Coordination and monitoring of Employment Intensive Investment Programme for Turkana County PROSPECTS - Partnership for Inclusive Jobs and Education for Forcibly Displaced Persons and Host communities
1. Introduction
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is one of five agencies, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United National High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Bank, that have recently signed up to a partnership with the Government of Netherlands for a major new initiative to move from a purely humanitarian response to forcibly displaced persons and host communities to approaches that promotes the humanitarian to development nexus and result in an inclusive and sustainable medium to long-term socio-economic development. The initiative seeks to “transform the way governments and other stakeholders, including the private sector, respond to forced displacement crises” in refugee-hosting countries.
As stated in the partnership Vision Note, access to employment and livelihoods provides the bridge between humanitarian action and development cooperation. As such, ILO will support critical response programmes anchored in its comprehensive policy framework, namely its Guiding Principles on the Access of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons to the labour market and the Employment and Decent Work for Peace and Resilience Recommendation, 2017 (No. 205). The ILO’s vision within the Partnership is: “To strengthen decent work in countries impacted by forced displacement to mitigate stress factors at all levels and support inclusive socio-economic enablers for access to labour markets and empowerment of host communities and of forcibly displaced populations”.
The Employment-intensive Investment Programme (EIIP) is one of ILO’s vehicles to promote full and productive employment and decent work. The EIIP has been implemented since the early 1970’s. The main strategy for the implementation of EIIP is the use of local resource-based and employment-intensive approaches for the creation of more and better jobs in the production of public assets in diverse sectors including roads, soil and water conservation and resource management, natural resource management and environment conservation. The approach entails the application of a well-designed system optimizing local resources, technology and management processes to produce or maintain quality public assets in a cost-effective manner, while generating local employment and stimulating the local economy. In order to have a successful application of EIIP interventions, however, there is a need to have supportive policies with the will and commitment of the decision makers and regulatory bodies. In addition, there is a need for an efficient and effective capacity for the coordination, planning, implementation and monitoring of employment intensive works. Thus, capacity development is an integral part of the ILOs technical assistance to ensure quality and sustainability of local resource-based public works. The EIIP interventions should also be based on a deep understanding of the needs of the target communities, in this case refugees and host communities, the policy environment as well as the local operational conditions.
The shift from humanitarian operations to a development approach towards the impact of refugees in Turkana County as envisaged in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP II) and the Partnership will require investment in quality and durable infrastructure assets. The Kenyan Government, the Turkana County Government and partners all realize and have made commitments towards directing investments to long-term plans that entail spatial and physical planning, upgrading and expansion of infrastructure of social and productive assets and services to serve an integrated population of refugees and host communities and support their paths to self-reliance and long-term prosperity. Applying ILO’s EII approach provides the bridge to address multiple short-term objectives, while simultaneously laying foundations for the medium- and long-term objectives of building resilient labour markets and inclusive economic growth to be achieved.
2. Turkana County EIIP Training Programme
The PROSPECT Project has identified opportunities within and outside the partnership to bring the ILO’s EIIP comparative advantage to bear. An assessment was undertaken in Turkana County and identified interventions which focus on introducing the application of LRB approaches and influencing the planning and implementation of the county government and donor investments in the county. This will commence with implementing a labour-based road works training programme targeting the county, contractors and workers from host and refugee community; and providing technical and managerial technical assistance to the county and partners on the approach.
The training will target:
County government officials and other implementing partners: Policy, planning, technical and management training
Private sector contractors: Technical, contract management and business management
Workers and communities: Practical skills imparted to those engaged in the labour-based works.
The above will be delivered through a blended approach including theoretical training and a practical labour-based roadworks demonstration project. It will be designed to impart knowledge on the local resource-based approaches, policy and planning considerations, practical technical skills and techniques, contract and labour management practices of labour-based road works for county technical officers and contractors; plus business management skills for contractors. The ILO has contracted Kenya Institute for Building and Highways Technology (KIHBT). The Kisii Training Centre (KTC) under KIHBT is the institution that is responsible for LBT training in Kenya. KIHBT is responsible for the needs assessment, design, planning and implementation of the entire training programme and demonstration project. In preparation for the training, KIHBT undertook a detailed pre-training needs assessment in December 2020 to develop a training programme tailored to the specific needs of the target beneficiaries in Turkana County and design the demonstration road. The findings are being used to inform the scope and content of the training and ensure it is responsive to the specific context and the needs as well as the long-term objective of the Programme. KIHBT will review and prepare new training content for all the technical and management training and demonstration works.
The planned training will be conducted through a blended model involving both classroom learning and a pilot LBT road demonstration project including gravel and alternative paving for low-volume roads selected to improve accessibility to social and economic activities. It will be implemented as follows:
County and implementing partner technical staff (20 pax) – 2 weeks classroom and practical training
Contractor Managing Directors course (15–20 pax) – 3 weeks classroom and practical training
Contractor Site Supervisors course - 5 weeks classroom and practical training
The actual number of trainees and dates are to be confirmed. The contractor selection is on-going.**
Road demonstration: The road for the demonstration project is identified as the access road leading to the Kakuma Business Centre in Kakuma Ward, West Turkana Sub-County. The business centre is undergoing rehabilitation with support from International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
The road length to be used for the demonstration is 2.2 km. The demonstration will include sections of both gravel and low-volume sealing (300 meters). The County Government is responsible for the confirmation of the demarcated road to be upgraded and to provide the necessary authorization prior to commencement of the works.
In order to coordinate and monitor the training programme the ILO intends to the engage a local consultant (External Collaborator) to be based in Turkana County over the duration of the assignment with requisite educational background and experience.
