Senior Non-Key Expert (Snke) To Assist Neo To Draft Two Sectorial Studies Addressing Employability Issue And Disseminate The Results In A Joint Conference With Trade Unions And Employers'

The main objective of the assignment of a SNKE is to assist NEO in drafting two sectorial studies addressing employability issues with a special focus on barriers that prevent women and youth from finding employment. The results of the study have to be disseminated in a joint conference with trade unions and employers' associations. The SNKE will act as the lead responsible researcher for the study. He / she will provide training, advice and coaching for NEO staff when conducting the two studies. Since the quality of the study will depend very much on the quality of the outcomes of the field work, the SNKE will put a special focus on the preparations for the field work as well as on supervision, follow up and quality control of the field work. In close collaboration with NEO and under guidance of the TAT, the SNKE will: a)      Prepare and implement four half-day  Training sessions for up to 15 staff from NEO  on how to conduct sectorial studies related to employability issues. As a core part of the training, the methodology to be followed during the study will be jointly developed with the participants and agreed on with NEO b)      Desk review for mapping and stock taking of pervious, already existing sectorial studies related to employability issues and similar studies, planned or under development by other actors and organizations, donors etc. c)       Support NEO in defining the selection criteria and selecting the two economic sectors to be analyzed, on the basis of available data and research. The two sectors should have relevant employment potential and a medium- to long-term development potential and importance for Lebanon: Ideally one of the sectors should have initial indications for a with strong demand of medium level skilled workers, while the other one should have employment potential also for high skilled worker d)      Support NEO in establishing tripartite sector advisory committees for the two selected sectors e)      Assist NEO to draft two sectoral studies of  2 economic sectors with high potential for growth and demand for qualified workforce in collaboration with the tripartite sector advisory committees. The main objective and focus of these studies will be: • Provide a coherent and concise appraisal of the two sectors that will be defined (see point e above), analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, problems and opportunities; • Analyze the needs of the companies within the selected sectors regarding current and future employment of staff (separated by level of qualification) and the training providers’ capacities to accommodate these needs • Identify the core / typical professions and related occupational standards, required by the labour market in these two sectors, i.e. standards of performance individuals must achieve when carrying out functions in these sectors, together with specifications of the underpinning knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes • Identify the barriers that prevent women and youth from finding employment in these sectors • Present realistic and pragmatic options and recommendations to for the further development of the sectors. The two studies will be shared with the respective tripartite working groups for discussion, comments and recommendations. The two studies  including the recommendations for the future development of the sectors and for overcoming employment problems of certain target groups will be presented to trades unions and employer associations in a half-day conference to be held at an appropriate venue in Beirut or its environs. f)       Prepare and implement a half day conference to present and discuss the two studies with the support of the TAT, present the main findings and recommendations of the study during the conference. Place of work and deliverables The usual place of work is the project office in Beirut within the premises of ECOSOC. The SNKE reports to the team leader. Besides providing advice and coaching for NEO staff when conducting the two studies and act as the lead responsible researcher for the study, the SNKE will deliver the following: Concept paper for a short term training for staff from NEO how to conduct sectorial studies, related to employability issues (at least 16 hours, up to 10 Participants) Four half-day training sessions for up to 15 staff from NEO how to conduct sectorial studies (training to be conducted in Arabic) Inventory of studies related to employability issues: (a) previous, already existing sectoral studies and (b) overview of similar studies, planned or under development by other actors and organizations, donors etc. This inventory should be based on a desk review and delivered in the form of a bibliography, but with some additional key words, describing the content of the study Inception report including the rationalized selection of the two sectors (in EN and AR) Methodology Report, describing the methodology to be followed during the studies Concept paper regarding the establishment of tripartite sector advisory committees for the two selected sectors (Members, Purpose, Tasks and Organizational aspects) First draft of the two sector studies, to be presented for comments to , NEO and the tripartite sector advisory committees Final version of the two sector studies Concept paper for the half-day conference to present and discuss the two studies Organization and implementation of the half-day conference to present and discuss the two studies. The TAT will provide logistical support. Power Point presentation for the half-day dissemination conference Final implementation report Language Working languages are Arabic and English. All documents and deliverables are to be provided in English. Of these, the project will translate a selection into Arabic, if needed. Qualification and Experience of the Expert (selection criteria) Qualification and key competences: Master degree in Economics, Labour Market Studies, Social Science, Political Science or related fields or a Bachelor degree in the same fields with five (5) years of additional relevant professional experience, directly related to Economic and Labour Market studies Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Arabic. French will be considered as an asset Excellent writing and editing skills in English and Arabic Strong interpersonal and communication skills Strong analytical and organizational skills Understanding and application of the consulting principle of capacity development (proven by previous assignments and / or relevant further training) Professional experience: Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in social and economic development and labour market, including sectoral economic studies and labor market related studies, ideally in public sector settings; at least five (5) previous assignments as researcher / consultant, related to economic and labour market studies At least one work experience in ENPI region in the field is an asset; Specific experience as lead researcher / expert / consultant in conducting minimum three (3) sectoral studies, addressing employability issues