Consultancy: Working Conditions Research And Training

Working Conditions Research and Training Terms of Reference Background   With the support of DANIDA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, and under the Regional Resilience and Livelihoods Programme for Syrian refugees and host communities, the Danish Refugee Council, Oxfam, and Makhzoumi Foundation, as part of the LEADERS Consortium, aim to contribute to the economic self-reliance, resilience and social stability of displacement-affected populations as prioritized by the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP), by supporting bottom-up and locally owned solutions to the economic and social challenges faced in communities hosting refugees. The Consortium’s Action in the Beqaa region of Lebanon is geared towards fostering the country’s social stability through the contribution to the economic resilience of the overburdened host communities in preparation for durable solutions and adequate response to the mass-displacement crisis.  Specific objectives of the intervention include: -       Improved access to sustainable livelihoods opportunities benefitting vulnerable households and individuals, particularly youth and women -       Improved economic enabling environment and service delivery in communities hosting refugees In addition to financial and non-financial support to jobseekers and MSE’s, the intervention seeks to improve awareness within supported enterprises and among jobseekers on decent working conditions and discriminatory practices at the workplace. Jobseekers will be informed of their rights and the minimum standards they should expect during counseling sessions. In addition, in parallel with facilitating MSE’s access to the information, knowledge and expertise that they need to expand and make their businesses more sustainable, the Action aims to address employers’ poor awareness and sensitivity around employees’ basic rights. Scope of work During the first phase of the implementation, the Technical Management Unit of the Consortium has pre-selected economic sectors in which the project will intervene. In addition, a skill gap analysis was undertaken and has highlighted skill gaps and skill needs as perceived by the private sector, whilst another market research captured in-depth findings on the structure and enterprises profiles of pre-selected[1] economic sub-sectors, ensuring a deep understanding of the local markets, including the production and trade potential of the MSMEs in the target areas and barriers for growth, as well as the determination of the level of economic viability and market competitivity of a business even if it is not operating at a large economy of scale. Oxfam now plans to conduct a quantitative survey around wonking conditions in the Bekaa and Baalbeck-Hermel Governorates, and well as compile a training module, conduct training, and produce information material  on mimimum workplace standards. The two components are detailed below. Part I – Quantitative Survey on Working Conditions    The planned quantitative survey (a cross-sectional study) should focus on the working conditions of Syrians and Lebanese, formal and informal workers in three main economic sectors in the Beqaa (tentatively construction, agriculture and food processing), and  will make reference to a study published by the ILO in 2013 on the profile of the Syrian workforce in Lebanon [2], as well as to Oxfam’s social protection research on Lebanese informal workers, which was concluded in September 2015. The study is expected to examine the dimensions of work across three broad areas: work schedules, work hours and psychosocial work environment (Job satisfaction). The study's covariates will be divided across the following: age group, gender, education level, immigrant status, interview administration method, as well the respective cadastres. On that basis, the quantitative survey will also generate data which would facilitate:   -       The identification of regulatory compliance measures and the % of employers in compliance with working hours and minimum wage regulations. -       The identification of the average number of workers paid in violation per employer of working hours, schedule, and on-job incidents.  -       The identification of the average back wage owed per affected worker, per week. -       The identification of the monitoring activities employed by different stakeholders, monitoring the activity employed by employer, payroll, providing wage and minimum standards  information to worker in addition to the psychosocial environment at the workplace. -       The identification of mechanism for combining private monitoring of work standards with the virtues of a public enforcement system. -       Inquiry about the effect that monitoring can have on compliance of employers with the minimum standards. The results of the research aims to provide: -       A clear understanding of the working conditions in the private sector in the Beqaa in the respective sectors.  It will clearly define: The dynamics between employers and employees, and working practices; Such as work patterns, working hours and shifts, equal pay, violation of workers 'rights, stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours, etc.; The difference in treatment or discrimination against Syrian migrant workers amongst others, with specific focus onwomen and youth; The enforcing legal instruments employed by government agencies along other monitoring mechanism reinforced by private organisations, I-NGOs and local non-profits to ensure that safety and human dignity measures are safeguarded. The findings The findings will feed into the LEADERS consortium's national advocacy strategy by shedding light on the flaws of the national labour regulations and legislations which would pave the way to discriminatory and exploitative practices, as well as showcasing monitoring mechanisms that can serve as successful models. This study comprises one part of a publication which will also include legal briefs, policy and discussion papers on working conditions and minimum standards within one toolkit. Moreover, the successful applicant is required to provide Oxfam with the raw data and technical sheets. Geographic focus Based on the project target areas, the geographic focus of the research will comprise enterprises in the  Beqaa and Baalbeck-Hermel Governorates , mainly the districts of Zahle and Baalbek. The research will encompass: -       Desk review of secondary data; -       Primary data collection (quantitative) in the above mentioned geographic focus areas; -       Analysis and validation through FGDs and KIIs; -       Consolidated research report. Consortium members will be requested to share relevant documents, information and contacts to facilitate the research.  