3. Scope of work
The External Collaborator (Excol) will be responsible for the coordination and delivery of the training activities with the County Government of Turkana in particular the delivery of the labour-based road demonstration works. He/she will also provide technical and managerial assistance to the county and partners on the approach and ensure the quality of training and works assets delivered and that linkage with the ILO Skills and Enterprise components and relevant partner activities are exploited. More specifically, the Excol will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:
The overall coordination and monitoring of the delivery of EIIP capacity building activities in Turkana County.
The liaison and coordination between the county government headquarters (Lodwar), the West Turkana sub-county and Kakuma ward and local administration and the ILO ensuring respective roles and responsibilities are clear for effective delivery of the training.
The relationship and coordination with PROSPECTS partners, other relevant government (including Refugee Affairs Secretariat, national administration and authorities/agencies – road agencies, environment authority), non-state actors (including contractors, Contractors Association, Chamber of Commerce) for the smooth delivery of the training.
All the necessary approvals to undertake the training and works.
Provision of technical input to the KIHBT training programme, manage and oversee the preparatory work including the selection/identification of the training participants. He/she will also oversee the recruitment of workers ensuring inclusivity in terms of refuges, host community, gender and persons living with disability; design of the training, review of content of the training modules and set up of the practical training to meet the local needs of the different target groups.
Supervision of KIHBT in the delivery of the training and provide technical advice/inputs to ensure the overall quality of the delivery of the training to meet the training targets and objectives. Advise on and monitor the procurement, labour and material costs and quality of the roadworks.
Oversee and support KIHBT to ensure quality and technical standards of works and the adherence to social and environmental safeguard measures, labour standards and ILO decent work standards and norms, and COVID-19 prevention measures and standards.
Development of data collection, monitoring and reporting tools for effective monitoring and reporting of the EIIP training activities and results achieved including on training delivered, skills developed, jobs created, assets created and adherence to environmental safeguards, labour standards and norms and COVID-19 measures under item (8).
Follow up and ensuring KIHBT’s timely completion of contractual tasks and submits deliverables as per the terms of reference. Review deliverables to ensure they meet requirements prior to their final submission to the ILO.
Preparation of reports according to the ILO requirements, reports on activities, results, contribution to outcomes, challenges, lessons and corrective actions/recommendations.
Identification of emerging EIIP capacity development needs, demands and priorities in consultation with the county and other beneficiary stakeholders.
Linkages, opportunities and complementarity with the other activities by working closely with the Skills and Enterprise Leads.
Participation in the regular PROSPETS work planning and review activities and meetings.
Support ILO management, finance and administration organize and conduct field activities including setting up of workshops, meetings and visits.
Any other duties as may be requested in relation to the EIIP development and work under the PROSPECTS programme.
4. Reporting Arrangements
The consultants will report to the ILO Country office in Dar es Salaam through the the Chief Technical Adviser for PROSPECTS Kenya, based in Nairobi. The consultant will work under the technical guidance of the EIIP Specialist under PROSPECT, based in Addis Ababa; and the EIIP Specialist based in Pretoria.
ILO PROSPECTS Kenya staff will be available throughout the assignment to support the EXCOL on operational and administrative issues. Deliverables under the consultant’s contract will be submitted to the ILO PROSPECT Programme Offices. Approval of those outputs for payment will be made upon satisfaction of ILO with the quality of products/documents.
The ILO will facilitate the consultants to access all the necessary information and materials relevant to the assignment. The consultant is, however, expected to collect and use relevant information and literature from other sources to be able to deliver his work.
5. Qualifications requirements
Education-A degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline
Experience – A minimum of 7 years’ experience in infrastructure sector and proven experience on employment intensive approach, experience with training and capacity development programmes will be an added advantage.
Working experience in Turkana County, and understanding of local labour markets dynamics will be an added advantage.
Languages – Excellent knowledge and command of English.
Knowledge of governments’ refugee programmes and modus operandi is an added advantage.
Familiarity with ILO policies, technical programmes and procedures, including experience working with officials of ministries or departments of infrastructure/roads/public works, labour and/or technical and vocational education at county or national government would be an advantage, as would experience of working in crisis settings.
6. Deliverables
a. Deliverable 1: Inception report submitted two weeks after signing contract: detailing understanding of TOR and the training programme, technical and managerial tools, schedule of activities for the assignment.
b. Deliverable 2: Progress report-one submitted six weeks from commencement: covering all tasks undertaken and activity progress covering preparatory work and arrangements including the recruitment of workers, setting up of road demonstration site, data collection and monitoring tools developed to facilitate management, technical support provided to KIHBT and county. Reports should include on challenges, lessons and corrective actions/recommended next steps.
c. Deliverable 3: Progress report submitted following the county and managing directors training: covering all tasks undertaken and activity progress covering the county technical officers and contractors (managing directors) training; the status of works on the road demonstration works, technical support provided to KIHBT and county. Reports should include on challenges, lessons and corrective actions/recommended next steps.
d. Deliverable 4: Final report submitted 10th July:** completion report covering all tasks and report of all the training and completion of the road demonstration.
Reports should be prepared as per ILO templates required and should annex any tools developed, summary notes and minutes of meetings held and participated in during the period; updated activity work plans, briefs and presentations.
7. Fees and Payments schedule
The duration of the contract will be 60 days spreading from 20 February to 19 July 2021. The consultant will be paid a daily rate, with other reimbursables where applicable.
How to apply:
Recruitment Criteria
Interested applicants should submit their expression of interest including a CV, academic certificates and other supporting documents that show previous experience in similar assignments to E- mail: nboprocurement@ilo.org to reach no later than 5.00 P.M. on Friday 5th February 2021, Quoting “PROSPECTS: Consultancy for Coordination and monitoring of Employment Intensive Investment Programme Works for Turkana County”**