Historique

The “Modernization of Vocational Education and Training (VET) system related to agriculture in Georgia VET Phase 2” project will provide support to further development and strengthening effective public private partnerships and well-developed A-VET and extension systems that ensure improved delivery of relevant, high quality A-VET and extension services (2018-2022).

Upgrading the skills and technical capabilities of farmers and rural entrepreneurs to improve productivity and overall farm management and competitiveness is a fundamental objective of both, the Ministry for Environmental Protection and Agriculture and the Ministry for Education and Sciences. Currently, most farmers are using outdated technologies and old varieties. They have limited access to quality information on modern technologies, training, and advisory services. The UNDP/SDC collaboration on VET and Agricultural Extension (AE) started in 2008. Support was provided for effective policy making, developing capacities of VET service providers, and improving quality of VET services and Extension with the aim of increasing (self)employability VET graduates and effectiveness of self-employed farmers. In 2013 the SDC and UNDP cooperation intensified, and, together with MoESCS and MEPA, the four partners emphasized more on systemic change and focused on the biggest community of rural population – the farmers. An extensive 5-year project started to contribute to the development of a system of high-quality VET and AE services in agriculture that results in improved livelihoods of the rural population.

During a 2nd phase of 4 year, and with a budget of USD 6’152’000, the project at impact level will continue to contribute to improving agricultural knowledge and skills of female and male secondary school leavers and farmers that will result in higher productivity, increased incomes, and enhanced self-employment.

The project will emphasize on institution building and system development on one hand and on improving service provision on the other hand. It will work closely with and support public and private sector partners intervening at national as well as regional level and support the development of a system of high-quality VET and extension services in agriculture. The project will achieve three outcomes:

1. A coherent coordination in A-VET and extension services is established and working.
2. Public-private partnerships of A-VET and extension providers ensure delivery of relevant and high-quality services.
3. Male and female farmers and A-VET graduates learn and apply need-based agricultural knowledge and skills.

The Project will ensure setting up and strengthening of an institutional set-up up that will be capable delivery high quality A-VET and Extension services.  It is expected that this intervention will bring sustainable change at system level and will have a lasting impact on the livelihood of the farm community.

The project provides support for the strengthening of existing and the setting up of new VET and extension structures. These include the MoESCS and MEPA, their staff and their respective sub-agencies; the Georgian Farmers Association as the private sector representative for education in the agricultural sector; 8 public A-VET colleges in 7 regions, 16 MEPA Information Consultancy Centers in 3 regions; the Technical University of Georgia and Akhaltsikhe University; and 3 – 5 non-state extension service providers (NGOs) at regional level and target 8,000 farmers and several hundred A-VET graduates. The project will put special emphasis on consolidating and scaling Work Based Learning (WBL) models and the development of short-term training programs and on aspect related to farm management and entrepreneurship and elaboration and implementation of extension services.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Under the direct supervision of the National Project Manager, the Consultant will be requested to provide support to the state, private sector and non-government actors through expertise. guidance on various issues pertaining to the vocational education and training and employment supporting measures.

Every assignment under the roster (valid up to three years) will be guided by a specific assignment clearly stipulating the nature and scope of work for each assignment, list of deliverables, timeframe and the outcome.

Functions/Key Results Expected (non-exclusive list):

• Provide substantive analysis, insight and advice to UNDP, MoESCS, MEPA and  Ministry  of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs and local authorities on vocational education, vocational training, employment, life-long learning, entrepreneurship programs,  private sector engagement in VET and others;
• Design and conduct trainings on various aspects of VET and employment policy for various target groups, including entrepreneurship and WBL directions;
• Facilitate the work of various thematic working groups and coordination formats;
• Draft various papers, workplans, case studies, analyses and other products on various trends, topics and innovations in VET and employment support;
• Provide substance and quality check support to UNDP and its contractors working on different knowledge products: analytical reports, working papers, surveys, studies, mapping exercises and others;
• Serve as a resource person and contributing to the development of stakeholders’ capacities (including UNDP project staff) when needed;
• Provide presentations on the respective topics during external and/or internal meetings;
• Ensure professional communication, between representatives of the Government of Georgia and UNDP and bilateral and multilateral donors on VET and employment support related aspects of rural development;
• Perform other duties related to the assignment as required.

Contracting Arrangements:

Successful candidates will be included into Roster Consultant in Vocational Education and Training and Employment Policy for the period of 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. Where a request for services arises, the UNDP office in Georgia will share a specific Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific services, outputs and timeline for that assignment with consultant(s) matching the requested profile and consultants will be requested to provide a price offer. A consultant offering a best value for money will be contracted.

Payments:

Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Compétences

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• 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;
• Ability to undertake analytical work and prepare narrative parts of working papers, reports and studies;
• Strong communication skills;
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications;
• Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines;
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
• Strong and proven research and analytical skills.

Leadership and Self-Management:

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

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education: 

• Master’s degree in Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Social Policy, social or humanitarian sciences or other related discipline (minimum requirement: 10 points).

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience either in development, or public policy related field (minimum requirement: 15 points);
• Experience of designing and conducting trainings/serving as a trainer on relevant topics (10 points);
• Hands on experience of development of at least 1 national or regional level policy papers (minimum requirement: 10 points);
• Experience of working with Government and/or international organizations or NGOs (5 points);
• International experience in VET and education directions will be an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in Georgian, knowledge of English will be an asset.

Evaluation:

Offerors will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria provided in the below table. Technical criteria consist of a desk review (50 points) and an interview (20 points). Offerors not meeting any of the minimum qualification requirements will be disqualified and not considered for further review. Offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores 50 points as a result of the desk review, i.e. obtaining minimum 35 points, will be short listed and invited for an interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview) will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

Financial proposal

Shortlisted offerors will be requested to submit financial proposals. The price quotation should indicate the requested daily rate for the work described in this TOR. Daily rate offered should be inclusive of all other expenses such as tax etc. and shall be quoted in USD. Financial proposal (daily fee in USD) provided by the consultant is the all-inclusive maximum daily fee payable and is bound to the period of 3 years (unless the consultant applies to the roster during its re-opening). Note: during the assignment, a consultant might be required to travel to regions. If such need arises, UNDP will cover travel and living allowance costs.