UNDP Jobs - 62098- Consultant in Developing the Concept of Non-Formal

Consultant in Developing the Concept of Non-Formal Lifelong Learning in Georgia

Location :

Tbilisi, Partially Home Based with 2 Missions to Georgia for 12 Days in Total, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Dec-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

28 working days during December 2015 - February 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The project “Deepening Linkages Between Formal/non-formal VET System and the Labor Market needs in the context of Lifelong Learning in Georgia” addresses the Mismatch between the Vocational Education and Labor Market Needs in Georgia” within the broader lifelong learning context. Based on its experience, UNDP proposes the action to concentrate around with two specific objectives, which on the one hand improve the capacity and quality of formal VET education and on the other hand introduce recognition of non-formal VET learning.

The specific objective 1 will result in increased employability and productivity of VET graduates and decreased skills mismatch on the Georgian labor market. In order to reach these results UNDP will carry out activities under three broad areas: a. monitoring the introduction and implementation of the modular VET teaching; b. introducing the innovative ways for accessing VET education (mobile VET extension centers, e-learning programs in VET, distance learning, creating international mobility programs, introducing the industrial simulations at the premises of the VET colleges etc.) and c. capacity-building of the VET providers.

The specific objective 2 aims at establishing life-long learning opportunities for adult population through provision of non-formal VET. Major activities under this objective focus on:

Conceptualizing and developing the vision for LLL provision in Georgia;
Including the private sector as service provider in non-formal VET (piloting the schemes for VET-based retraining of adults, developing related organizational approach and policy);
Developing the minimum standards for teaching environment (standards for workshops/mini-plants – teaching materials, equipment, instruments and materials;
Creating VET programs in LLL format.

In addition to supporting above-mentioned public-private partnerships in the field of formal and non-formal VET in Georgia the concept proposes essentially new approaches in VET, such as providing professional skills and competences to adult population by means of labor market-oriented retraining (non-formal learning), and introducing innovative techniques in Vocational colleges (formal learning) aimed at improving its accessibility, quality, and response to labor market needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

The Consultant shall provide support to the project team, as well as the Ministries of Education and Science and Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs in Conceptualizing and developing the vision and implementing lifelong learning provision in Georgia.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks and duties

Review the international experience of implementation lifelong learning education systems 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 developing and application of the concept of non-formal lifelong learning in Georgia, 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 the Concept of non-formal lifelong learning ensuring participation of the main Government and public and private stakeholders;
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).

Deliverables:

The selected International Consultant should provide the following deliverables

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 December 20, 2015;
Paper with the findings on the challenges and opportunities in Georgia for develop the concept of non-formal lifelong learning in Georgia - By December 25, 2015;
Draft Concept for application of the concept of non-formal lifelong learning Georgia - By January 31, 2016;
Final version of the Concept taking into consideration the feedback from the UNDP and other key stakeholders - By February 25, 2016.

Arrangements

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the UNDP Economic Development Team Leader and the Project Manager of the project “Deepening linkages between formal/non-formal VET system and the labor market needs in the context of lifelong learning in Georgia”.

The assignment should be concluded within 90 days during the period of December 2015 - February 2016. Electronic copies of deliverables shall be submitted to UNDP Georgia till the end of February 2016.

Duration

The assignment implies 28 working days during December 2015 - February 2016 with 2 missions to Georgia for 12 days. A tentative timetable is given below, which may be modified following the working process:

Mission to Georgia – 6 days in December 2015;
Remote backstopping – 8 days in December 2015;
Mission to Georgia – 6 days in January 2016;
Remote backstopping – 8 days in February 2016.

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 degree in Economics, Sociology, Statistics or other related discipline. Ph.D. (or equivalents) degree in the mentioned fields is an asset.

Experience:

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

Languages:

Fluency in English.

Evaluation Criteria

Candidates will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70% and for financial criteria – to 30%. Only the candidates who will obtain 70% out of maximum obtainable scores of the technical criteria (49% in total) will be considered as qualified. Qualified candidates will be requested to submit financial proposals.

Financial Proposal

Candidates passing 70% threshold of the technical criteria, i.e. min 49 points, will be considered as shortlisted candidates and requested to submit financial proposals.

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.

Payment

The payment will be disbursed in two installments: 1st installment upon submission of the Deliverables 1-2 and 2nd installment upon submission of the Deliverables 3-4. The payment is a subject to certification by UNDP that the services have been performed satisfactory.