National Training Council Strategic Plan Consultant 79 views

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

Education and Skills Strengthening Project

Grant no.: IDA-D7600

Assignment Title: National Training Council Strategic Plan Consultant 

Reference No : MH-MOE-463698-CS-INDV

The Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Education and Skills Strengthening Project (ESSP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) will assist the Project Manager and the RMI National Training Council to effectively implement the World Bank-funded project.

The assignment will focus on supporting the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the National Training Council (NTC) that aligns with its broader goals and addresses the specific needs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is indicated in the attached Terms of Reference (ToR).

The National Training Council now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach a Cover Letter of no more than four (4) pages addressing the mandatory experience and qualification requirements curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such a situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for electing the Consultant are:

Mandatory Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in organizational management, strategy, education, TVET or other relevant fields
• At least 1 similar consultancy assignment experience providing services to RMI government
• Demonstrated capacity and up to 5 years of experience in advising on organizational development and training provision
• At least 1 year experience in delivering trainings in any TVET areas
• Relevant experience of working with NTC, PSS, CMI, USP
• Fluent in English

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience in developing or updating organizational strategies in the education / TVET sector
• Experience in consultancy and advisory assignments to RMI government entities and good understanding of the local context

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised November 2020 “Procurement Regulations”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours; 0900 to 1700 hours local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by email) by 5:00pm, 23rd December, 2024. The subject line should state: “National Training Council Strategic Plan Consultant – full name of the candidate”.

Julius Lucky
Director

National Training Council
ntcdr@ntcinfo.org :
Phone: 692 625-4521

Susan Kommwa

Project Manager, ESSP

essprmi2021@gmail.com

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Republic of the Marshall Islands

Ministry of Education, Sports and Training

Terms of Reference

 Individual Consultant

I. BACKGROUND

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of the world’s smallest, most isolated, and vulnerable nations. The country consists of 29 atolls and five individual islands (24 out of these 34 atolls and islands are inhabited). It covers an area of 1.9 million square km (around the size of Mexico) but has just 181 square km in land area (around the size of Washington, DC). Its low elevation makes the country highly vulnerable to natural and climate related disasters threatening the physical viability of some areas of the main and more remote outer islands (OI).

Project summary

The Education and Skills Strengthening Project (ESSP) aims to increase access to and quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities and improve labor market outcomes for Marshallese beneficiaries in RMI and abroad. This project is designed to address the RMI’s challenges in building and using its human capital.

In RMI, participation in secondary and post-secondary education and training as well as poor academic performance across the board is a main concern and the labor market faces a dual challenge of skills gaps and a high formal sector unemployment (especially among youths). The Project was approved by the World Bank’s Board of Directors on 21st January 2021 and declared effective on 6th April 2021. The International Development Association (IDA) grant for the proposed operation is US$10 million.

The key stakeholders to this project include the Ministry of Education, Sports and Training (MOEST), Public-School System (PSS), the National Training Council (NTC), and the Ministry of Finance (MOF), and the Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA).

ESSP will support the following:

1. Improvement in the general secondary education to increase acquisition of foundational skills (Math and English);
2. Expansion and improvements in the supply of TVET programs, specialization tracks within secondary schools, accredited college-level programs in post-secondary institutions, and shorter programs by governmental and non-governmental organizations;
3. Strengthening of the labor market intermediation services in the country such as workforce planning, counseling and career guidance, employment center, recognition of prior learning, work placement program, etc;
4. Project management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E). Financing M & E activities to complement existing M&E systems in collecting relevant data for monitoring the project, inform needed course-correction, and evaluate outcomes of activities. As part of building MOEST capacity, the component would finance assessments, the development of a Roadmap and action to prepare for (including make efficiency gains where possible) and navigate any changes in the level of, or access to, resources or services and ways of working which may alter as a result of the Compact renegotiations process.

The project also aims to improve equity, especially related to women’s participation in TVET and in the work force and related to students, especially youths from islands other than Majuro and Ebeye.

By following best practices embedding programs in clear pathways for continuing education, increasing participation of employers in training development and delivery, and recognizing the importance of migration. The activities are designed to increase the likelihood of enrollment in further studies and employment in RMI and abroad, especially for the most disadvantaged students and jobseekers.

NTC and PSS are the technical leads for their component(s). Each Agency has assigned one staff to manage the activities for about 30 percent of their work program. For the project support, a Project Implementing Unit (PIU) comprised two coordinators, one for NTC and one for PSS, one administrative assistant, and one project manager. Additional staff will include 1 coordinator for Eyebe, communication specialist and 1 M&E specialist. To maximize coordination and efficiency, the PIU is located within the NTC’s office.

II. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the National Training Council (NTC) that aligns with its broader goals and addresses the specific needs of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

III. SCOPE OF SERVICES:

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review and Update the Strategic Plan:

• Conduct a thorough review of the existing (2019 -2021) NTC strategic plan.
• Conduct a SWOT analysis: Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a revised strategic plan that includes: (i) Clear vision, mission, and goals; (ii) Strategic priorities and objectives; (iii) Action plans with specific timelines and responsibilities; (iv) Performance indicators and targets; (v) M&E framework.

2. Organizational Assessment:

• Assess the current organizational structure and staffing capacity of NTC.
• Identify areas for improvement in terms of organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop recommendations for organizational restructuring, if necessary.

3. Staff Capacity assessment and Staff capacity development:

• Assess the skills and competencies of NTC staff.
• Develop a capacity building plan to address identified gaps.
• Provide training and technical assistance to NTC staff as needed.

4. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Engage with key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society organizations, to gather inputs and build consensus.
• Conduct stakeholder workshops to discuss the strategic plan and seek feedback.

1. KEY DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

V. INSTITUTIONAL AND ORGANIZATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will report directly to the Project Manager and work in close collaboration with Component 2 and 3 Coordinator during the assignment. The Consultant will work closely with the National Training Council, the Public School System (PSS), College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), University of the South Pacific (USP), Waan Aelõñ in Majel (WAM), the Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA), and other relevant private and public sector stakeholders.

VI. DURATION, LOCATION, CONDITIONS

The position is a part–time position to be based in Majuro. The duration of the contract will be for 60 workdays throughout three consecutive calendar months.

The Government of RMI will provide key project documents, such as Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Project Operation Manual (POM), project progress reports and materials related to the Project. Office space, general office supplies and office equipment will be provided.

VII. Qualifications and Experience Requirements

A. Mandatory Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in organizational management, strategy, education, TVET or other relevant fields
• At least 1 similar consultancy assignment experience providing services to RMI government
• Demonstrated capacity and up to 5 years of experience in advising on organizational development and training provision
• At least 1 year experience in delivering trainings in any TVET areas
• Relevant experience of working with NTC, PSS, CMI, USP
• Fluent in Marshallese and English

B. Desired Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in developing or updating organizational strategies in the education / TVET sector
• Experience in consultancy and advisory assignments to RMI government entities and good understanding of the local context