Somalia: Skills Gap Analysis and Competency Standards development for occupations related to roads infrastructure and energy services in Somalia

Terms of Reference for the Skills Gap Analysis and Competency Standards development for occupations related to roads infrastructure and energy services in Somalia

1. Assignment Summary

Title

Skills Gap Analysis & Competency Standards development for occupations related to roads infrastructure and energy services

Location

Somalia/Somaliland

Contract Duration

60 days

Start date

November 2016

Project

TVET and Higher Education for Boosting Road Infrastructure Development and Growth of Energy Services (THE BRIDGES**) Project**

1. Introduction:

The inadequate supply of road infrastructure and energy services in Somalia is widely seen as a major hindrance to economic development and poverty reduction as well as to facilitating humanitarian interventions. Whereas, the road infrastructure of Somalia/Somaliland comprises approximately 22,000km of roads (of which 2,600km is primary roads), there has been very little investment in road development or maintenance, since the late 1980s. Consequently, the capital infrastructure stock that the country had built up by the late 1980s has been largely depleted. Existing road sector personnel has limited competencies and experience and this is restricting the ability of public institutions to plan, implement and monitor roads infrastructure projects.

Equally, the electricity service is only available to a small minority of Somali households and businesses in urban areas. The World Bank estimates that 29.1% of the population has access to electricity, while African Energy Outlook estimates that 25% of the population has the privilege of electricity^[1]. Electricity in rural areas is nearly non-existent while in urban areas, it varies significantly and is characterized by prohibitive cost making the Somali people pay one of the highest electricity rates in the world, varying from $0.80 to $1.50 per kilowatt hour^[2]. Furthermore, shortages and outages plague the networks due to the limited infrastructure and poor technical skills.

Moreover, the current education and training system cannot provide “work-ready” graduates necessary for the development and sustainable operation of road infrastructure and energy services. The system is characterized by weak institutional frameworks and limited capacity. Specifically, the TVET set-up is fragmented and remains unresponsive to the labour market demands. Learning and teaching materials, where they exist, are inadequate. There are very few trade-skills related to the road and the energy sectors beyond the most basic levels of skills proficiency and these are not available in all parts of the country. Likewise, higher education services are limited in scope, coverage and quality. Despite a sharp growth in the number of universities across Somalia/Somaliland, none currently offer degree or diploma courses in road and energy.

1. Project Description:

CARE Somalia is anticipating funding from the European Union and plans to use part of the grant on the development of professionals, technicians and skilled workforce to meet the country’s labour market demands within the road and energy sectors. The Overall objective of the project is to promote economic growth through infrastructure development, employment creation and sustainable natural resources management. The Specific objective is to improve access to markets and social services, improve access to energy services and enhance sustainable use of natural resources through an increased availability of skilled human resources for Somalia/Somaliland’s road and energy sectors.

In order to achieve its objectives, the project will increase access to quality skills development opportunities; strengthen TVET and Higher Education delivery related to road and energy; develop quality-assurance systems and improve existing frameworks to enhance the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of skills development interventions in Somalia/Somaliland.

CARE recognises that developing sector-specific skills will require a clear understanding of both the current and future demand with those sectors, based on accurate and reliable Labour Market Information. CARE therefore intends to commission a comprehensive analysis of Somalia/Somaliland labour market within roads infrastructure and energy services to better understand their demand for skills and accordingly improve the skill training provision.

1. Objective of the Assignment

The skills gap analysis and competency standards development is the premiere logical step in the development of a labour market-led approach to skills development - An approach which ensures that skills supplied effectively match existing demand. The study is expected to provide an authoritative overview of current labour skill needs and related occupational areas in a succinct manner as well as developing competency standards for the occupations so identified. More specifically, the assignment will venture to present;

1. A detailed analysis of the roads and energy sectors skill demands seeking to summarise key information about each sector and related occupational areas in a succinct manner.
2. An assessment of immediate priority skills needs in the two sectors categorized into by occupations, skill types and levels;
3. An assessment of skill needs in the two sectors with the highest opportunities for female youth participation in the labour market.
4. Identification of other economically significant sectors where skills deficiencies might constrain future employment and economic growth;
5. Detailed competency standards for key occupations for both sectors with a regional overlay, incorporating consistent and comparable standards across all regions.

4. 1 Key Questions for the Skill Gap Analysis

1. What are the significant skills in roads and energy sectors?
2. Which skills in roads and energy sectors are most significant for Somalia/Somaliland in terms of their economic contribution, both now and in the future?
3. For both sectors, which occupations are likely to perform best in terms of job creation?
4. Which of these occupations are most constrained by skills deficits?
5. For all key occupations in both sectors, which core competencies are regarded as essential?
6. In general what skill levels (categorized into different levels of certificate and Diploma) are regarded adequate in identified priority occupations?

