Background
The high unemployment rate is arguably Kosovo's paramount socio-economic problem with both immediate and long-term consequences. This rate is about twice higher than in the other countries in the region. According to the latest Labour Force Survey results published in June 2017, the unemployment rate in Kosovo is standing at 27.5%, and 52.4% for young people. The LFS results indicated that Kosovo’s labour force participation rate is the lowest in the Western Balkans (38.7%). Unemployment in Kosovo has several key distinctive dimensions: it principally affects youth, women, as well as those with limited education and no previous work experience, including people with disabilities and non-majority communities.
Despite the continous growth of the GDP, at about a rate of 3-4% each year, the economy is not able to generate enough employment for the large number of the unemployed people in Kosovo. As per the data from the Tax Administration of Kosovo, the private sector can provide employment for around 317,000 at the end of 2016, while the Labour Force Survey accounts for around 126,100 persons unemployed and seeking for a job, in the context of 28% employment to population rate. In this context, the Kosovo institutions are expected to strategically plan on how to support the private sector in generating employment for a large portion of the population. On the other hand, the large number of persons who are not seeking employment, especially among young people and women, is worrying, in a context where the economic development of the country depends on the impact of productivity in the economy.
Taking into consideration various policies implemented in EU countries after the effect on youth employment of the economic crises, Kosovo should design medium and long term policies which ensure strategic, efficient, effective and sustainable solutions on supporting employment generation. The government of Kosovo is currently going through a change process, and it is expected that by the end of July 2017, there will be a new government and a new composition of the parliament. This is the best momentum to support the new government to prepare a consolidated plan on how to tackle unemployment through establishment of an employment/guarantee fund which would be utilized to finance active labour market policies implemented by the Kosovo institutions.
The ALMP2 project has been involved in supporting the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) since 2005 in designing and implementing various active labour market policies such as on-the-job training, wage subsidy, self-employment, internships and public works. The MLSW has been equipped with tools, such as the legislative framework, operational guidelines and knowledge on how to implement such measures. And the same time, the MLSW has become the leading institution on implementing such measures. However, the financing of these measures is mainly dependant on foreign donors, which have been active in Kosovo during the past decade. With the shrinking of foreign support, the Kosovo government is seeking sustainable alternatives on how to keep these measures alive.
In this context, the ALMP2 project is seeking to hire an international consultant, who would conduct a feasibility study on the model(s) for establishing a sustainable employment or guarantee fund for financing active labour market policies in Kosovo.
Objectives of Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment is to propose a model (s) on establishing a sustainable Employment fund/Guarantee fund which will be utilized to finance active labour market policies from the institutions of Kosovo.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the ALMP Project Manager and the Sustainable Development Programme Analyst, the international consultant is expected to:
- Prepare a research paper on the current situation of the labour market in Kosovo. The expert is expected to be working in a team with four local experts to conduct the feasibility study on the employment fund in Kosovo. The team will include experts in the field of labour market, budget and finance, education, economic development. Each expert will prepare a snapshot of Kosovo in the respective field based on desk research and interviews with the relevant stakeholders, including central and local level institutions, research institutes and NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, labour unions, etc. The snapshot will include information on the current situation of the labour market in Kosovo based on administrative and survey data, the challenges faced by both the employers and employees, an assessment of the role and capacities of public and private employment service providers, the type of already implemented active labour market measures and their role in ensuring employment. These snapshots will then feed into the overall paper prepared by the international consultant. This paper will create the basis for the conference to be organized during November 2017.
- Identify possible case studies in countries with similar economic development as Kosovo, outline the models utilized in those countries on how to design employment funds, and give an overview of how these models can be adapted to the Kosovo context.
- Organize meetings with the relevant parliamentary commissions and facilitate the discussions in these meetings. The parliamentary commission on economic development and the one on employment will be the lead stakeholders in this process. The expert is expected to coordinate these meetings and to provide expertise on matters of the labour market in Kosovo.
- Propose possible modalities on the Employment or Guarantee fund in Kosovo which would include elements of: Financing modalities and sources of finance which are sustainable, management structure of the fund, authorities which manage the fund, how to design the programme which will be financed by the fund, implementation bodies of the fund, monitoring of the implementation.
- Coordinate the organization of a national conference on establishing the Employment/Guarantee Fund.
Deliverables / Final Products Expected
- A research paper on the current situation of the economic development, labour market, education and budgetary processes of Kosovo drafted, together with a best practice assessment of models in the region and beyond;
- Model(s) for establishing Employment/Guarantee funds are proposed and discussed with local stakeholders.
- Final presentation delivered, feedback incorporated and model finalized
Expected Results:
- A research paper on the current situation of the sectors of education, labour market, budgets and financing of Kosovo institutions, economic development is drafted.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 5 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 15th of September 2017
Review and Approvals required:
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- Best practices of similar models in the region and beyond reviewed.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 5 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 15th of September 2017
Review and Approvals required:
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- Meetings held with relevant stakeholders in the ministry and other relevant institutions international organizations and NGOs
Estimated duration to complete:
- 5 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 13th of October 2017
Review and Approvals required:
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- Possible modalities for establishing the Employment or Guarantee fund in Kosovo developed.
Estimated duration to complete:
- 6 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 7th of November 2016
Review and Approvals required:
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Expected Results:
- The model(s) presented to the relevant stakeholders and final document finalized based on input received
Estimated duration to complete:
- 4 w/d
Tentative due dates (latest by):
- 10th of November 2016
Review and Approvals required:
- Programme Analyst/Project Manager
Scope of price proposal and schedule of payments
Remuneration - Lump Sum Amount
The Contract is based on lump sum remuneration and shall be processed subject to deliverables as per the schedule listed below:
- Upon signature of the contract (10%)
- Research report submitted and endorsed by UNDP (35%)
- Proposed model submitted and endorsed by UNDP (40%)
- Final presentation delivered and feedback incorporated and validated (15%)
Required Presentation of Offer:
The following documents must be submitted:
- P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references (P11 can be downloaded in UNDP web site: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs/)
- Financial proposal: The consultant is expected to provide a lump sum amount/financial proposal. Please note that the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;
- Technical proposal, a max. 2-page document briefly explaining the approach and method to be utilized for delivering the expected results within the indicated timeframe
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
- Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications (50%) and technical proposal (20%) will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.
Application Instructions:
- Click on the "Apply now" button;
- Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
- Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume;
- System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment).
- Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Actively promotes gender equality in all project activities;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Functional competencies
- Strong presentation skills;
- Good analytical and report writing skills;
- Good communication skills;
- Good mentoring skills, ability to transfer knowledge;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Responds positively to critical feedback.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in International development, Economics, Social Sciences, or other related fields is required.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of proven experience in international development or economic policies is required.
- Proven experience with Employment/guarantee funds or other closely related financial tool is required.
- Previous experience in providing technical assistance to government institutions is an asset.
Language requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is required.
- Knowledge of Albanian and/or Serbian is considered an asset.