Call for Consultancy Services: Desk Review of the Vocational Training System in Zimbabwe : SOS Children's Villages Zimbabwe

Job Summary

SOS Children's Villages in Zimbabwe seeks the services of a consultant to conduct a desk study of the situation of Vocational Training in the country. This assignment will identify key issues in vocational training in the country. Using secondary research, literature/desktop review, and online facilities, collect, analyse and report on findings (for specifications above). There are no budgetary allocations for travel, subsistence, or other fieldwork expenses. No primary research is anticipated. The consultant is solely responsible for the execution of this assignment.

SOS Children's Villages in Zimbabwe is implementing a two-year project entitled "Innovative Partnerships for Life Skills and Employability Opportunities for Vulnerable Young People in Bulawayo, Umguza and Chitungwiza District". The project's overall objective is to enhance employability skills for 300 young people to become self-reliant. To achieve the objective, the project is addressing physical, economic, attitudinal and communication barriers hindering vulnerable young people, including young women, in assessing employment, both formal and informal. The project will also strengthen the collaboration and engagement between the supply and demand sides involved in Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET). The intervention intends to improve the soft and hard skills of 300 vulnerable young people (75 youths from Umuguza,75 youths from Bulawayo and Chitungwiza 150 youths) through a tailor made out reach training program which will bring together different stakeholders involved in VET whilst contributing to a culture in which disadvantaged and vulnerable groups can easily access to vocational training within their communities. The first outcome is to Improve employability by enhancing the access of VET for 300 young people. The second outcome is sustainable enterprises are established and managed by young people. The third outcome for this project is to lobby the government to recognize and accredit in its TVET curriculum short term training programs

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of study
• Synthesis of evidence gathered from the body of academic and professional literature pertaining to vocational training in Zimbabwe.
• Synthesis of information from learners and instructors in vocational training centres or those that have passed through the system
• Information from research conducted by others for different purposes
• Review of existing policy and regulatory frameworks in line with Vocational Training in Zimbabwe
• Identify challenges and opportunities for vocational training in Zimbabwe
• Craft recommendations for different stakeholders.

Deliverables
To devise a full concise report with the methodology, findings, conclusions and recommendations containing a synthesis of evidence gathered from the body of academic and professional literature about vocational training in Zimbabwe
To identify and analyse policies, programmes and other regulatory frameworks that have a bearing on Vocational Training in Zimbabwe.
To proffer strategic recommendations that can be used for advocacy, programme development and capacity building by different stakeholders.

Methodology
The consultant is expected to propose the best methodology that suits an undertaking of this nature.

General Provisions
i. SOSCVZ reserves the right not to appoint any service provider/contractor and negotiate all terms of this assignment and the resultant work contract.
ii. SOSCVZ reserves the right to undertake reference, credit and other checks, and by responding to this bid, the service provider hereby gives SOSCVZ consent/authority to conduct such checks.
iii. SOSCVZ reserves the right to withdraw this bid and/or amend these terms of reference by notice in writing (email or posting on the website) to only shortlisted bidders who will have responded to this call prior to the closing date.
iv. At the sole discretion of SOSCVZ, the award of the contract will be based on the best value for money, that being the best outcome for SOSCVZ as a whole considering price, the number of proposed days, daily rate (given the very short term-low-budget nature of this assignment), economic, environmental, and social benefits (if applicable), in addition to other requirements for SOSCVZ as specified from time to time.
v. SOSCVZ reserves the right not to make an award or to accept the lowest bid.
vi. SOSCVZ will not discuss pricing or budget issues prior to the deadline of this call. Price negotiation may be entered into as part of the contracting processes.
vii. Selected bidder will be required to sign a work and performance contract with SOSCVZ that will fully commit to honouring SOSCVZ's policies.

Qualifications and Experience

Expert Profile
The consultant will be expected to meet the following requirements:
• Knowledge of the Vocational Training system in Zimbabwe
• A post-graduate qualification at master's level or better
• Sound experience in conducting research and report writing
• Knowledge of policies and frameworks related to vocational training and education in Zimbabwe
• The consultant should be able to obtain the needed materials from a wide array of sources

How to Apply

Interested individuals or companies can submit their bids to:

Procurement.SOS@sos-zimbabwe.org

Documents to be submitted:
• Bid
• Budget in excel
• Tax clearance certificate
• Highest qualification of lead researcher
• 2 samples of work done previously