1. Background & Context

With funding from the European Union, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is implementing ENABLE programme focusing on providing livelihoods opportunities to enhance the economic capacity of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities residing in targeted areas. The programme provides integrated employment services and short‐term employment opportunities, which will reduce dependency on social assistance for the extremely poor and vulnerable, contributing towards social cohesion. The programme focuses on improving skills for employment for refugees and host communities. Programme activities are being implemented in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, North/Akkar, and South/Nabatieh governorates.

The ENABLE programme seeks to bridge the gap between skills development and short-term employment opportunities for individuals engaged in the construction sector. Implemented in Horsh Beirut, the programme targets 200 participants through a pilot initiative delivered in partnership with both a training provider and a contractor. The project adopts an integrated approach consisting of two complementary phases.

First, participants will undergo targeted, certified training delivered by the training provider through accredited training institutes. This foundational phase focuses on equipping trainees with essential technical and safety skills relevant to the construction sector.

Following the training, participants will take part in 40 days of on-site work experience in real construction settings. This practical component will be supervised by the contractor and conducted under the oversight of the training provider, ensuring that the skills acquired during training are effectively applied and reinforced in the field.

This collaborative, dual-stakeholder model leverages the strengths of both training institutions and contractors: training centres ensure quality instruction and certification, while contractors provide hands-on experience in actual construction environments. Together, they facilitate the identification of workforce capacity needs and support stronger linkages between training and employment pathways in the construction sector.

2. Assignment Objectives and expected results

The objectives of the assignment are to:

1. Provide TVET/WBL programmes to 200 beneficiaries that facilitates their transition into employment.
2. Coordinate with the contractor on the implementation of on-site training.
3. Provide post-training support and referral services (employment counseling, awareness raising on decent work/rights and responsibilities at work, core work and soft skills, referrals to further VT)

Expected results include but are not limited to:

1. # of market-relevant competency-based WBL training programme implemented
2. # competency-based curricula and training materials adapted for WBL.
3. # of trainers, mastercraft persons, supervisors, coordinators, etc.. trained to implement the WBL
4. # of social partners involved in coordination, referrals and post training support
5. # of vulnerable individuals certified on WBL opportunities (certification by Government authorities and/or private sector)
6. # of trainees received core work skills training
7. # of trainees referred to job opportunities of trainees/graduates placed in decent jobs
8. # of trainees received awareness raising on rights at work

To note that all indicators and targets should take into consideration disaggregation by gender, age, nationality, geographical distribution, disability, and employment status.

3. Scope of Work and Methodology

The ILO is seeking an implementing partner todeliver demand driven blended TVET/WBL programmes in the construction sector that reach vulnerable groups including NEETs, dropouts, unemployed youth, informal workforce within Lebanese host communities and refugee populations among other selection criteria as defined below. These training programmes aim to improve knowledge, skills and professional readiness of youth and adults to facilitate their integration into the labour market, thereby stabilizing their livelihoods and supporting incomes for the target group as well as their dependents. These training programmes will be competency-based and market-relevant designed to meet the skills needs of target population and the job requirements in targeted communities.

The training programme should follow strictly the ILO systemic approach to skills training, using ILO resources adapted to Lebanon context, including: ILO-UNICEF WBL Manual, ILO CBT Manual, ILO Guidelines for non-formal market-based skills training, Code of Conduct for Employers Implementing Workplace-Based Learning Programmes (ilo.org). Training programmes should be Competency-Based (CBT) and Curricula accredited by relevant authorities. Where relevant and possible, training programmes should make use of existing accredited Competency-Based Curricula (CBC) by DGTVE and adapt as per training needs.

The implementation cycle of training programme should consist of the following main processes:

Identification of occupations and planning for training programme

• Conduct consultation meetings with the contractor to identify list of occupations relevant to the works to be conducted in the Horsh Beirut project.
• Develop a training plan in coordination with the contractor. The training plan shall divide trainees into groups based on identified occupations, elaborate the training timeline, and set coordination mechanisms between the contractor and training provider.
• Finalize and agree on the tools to be used for the training in coordination with the contractor.

