National Consultant for the SOLIFEM project

BACKGROUND: 

The ILO is implementing the SOLIFEM project which will 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 in the informal economy. Following the bilateral consultation that ILO CTA conducted with each of the constituents, five sectors in the informal economy were proposed to ILO as follow: Agriculture, agrifood, fisheries, construction, and Daily workers in the private and public sector (Mouyawimin). The consultancy aim is to conduct a study to be able to identify 3 out of the 5 listed sectors in which there is i. a high number of youth men and women working ii. Have prominent economic growth in the future. The consultant will be working in close collaboration with trade unions (CGTL and FENASOL) and the Association of Lebanese industrialists.

The SOLIFEM project intends to identify 3 main sectors of focus out of the 5 sectors identified during the consultations, with particular attention to those encompassing youth men and women – where the employment of those is high or there is potential to increase it in the coming future. The main objectives of this consultation are to i) reduce the scope to 3 sectors ; ii) take stock of the situation of informal and formal workers and economic units in each of those sectors: who they are in their diversity, what are they needs, in which ecosystem do they operate, assessment of the existing legal framework and gaps, identification of actors including forms and levels of organization within each sector,  the skills and apprenticeship including needs and gap, obstacles and incentives for formalization including existing policies, programmes and interventions, awareness, trust and perceptions of informal actors regarding institutions and formalization. 

The outcome of the mapping will be used by the consultant to develop key recommendations on sectoral interventions, including gaps and needs.

To provide an assessment of informality patterns and skills needs amongst workers and employers operating in the informal economy in three sectors:

1. Propose a list of criteria to select the three out of the five sectors understanding that such criteria should include: i) sectors where there is potential to increase youth and women access to productive and decent employment. ii) sectors where there is potential economic growth. iii) extent of informality and decent work deficit
2. Conduct a desk review, develop interview guides, guides for focus group discussion, suggest of primary of contacts and target groups and conduct interviews and focus group discussions to gather field data on the situation in the respective sectors first to identify the 3 sectors and second to support the development of the situation analysis of informality. 
3. Develop situation analyses of informality in each of the three different sectors selected in (1). The situation analysis should include: the existing legal framework and gaps, the organizational level within each sector, the skills and apprenticeship, needs and gaps and the Obstacles and incentives for formalization. 

This information will be used to design programmes for workers and employers, with a focus on raising awareness on the importance of formalization.

The Work will be performed under the guidance and supervision of the National Project Officer in Beirut and the CTA for SOLIFEM in the region.

1. Phase 1: Selection of the three sectors and justification. Mapping including desk review, KPIs and focused group discussions to identify the 3 sectors of focus in the informal economy. Selection to be validated by the employers; trade unions and the government before going to the next step.
2. Phase 2: Assessment the situation in each of the three sectors. Among other, that would entail:
   • Presentation of the approach, issues covered and steps o Desk review o Development of primary information collection tools (including qualitative)
   • Draft report presenting main results of the situation analysis that should include notably: 
     • The assessment of the situation of informal workers and economic units, including in terms of working conditions and, beyond, of vulnerabilities
     • The drivers of informality associated to the overall economic context, those associated to personal and employment related characteristics; and 
     • Drivers associated to the institutional and legal framework: to what extent the institutional and legal framework enhances or constraints the transition to formality
     • The skills and apprenticeship, needs and gaps 
     • A mapping of actors and interventions
     • The forms and levels of organization within each sector
     • The obstacles and incentives for formalization
     • The awareness, trust and perceptions of informal economy workers regarding institutions and formalizations
     • Recommendations

1- Phase 3: Final report and PowerPoint presentation of findings to the Reference group

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

• 30 % will be paid upon completion of Phase 1, described in the Deliverables sections
• 30% will paid upon completion of Phase 2, described in the Deliverables
• 40% will be paid upon completion of Phase 3, described in the deliverables

Expression of interest should include the below:

• Workplan 
• Curriculum Vitae with evidence of work of a similar nature 
• Rate per day

• Education: Advanced University degree in human rights, labor law, Development Studies, economics, Social Sciences or a related discipline. 
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience. 
• Experience in conducting employment-related research.
• Knowledge and previous working experience within the field of labour, employment and development.
• Experience working with Governments and social partners in Lebanon.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.
• Excellent presentation, research and analytical skills. 
• Working experience with the ILO and other UN agencies

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.