Background
Cambodia remains a young and growing nation; people under the age of 30 represent two-thirds of its population, which continues to grow at around 1.6% per year. Youth also constitute about 43% of the total working-age population. Moreover, Cambodia is undergoing a rapid demographic transition, with birth rates falling, and the proportion of elderly dependents remaining relatively low. This demographic dividend can be used to further boost economic growth and bring about positive social transformation. Whether the country can realize these benefits in the future, however, is dependent on youth’s access to decent and higher value jobs and their ability to start and sustain their enterprises, as well as to successfully respond to rapid technological change driven by the advent of Industry 4.0.
In joining the country effort to address youth employment issue, the Promoting Decent Youth Employment in Cambodia (YEC) project was designed with the aim to support Cambodia to promote and expand decent employment among youth (15-30 years old) and identify and test avenues for youth to maximize returns on their jobs and income opportunities in the context of Industry 4.0. The project focuses on identifying and testing avenues for Cambodian youth, especially the poor and vulnerable, to prepare for the arrival of Industry 4.0 and to maximize their incomes through skills upgrading, improving linkages between job seekers and employers, and promoting youth entrepreneurship.
In line with the above overarching objective, the project specifically implements the following expected deliverables:
Improvement of sectoral and national policies related to youth skills development and employment through policy-oriented research and advocacy with a specific focus on Industry 4.0 (I4.0)
A scalable model of Skills Training and Certification that builds on existing career/job pathways in different economic sectors that offer higher value-added employment in the areas of anticipated growth and comparative advantage for Cambodian youth in the context of the emerging digital economy and Industry 4.0:
Youth (and young aspiring entrepreneurs) have the tools needed to start their businesses, particularly in areas responsive to Industry 4.0 and the emerging digital economy, as a result of entrepreneurship training
For more details, please see the attached term of reference.
Duties and Responsibilities
Since the project is at the final stage of its implementation, the Terminal Evaluation exercise is commissioned to provide independent assessment on the project’s progress and results, key lessons learned, and potential future initiatives toward increasing employability for young people in Cambodia, considering changes (as threats and opportunities) resulting from the global pandemic.
The direct target audience of this final evaluation are UNDP Management and the representatives from Embassy of Russian Federation in Phnom Penh. The report will also be shared with other relevant entities namely the RBH Youth Co: Lab, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, the National Employment Agency, the Department of Technical Vocational Education and Training, National Accounting Council, and Kampuchea Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Auditors. The report will also be shared in public.
Below are the objectives of this exercise:
To review and assess the overall achievements (outputs, outcomes, and impacts levels) of the YEC Project (in comparison with the latest approved result framework) and its contribution to UNDP’s Country Programme and national priorities,
To undertake an assessment of indicator progress vis-à-vis the targets for both outputs and outcome, and proposed budget
To assess the relevance and strategic positioning of the project to respond to the needs and challenges faced by youth in accessing skill development and decent employment.
To document good practices, key lessons learned, and recommendations for the potential for replicating and scaling up successful models and interventions and for future programming,
To assess how the YEC project synergizes or complements initiatives being implemented by others (development partners and relevant responsible government ministries (Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports)) to promote skills development and employment opportunities,
To assess whether and how the project enhanced the application of a rights-based approach, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and participation of other socially vulnerable groups such as youth from provinces or youth with disabilities, and
To assess the project’s adaptability and resiliency in the context of the Covid-19 in realizing the intended results.
For more details, please see the attached term of reference.
Interested offeror must read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=83143 for more detail information about term of reference, instructions to offeror, and to download the documents to be submitted in the offer through online.
Competencies
Excellent evaluation skills, including the capacity to produce high quality and constructive reports;
Demonstrated analytical skills, ability to assess complex situations, to succinctly and distill critical issues, and to draw practical conclusions;
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with various partners including the government, civil society, private sector, UN, and other development donors and high-quality liaison and representation at local and national levels;
Experience leading multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams;
Ability to meet short deadlines;
Excellent English report writing skills;
Good facilitation and presentation skills;
Be client-oriented and open to feedback;
Excellent interpersonal, coordination, and planning skills. Sense of diplomacy and tact; and
Ability to carry out related activities and meetings using virtual tools or remote working arrangements; and
Computer literate (MS Office package).
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications:
Minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent in economics, public policy, development studies, or related field relevant to the position.
Years of experience:
At least 7 years experience designing, implementing, and evaluating development projects with UNDP, UN, or other international organizations;
Strong record of evaluating development projects in the field of youth development, skill development, entrepreneurship, and other similar projects;
Technical knowledge and experience in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, data collection, analysis, and evaluation report writing;
Proven knowledge on youth development, skill development, and entrepreneurship especially in Cambodia and other ASEAN countries with similar context;
Previous evaluation experience for UNDP projects is a strong asset;
Language Requirement:
Excellent written and spoken English required
Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.
Interested individual offeror must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
1. Proposal:
(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
(ii) Submit at least two sample of evaluation reports
2. Financial proposal (Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP)
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email chanpisey.ky@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice