External Collaborator to Lead a Quality Assurance Working Group in the efforts to develop a National Quality Assurance Framework for TVET providers

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The ILO initiated a development cooperation project in Lebanon funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation under ILO-Norway Special Agreement. The ILO Global Programme on Skills and Lifelong Learning (GPSL3) aims to provide coordinated and enhanced support to ILO constituents to develop and implement new generation skills and lifelong learning ecosystems for decent Future of Work. The Lebanon component Skill Up II, builds on ILO Lebanon’s strategy for skills interventions, which aims to improve the match between skills supply and market demand with a complete package of support, including analysing labour market skills needs, applying a competency-based approach to training, upgrading of skills through training, providing career orientation and post-training employment support, and improving system governance.
As part of system governance improvement, the project will strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to review testing and certification processes and accreditation system, in order (a) to ensure trainees are safe; (b) programmes delivered are of standard quality; (c) certificates can be trusted by employers. In particular, the project seeks to upgrade testing and certification practices and improve management of accreditation system for private training providers in close collaboration with TVET key stakeholders.
Work under this project complements efforts undergoing within other ILO skills project in particular the joint programme with UNICEF and the project funded by AICS which combined seek to improve the governance, quality and relevance, and inclusiveness of formal and non-formal TVET system in Lebanon.

ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND

The National Strategic Framework (NSF) for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Lebanon 2018-2022 aims at: (i) expanding access and service delivery; (ii) enhancing quality and relevance of TVET provision; and (iii) improving TVET governance and systems. The NSF is a key outcome of the Government of Lebanon’s efforts to widen access and improve the quality of TVET provision, launched in partnership with UNICEF and ILO. In early 2022, the Ministry of Education and higher Education (MEHE) and the Directorate of Technical and Vocational Training and Education (DGTVET) conducted a national education conference and presented the 10 key priorities for improving TVET including quality of TVET. The DGTVET is currently undergoing the NSF review for the upcoming period 2023-2030 reflecting on immediate needs of DGTVET and long-term plan to reform TVET education, with support from UNICEF, ILO, GIZ, and IECD.

Review of TVET quality assurance system

Building on the NSF recommendation to develop a functional Quality Assurance (QA) System in Lebanon, and within the context of the ILO PROSPECT project, the ILO conducted two reports that analyse i) the current quality assurance system and the accreditation of private sector providers; and ii) the testing and certification practices by TVET providers in Lebanon. The aim of the analysis was to inform national policy, and guide TVET reforms to enhance quality assurance in TVET. These two reports serve to enhance stakeholders’ (particularly employers’) trust in the TVET system for delivering the skills necessary in the labour market.

Quality assurance and accreditation in technical and vocational education and training in Lebanon report analyses existing quality assurance mechanisms in TVET in the country. In addition to investigating local QA and accreditation practices, the report also includes an analysis of global practices to gain a better understanding of different approaches to quality assurance. The report concludes with some key recommendations developed in consultation with major stakeholders to introduce short, medium, and long-term reforms to promote a culture of QA and evidence-based decision-making in TVET.

A review of skills testing and certification in TVET in Lebanon analyses the existing skills testing and certification systems of public and private TVET programmes in the country. It identifies strengths and weaknesses of the existing summative skills testing practices as well as their associated certification systems and processes. Accordingly, it proposes recommendations to a quality-assured testing and certification approach for the TVET system in Lebanon. The report concludes with some key recommendations developed in consultation with major stakeholders, and underpinned by international best practice, to promote and improve the culture of testing and certification as well as recognition of prior learning in TVET in Lebanon.

A meeting was held with the stakeholder to validate the reports’ findings and recommendations. The meeting confirmed the need for increased technical capacity and human resources within government institutions, particularly DGTVET, to champion quality assurance, accreditation of private sector providers, and testing and certification in TVET system in Lebanon.

Establishment of technical working group

In this context, the ILO will collaborate and coordinate with a technical group from the Ministry of Education – Directorate General of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DGTVET) to review proposed recommendations, support and guide with inputs priority interventions and listed activities towards private TVET quality improvement. The working group would have the following activities:

• Review the set of recommendations reflected in the two reports and determine the key stakeholders to involve in the process including roles and responsibilities
• Discuss and support the development of quality assurance standards for institutional accreditation of private TVET providers providing non-formal vocational training and standards for programme approval
• Discuss and support the development of testing and certification standards for non-formal vocational training
• Support the development of a self-assessment tool for private TVET providers; follow-up the testing of the tool with selected private providers; and support its finalization for endorsement by DGTVET
• Review and validate the accreditation, testing and certification standards developed 
• Advise on the institutional capacity needs of relevant DGTVET department to apply these standards and define priority areas for improvement

CONSUTLATNCY OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of this consultancy is to support improving the current quality assurance system and the accreditation process of TVET private providers providing non-formal vocational training at DGTVET and the testing and certification practices by TVET private providers in Lebanon. More specifically, the consultant will work closely with DGTVET working group and consult with other key stakeholders to:

• Develop quality standards for institutional accreditation of private TVET providers providing non-formal vocational training and standards for non-formal VT programme approval, and finalize for endorsement by DGTVET
• Develop testing and certification standards for non-formal vocational training and finalize for endorsement by DGTVET
• Develop, test and finalize a self-assessment tool for private TVET providers providing non-formal vocational training for endorsement by DGTVET
• Develop a proposal of recommendations and actions required for institutional capacity improvement of DGTVET accreditation and certification department for TVET private providers providing non-formal vocational training including training needs, digitization of workflow management, and administrative and M&E requirements and processes in line with new quality standards introduced to facilitate their implementation.

