ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference

Consultant to conduct Labour Market Needs Assessment
Yangon, Myanmar
Tender Reference: T/74CBM/R49/CON/BKK/14-03-2016/001

1. About ACTED

ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) is a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Paris, founded in 1993. Independent, private and not-for-profit, ACTED respects a strict political and religious impartiality and operates according to principles of non-discrimination and transparency.
ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations affected by wars, natural disasters and/or economic and social crises, and to accompany them in building a better future. The programs implemented by ACTED are in 35 countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean seek to cover the multiple aspects of humanitarian and development crises through a multidisciplinary approach which is both global and local, and adapted to each context.

2. Project Background

ACTED and ADRA have been providing Vocational Training Services in nine refugees camps along the Thai-Myanmar border since 2013 to prepare refugees for potential safe and voluntary return. Selection and provision of 10 VT courses has been based on two separate labour market assessments conducted by ACTED and ADRA in 2013.

The training has focused on refugees developing and practicing VT skills which are line with Myanmar labour needs relevant to access livelihood opportunities in a wide variety of contexts, but with priority on possible repatriation to South eastern Myanmar and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) along the Thai Myanmar border. At the same time, ACTED and ADRA have supported capacity and curriculum development of TVET colleges in Loikaw in Kayah State and Hpa An in Kayin State in Myanmar

Given the recent positive political developments in Myanmar and the continuing peace process in Eastern Myanmar, there is a need to better understand the labour market needs and employment opportunities for potential refugee returnees and for the local population in the East-West corridor between Thailand and Myanmar. In particular, there is a need to identify and create linkages with medium to large private sector employers that will support training and employment opportunities for these people.

3. Objectives of the consultancy

- Identify medium to large private sector employees that can potentially support training and employment opportunities for refugees returnees;

- Identify VT areas that are relevant to the labour market needs for refugee returnees; and
- Initiate partnerships with medium to large private sector employers that can potentially support training and employment opportunities for refugee returnees.

4. Methodology of the consultancy

- Desk-top review

Review of previous literature and reports to develop an understanding of the labour market needs and employment opportunities for potential refugee returnees and for the local population in the East-West corridor between Thailand and Myanmar. In addition, to identify a list of medium to large private sector employers that can potentially support training and employment opportunities for refugee returnees.

- Interactive forum

Identified stakeholders from desk-top review invited to a highly participative forum in Yangon designed to elicit views and opinions about labour market needs for potential refugee returnees, including medium to large private sector employers, representatives of ethnic civil society organisations, VT related government agencies and VT related non-government organisations. Key questions developed to guide and facilitate discussion, and to cultivate future partnerships.

- Follow-up survey

Development of an on-line Monkey Survey to be sent to participants post forum. The follow-up survey is designed with the purpose to further elicit information about the VT areas that are relevant to the labour market needs for refugee returnees, and to identify partnership opportunities that potentially could support training and employment for refugee returnees.

5. Required Qualification and Skills

• At least 10 years’ experience in livelihoods and technical and vocational skill development
• Experience in conducting a similar type of market survey
• Concrete experience in providing a written reports that can influence key decision-makers
• Knowledge of Myanmar institutional and local context is an asset

6. Deliverables

1. List of medium to large private sector employers that can potentially support training and employment opportunities for refugee returnees;
2. One-day interactive forum in Yangon with a range of stakeholders invited, including medium to large private sector employers, representatives of ethnic civil society organisations, VT related government agencies and VT related non-government organisations;
3. Survey data collected from participants attending forum that identify VT areas that are relevant to the labour market needs for refugee returnees; and
4. 15-page report detailing findings from desk-top review, forum and survey including recommendations.

7. Timeframe and duration of the mission

A total of 10 Man/Days as follows:
- 2 Man/Days  desk-top review;
- 3 Man/Days  in Myanmar hosting forum and collecting data; and
- 5 Man/Days  writing of final report.

The consultancy has been scoped as 10 billable Man/Days  of work. The consultant is requested to submit a detailed budget for this scope of work

8. Application Procedure

Submit quotation to email: thailand.tender@acted.org, tender@acted.org