Call for Proposals – Bonyan بُنْيان - Implementation Agreement for the Provision of Skills Training and Employment Services in the Construction sector for Vulnerable Youth in Lebanon

Lebanon is facing a prolonged economic, financial, and social crisis, compounded by a large refugee population and renewed conflict. Since 2019, GDP contraction has downgraded the country to lower-middle-income status, with over half of Lebanese living in poverty and 93% of Syrian refugees below minimum survival expenditure levels. Youth, persons with disabilities, and older persons are disproportionately affected.

The labour market has deteriorated sharply. Informality exceeds 60%, SMEs—providing around 90% of full-time employment—have been heavily impacted, and key sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and services have suffered major job and wage losses. Youth unemployment stands at 47.8%, with youth labour underutilization at 64.2%, reflecting severe skills mismatches. COVID-19 and the economic collapse accelerated unemployment and emigration, driving a significant brain drain and further weakening already strained public services and TVET institutions.

The 2024 conflict deepened these vulnerabilities, leaving over 90,000 people displaced and resulting in more than 250,000 job losses, with a substantial employment deficit persisting post-ceasefire. Women were disproportionately affected, and many workers experienced significant income reductions. Education systems were also severely disrupted, with widespread school closures, infrastructure damage, and major learning losses, including in TVET centres.

The recent escalation of hostilities in Lebanon has precipitated a sharp increase in internal displacement and humanitarian need. Intense military operations and displacement orders issued in early March 2026 have driven thousands of families from their homes, with approximately 96,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) now seeking safety in collective shelters and many more staying with host communities or en route to safer areas, compounding the country’s protracted crisis.

The formation of a new government presents an opportunity for inclusive, human-capital-driven recovery. Reforming the TVET system—through market-responsive curricula, work-based learning, apprenticeships, digital and green skills integration, and rehabilitation of facilities—is central to this effort and aligned with the National TVET Strategic Framework 2025–2029.

In support of the Ministry of Education and DGTVE’s emergency recovery plan, the ILO will implement short-term vocational and on-the-job training linked to the rehabilitation of war-affected TVET schools, integrating modern and market responsive skills. Strengthening TVET is therefore critical to Lebanon’s recovery, resilience, and inclusive growth while supporting beneficiaries access to jobs.

Objective

The ILO is soliciting the services of an implementing partner to roll out vocational training followed by on-the-job training for 1,800 young women and men (70% Lebanese and 30% refugee vulnerable youth and unemployed non-skilled or semi-skilled workers, 50% women). The vocational training will be paired with employability training and employment referrals.

Scope of Work

The scope of this intervention consists of the following key activities:

1. Identification of Occupations and Training Programme Planning
2. Training of Trainers and in-company trainers on Apprenticeship, Learner Centred Pedagogy, and career guidance.
3. Development and Adaptation Competency Standards and Technical Training Programmes
4. Project Identity and Visibility (Throughout implementation)
5. Outreach and Enrolment of Beneficiaries
6. Delivery of the Comprehensive Training Programme
7. Post-Training Services and Job Placement

Required Qualifications

Prerequisite for selection: A registered non-profit organization/entity authorized to operate in Lebanon

Eligibility Criteria:

The bidder should be a registered non-profit organization in Lebanon and meet the following qualifications and criteria

• Demonstrated organizational profile and relevant experience aligned with the scope and requirements of the assignment.
• Proven track record of obtaining and/or delivering accredited training programmes in sectors relevant to the assignment.
• Experience in working within multi-stakeholder environments, including collaboration with government institutions, development agencies, local authorities, and other relevant actors, demonstrated through similar assignments.
• Demonstrated experience in the development, management, and implementation of market-oriented skills training and work-based learning programmes, with a minimum of seven years of practical experience, particularly in the construction sector.
• Proven experience in managing integrated projects combining work-based learning (WBL) and construction rehabilitation activities.
• Adequate and qualified human resources, in terms of number and profile, to successfully deliver the assignment, as evidenced by submitted CVs and a clear team organigram outlining roles and responsibilities.
• Any change in the proposed experts will require prior written approval from the ILO/PROSPECTS team.
• Demonstrated experience in integrating gender mainstreaming and inclusion of persons with disabilities in training and employment initiatives, as reflected in the proposed outreach plan and methodology.
• Proven capacity in high-quality reporting, communication, and documentation in both Arabic and English
• Previous experience or partnerships with UN agencies and INGOs is an advantage