SCOPE OF WORK AND METHODOLOGY

The ILO seeks to recruit a consultant/service provider to lead and support the following activities towards achieving the above objectives.
Literature review: Review available literature and examine system in place including current and global quality assurance, accreditation, testing and certification standards to build upon the work. Literature proposed but not limited to:

• The Quality Assurance and Accreditation, and the Testing and Certification assessments conducted by ILO
• Relevant documents produced by other development agencies (e.g self-assessments developed and used by UNICEF and GIZ, quality assurance framework developed by UNICEF and endorsed by DGTVET, etc..)
• The skills’ interventions workshop report (December 2021)
• The National Strategic Framework for TVET.
• Skills testing and certification Manual Jordan by ILO (2015)
• Other documents and decrees related to subject matter

Consultations with stakeholders: Conduct consultation with key stakeholders (e.g line ministries and government institutions, UNICEF, GIZ, UNESCO, ETF, private sector and social partners). The consultant/service provider will also facilitate and lead discussions with the DGTVET working group, TVET private providers, and private sectors to support the development process. The consultant could use diverse participatory approach to ensure commitment and engagement of stakeholders in the process and subsequent validation of inputs and outcomes.

The literature review and consultations with stakeholders will serve for an update on current interventions in subject matter and review complementarities and potential linkages; review and draft relevant quality standards against benchmark; further assess potential institutional capacity needs at DGTVET in order to ensure proper implementation, monitoring and evaluation of quality standards and other products developed; as well as identify potential endorsement by other line ministries subsidizing TVET private providers offering non-formal VT.

Development of quality standards for accreditation, testing, certification, and self-assessment: The consultant will draft key quality standards and self-evaluation tool based on set of criteria and benchmarks and involve DGTVET working group and key stakeholders in the review. The consultant will provide where and when necessary relevant guidance to DGTVET working group members and/or key stakeholders to strengthen their contribution and inputs in the process. The development process will take into consideration the following:
• Key quality standards covering 4 areas including: 1) Infrastructure, equipment and facilities with focus on OSH and inclusion; 2) Teaching and learning (Curriculum development, assessment, mechanisms to identify labour market needs, teacher standards and investment in teachers, student achievement such as participation and completion rates, inclusion of disadvantaged groups, learner satisfaction, student services such as career guidance; 3) Management and leadership (staffing, management information system (MIS), internal quality assurance mechanism, accreditation); 4) Student enrolment & continuous learning
• Standards for institutional accreditation would build on the key quality standard and include criteria related to resources (human and financial resources availability), assessment methods applied (whether fair, valid, consistent), programme review (mechanisms in place at institutions to review programme performance and the institution’s capacity to deliver)
• Standards for programme approval would include criteria related to: learning outcomes aligned with the National Qualifications Framework; appropriateness of delivery methods given learning outcomes; program responsiveness to stakeholder needs including private sector and communities; clear requirements for admissions, credit recognition, and assessment procedures; assessment appropriateness; programme review (QA mechanisms in place for monitoring of programs including outcomes)
• Self-assessment tool would build on the above as key requirement for programme approval and institutional accreditation

Validation of products: the consultant will test the self-assessment tool with at least 3 private providers of non-formal VT partnering with ILO for finalization and endorsement by DGTVET. Additionally, the consultant will validate relevant quality assurance and accreditation, testing and certification standards developed with DGTVET working group and other key stakeholders through a workshop to collect their feedback and finalize products for endorsement by DGTVET. The consultant will be responsible of preparing and facilitating the workshop including workshop agenda, list of participants, invitation, power point presentation, and reporting summary discussions and outcomes.

Reporting: the consultant will report to ILO on the assignment progress reflecting the various agreed upon activities and workplan, including minutes of coordination and consultation meetings, validation workshop summary report, and a final report on the overall consultancy. The consultant will also submit an analysis and recommendation report resulting from the institutional capacity assessment separately. The assessment report will take into consideration current human, financial, infrastructure, operational and administrative capacity needs of DGTVET relevant department and digitalization of workflows to support the implementation of standards. The consultant will advise ILO of any potential delays or challenges faced and propose mitigation actions and agree with ILO on appropriate actions.

