs and FGD for clearance.
4. Share the report with ILO in EN to be cleared by ILO
5. Develop a PowerPoint presentation in AR covering the different section of the report to be presented by the consultant to the reference group

To be cleared by ILO and the reference group before moving to deliverable 3.

Deliverable 3: Sector studies for selected subsectors

1-Submit an outline pertaining to this section of the report to be cleared by ILO before proceeding. An existing outline will be shared with the consultant to be tailored and revised while taking into account the context and among other:

• • • A mapping of ILO constituents and training institutions on skills and recognition systems in place in the agri-food sector, and particularly under the 2 identified sub-sectors
    • Different type of training delivery mechanisms
    • Industry trends in agri-food and its subsectors (after agreeing with the reference group members) in terms of production, agriculture practices, and demand;
    • Identify general patterns of labour demand from the private sector (noting any trends, variation, changing skill demands);
    • Describe how the skills providers in Lebanon are adapting to this changing skills demand
    • Review and analyse key factors that impact the 2 subsectors of focus (e.g., consumer demand, consumption pattern, technology, agri-food trade policy, regulations...) and examine how these critical drivers of change impact on skills requirements.
    • Examine the type of skills required to meet the need of the agri-food sector as a whole and the identified subsectors, taking the identified drivers of change into account.
    • Analyse youth men and women labour force participation in these subsectors, identify the specific challenges which this population may face, and assess opportunities for the participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in these subsectors
    • Identify emerging good practices adopted in the sub-sectors of focus at national and international levels that have the potential to be replicated and the related skills requirements;

2. Upon clearance of the outline, the consultant will undertake a literature review: review existing studies and reports on market trends in agri-food industries, value chains development, and on issues and developments likely to impact the agri-food sector in Lebanon – including emerging national and international good practices in terms of manufacturing, trade and production .
3. KII and FGD with employers and workers in the formal and informal economies in the agri-food industry.
4. Consultation will also include other stakeholders deemed important by the ILO to conclude this phase during the course of the consultancy.
5. Submission of the section of the report pertaining to deliverable 2. Upon clearance from ILO within 7 working days, submit the revised version.
6. Prepare a power point presentation in AR of main findings for all sections in the report and present it to the reference group.

The completion of this deliverable and the start of deliverable 4 is subject to clearances from government, unions and employers.

Deliverable 4: Skills needs in the selected sub-sectors and shortcomings in current skills provision and matching identified.

This section of the report will complete the second section and will include the following: (between 15 and 25 pages)

Steps:

1. Three Mapping tables of:

• Skills gaps and needs in the identified sub sectors.
• Existing programs for skills needed in agri-food for the specific two sub sectors
• Number of training providers for the agri-food industry in general and in particular to the identified sub sectors

A template of the tables should be shared with ILO for clearance before starting to collect the information.

2. Identify employability gaps for workers in the selected two subsectors:

This should be done through a desk review, and particularly through FGD By adapting the rapid STED methodology (wcms_751499.pdf (ilo.org) )with:

•  employers and workers in the 2 subsectors identified both in the formal and informal economies.
• Identified training centers including (NEO, NVTC and TVET)
• the future demand for skills in these affected by emerging national and international good practices – and to compare them with the skills training programs currently provided by training institutions.
• KIIs with stakeholders under Deliverables 2 and 3

- The research will be carried out nation-wide (covering the seven governorates) with close coordination and support from the Lebanese association of industrialist, the ministry of labour, the ministry of industry, CGTL and FENASOL and coordinated with skills unit at ILO ROAS.

- The STED methodology is a sector level methodology that assists in the formation of skills development policies that help countries become more competitive in the context of open markets, and building or maintaining a sound and diversified economic structure. Applying the STED methodology typically involves a combination of desk review and field research. The latter includes collection of relevant data and structured interviews with key informants. The outcomes of STED are concrete recommendations at the policy, institutional, and enterprises level. The process involved in designing those recommendations contributes to raising awareness and stimulating dialogue on skills development among key stakeholders within a sector. The main objectives include enhancing exports, economic diversification, enabling more and better jobs, help policy makers to ensure that firms find workers with the right skills and workers acquire the skills needed to find productive employment.            

The ILO has developed a compendium of guides on anticipation of skill needs. The Skills and Employability Branch is currently piloting these tools in different countries. Within the framework of the STED project, selected tools and approaches will be applied to the Tunisian context and the specific sector contexts.

-Key informant interviews and FGD: the consultant will need to conduct at least 30 individual interviews of key stakeholders on a one to one basis: They should include employers (e.g., HR managers), public officials including MoI and Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the agro-food affiliate of ALI trade unions, and workers in the agri-food business, . the ministry of labor, the ministry of industry and the ministry of agriculture, the ministry of economy and trade, the UNFAO, relevant academic and technical institutions, chambers of commerce, in addition to business development services providers, and other relevant agencies and institutions such as NGOs and INGOs, registered training providers, UN, and local development agencies, at both national level and within the 7 Governorates.

All deliverables outcomes should be based on

1. A good quantitative discussion.
2. Extensive analysis of statistics.
3. Verification of data and information through key informant interviews.
4. Text linking the statistics to the qualitative discussion.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the consultant:

1. Meet the deadlines per phase as agreed with ILO
2. Work Independently and take all necessary actions to deliver a report of quality and overcome obstacles along the way;
3. Interact with the ILO on a regular basis (e.g. share intermediate results and concerns if any);
4. Incorporate and make necessary amendments to reports based on the comments of ILO after each review.
5. Responsible for organizing all KPIs and FGDs including logistics, contacting, and forming groups
6. Based in Lebanon for the entire period of the consultancy
7. Shall not start working on next phase before the previous phase is cleared by ILO
8. Share the invoice pertaining to each phase upon clearance by ILO on time as per the payment schedule agreed upon
9. Understand that a report needs to be reviewed .
10. Understand that the agreed plan of action might be reconsidered based on project necessities and external factors.

Responsibilities of ILO:

1. Feedback on submissions within maximum 7 working days.
2. Schedule meeting for parties inside ILO
3. Schedule one meeting with the reference group to introduce the consultant
4. Responsible for logistics pertaining to phase 4.

PAYMENT

Three instalments based on the deliverables subject to the clearance and satisfaction of the ILO:

• 30 % will be paid upon completion of Deliverable 1 and 2, as described in the Deliverables section.
• 30% will paid upon completion of deliverable 3 described in the Deliverables section.
• 40% will be paid upon completion of deliverable 4 described in the deliverables section.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Advanced University degree in agriculture engineer, agriculture, development Studies, social Sciences or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in conducting skills related research.
• Knowledge and previous working experience within the field of labour, employment and development.
• Experience working with Governments and social partners in Lebanon.
• Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, and quality standards;
• Ability to conduct quality research and craft strategic analysis and recommendations;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners;
• Ability to maintain effectiveness when balancing multiple tasks
• Ability to understand and work with different cultures, particularly in the context of the Arab States.

Languages

Excellent command of English and Arabic

Core Values

• Respect for Diversity.
• Integrity.
• Professionalism.

Core Competencies

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues.
• Accountability.
• Creative Problem Solving.
• Effective Communication.
• Inclusive Collaboration.
• Stakeholder Engagement.
• Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

• Substantive experience and record of accomplishment in gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Good knowledge of ILO and the UN system.
• Demonstrated analytical and technical skills in managing development projects/Programmes.
• Ability to introduce new approaches and strategic innovations.