Country: Somalia
Closing date: 06 Apr 2018
TERMS OF REFERENCE: Consultancy to Expand the Vocational Qualification Framework (VQF) and Build Capacities of Vocational Qualification Authorities (VQA) in Somalia
Job title
Consultancy on Improvement of Vocational Qualifications Framework & Capacities for TVET registration, accreditation, assessments & Certification.
Location
Hargeisa, Somaliland, Garowe & Galkacyo –Puntland, Kismayu-Jubaland, Mogadishu-Banaadir, South Galkacyo- Galmudug
Period
16th April -16th October,2018
Time input
400 consultancy days
1. Background Information
The TVET and Higher Education for Boosting Road Infrastructure Development and Growth of Energy Services (THE BRIDGES) project is being implemented by CARE International in Somalia and the University of Technology - Eindhoven (TU/e) in the Netherlands. This is a 36-month project funded by the European Union with interventions targeted at beneficiaries in Puntland, Galmudug, Jubaland, Banaadir and Somaliland.
Given the increasingly dynamic employment market, the project supports the introduction of a private sector–led and a high-quality competency–based skills development approach facilitated by innovative and internationally bench–marked frameworks, to increase the relevance of the skills training offered and to ensure an optimal absorption of the (new) skilled workforce into the labour market. To attain these objectives, first national and local capacities in the design, management and implementation of skills development and employment promotion programmes in TVET and HE linked to the road infrastructure and energy services must be strengthened and training qualifications need to be brought to a higher quality and existing frameworks need to be aligned with standardized norms.
The training system in Somalia is characterised by the absence of clearly defined standards, which limits the design and implementation of market-oriented programmes. In order to address this, both Somaliland and Puntland are adopting a best practice model for TVET which is based on a market-driven specification of standards and competency-based programming. Specific recent achievements include the creation of a national VQF for Somaliland and Puntland, which aims to align TVET programmes and qualifications with the needs of the labour market. The VQF was established as safeguard against institutionalization of supply-driven training programmes, which cannot provide graduates with competencies and skills relevant to the needs of the labour market. Despite these positive developments, the current VQF is limited to three lowest levels of TVET qualifications and covers only a few occupations.
Moreover, the implementation process both in Somaliland and Puntland has been slow. Therefore, THE BRIDGES project will support further development of the VQF and systematic implementation of its provision. More specifically, the project will look into expanding the scope of the VQF to include more levels of qualifications (a least up to diploma level), increase its coverage to encompass more occupations within targeted sectors and accelerate its implementation for the targeted sectors. A VQF for Somaliland/Puntland with additional levels and new occupational standards is expected to provide guidance on curriculum design and quality assurance processes required to deliver the planned training programme for new skill areas under this project. It will also inform the design of training programmes for trainers to deliver the programmes.
2.0 Purpose and Objectives of the Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is provision of a consolidated approach to improve Vocational Qualification Framework & Capacities for TVET Registration, Accreditation, Assessments & Certification to meet the immediate and emerging labour market demands within road infrastructure and energy sectors.
The assignment will be guided by the following 4 specific objectives:
a) Further improvement and expansion of scope/coverage of the VQF
b) Development of programme registration and accreditation guidelines;
c) Development of competence-based assessment and certification guidelines
d) Provision of capacity building training to VQA on the implementation of the VQF and related guidelines
A detailed description of components under each of the above listed objectives is as outlined below:
a)Further improvement and expansion of the scope and coverage of Vocational Qualifications Framework
This activity will be in furtherance of the ongoing efforts in the development of TVET frameworks. The current VQF for Somaliland/Puntland is limited to the three lowest levels of TVET qualification and covers only 3 economic sectors. Even among the sectors covered, only a few skills are included. Substantial improvement and further expansion of these VQFs are needed to enable preparation and implementation of new curricula and to deliver skills training at appropriate levels. This will be especially important to guide the development and delivery of training skills linked to roads and energy sectors which are not covered under the current VQF. The project seeks to expand the scope of the VQF by adding more qualification levels and increase its coverage to cover more skills areas. The improved and expanded VQF is expected to provide a complete work-related qualifications and competency levels for all sectoral occupations covered. All the training programmes offered by this project will be designed in accordance with the respective VQFs and related quality standards. This will take skills development to higher levels on the qualifications pathway, facilitating the movement of trainees through the education and training system. The VQF will be formulated for inclusion into the education sector policies and will specifically form part of the implementation of the TVET sub-sector policies and strategies to guide middle level skills development for economic growth. International experts will be engaged to lead the VQF development process.
b)Development of a Guideline for Registration and Accreditation of TVET Training Providers.
The project seeks to support efforts to develop a well- regulated and a quality-assured TVET system. Both Puntland and Somaliland, the respective Vocational Qualification Authority (VQAs) are responsible for the functions of accreditation, regulation and course-certification of training providers. The project will support the VQAs to develop TVET registration manual to define the requirement and procedures for licensing a training provider. It will also support the development of accreditation guidelines to define the criteria for accrediting a training programme. This project will support the respective VQA to provide orientation to training providers on the requirements registration and course accreditations.
c)Development of competence-based assessment and certification guidelines
This activity supports government efforts to strengthen its methodology in the assessment of skills and issuance of qualifications that are nationally recognized. The Somaliland and Puntland VQAs have the responsibilities of undertaking trainee assessment and certification within the respective VQFs. But at present, these functions have not been fully activated and there is still lack of clarity on the assessment and certification process. Even the assessment and certification guidelines developed to guide the process, are not yet operational. THE BRIDGES project recognizes that assessment is a strong quality assurance mechanism while certificate can be used to communicate competences attained by a trainee. The project will therefore finance interventions related to administration of assessments and issuance of certificates to project trainees. This would include: (i) selection and training of assessors; (ii) the development of assessment materials; (ii) organization of assessments themselves; (iii) issuance of successfully assessed candidates with VQF-compliant certificates of qualifications. The project seeks also to revise and update the assessment and certification guidelines and provide trainings to VQAs and training providers on its implementation.
d) Provision of Capacity Building trainings to the Vocational Qualifications Authorities (VQAs) in implementation of various newly developed guidelines
To enable the VQA to carry out its mandate of regulating the TVET system, developing and setting standards and the overall quality assurance through the implementation of VQF, the selected firm will identify their capacity needs and provide the relevant trainings to the two VQA. This may be done by engaging and embedding 2 external experts to each of the two VQA’s to provide on the job training, coaching and mentoring to VQA, for a period for a period of six months. To ensure the transfer of expertise, the project will support 2 local staff to be attached to each of external expert for mentoring. The local staff will be fully involved in the relevant project activities related the VQF development and implementation and will be supported as part of the VQA capacity building activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO :
How to apply:
CARE International in Somalia invites interested firms to submit the following documents to somconsultant@care.org by Friday 6th April, 2018:
· Expression of interest outlining how the consultancy firm meets the selection criteria and their understanding of the ToR.
· A summarized description of the scope of work and the intended methodology to be used as well as a tentative work plan including activities and time frames for each of the four core areas.
· Names and contacts of three recent professional referees (previous clients) for whom similar work has been conducted.
· Names and CVs of individuals or team members proposed, highlighting their experience relevant to this assignment and their roles in the achievement of the stated objectives.
· Itemized Financial Proposal.
CARE International Somalia/Somaliland intends to analyze all received applications immediately after the deadline and revert to the selected firms shortly thereafter for interviews and other related inquiries. The successful firm will be awarded with the contract latest by 16th April 2018 and the work should start immediately thereafter. The consultancy period will be spread within 6 months, meaning it should be finalized by 16TH October 2018.