Consultant – KOICA Retour vers les opportunités

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Services/Work Description: Implementation of the “implementation survey” for the cooperation project between ILO and KOICA: Promotion of employment for Youth and Women in Tunisia (ICT basis)
• Duty Station: Tunis, Tunisia
• Type of the Contract : Short term contract (consultant)
• Duration: 15 working days
• Expected Start Date: 26th Oct, 13th Nov (15days)

BACKGROUND / RATIONALE

Data from Tunisia’s National Institute of Statistics indicate that tackling the unemployment crisis in Tunisia has eluded authorities for nine years because of the slow implementation of mechanisms to revitalize the labour market and lack of action in that regard.

The unemployment rate remained at the same level over the past nine years proves that labour market reforms have not mitigated the effects of austerity measures and cuts in public spending, subsidies, wages, fees and taxes imposed to address financial imbalances.

Tunisian authorities tried to break away from the weight of the old labour system, which was based on unqualified work forces. This factor, along with continuous political tensions, led to increased unemployment rates.

That is why international financial institutions stepped up pressure on Tunisia to accelerate control of unemployment rates and increasing growth in Tunisia’s weakened economy.

Despite various support programmes for the labour market by successive governments, many Tunisians said their conditions have worsened because of the rising unemployment rate, which has reached 18% (T2 2020). This rate was 11% in 2010.

Official statistics confirm that the unemployment gap widened in rural areas compared to cities and that the segment hit the hardest by unemployment is university graduates.

Specialists said there are structural factors keeping unemployment figures at their current levels. Such conditions will be difficult to address in the absence of a clear and structured vision guiding economic recovery.

Tunisian authorities have, in recent years, adopted various measures and initiatives to incentivize the private sector to employ more university graduates, given that the public sector was saturated. The measures, however, failed to achieve their goals.

The 2020 World Economic Forum ranked Tunisia 78th out of 180 countries on the unemployment index. That means it is very far from achieving its ambitions.

The objective of the cooperation project between ILO and KOICA: Promotion of employment for youth and women in Tunisia (ICT basis) is to enhance the accessibility to more decent work opportunities of Tunisian young women and men. As the second phase of the project “Decent Work for Youth and Women” in Tunisia, the project gives particular focus to strengthen the ecosystems for ICT related start-ups in 3 additional regions and support regional action plans of the National Employment Strategy (NES).

The main objective of the implementation survey is to discuss the possibility for cooperation in the below project and to finalize the project document.

The duration of the project will be from 2021 to 2024 with a grant worth of 4.35 million USD.

OBJECTIVES OF THE SERVICE / WORK

The objectives of this implementation survey are to:

• Discuss and develop the possibilities of the implementation of the project.
• Conduct an assessment and a review on Tunisian status and needs in terms of employment (especially Youth and Women) with a focus on ICT)
• Finalize the project document of the project.

SCOPE OF THE WORK / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH OF THE SERVICE

The Job Description of the consultancy is:

• Analyze and provide advisory about the survey to KOICA experts – conduct and assist field study activities based on demand of the Korean experts.
• Provide timely and necessary inputs needed for the survey.
• Analyze the Tunisian situation related to the employment and ICT sector: institutional aspects – private sector – coordination between stakeholders – …
• Organize and join meetings with stakeholders involved in the project and prepare the outputs of these meetings.
• Liaison between Korean and Tunisia experts / officials / stakeholders – Manage communication between KOICA study team and Tunisian counterpart ministries and related organizations.
• Establish and maintain the regular communication with Korean experts for survey implementation (online meetings / mailing / …)
• Co-develop with Korean experts the project documents which include Project Document (PD), Project Output Description (POD), Output Description (OD) and Budget Sheet (detailed budget for each project components) based on above mentioned comprehensive analysis with KOICA.

The consultant is expected to develop a study report which includes the following:

1. Outline the proposed methodology and/or approach expected to be employed including the use of primary data or review and analysis of relevant secondary data sources.
2. Review current literature and data on youth and women employment with a focus on ICT to identify and determine areas that may be suitable for project implementation.
3. Provide in-dept analysis (SWOT) for the project implementation.
4. Analysis of existing policies, and best practices for recommendations.
5. Evaluate stakeholders and data provided by other programs/donors.
6. Propose key recommendations.

The following activities will be undertaken:

• Initial meeting with a focus group: Initial focus group meeting/kick off meeting with KOICA, Korean experts and ILO to determine and discuss the parameters of the TOR and to review the scope of work.
• Desk review: The consultant will conduct desk review to learn about youth and women employment and ICT in Tunisia.
• Consultative meetings: Consult relevant stakeholders to find out how the issues concerning youth and women employment (with a focus on ICT) have been addressed and assess their views.

TENTATIVE TIME FRAME OF THE WORK / DELIVERABLES / OUTPUT

REPORTING / INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

Within the framework of the present mandate, the consultant will:

• Produce a final report of the implementation survey (in English).
• Provide Korean experts with needed documents during the implementation of the mission.

The work will be guided under the auspices of KOICA Tunisia office. However, the consultant will be expected to actively work with the Korean Expert team.

Note: The above mentioned tasks to be performed are intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be modified following discussion with the selected consultant.