Skills profiling and career counselling for training participants

• Reach out beneficiaries to ensure their willingness and eligibility to participate in the training and employment programmes.
• Profile beneficiaries’ skills set and competencies.
• Conduct Career counselling sessions on employment pathways/employment opportunities including job search techniques (CV writing, interviewing techniques, job search, etc…)

The implementing partner will make use of ILO supported digital tools such as the SkillLab (skill competence profiling) to screen potential trainees and for post training support services. The ILO and SkillLab technical team will provide necessary guidance and coaching on how to use it. The implementing partner must ensure the necessary human resources to provide, follow-up, and monitor counseling services including operating SkillLab and guiding beneficiaries on its use.

Selection criteria of the trainees:

Depending on the occupation selected, participants may be selected from previous and current ILO Employment Intensive Infrastructure Project (EIIP), ILO skills projects, related projects supported by local and international development partners and/or funded by EU, relevant trainees/graduates from public or private training institutions, and workers seeking to improve their economic status and employability.

1. Select youth and adult trainees from both Lebanese and non-Lebanese nationalities (50% Lebanese, 50% non-Lebanese)
2. Select female participants in each training course for gender equity (30%).
3. Prioritize selection of participants benefitting from social protection schemes [ National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP), (Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN), National Disability Allowance (NDA), etc…)]
4. Seek to involve Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for inclusiveness of the training programme – the implementing partner will collaborate and coordinate with relevant syndicates, government agencies, and other social partners to reach out to beneficiaries.
5. Persons who are currently enrolled in any formal TVET and Education programme can take part in planned WBL if they satisfy eligibility criteria and if they are job ready (last year BP, BT TS/LT). The implementing partner will collaborate and coordinate with relevant public technical school or DGTVE accordingly.
6. Persons eligible to be enrolled could include: graduates from TVET education aligned to their studies and interested to strengthen their employability, existing workforce in the field for upgrading and upskilling, university graduates wishing to strengthen their technical skills, workers to improve their technical skills, etc. The implementing partner should make a clear distinction between trainees who are already working and require upskilling, or trainees supported to benefit from this training and OJT for employment.
7. Minimum age limit of the trainees would be in accordance with the Labour Law of Lebanon while ensuring all related OSH standards provisions exist across the whole implementation process.
8. Minimum entry qualification: Trainees should have minimum literacy and numeracy required to enroll in the training (in line with occupation standards requirements, training competencies requirements). The implementing partner may include training modules for numeracy and literacy for the low-skilled trainees where relevant.

Developing the TVET/WBL training programmes

• Based on the two above tasks, identify the list of competencies to be covered in the TVET/WBL programmes.
• Analyse the identified work processes, i.e., define the needed professional/technical skills, life skills, employment, and foundation skills needed to perform each of the work processes covered in the programmes.
• Develop, update, or adapt competency-based curricula after selecting the training topics. taking into consideration green skills for greener future including greening curricula and training programme.
• Conduct training of trainers, instructors, supervisors, M&E officers, master craftsperson, or any other relevant party involved in the implementation of the WBL and in line with the ILO WBL manual; Ensure role and responsibilities of each involved partner are respected
• The implementing partner shall deliver accredited training programs through certified trainers and with official accreditation (e.g Directorate General for TVE- DGTVE, National Vocational Training Center – NVTC, other relevant official entities)

Organising and Delivering TVET/ WBL training programmes

• Deliver induction and technical training for each beneficiary, including occupational safety and health, life skills, and soft skills linked to the occupation competencies and skills gaps of beneficiaries.
• Develop tripartite agreements between the contractor, training provider, and the trainee. The agreement should be drafted in coordination with the contractor.
• Develop and apply relevant monitoring and follow up tools to ensure the commitment of the beneficiaries, including attendance sheets and training monitoring plans to measure achievements of agreed upon learning objectives.

