Terms of Reference (ToR)

for

Vocational Training Curriculum Development Consultancy

1. Who is the Danish Refugee Council?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international NGO with a specific expertise in forced displacement. It was founded in 1956 and today it is operating in 40 countries around the world, where it protects, advocates, and builds sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement affected people and communities.

DRC has been active across Iraq since 2003 and plays a crucial role in addressing the complex humanitarian needs of displaced populations and conflict-affected communities. Operating in collaboration with local partners and authorities and adopting humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding (HDP) approaches, DRC focuses on providing a wide range of services to enhance the resilience and well-being of vulnerable individuals.

DRC’s work in Iraq has been focused on implementing multi-sectoral programming through an area-based approaches, integrating protection, economic recovery, humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding programming as well as advocacy. By implementing context-specific solutions, DRC contributes to the stability and recovery of communities in Iraq, striving to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for those affected by displacement and conflict.

1. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is work with DRC in supporting ministry of labor and social affairs (MoLSA) in Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) to modernize their vocational training program to enhance employment opportunities to youth and job seekers. The consultant (consultancy team) will 1) conduct an assessment to identify vocational training (VT) topics needs, according to the labour market demand, skills gaps and context evolution, in collaboration with the MoLSA; 2) develop a VT curriculum accordingly; and 3) conduct a training of trainer to VT centers trainers. DRC is looking for a consultancy firm with a technical specialist and a lead consultant To ensure the developed training curriculum matches with the labor market needs, the consultant will engage key stakeholders including Directorate of Labor and Social Affairs (DoLSA), VT center trainers, private sectors and targeted communities.

1. Background

Vocational training centres under DoLSA play an important role in supporting youths and job seekers and equip them with the market driven and competency-based skills to prepare them for employment and the labor market. However, due to changes in the labor market, industry demands, and technological development, there may be a need for updated or new vocational training curricula that better align with current workforce needs.. In order to deliver relevant and effective vocational training to youth and job seekers in general, there is a need to develop updated competency-based curriculum that matches with the market changes and development of technologies. Through this consultancy work, DRC is going to support MoLSA to modernize their vocational training program to enhance employment opportunities to youth job seekers including women and people living with disabilities from different population categories of IDPs, refugees and vulnerable host communities.

1. Specific objective of the consultancy

The objective of the consultancy is to :

• Conduct an assessment to identify vocational training topics needs, according to the labour market demand, skills gaps and context evolution. This assessment will involve various key informants and stakeholders, including but not limited to VT center trainers, private sector employers and community members.
• Establish and lead a technical committee with relevant stakeholders to collect needed information and support to the curriculum development process.
• Develop a competency based vocational training curriculum including facilitator guide, handouts and needed tools.
• Provision of a ToT session for MoLSA VTC trainers on the newly developed curriculum.
• Design and finalize the training material package (in both English and Kurdish languages) and handover to DRC.

1. Scope of work and methodology

The consultant will be responsible to:

Design and conduct a needs assessment: developing an assessment framework to evaluate the current vocational training curricula, identify industry trends and understand labor market needs through key informant interviews, focus group discussions and surveys with relevant key informants, employers and job seekers.

Analyze collected data to identify skill gaps and industry requirements: to ensure we are developing competency-based curriculum based on the market needs, the consultant will analyze the collected data to understand the most in demand skills while considering the development of technology that is affecting the business sectors and job market.

Oversee curriculum development with a technical committee with relevant stakeholders: in collaboration with directorate of labor and social affairs (DoLSA), the consultant will be forming a technical committee comprising technical experts conducting Training of Trainers (ToT), vocational training centers representatives and other key relevant stakeholders including private sector entities. The role of the committee is to provide guidance to the consultant on aspects to be considered within the newly developed curriculum, review the drafted curriculum and validate relevancy and practicality of the training content.

Develop training content, ensure it meets competency-based education standards: the consultant will be responsible in developing a well-structured competency-based curriculum that clearly defines the learning outcomes in terms of skills, knowledge and measurable and practical objective is stated within the curriculum, as well as a flexible curriculum allowing in house updates based on market changes. The consultant will ensure receiving the feedback from the technical committee and refine the curriculum accordingly.

Design and deliver training of trainers (ToT) for MoLSA VTC trainers: in collaboration with the ToT center under DoLSA, the consultant will design and deliver a ToT for MoLSA VT center trainers nominated by DoLSA head of VTCs on the newly developed curriculum. The training should cover modern teaching techniques and specific technical skills. The participants should receive practical tools, handouts and resources to ensure they will deliver effective training to the youth and job seekers.

Prepare the final version of the training package: in collaboration with the technical committee, the consultant will receive feedback from them, refine, finalize and design the training curriculum. The final product must include the trainer guide, detailed lesson plan, competency-based training manual, assessments, tools and handouts.

Submit a final consultancy report: at the end, the consultant will submit a detailed comprehensive report to DRC stating the entire process, key findings, curriculum development progress and recommendations for future updates.

6.Deliverables

The Consultant will submit the following deliverables:

Phase

Expected deliverables

Indicative description tasks

Maximum expected timeframe

Phase 1:

Preparation

1.1: Inception Report

(in English)

Prepare an Inception Report to set out a detailed approach and methodology for the needs assessment, forming committee, collaboration with DoLSA in KRI, prepare for initial market analyses to identify where relationships can be quickly established.

5 calendar days

Phase 2:

Working on deliverables

2.1: Needs assessment

Draft the tools and questionnaires for the need assessment and lead of conducting the needs assessment in collaboration with DRC and its partners in Erbil, Duhok, Sulaymaniyah and Halabja engaging the vocational training staff, community members and private sectors.

