Country: Bangladesh
Closing date: 27 Mar 2016
Consultancy Opportunity
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), Bangladesh is looking for a Consultant to conduct a “Technical Assessment on Skills Development for Migrant Workers in Bangladesh” for the IOM Development Fund (IDF) project- “***Enhanced Skills Development and Qualification Recognition of Labour Migrants from Bangladesh”***.
1.Background
With 50 million people remaining in poverty, a youth unemployment rate of 9.4 per cent and an estimated two million people entering the labour market annually, Bangladesh continues to rely heavily on international labour migration as an individual livelihood and national development strategy. For several years remittances have been contributing over 10 per cent of the national GDP, making international migration one of the main pillars of the national economy. On average, half a million migrants leave Bangladesh to work in the Gulf region and increasingly at new destinations in Asia to join an estimated stock of 7.7 million Bangladeshis already working overseas.
However as large numbers of these departing migrant workers go without specific vocational skill sets and certification, not only do they receive low incomes abroad, but they also have to bear high migration costs[1] and low protection standards in their workplaces.
Recognizing a critical need for the effective up-skilling of prospective and returning migrant workers, the Government of Bangladesh adopted a National Skills Development Policy (NSDP) in 2011 that includes comprehensive provisions on Skills Development for Overseas Employment (Chapter 18) and is also actively pursuing implementation of the policy. Strong emphasis to “Skills and overseas labour market development” is also given in the Seventh Five Year Plan 2015 (7FYP). The 7FYP seeks to raise the share of skilled migrants by improving BMET’s training infrastructure, enhancing the skills information management system, and strengthening the National Technical and Vocational Qualifications Framework.
Until now, despite a comprehensive Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector reform process in Bangladesh that started in 2006, skills development interventions for overseas employment remain largely uncoordinated and existing training providers often fail to meet international standards. Duplication of course work, differences in the curriculum and quality of the training institutions and mismatch of the skills demanded with the skills supplied. Conflicting and inadequate recognition of qualifications also result from lack of coordination among the training institutions.
With the overall objective of enhancing the employability of Bangladeshi migrant workers, leading to improved economic migration outcomes, IOM has developed a project titled ‘**Enhanced Skills Development and Qualification Recognition of Migrant Workers from Bangladesh**’. Recognizing the specific requirements of a TVET system that promotes market-responsive overseas employment, the project will develop a comprehensive technical assessment to identify needs and practical solutions for the effective implementation of NSDP 2011, Chapter 18.
Against this backdrop IOM Bangladesh is looking to hire an international consultant to conduct a technical assessment for a better skills development system for overseas employment in Bangladesh. This assignment would also relate to other relevant programmes of IOM Bangladesh in the area of return and reintegration as well as for the provision of assistance to vulnerable migrants.
2.Purpose of the consultancy
- To conduct a needs assessment of identified stakeholders in Bangladesh for the delivery of market-responsive, quality assured training programmes and assessments that meet international standards.
- To inform policy makers in Bangladesh about practical opportunities to enhance the international employability of migrant workers from Bangladesh.
- To develop a draft framework for the implementation of a larger scale programme on skills development for migrant workers from Bangladesh.
3.Scope of work for the consultant
a) Identify and map the existing stakeholders in the government, private and non-government sectors based on courses, human resource and human resource structure, enrolment capacities.
b) Develop a multi-stakeholder road map for enhancing the international recognition of qualifications developed in Bangladesh that is harmonized with the National Technical Vocational Qualification Framework (NTVQF).
c) Undertake an analysis of existing international labour market information systems and provide recommendations for the creation of an effective skills database as a tool to stimulate direct collaboration with overseas employers.
d) Identify key occupations that are relevant for overseas job markets and offer higher income potentials and compile an overview of the training providers, qualifications.
e) Map out institutional responsibilities to ensure a sector-wide approach that is inclusive to disadvantaged groups and gender responsive.
f) Create a “marketing strategy” to improve the accessibility of relevant skills training and assessments programmes.
g) Develop a set of migration management practices that can be integrated in service package of training providers including but not limited to career counselling, recruitment, pre-departure orientation and job placement.
h) Explore synergies with existing projects of development partners, INGOs, NGOs and other CSOs.
i) Propose a financing scheme and project management mechanism to deliver larger scale skills training and certification to prospective and returning migrants.
4.Key deliverables
In close consultation and coordination with IOM and as per project document, the following are the key deliverables expected from the Consultant involved in conducting the technical assessment.
a) Desk review
As a background research, the consultant will review the relevant policies, strategies, reports and any other relevant literature to identify the challenges, gaps and opportunities as well as the institutional responsibilities and capacities related to delivery of skills development to migrant workers.
b) Technical assessment and programme framework
After the collection of the secondary information, the consultant will confer with the key stakeholders for the primary data collection regarding the challenges, gaps and opportunities as well as the institutional responsibilities and capacities of relevant actors within a developed programme framework.
c) Stakeholder consultations
In coordination with the Project Steering Committee, the consultant will facilitate a consultative process with relevant national and international stakeholders through a series of workshops and consultations.
d) Programming and planning
Work closely with IOM Bangladesh to integrate learning and good practices into other existing IOM interventions.
5.Delivery schedule
The timeframe for this technical assessment is about six (6) months including forty-five (45) working days.
6.Role of IOM
· IOM will provide financial and logistical support to organize the necessary workshops/ consultation meetings.
· Bear the cost of travel and accommodation of the consultant in the field for organizing the meetings
· Provide available relevant documents and information.
· Review the submitted draft reports of the technical assessment.
· Support in contacting government and other relevant officials for meetings and consultations.
7.Qualifications or specialized knowledge
- Post-graduate university degree in Social Science preferably in Education, Economics or Development Studies.
- More than 8 years of relevant working experience in particular in TVET - policies, systems and skills training for mobile populations from disadvantaged backgrounds in formal and informal economies.
- Experience working in Bangladesh and South Asia an advantage.
- Knowledge of transnational labour mobility processes will be a strong advantage.
- Experience in costing of development programmes and social sector interventions is preferable.
- Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of Bangla an additional advantage.
Conversant on human right-based approach to vocational training and skills development, as well as familiar with the gender dimension, i e. gender-responsive, equitable and inclusive learning environment.
Competencies required:
Ø Knowledge and ability to deliver quality products in high stress or short deadline situations with excellent organizational skills.
Ø Strong interpersonal skill, ability to coordinate and synchronize work with people of diverse cultural background, consensus building, team working and consortium dynamics.
Ø Excellent English communication skills with demonstrated ability to assess and analyse complex situations in order to succinctly and clearly distil critical issues and draw out forward looking conclusions.
Ø Excellent skills to facilitate mutual understanding and cooperation from senior national/international stakeholders.
Ø Excellent team player, able to work on own initiative and work as part of the team.
Ø Flexible and responsive to changes as part of the review and feedback process.
[1] IOM (2009). Bangladesh Household Remittance Survey.
How to apply:
Candidates with the required qualifications can submit their applications to DhakaJobs@iom.intor to IOM Dhaka, House # 13/A, Road # 136, Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212mentioning the Reference CodeCFCV-07/2016/C-BD1and the specific topic on the envelope/e-mail subject header with the following documents:
(i) Application Letter/Cover Letter,
(ii) Personal History Form (PHF) which can be download from the IOM Dhaka website: www.iom.org.bd
(iii) Curriculum Vitae (should not exceed 4 pages)
(iv) Technical and Financial Proposal (Technical proposal should not exceed 8 pages)
(v) Previous sample documents
(vi) Draft Work Plan
Last Date of Application: 27 March, 2016
ONLY SHORT LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.