Provide pre/post training assessment, testing, and certification

• Prepare formative and summative assessment in line with the training programme
• Facilitate relevant certification process and provide acknowledged certification (i.e. certification by government entity, private sector accredited entity/institute, etc.)
• Prepare trainees for the final competency-based certification assessment.
• Conduct pre/post-training evaluation and prepare the training evaluation report.

Post training service including Job counseling/employment counseling and placement of training programmes graduates

• Conduct post-assessment for beneficiaries to measure improvement in their living conditions: social status, vulnerability conditions, increase in income following two months placement.
• Use ILO service-tracker digital tool as complementary M&E tool for baseline and endline assessment. The implementing partner will be required to provide a list of beneficiaries upon enrollment of trainees and upon completion of the training. (the survey will be launched by ILO for 3 months, 6 months and one year after graduation and sent to beneficiaries by email/SMS. All beneficiaries should have valid email and mobile number)

4. Reporting and Deliverables (please check the ToR to review the reporting and Deliverables Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization)

5. Payment Schedule

The below table summarized the planned schedule of payments to be made upon the completion and submission of deliverables delineated in the ToR Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization. A deliverable is considered completed upon review and satisfaction of the ILO and submission of an acceptable invoice. Payment schedule will be time bound and installment % may be revised upon signature of contract in consultation with selected implementing partner noting that first payment cannot exceed 30% or 30,000 USD (whichever is less) and final payment cannot be less than 5%.

1st payment: 30% or US$ 30,000 upon signature of contract.

2nd payment: 65% upon the submission of the inception report including occupations selected based on desk review, along with an updated detailed workplan, and the progress report (financial and narrative) detailing activities implemented

3rd and final payment: 5% upon the submission of a final completion report (narrative and financial) on all activities under workplan documenting the implementation narrative, key achievements, challenges, mitigation measures, good practices/lessons learned, and recommendations for future interventions, including all deliverables related to the IA to the satisfaction of ILO

6. Timeframe & Indicative Work Programme (please check the ToR Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization to review the Timeframe & Indicative Work Programme)

How to Apply:

7. Submission of Proposal

The ILO is inviting qualified non-governmental organizations/local entities having relevant experience in delivering similar services as mentioned in this Terms of Reference (TOR) Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization to submit technical and financial proposals. The applicant must submit the Technical and Financial Proposals in separate files mentioning “Technical Proposal” and “Financial Proposal” along with supporting documents requested (in manageable size – zip files). The financial proposal shall be submitted in both (1) excel and (2) signed PDF versions.

The email subject should mention the “name of organization – “Ref.: ILO Conduct WBL programme under ENABLE”)

The proposals will be submitted by email to:

Email: chaya@ilo.org, daher@ilo.org,

And cc: barroeta@ilo.org

Deadline for submission by 13 June 2025 COB Beirut time

Queries and questions from potential applicants on any section of this TOR Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization are welcomed. Please send relevant questions by 01 June 2025, to the following contacts:

Email: daher@ilo.org,

And cc: barroeta@ilo.org

The ILO will provide feedback on your queries by 04 June 2025.

8. List of Submittals

A- Technical Proposal including the following main components by order:

