UNDP Jobs - 50223- Consultant in Developing a Concept of Formalizatio

Consultant in Developing a Concept of Formalization of Vocational Retraining

Location :

Tbilisi and partially home-based, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

36 working days during November 2014 - January 2015

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP Georgia has been implementing the SKILLS FOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM that has now reached its second phase (2014-2015). The programme contributes to the achievement of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 1st National Development Priority: ‘Poverty Reduction and responds to the relevant outcome 1.2 ‘Vulnerable populations enjoy greater access to decent work opportunities’ with expected output ‘1.2.1 Labour Force Competitiveness improved through vocational education counselling and engagement of private sector, and responsible business practices’ stated in the UNDP Country Program Action Plan 2011-2015' (http://undp.org.ge/files/127_1443_503458_cpapGeorgia2011-2015.pdf). This is translated into the UNDP Country Program Action Plan (CPAP) outcome “Equitable economic growth promoted through close cooperation with private sector entities within the overall framework of corporate social responsibility”. At an output level, this involves support towards improving quality and accessibility of skills training that is demanded by the labour market to enhance employment opportunities of those unemployed or looking for advancement in their careers.

The programme is aligned with UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017 as well. It will contribute to the achievement of Outcome 1 ‘Growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded’ and its output 1.1 ‘National and sub-national systems and institutions enabled to achieve structural transformation of productive capacities that are sustainable and employment - and livelihoods-intensive.’

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant shall provide support to the project team, as well as the Ministries of Education and Science and Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs in incorporating/formalising the VET re-training system into formal VET system as an additional impetus for improving employability of the labour force.

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP Economic Development Team Leader and the Program Manager of the program ‘Skills for Employment – Phase 2’.

The selected Consultant is expected to:

Review the international experience of institutionalisation sustainability and integrity of the systems of re-training of unemployed with a special focus on employment in selected countries of South Caucasus, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia and leading and new member EU countries;
Identify the challenges and opportunities for incorporating/formalising the VET re-training system into the formal VET system, as well as map the stakeholders (including international actors) on the background of the new Government Strategy Georgia 2020, policy on labour market development in Georgia;
Based on the review of international experience and situation in Georgia to develop a Concept for incorporating/formalising the VET re-training system into the formal VET system ensuring participation of the main Government and public and private stakeholders;
Organize national level consultations on the draft Concept and its revision/adjustment based on the feedback from the UNDP and other key stakeholders;
Finalize the Concept and submit to UNDP Office in Georgia in editable electronic format (preferably MS Word);
Elaboration of methodologies and template design of state employment programmes linked to vocational education system.

Deliverables:

The selected Consultant is expected to deliver below deliverables in accordance to the paragraph three of given Terms of Reference – Duties and Responsibilities:

Paper with the overview of the international experience in the field of re-training of unemployed with a special focus on selected countries of South Caucasus, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and EU - by November 30, 2014;
Paper with the findings on the challenges and opportunities in Georgia for incorporating/formalizing the VET re-training system into the formal VET system - by December 15, 2014;
Draft Concept for incorporating/formalizing the VET re-training system into the formal VET system - by December 25, 2014;
Final version of the Concept taking into consideration the feedback from the UNDP and other key stakeholders - by January 31, 2015;
Elaboration of methodologies and design of employment programmes - by January 31, 2015.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis method, against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors obtaining minimum 39 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for an interview. The maximum score for interview will be 15 points. Those offerors who pass 70% of maximum obtainable scores of the technical criteria (i.e. desk review and interview, 70 x 70% = 49 points) will be considered as short-listed offerors.

The short-listed offerors will be asked to provide financial proposals (lump sum) for the scope of work defined in the Terms of Reference in detail.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables should be accompanied by the proposed number of installments. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of program, managing data, reporting;
Strong communication skills;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responses positively to feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degrees in Economics, Sociology, Statistics or other related discipline (minimum qualification requirement: 5 points; PhD - 10 points).

Experience:

At least 10 years of professional experience in development studies, policy papers and concepts , economics, sociology or other related fields (minimum qualification requirement: 10 points, more than 10 years - 15 points);
Proven knowledge of EU policy on VET and Employment/labor market development;
Experience of conducting at least 3 studies, reports on labour market and vocational re-training systems (minimum qualification requirement: 9 points; more than 3 studies - 15 points);
Previous similar work experience with international organizations (including UN organizations) in the area of employment, labour market polices and education including retraining and VET (minimum qualificiation requirement: 15 points).

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English.