UNHCR - Consultant - Develop a Methodology and Tools for Skills Development, Decent Employment Opportunities and Coaching of Refugees and Asylum Seekers

JR2313863

Organization: UNHCR

Location: Tirana, Albania

Type of Contract: Consultancy (Individual Contract)

Duration of contract: 30 days in a timeframe of 8 months



Tentative starting date: 20/04/2023



Title: Consultancy to develop a methodology and tools for skills development, decent employment opportunities and coaching of refugees and asylum seekers.

Terms of Reference

1. Overview

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. Our primary purpose at UNHCR is to safeguard the rights and well-being of people who have been forced to flee. Together with partners and communities, we work to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another country. We also strive to secure lasting solutions. For over 70 years, UNHCR has helped millions of people to restart their lives. They include refugees, returnees, stateless people, the internally displaced, and asylum-seekers. Our protection, shelter, health, and education have been crucial, healing broken pasts and building brighter futures. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Improving livelihoods and economic inclusion is a key component of achieving protection and solution outcomes: while allowing persons of concern to provide for themselves and their families, building resilience, and avoiding aid-dependency and negative coping mechanisms, they are enabled to contribute to their host economies and can prepare for their future whether it be a return home or integration in their country of asylum or in a third country. For further information on UNHCR, its mandate, and operations, please see https://www.unhcr.org/



2. Project relevance

UNHCR works in partnership with Albanian governmental institutions and

non-governmental institutions to implement its strategy on livelihood,

economic inclusion, and local integration related to refugees and asylum

seekers. UNHCR wants its partners to develop and improve their skills to work with refugees/asylum seekers, be sensitive toward their problems, and develop mechanisms and pathways to protect and improve their lives. After receiving the methodology, tools and support developed under this consultancy, RMSA staff should be better equipped and prepared to face related issues and support every refugee/asylum seeker who is in the scope of its work.

3. Purpose of the consultancy

This consultancy is aimed to develop a methodology and tools to (i) improve skills development, decent employment opportunities, and coaching of refugees and asylum seekers to better access the labor market, and (ii) capacity building of UNHCR partners working directly with refugees/asylum seekers.

4. Scope of work

This assignment aims to develop a methodology and tools for skills

development, decent employment opportunities, and coaching of refugees and asylum seekers to better access the labor market, and capacity building of UNHCR partners, more specifically Refugee and Migrants Services in Albania (RMSA). It is aimed to develop skills of RMSA human capacities on providing adequate guidance and coaching to refugees and asylum seekers related to skills development, decent employment opportunities, and access to market issues to facilitate and improve the livelihoods of refugees and asylum seekers in Albania.

UNHCR plans to build the professional capacities of relevant RMSA staff

dealing directly with asylum seekers (social worker, etc.) on skills

development, decent employment opportunities, and coaching of refugees and asylum seekers through delivering a complete package linked to specific needs the refugee/ asylum seeker face.

5. Expected Timetable

This consultancy duration is 30 working days and is expected to last up to 8 (eight) months and be implemented between the period of April and

November 2023, with the final deliverables submitted by 15 November 2023.

6. Proposed Methodology

Detailed methodology and implementing tools are required for RMSA staff to provide better guidance for refugee/asylum seekers in improving their

existing skills and accessing the labor market. The following general steps

are proposed for conducting the support for RMSA staff by the consultant:

• Review the existing procedures, tools, and methods used by RMSA, to

develop an understanding of the current situation and challenges faced by the partner and the specific target group, concerning skills development opportunities, decent employment opportunities, and access to the market.

• Develop a methodology and tools for UNHCR partners.

• Deliver a training session for UNHCR partners to understand how to use the new methodology and support them during monthly group coaching sessions.

• Methodology should be consulted and approved by UNHCR (Livelihood and Economic Inclusion)

• The information and message delivered to UNHCR partners should be clear, understandable, and target oriented.

• Short narrative reports (English version) submitted within a week after each group coaching session. It should include a narrative summary of the session, observations, and recommendations.

• Final narrative report, including methodology, tools, a summary of coaching sessions, and recommendations for further action and improvements.

7. Supervision/Reporting line

The consultant will report directly to: Assistant Livelihood & Economic Inclusion Officer.

8. Consultancy Deliverables

- Develop the Calendar of planned activities and results.

- Develop a methodology and tools, to assess existing procedures and

provide further steps of action for refugees/asylum seekers’ skills development and access to decent employment opportunities.

- Deliver a training session for UNHCR partners to understand how to use the new methodology.

- Deliver individual assessments through psychometric tests for up to 20 persons (refugees).

- Support RMSA staff (on the job training/support) following up on the initial evaluation, through monthly group coaching sessions, 8 sessions in total.

- Final narrative report including methodology, tools, a summary of coaching sessions, and possible recommendations for further action and improvements.

9. ToRs Amendment

UNHCR and the consultant may amend part of the present ToRs in order to have deliverables that better adheres to the context. The final report will reflect the amendments agreed. The amendments must be signed by both parties at the beginning of the mission.

10. Proposed Timeframe

20/04/2023 – 30/11/2023

11. Payment milestones

Payment will be made as per the proposed working plan and deliverables, and be specified upon contracting.

12. Qualifications

The interested consultants should meet the following criteria:

Academic: Bachelor university degree in economics, business administration, business management, social sciences, or any other field related to the requested services.

Professional Experience:

• Have experience and expertise, 5 years minimum, in developing

methodologies and implementing tools related to professional assessment, improving skills development, and accessing decent employment opportunities, including for marginalized and underserved groups.

• Excellent knowledge of local employment and skills development actors, environment, challenges, and opportunities, including for marginalized and underserved groups.

• Have experience, 3 years minimum, in talent mapping and assessment, HR consulting, and career advising.

• Experience in analyzing training needs, developing and implementing in- person and online individual and group training and coaching sessions.

• Very good communication and report-writing skills.

Language: Very good command of the English language.

13. Pre-selected candidates

UNHCR Albania will pre-select between 3 to 5 candidates. Interested candidates should present the following:

• 2 References from previous collaborators

• Detailed proposal with the budget and the work-plan for this consultancy (make sure to include breakdown of the consultancy costs).

Deadline for applications: 26 March 2023