7. Are employers committed in involvement, linkages and support?

8. Scope of the Survey and Methodological Approach

The consultancy will be done in two phases:

Phase One - Labour Market and Skills Gap Analysis: The consultant will examine labour market performance, including current analysis and future projections of labour force supply and employment trends and occupational patterns within the target sectors of roads and energy services. This would present a hypothetical profile of skills landscape. Consequently, the consultant(s) will:

1) Undertake extensive desk review of secondary data available in relevant documents such as the previous labour market surveys, local economic development studies and Job-Rich sector analysis.

2) Determine the most appropriate methods for conducting the study. Prepare a detailed survey plan for approval by CARE. The plan will include methods instruments and resources required for appropriate and sufficient data collection.

3) Data collection at the field level from enterprises, business community, relevant government departments/ministries, the chamber of commerce and employers in Hargeisa, Garowe and Kismayu as well as other major towns as might be necessary.

4) Examine skill supply and labour demand in the local labour market in the immediate and medium term.

5) Explore the macro-economic context and examines the labour and skill requirements of each of the three regions.

6) Document the study findings, hypothesis and detailed recommendations by sectors, occupational areas, skill types and levels

7) Circulate the draft report for comments. The draft report with comments incorporated will be validated through a consultative stakeholder workshop.

Phase Two – Development of Competency Standards: One key challenge for every Local Market Information contained in the surveys is the relative isolation of information. Valuable information -- industry projections and skills requirements are not translated into relevant occupations and standards for optimal job performance. In the Somalia/Somaliland context, employers, labour and employment promotion officers and training providers have little experience and no training in developing competency standards from local market information. In order to get this group to engage with LMI and use it meaningfully, the consultant(s) are required to develop competency standards for each of the priority occupations identified. Activities under this phase include:

1) Determining the Occupational Fields for all priority occupations in the context of Somalia/Somaliland but anchored on international benchmarks by using comparable data from other countries with similar context.

2) Defining the Occupational Levels

3) Assigning set of appropriate standards to every occupational field (in activity 1above) on the levels of qualifications defined in activity (2).

1. Expected Deliverables

2. Final Report on Skills Gap Analysis for Roads Infrastructure and Energy Services. The report should provide clear recommendations on high priority skills and job-rich occupations within each sector for each region

3. Industry determined competency standards for each of priority occupations- occupational standards for existing and high potential economic sectors.

4. Location and Timeframe:

The assignment will be done in major 3 major towns namely; Garowe, Kismayu and Hargeisa The commencement of the assignment is subject to the availability of funds from the donor but is planned to begin in November, 2016 and is expected to take 60 days. The itinerary will be worked out with the selected consultant(s).

1. Study team:

The research team will be led by a consultant who will be assisted by a co-consultant and subject experts as necessary

1. Qualifications and expertise required of the Lead Consultant

Key Qualifications

• Have hands-on experience with designing, implementing and analysing labour market performance and skills demand analysis
• Working experience in labour market and employment reform programmes in the Horn of Africa or economies in transition will be considered as an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in conceptualizing and understanding of skill development and employment promotion within the context of TVET, preferably in the context of Somalia
• Ability to work in difficult international environments; previous experience of working in fragile contexts or transition countries is an asset
• Excellent command of the English language with demonstrated analytical and report writing skills, presentation and facilitation skills
• Availability and commitment to complete the assignment within strict deadlines
• Computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of EU procedures will be an added advantage.

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience in the design of vocational skills training programmes with specific knowledge of the education sector in Somalia/Somaliland
• Recent working experience in Somalia and/or similar assignment in the last 3 years.
• Broad understanding of issues associated with the provision evidence-based training in the developing world.

[1] World Bank, “World Development Indicators, Access to Electricity (% of Population), 2010–2014 OECD and African Energy Outlook: A Focus on Energy Prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa (Paris: International Energy Agency, 2014)

[2] Somaliland Energy Policy (Hargeisa, Somaliland: Ministry of Mining, Energy and Water Resources, 2010)

All applications should include the following;

• Cover letter (maximum 1 page) and updated CV’s
• Technical proposal: Which should include (i) brief explanation about the Consultant with particular emphasis on previous experience in this kind of work; (ii) profile of the Consultant to be involved in undertaking the study (iii) Understanding of the TOR and the task to be accomplished, (iv) draft work and plan
• Financial Proposal: Which should include consultancy fees but excluding: accommodation and living costs; transport cost; stationeries, and supplies needed for data collection; costs related to other persons that will take part from CARE partners and government authorities during assignment and workshops.

NB: Only Applicants who has the required qualification and expertise should apply

Applications documents should be submitted on or before 25^th November 2016 and via email to: somconsultants@care.org