CONSULTANCY: Tracer Survey on Vocational Skills Graduates in Kismayo, Jubbaland, Somalia 72 views1 applications

1. Introduction:

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Somalia since early 2004. Over these years, NRC has demonstrated a regional competence and expertise in working with displaced and host community populations. NRC has mainly focused on Somalis who are displaced by conflict and more recently by the drought and famine as well as their host communities. NRC Somalia has good community acceptance at different levels and among different stakeholders including, but not limited to, local communities, government, humanitarian actors/agencies. This strengthens the organization’s ability to operate safely and deliver assistance and protection in Somalia, including hard to reach areas. Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Somalia has extensive presence in key locations in Somalia and robust operational capacity. This enables NRC reach a larger number of beneficiaries, and strategically be able to respond quickly and efficiently.

More than 70 percent of Somalis are under the age of 30; most face blocked transitions to adulthood due to multiple social, economic and political exclusions. These are related to clan and cultural affiliations, gender, age, illiteracy and poverty, among other factors and have been reinforced by dominant social attitudes and prejudicial cultural practices, and perpetuated by violence. The unemployment rate for youth aged 14 to 29 is 67 percent—one of the highest rates in the world. Females experienced higher unemployment at 74 percent than males at 61 percent. A higher labour force participation rate for youth, estimated at 66 percent, further reflects lost opportunities for many who might otherwise attend school and acquire skills and education that could raise their future productivity and potential earnings. Somali youth aged 14 to 29 face challenges deterring their transition from school to the labour market. This jobless or discouraged group is the most disadvantaged and most vulnerable to risky coping mechanisms.

In order to address the problems and needs of the target beneficiaries, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is implementing a multiyear vocational skill training programme in Kismayo, Jubbaland under Jubbaland Solution Consortium (JSC). A total of 81 trainees (41 females/40 males) have successfully completed the trainings and graduated after 9 months of training in August 2018 from the Kismayo youth education pack (YEP) Centre with the objective being to improve/diversify their income and employability locally. NRC is planning to commission a tracer study in Somalia in order to understand the impact of the vocational skills programming and start-up grants on the employability of youth graduates.

2. Objective

The overall objective of the tracer survey is to know employment rate of youth graduated and have access to adequate livelihoods opportunity/IGA and able to build their own assets, as a result of the vocation skills training and start-up grants provided by JSC project in Kismayo district of Lower Jubbaland State.

3. Specific objective

• To identify number of youth who are able to get employment (being paid or self-employment) in an acceptable time after graduation
• To know, if they are using the skills and competences they have acquired in their education/training. If not, why?
• To identify the challenges facing the graduates.
• To identify the effectiveness and the relevance of the training acquired to the employment market and make recommendations for improving on employment opportunities

4. METHODOLOGY

4.1. Data collection: The commissioned tracer study is expected to rely on a range of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection including document reviews, key informant interviews, individual survey, field observations and visits, and individual case study (male and female graduate separately) Villages for primary research will be selected in consultation with the NRC-JSC project staff. The precise methodology will be agreed upon between the selected consultant and NRC before the study activities commence.

4.2. Sampling techniques: Census-all the 81 youth who graduated and received small-grants. Two individual case study (1 male and 1 female) will be carried out as well.

5. DELIVERABLES/EXPECTED OUTPUT

• Undertake information/data collection using agreed upon methodologies and tools as well as supervise the enumerators during the data collection
• Undertake a detailed analysis of the collected information/data using appropriate data analysis framework/tools
• Prepare a comprehensive report detailing findings, challenges, lessons learnt and recommendations
• Organize and facilitate separate validation workshops for the relevant authorities, partner organizations, project staff and other relevant stakeholders in Kismayo.
• The report should consist of not more than 25 pages and be coupled with a presentation of findings, and two individual case studies.

Assessment report should consist the following contents:

1. Executive Summary
2. Table of contents
3. List of abbreviations and acronyms
4. Introduction
5. Methodology
6. Findings
7. Conclusion and recommendations
8. Annexes: Assessment tools and questionnaires, lists of reviewed documents (if any), list of interviewed stakeholders, schedule of meetings and travel

6. LINES OF COMMUNICATION/REPORTING: The consultant will work closely with the Project staff in Kismayo and shall have a primary accountability to the Consortium M&E Manager.

7. Timeframe and location: The trace study data collection will be conducted in Kismayo town as follows:

Work expected to commence in September 2019. All contracted days should take place within a contract period of one (1) month ending no later than 30 October 2019. The consultant will be expected to avail for field visits to Kismayo districts, Somalia.

8. Remuneration: The Consultant will provide a financial proposal for the provision of these services. Agreed rates will be based on prevailing market competitive rates and value for money.

9. Essential and Desirable Experience/Qualification of the Lead Consultant or Consultant Team at Large

a) A Master’s Degree in in social sciences, economics, business or relevant field

b) Must have at least five (5) years relevant work experience in research and micro-economic analysis and market and value chain analysis.

c) Must have relevant experience in public private partnership in micro-enterprise development is desirable.

d) Academic, research, or consulting experience in youth employment planning and/or investment programming is highly preferred.

e) Excellent English and Somali communication, reporting and editorial skills

f) Ability to work in and/or lead a team of surveyors in Kismayo districts, Somalia

10. Application

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements must submit the following;

• A technical proposal including scope of work including earliest date of availability to undertake assignment (maximum 6 pages) and a proposed work plan
• A financial proposal quoted in USD (US Dollars)
• Demonstration of Capability i.e. CV of the lead consultant/s and, if quoting for an organization, attach the CV of any other personnel to be involved in the assignment.
• A list of previous work done (Work Completion Certificates can be attached) including telephone and email contacts of three (3) referees who can validate technical expertise
• A (1) report of a similar assignment carried out by the Consultant