15 calendar days

2.2: Needs assessment report

Analyse the collected data of the needs assessment and produce a detailed and structured report of processes, methodologies used, key findings and recommendations.

15 calendar days

2.3: Technical committee

In collaboration with DoLSA, establish the technical committee for the material development, review of the DoLSA curricula package.

15 calendar days

2.4: Drafting VT curriculum

Organize the technical committee meetings, document the meeting minutes, draft, finalize and design a vocational training curriculum, trainers’ guide and handouts in both English and Kurdish languages.

45 calendar days

2.5: ToT session for DoLSA staff

Lead of delivering a ToT session to DoLSA nominated trainers of the VT centers including the pre-post tests conducted to assess participants knowledge improvement, course evaluation, delivery of the teaching techniques.

20 calendar days

2.6: Submission of training package

Submit the final designed training package including the trainer guide, tools, handouts and the final curriculum product to DRC in both English and Kurdish languages.

15 calendar days

2.7: Final report

Submission of the final consultancy report including processes, progresses, methodologies used, key findings and recommendations.

15 calendar days

Phase 3:

Briefing to DRC staff

3.1: Presentation of final product

Presentation of final package, processes, key findings and recommendations to DRC and its partners.

5 calendar day

7.Duration, timeline, and payment

The total expected duration to complete the assignment is five (5) months, from approximately Mid of May 2025. The consultant will submit a detailed work plan including a timeline and performance indicators for the achievement of the various tasks involved in the consultancy and the delivery of the expected outputs, as well as a price proposal that is inclusive of all costs in USD.

The payment will be made in two instalments as follow:

1. 50% of contract value upon delivery of the ToT session (deliverable from 1.1 – 2.5).
2. 50% final payment will be made upon delivery and satisfactory acceptance of all remaining deliverables.

8.Proposed Composition of Team

The consultancy is expected to be a company with the appropriate experience to deliver the objectives and the team composition should include professionals with different expertise at least as of below:

1. A Lead consultant: overall lead of the coordination ensuring the scope of work is met and is the main focal point of contact with DRC with experience in needs assessment and vocational training curriculum development.
2. A Curriculum development specialist: responsible in designing and developing competency based vocational training curriculum that matches the labor market demands. The specialist will work closely with the lead consultant, the technical committee, ministry of labor, DRC and its partners technical coordinators and consortium coordinator to ensure the developed training curriculum content is practical and market based. The specialist must have a strong understanding of competency-based learning approaches, have expertise and experience in developing vocational training programs, ability to assess the labor market and its trends, understand of technological developments that affect the job market and understand employers demand to ensure the training program will match with the current and future job market requirements. The curriculum development specialist must have proven experience in designing training modules, lesson plans, trainer guide and assessment tools as well as proficiency in conducting ToT sessions and provision of modern teaching methodologies and techniques.

9.Eligibility, qualification, and experience required

Technical requirements:

• Ability to travel and work inside Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
• The lead consultants/team members should have minimum master’s degree in development or humanitarian studies, political science, business management, economics, or other relevant fields.
• Proven experience in conducting similar work/consultancies of developing vocational training curriculum for vocational training centres including government VTCs.
• Proven understanding of labor market trends and vocational training principles.
• At least 5-7 years’ experience in curriculum development for vocational training programs.
• Proven experience in conducting needs assessment, labor market studies and/or skill gap analyses.
• Proven qualifications and experience in delivering ToT programs using modern teaching techniques.

Desirable:

• Good understanding of humanitarian programs to support refugees, IDPs and host community populations with inclusion consideration.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Advanced skills in research design and methods, including data collection and analysis.

Language requirements:

• Written and spoken fluency in Kurdish and English.

10.Technical supervision

The selected consultant will work under the supervision of:

• Consortium coordinator and in coordination with Economic Recovery Technical Coordinator, Danish Refugee Council, Iraq Office.

11.Location and support

• This consultancy should be carried out in Kurdistan region of Iraq, the consultancy company should be based in Iraq or any other country with the presence of the minimum local team in Iraq (lead consultant and the specialist).
• The consultancy firm will provide their own computer and mobile telephone.
• DRC provides the cost of the needs assessment including organizing the FGDs and KIIs (for the venue rental, refreshment and transportation if needed),
• DRC covers the cost of the technical meetings in terms of transportation for the DoLSA staff, refreshment and accommodation,
• DRC covers the cost of the ToT sessions for the DoLSA nominated participants.

12.Travel

This consultancy company and the team are responsible to cover all the related costs to travel to the field, accommodation and they will be responsible of the administrative process of their travels.

How to Apply:

Interested consultancy company to send email to procurement.co.iraq@drc.ngo to get the full package.

1. Bids can be submitted by email to the following dedicated, controlled, & secure email address:

tender.irq.co@drc.ngo

When Bids are emailed, the following conditions shall be complied with:

• The RFP number shall be inserted in the Subject Heading of the email.
• Separate emails shall be used for the ‘Financial Bid’ and ‘Technical Bid’, and the Subject Heading of the email shall indicate which type of the email contains.
  • The financial bid shall only contain the financial bid form, Annex A
  • The technical bid shall contain all other documents required by the tender but excluding all pricing information.
• Bid documents required, shall be included as an attachment to the email in PDF, JPEG, TIF format, or the same type of files provided as a ZIP file. Documents in MS Word or excel formats, will result in the bid being disqualified.
• Email attachments shall not exceed 4MB; otherwise, the bidder shall send his/her bid in multiple emails.

Failure to comply with the above may disqualify the Bid.

DRC is not responsible for the failure of the Internet, network, server, or any other hardware, or software, used by either the Bidder or DRC in the processing of emails.

DRC is not responsible for the non-receipt of Bids submitted by email as part of the e-Tendering process.