1. Organization’s profile: Institution’s information: details of registration and accreditation, description of present activities demonstrating required capacity and past experience in similar assignments including achievements, why they are the most suitable for the work, previous clients and collaboration with stakeholders.
2. CVs of Team leader and staff involved in the project implementation demonstrating their capacity to conduct the assignment.
3. Proposed methodology on how the applicant will approach and conduct the work, including overview of the assignment/introduction showing the understanding of the context and knowledge of the assignment, foreseen challenges during the implementation of the project and mitigation methods, tools to be used, M&E system…
4. Detailed work plan with a timeline related to the different activities in addition to implementation methods: coordination of partners, cooperation mechanisms, result oriented, and M&E. The inception report will allow a revision of the submitted detailed workplan.
5. Relevant past works including past projects and assignments related to TVET and work-based learning programmes, in particular mentioning previous experience with trainings in the construction sector. Past experience with ILO and participation in ILO technical capacity building will be an asset.
6. Provide a sample of past annual reports, publications, online records, or any other documents/references supporting the application.
7. Provide at least 3 professional references including detailed contacts.
8. Provide copy of official registration form attesting the organization/service provider eligibility.

B- Financial proposal

1. The Financial Proposal shall specify the unit rate and total in US$.
2. The financial proposal may include the following inputs: capital costs (equipment and tools, etc.. for the purpose of the training with supporting justification); running costs (salaries, utilities, transport, maintenance, stationary, etc..), activities costs (developing curricula, capacity building for stakeholders, tools and raw materials, assessment costs, certification costs etc.); overhead should not exceed 7% of overall total on activities. The total operational costs (capital, running cost, and salaries) should not exceed 40% of the total amount.

PS. The contractor will be responsible for paying daily wages for the workers during the 40-day on-site work. Applicants shall not account for these expenses.

The financial proposal shall include the following items:

• Activity cost for beneficiaries profiling
• Activity cost for career counselling sessions
• Activity costs for implementing the work-based learning programmes.
• Activity costs for implementing the post training services.
• Management cost
• Visibility costs

The cost of preparing a proposal and of negotiating a contract, including any related travel, is not reimbursable as a direct cost of the assignment.

7. Selection Criteria

A Cumulative Evaluation Method will be used for this procurement process and contract will be awarded to highest scorer(s) in cumulative analysis considering Technical and Financial Evaluation. The Technical proposal will contain 70% and financial proposal will contain 30% weight whereas Technical Evaluation passing score is 70%. Any applicant that scores less than 70% in Technical Evaluation shall not be considered for financial evaluation.

The Technical proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following general criteria stated below:

• Relevant Experience of the organization including profile and qualification alignment to criteria listed above (25%).
• Human resources proposed for the assignment (qualifications and experience) including technical and management team + detailed CVs (25%).
• Justification, approach, and methodology proposed; detailed workplan; outreach plan; detailed budget; supporting documents requested (25%).
• Similar work experience in Lebanon; previous work with ILO and other development agencies (25%).

The Implementing Partner must have the following required expertise:

1. Officially registered in Lebanon as an NGO with the legal documents to be provided.
2. Proven records of training accreditation.
3. Proven previous experience and records in working in a multi-stakeholders environment, and past experience with government institutions, development agencies, local authorities, etc,… through the submission of similar work experience.
4. Proven experience in developing, managing, and implementing skills training and work-based learning programmes; with a minimum of seven years of practical experience in market-oriented skills training, work-based learning.
5. Adequate human resources to complete the required tasks, as to be outlined in the submitted CVs and team organigram. The organigram shall explain the team structure and roles proposed.
6. Proven experience to address people with disability in training and employment, as to be submitted in the outreach plan/methodology.
7. Proven excellent reporting, communication, and documentation in both Arabic and English language.

Applicant to reflect on that in the proposal/profile of the company. The financial proposal will be evaluated based on price reasonableness, cost per beneficiary, and overall cost including clarity and details provided, and alignment of costs against activities and technical proposal.

(a) Financial weighted score, out of 30:

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other financial proposals receive points in inverse proportion. The formula used is as follows:

p = y (μ/z),

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

μ = price of the lowest financial proposal

z = price of the financial proposal being evaluated

Clarity of the proposal and provision of all required documentation are considered as a cross cutting measurement criteria.

Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered for evaluation.

Please check the TOR Implementing Partner to conduct Work Based Learning Programme in Lebanon | International Labour Organization to review the Sample budget template