Deliverables -          In-depth analysis of Working conditions (related to working hours, working schedules, job satisfaction, minimum wage and access to services etc.)  The legal instruments which are used in enforcing minimum standards and minimum wage Research outputs   -     Methodological approach and tools – to be submitted for approval. -     Action plan for the consultancy with timeline – to be submitted for approval. -     Briefing meetings (with the Consortium Technical Management Unit, TMU) to present preliminary findings. -     Preliminary findings report. -     Draft research report – to be submitted to the Consortium TMU. -     Final research report consolidating feedback and comments provided by the TMU Consortium. -     Final presentation of report and findings. The successful consultant will liaise with the Economic Justice Research and Policy Advisor throughout the phases of the study, as the latter will be leading on this research and will be in charge of developing the research methodology, designing the research tools and drafting the final report of the study   The Technical Management Unit of the Consortium will provide the necessary inputs, background documents, and will continuously validate the research through its undertaking.   Part II- Training on Minimum Standards at the Workplace The overall objective of this portion of the  consultancy is to develop a comprehensive training module on minimum standards at the workplace, including but not limited to aspects guaranteed by Lebanese labour law as well as relevant international conventions, key issues related to working conditions and minimum standards to be guaranteed at the workplace, and available accountability, referral, and enforcement mechanisms related to workplace violations. The training module will include a section on how to effectively communicate key messages on these matters. It will also build on the findings of legal research conducted by Oxfam and specialized legal experts. The Consultant will also work with Oxfam’s team to produce information material for workers/jobseekers, employers, and local authorities on various topics such as: the enforcement of the minimum wage according to the Lebanese Labor Law, the enforcement of the regulations related to working hours, individual and collective insurance options,  the importance and types of personal safety equipment, especially in hazardous works, the right to equal pay for all regardless the sex and age of workers, the right to National Social Security Fund (NSSF), gender-based violence issues at workplace, forms of child labor and legislation in force around this matter. Selection of topics and development of content will be done in coordination with the Oxfam team and the Technical Management Unit (TMU). The training package is expected to: -Build the knowledge and capacity of staff members in relation to working conditions and minimum standards at the workplace and the dissemination of relevant information to target audiences -Facilitate the project staff’s dissemination of information to project beneficiaries, including jobseekers, workers and owners or managers of enterprises -Support outreach efforts to the wider community, including Lebanese and Syrian individuals, local government officials, and various community stakeholders Deliverables -A Training Module on the topic of minimum standards at the workplace according to Lebanese Law and international conventions, in addition to available accountability, referral, and enforcement mechanisms -A Training of Trainers workshop on minimum standards to be guaranteed at the workplace delivered for staff members who will relay the information to beneficiaries -Information material suitable for different target audiences   Outputs   -     Technical proposal detailing previous experience -     Action plan for the consultancy with timeline -     Briefing meetingsto present timeline and action plan -     Draft Training Module – to be submitted to the Consortium TMU -     Final Training Module consolidating feedback and comments provided by the TMU Consortium -     Training of Trainers workshop The successful consultant will liaise with the Project Manager throughout the phases of the consultancy, as the latter will closely following up on progress and quality of deliverables. Timeframe The consultancy will last approximately 45 days. Date of initiation: as soon as possible. Expression of Interest (EOI) Interested consultants must submit their bids, in two sections (i) Technical Proposal and (ii) Financial proposal. Bids should be received by the deadline, midnight of 17/03/2017 (Lebanon Time) to the address mentioned below. Technical proposals should include a preliminary work plan, timeline and methodology. Financial proposals should include a preliminary general budget including consultancy fees. A CV and experience letter of the individuals must be attached citing a minimum of 2 references. Oxfam Lebanon Program reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders. Please submit the EOI and other documents (as mentioned above) by midnight of 17/03/2017 Lebanon time to lebanonjobs@oxfam.org.uk mentioning ‘Working Conditions LEADERS Consortium’ in the Subject line.   [1] During the inception phase f the projects, the Consoritum members have pre-select economic sectors (food services/industries;  construction - electricity +plumbing; promising/niche sectors) against diversified set of criteria . [2]ILO (2013). Assessment of the impact of Syrian refugees in Lebanon and their employment profile. Beirut, Lebanon: ILO Regional Office for Arab States.