DELIVERABLES AND PROVISIONAL WORKPLAN (please check the attached ToR for more information)

The Consultant will work closely with ILO and the Directorate General of Technical Education and Vocational Training, and consult with private TVET providers, and worker and employer organizations where necessary. The consultant will be required to conduct and lead the below-mentioned deliverables for the review and approval of ILO and validation with relevant stakeholders. The timeline and days of consultancy for each task are indicative.

The assignment is expected to take place between 20 October and 20 December 2022.

All data and information received from ILO for this assignment are to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference (ToR). The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the express advance written authorization of the ILO. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these ToR are assigned to the International Labour Organization. The intellectual property rights of the materials modified through the assignment remains with the International Labour Organization.
The ILO will cover the logistic costs for the validation workshop with stakeholders.

Budget and Payment Schedule

Payment will be made upon submission of deliverables and against invoice as approved by ILO.

1st installment: 50% of total budget upon submission of draft self-assessment tool (Eng/Ar), set of criteria for quality standards, preliminary analysis report of institutional capacity needs and other deliverables related to activities 1 to 4
2nd installment: 50% of total budget upon submission of all deliverables related to activities 5 to 8 as per ILO satisfaction and approval

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The consultant/service provider should have the following institutional and team qualification

Qualification: Advanced degree in TVET, education or related discipline
Experience:
➢ A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in the TVET sector, handling TVET/skills qualifications, quality assurance, TVET policy development
➢ Demonstrated knowledge of international practices in the accreditation of TVET programmes and quality assurance and standards
➢ Proven evidence of familiarity with Lebanon TVET system and relevant administrative regulations and processes in relation to quality assurance, qualification framework, etc..
➢ Experience working with a broad range of TVET stakeholders, including ministries of education, training providers, accreditation bodies, qualification awarding institutions, quality assurance entities, assessment providers, research institutions, development partners, UN agencies
➢ Experience of conducting capacity building training and workshop in respective field
➢ Experience in developing accreditation frameworks
➢ Evidence of research publication in the field of TVET/ skills quality assurance, qualification/competencies/standards will be an advantage

Competencies
➢ Strong analytical and organisational skills
➢ Excellent skills in participatory approaches and communication
➢ Proven ability to deliver work in a timely manner

Language Requirements
Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic

SUPERVISION AND LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS

Reporting Line: The consultant/service provider will perform work under this assignment under the supervision of the National TVET programme coordinator (SkillUp II project) and the overall guidance of ILO Senior Skills and Employability specialist. All technical clearances will be obtained from ILO senior Skills and Employability Specialists.

Selection process and criteria

The ILO invites technical and financial proposals from qualified organizations/firms/entities having relevant experience in delivering similar services as mentioned in this Terms of Reference (TOR). One national partner technically responsive and financially viable organization/entity will be chosen following ILO procurement rules/procedure on evaluation by an ILO team of professionals.

The cumulative evaluation method will be applied for this procurement exercise and the contract will be awarded to the highest scorer(s) - 70% of the score will be from the technical proposal and the financial 30% from the financial one. Any candidate that scores less than 70% in the technical evaluation shall not be considered further. The technical proposals will be evaluated as per the criteria stated below:
1.Relevant Experience of the organization
2.Educational Qualification and experience of Manager and key professionals
5.Quality and relevance of past research

Clarity of the proposal and provision of all required documentation are considered as a cross cutting measurement criteria

Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered for evaluation.

Recommended presentation of technical and financial proposals

Interested bidders must submit the following detailed proposal made up of documentation to demonstrate the qualifications of the prospective service provider, to enable appraisal of competing bids, details of which are listed below.

1. Technical Proposal
(i) Institution’s information – profile (business areas) and contact persons;
(ii) Relevant Experience – list of current and past assignments and clients;
(iii) Published research that are relevant to the subject;
(iv) Process - The technical proposal needs to contain a description of proposed methodology including a detailed work plan and time schedule for completion/delivery of the final product which, after selection of the contractor, will be agreed upon by the Project; the methodology should include description of the data collection approach most suitable for Lebanon context taking into consideration feasibility of each under current circumstances.
(v) Human Resources - The Technical Proposal needs to contain a list and detailed information on the proposed Human Resources which will be involved including their respective qualifications and relevant experience/exposure and required expertise/skills;
(vi) Tools and Methodologies - The Technical Proposal must detail tools and methodologies that will be used.

2. Financial Proposal (including fee, transportation cost, and other relevant expenses)
(i) The Financial Proposal shall specify a total delivery amount (in US$) including where relevant, capital costs (premises, equipment, furniture etc.); running costs, including direct costs (salaries), indirect costs ( staff development, tools and raw materials etc.; overhead (administration staff, transport, maintenance, utility bills, printing costs etc.)
(ii) In order to assist ILO in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposals will include a detailed breakdown of this amount

The cost of preparing a proposal and negotiating a contract, including any related travel, is not reimbursable as a direct cost of the assignment